cannot change default application to open HEIC files using Preview on mac sonoma 14.6

exogyra1 wrote:

Multiple problems, all related. My Mac-mini now thinks Gimp is the default application to open HEIC files.

I can't change the default back to Preview. See below.

At various points in this process my Mac seems to think HEIC files are "From an unidentified developer".

These are all images taken with an iPhone. In none of these steps have I changed anything (i.e. no 'save' or 'save as').

I copied some HEIC files that opened fine in the past.

1. Do 'Open with Preview' on file1.HEIC

Works

2. Double click the same file

Opens in GIMP. I exit Gimp with doing anything.

3. Do 'Open with Preview'

Works

4. Do 'Open with Other', select Preview, and check 'Always Open With'

I get a pop-up "macOS cannot verifyt the developer of "file1.HEIC". Are you sure you want to open it"

I click Open

Works

5. I close the file

Double click now opens file1 fine in Preview.

You might have thought steps 4 & 5 have now set the default app for HEIC files.

6 Double click on file2.HEIC (a different HEIC file).

Opens in Gimp

Quit Gimp

Note that right clicking on 'Open' also goes to Gimp

Open with Preview works and gives me the same behavior as above for steps 3-5.

Configuration:

Mac mini, M1, 2020

Sonoma 14.6.1 (up to date as of 2pm, Aug 23, 2024)

Preview verswion 11.0 (1056.5.1)

Gimp 12.10.38 (revision 1)

You could try uninstalling GIMP...(?)

To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

To trouble shoot further you can:

—A SafeBoot Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account.