abraham214 Author

Level 1

8 points

Preferences in email app

mailto links in my browser apparently use the mail app's defaults when choosing which email client to use. Apparently, these can be changed via the mail app's preferences. Unfortunately, I can't seem to access preferences since I never shared any info with the app. The preferences menu item is greyed out.

How can you get to preferences in the mail app without sharing some email auth info?

Posted on Jul 13, 2020 12:29 PM

Reply

Similar questions

How do I change which app handles mailto: without Mail.app? If I want to change which app handles mailto: links, Apple says I have to use Mail.app. However Mail.app does not allow me to get to the preferences unless I setup Mail.app. This is a real Catch-22! I can't use Mail.app with my email (nor do I want to), but then I'm forced to set it up in order to NOT use it (which I can't). How do I change which app handles mailto: without Mail.app?
479 10
When click Mailto links online, Chrome and Safari default to Microsoft Outlook Online. I don't have Outlook. How do i change it? Ever since my son borrowed my Macbook Pro to check his university Outlook email, both Safari and Chrome default to his Outlook /microsoft sign in webpage when I click a Mailto link online (example, Reply button in Craigslist). I don't use Outlook, and need Mailto links to default to Apple Mail or Gmail. I already tried changing the default in Apple Mail preferences, it makes no difference. I tried deleting Microsoft cookies, and the caches, no change. I could not find any settings in Chrome or Safari to change Mailto link handling. Chrome's stated settings change instructions for "handlers" refer to menu lines that do not appear in my Chrome settings. And I suspect it's some kind of global setting since it affects both of the browsers I use, and i think he only checked his mail in Chrome. How do i get rid of my browsers defaulting to Outlook for Mailto links?
5547 4
Change default mail client The various instructions I've found online and here suggest changing the default mail client should be trivial. Simply open Mail, click on "Preferences" and change it there. However, apparently you cannot access the Preferences in Mail if there's no accounts present. So how do I make this change if the Preferences are grayed out?
844 1

5 replies

Level 10

685,221 points

Jul 13, 2020 12:57 PM in response to abraham214

Have you tried using command - , (comma)?

Reply

Level 10

685,221 points

Jul 13, 2020 1:45 PM in response to abraham214

You are welcome. Not if you are stuck on that screen. You can delete the account later.

Reply

abraham214 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2020 1:03 PM in response to Eric Root

Indeed. No go.

If it helps, it's stuck on this screen...

Reply

Level 10

685,221 points

Jul 13, 2020 1:10 PM in response to abraham214

Try adding an email account using that screen.

Accounts in Mail on Mac - Add or remove email

Reply

abraham214 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2020 1:11 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks for the response. I'd rather not if possible. Is there a way to update preferences without sharing my email info?

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Preferences in email app

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more Sign up