Cannot Set Default Mail App in El Capitan

I was using Outlook 2016 before upgrading to El Capitan. After the upgrade I decided to switch to the default Mail app. Unfortunately, when I try to make the switch in Mail > Preferences, the app I choose does not stick. When clicking a link, closing and restarting Mail, or even waiting just a few minutes, the default Mail app switches automatically back to Outlook 2016. Any thoughts?

I am running a mid-2011 Macbook Air.

MacBook Air (11-inch Mid 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 18, 2015 7:35 AM

Top-ranking reply

FJ Cruiser

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Jan 25, 2016 7:02 PM

I've been struggling with this issue for days. I followed a previous link in the post to a fix that worked like a charm.

Normally, your change to default email client is saved by LaunchServices, but that database can become corrupted. You can reset the database with the following command in Terminal (copy-paste the whole thing):

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchSe rvices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -all local,system,user

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51 replies

_green_

Level 1

14 points

Jun 30, 2016 7:35 AM in response to bennykn

Have you found another solution? I currently have this problem. Thanks.

murphysm

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2016 7:38 AM in response to Community User

THANK YOU! Easiest of the provided solutions and now works properly. not sure why your answer isn't the Apple Recommended answer.

Sep 2, 2016 2:37 PM in response to Cwistafuh

This helped me! So easy I didn't even think of it! Thanks!

Nov 27, 2015 5:40 PM in response to bhowton

The solution for me was to open Mail, and on the general tab, instead of using the drop down to select Outlook, I clicked on Select and browsed to the app file for Outlook. After I reopened Mail, the setting stuck, so opened a Word Doc, clicked to share via email and Outlook finally opened.

Feb 14, 2017 6:39 AM in response to Community User

This worked for me! thank you.

DaveHorn

Level 1

4 points

Jun 21, 2017 3:26 PM in response to Cwistafuh

This is the easiest solution on the thread and it worked perfectly.

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Cannot Set Default Mail App in El Capitan