Default browser not working in Ventura 13.1

I have the same problem. I support my family with a total of 6 different Mac computers and it's the exact same situation, it's a bug introduced with Ventura 3.1.

I called Applecare tech support and after 1.5 hours on the phone and doing typical level 1 followed by level 2 support diagnostics over a 2 hour period, I was told that this situation is a known problem at Apple and that it will be fixed eventually.

The default browser works for links within Emails, however it doesn't work from desktop URL shortcut (.webloc) files.

The only workarounds are to drag/drop the .webloc shortcuts into the desired browser and/or setup shortcuts within the browser shortcut bar.

Hi - found a solution. Updated to 13.2 (don't know if that matters) ... but I opened Chrome, went to Settings, chose Default Browser from the navigation menu on the left, and set Chrome to be my default browser.

Having Chrome as my default browser within the MacOS did not work (tested after the update to 13.2) ... but changing the setting within Chrome did the trick.

Hope this helps someone searching for the same solution.

This issue is now resolved with macOS 13.2. Double-clicking a .webloc file from my desktop now launches Google Chrome which I setup as my default browser.

I confirmed it on my Mac MIni as well as two MacBook Pros.

There is an app called SwiftDefaultApps. Find it and install it then go to Uniform Type Identifiers and select

com.apple.web-internet-location, click on "Other..." in the Viewer

selection panel and add your preferred web browser. You should then be able to

double-click a webloc link on the desktop and it will open with the browser you selected. Works fine and makes this problem go away. Lame that I had to add something to get something I had but that happens sometimes with major OS updates.

Yes you are right! Updating to Ventura 13.2 fixed the problem.

Until Apple fixes this problem, you can always "Right Click" on the Mouse (if you're using one) and go to "Open with", where Safari is on top of the pull-down list, as the Default (that's the bug, if you selected another web browser in the "System Settings-Desktop & Dock -Default web browser") and select the Web Browser that you want to use for that URL or .webloc

I know it's pain but until Apple fixes it, it's an option that some of you can use.

See andrefotier's response two posts above yours. It's been fixed in Ventura 3.2.

There seems to be a bug in Ventura 13.1. My system also reports my preferred default browser, but for some reason ignores it and associates all URL or .webloc files to Safari. I reported it as a bug and I suggest the same.

Tell Apple about the issue via Feedback - macOS - Apple.  

It is called SwiftDefaultApps. It may not work on M1 macs either but it is worth a try.

There is a preference pane available that allows one to change the association of file types and I have found that does work for now. I can't post the link here, but until Apple fixes this is the only way I have found to make it work pre-13.1 style.

Glad they now finally admit it's a bug. On the day Apple dropped 13.1 to the public, I discovered this irritating problem and also spent about 1.5 hours online with support to have them tell me I had to re-install the OS. I knew that was bogus info, and did not do a re-install. Hopefully they come out with 13.1.1 or something to fix this ASAP as it is a major inconvenience for many of us.

PCW Sr wrote:

Is this another product of a changing company model by Apple to crowd out competitors (Or just a bug?) as in the business model to create a phone that can only be fixed by apple and disallow upgrades? I always wonder "What would Steve Jobs do in a case like this?"

No. It's just an oversight in the coding for the update. You an still use other browsers by right clicking on the link and selecting the browser of your choice from the contextual menu.

go to Uniform Type Identifiers and select com.apple.web-internet-location, click on "Other..." in the Viewer selection panel and add your app. You should then be able to double-click a webloc link on the desktop and it will open with the app.

Is this another product of a changing company model by Apple to crowd out competitors (Or just a bug?) as in the business model to create a phone that can only be fixed by apple and disallow upgrades? I always wonder "What would Steve Jobs do in a case like this?"