Changing the default application for all files associated with an app

It isn't just a list of extensions because Apple doesn't solely depend on extensions to link files to applications.

OS X uses Uniform Type Identifiers also.

If you look in the com.apple.launchservices.secure.plist, you can see the various associations.

Here is an example that uses the extension:

These show how Safari is mapped to content types and URLs

Here are Word's mappings (note that none are extensions):

So, as Windows just uses an extension to map files to applications, you can easily push a list of extensions into a table with an editor for picking the app. There is no way to do that (that I know of) on a Mac.

You might try editing that plist file (it is in your user/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices/). Log out and back in. However I'm not sure that is the method used to register those associations. Changing that file may not update it.

When you Get Info and Change All…, it builds the association in the LS database. There is a program called lsregister in the core services. It may be the thing that does the insert, but all anybody seems to really know about it is using it to reset the LS database (scan all installed apps and learn what file types it can open).

This is a very useful answer. I edited the ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices/com.apple.launchservices.secure. plist file, doing a find-and-replace to replace the identifier of an old application (com.barebones.textwrangler) with the one of another app (com.barebones.bbedit) for 15+ filetypes. It worked perfectly! Thanks.

Select any of the files you want associated. Press COMMAND-I to open the Get Info window and look at the Open With panel. Select the desired default application from the dropdown menu, then click on the Change All button. Repeat for each filetype using a file selection using the filetype.

Alternatively, change the actual file extensions for all the documents you will edit to the filetype extension created by the editor.

Exactly. Thank you. Level 9/10 people in these forums are overwhelmingly rude and unhelpful. Nine times out of ten, they refuse to engage, provide a short and unhelpful answer and then close the question. I stumble across this exact scenario every single time I run a search for even the most minor of issues.

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Ok, maybe not closed officially, but effectively closed. I have often sees responses from power users to the effect of "Sorry, we answered your question and that's the end of the story" when the question was clearly not answered to any real extent.

It's like dealing with corporate customer service anywhere else with an outright *refusal* to deviate from the script or offer any creative thinking whatsoever.

Thank you for hearing me and providing a nice counter example of a power user who listens to frustrated, non-technical customers. It is sincerely appreciated.

Ok, Bob. And thank you for proving my original point. It's telling that the one time I FINALLY receive an in-depth, multi-paragraph answer from a power user is when it's to defend the low-effort answers given around here all the time. Whether the position is paid or not, useless and rude answers are still useless and rude.

Maybe Apple should consider handling its own customer support rather than taking advantage of unpaid volunteers, many of whom do nothing but leave a bad taste in the mouths of paying customers.

Kappy, that's exactly the response the OP requested you not give.

What is needed is a way to: 1) see all the file types for which a particular app is the default, and 2) change them. Ideally, this is in the same place.

"Waldorf, your hearing aid's busted again."

No, he's not rude. He's pointing out that someone can't read. Obviously, the OP knows about that option; they are looking for an alternative--something that makes sense when trying to change the association for a lot of file types. Providing a known answer when specifically requested not to is what's rude. People with thousands of points and level 9/10 that can't read... can't provide an answer.... even to say it's not possible would have been better. And yes, got a user ID just to respond to this.

You are rude, whoever you are. The answer is the correct one, whether you like it does't matter. You never asked the question.

It's like dealing with corporate customer service anywhere else with an outright *refusal* to deviate from the script or offer any creative thinking whatsoever.

But no one participating in these forums is from Apple. They are just users who have been around a long time. They do NOT get paid. They are under no obligation to engage. And just because someone has a lot of points, does not mean they have all the answers. Sometimes, they just "Google" for information, if they are interested, and if they have the spare time to do that free work. Many of them have full time jobs to pay the bills.

The forum hosts (a small number of Apple employees) can do some administrative activities, such as move a post to the correct forum, edit out personal information, edit out offensive language, etc... But the hosts are not experts in the software, and are sufficiently busy keeping the wheels greased on the forum. The technical support is all from unpaid users.

A question can ONLY be marked "Answered" or "Helpful" by the person that asked the original question. If you wish to be that person, start a new "Post".

Thank you for hearing me and providing a nice counter example of a power user who listens to frustrated, non-technical customers. It is sincerely appreciated.

Taking out your frustrations on people that are not paid, does not encourage those people to engage.

I would suggest you start a new "Post" (see the "Post" button at the top of this page). Choose a forum that matches your version of macOS to post your question in. Explain in as much detail what your problem is, and what you have tried, and what happened. A new post puts you in the drivers seat. And try not to insult the people trying to answer. If their answer does not work, just say what happens when you try, and maybe someone else will engage.

Maybe Apple should consider handling its own customer support rather than taking advantage of unpaid volunteers, many of whom do nothing but leave a bad taste in the mouths of paying customers.

They do. See the "Contact Support" link at the top of this page.

This is a forum for fellow users interact with each other on technical questions. At no time does this forum prevent you from contacting Apple Support, or from making a Genius Bar appointment at your local Apple store.

So far, you have not asked a question. You have just been telling high points users they are not good enough.

Pigging backing onto a 2 year old question, and opening with complaints is not a way to further the original question. I am not trying to be rude. I have been trying to get you to take a different approach that takes into consideration your audience.

You can put your suggestion to Apple at this link: Feedback

I hear you but ... Threads can not be closed, so that bit can't be right.

Blimey the christmas spirit has gone out the window pretty quick.

Oh and this is a two year old post. Jeepers.