It doesn’t have to be Mail.
By default, Mac OS X is pre-configured with Mail, Apple’s e-mail application, set as the default e-mail client. That means clicking a link to an e-mail address or accessing your e-mail program from within another application will automatically launch Mail.
But you can easily change it to an e-mail client you prefer. Here’s how:
- Open Mail.
- Choose Mail > Preferences to open the preferences window.
If necessary, click the General button in the preferences window’s toolbar to display General options.- Choose the mail client you prefer from the Default email reader pop-up menu. If the application is not listed by name, you can choose Select from the menu and use the dialog that appears to locate and select the e-mail client you want. (Obviously, the application must be installed on your computer to select it.)
- Click the window’s close button to dismiss it.
- Choose Mail > Quit Mail to quit Mail.
Changes take affect as soon as you quit Mail.
Note that the preferences window shown here is for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. These steps also work in Tiger, although the preferences window may look different.
Chapter and Page References
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Visual QuickStart Guide includes more information about related topics:
- Connecting to the Internet, Chapter 18
- Mac OS X’s Internet Applications, page 419
- Using Mail, pages 421-435
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Peter Howell // Dec 28, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Hi Maria:
I’m trying to following your advice to have Mac Mail
default to my Gmail account, but the “default email reader” pop-up menu won’t show me Gmail.
Do I need to download a separate Gmail application? If I’m already using Gmail on my computer, isn’t it on there? Or should the “default email reader” be my Firefox browser?
Thanks for any help & keep up the great work.
Peter Howell’s last blog post..Al Qaeda linked to bombing
2 Maria Langer // Dec 29, 2007 at 5:29 am
The default application has to be an application — not an e-mail service provider. Gmail is a service provider. I don’t think they have a separate Gmail application (although I could be wrong).
I’m going to have to look into this some more, since (believe it or not) I’ve never used Gmail.
3 Steve // Jan 22, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hi Maria,
I am new to the Mac environment. Could you tell me which is the best email application (for business users) I like Outlook in Windows environment but find Entourage fails terribly.
Also which is the best CRM application with project management module?
Thx
4 Maria Langer // Jan 23, 2008 at 7:09 am
Steve, since I’m not a full-time Windows user — I only use Windows when I write books about Windows software products like Quicken or Excel — I really don’t have any answers to your questions. I’m primarily a Mac user, and judging by poll responses here, I’m willing to bet that most of this site’s readers are also Mac users.
You might get some responses if you post your question in a Windows user forum.
Good luck!
5 Maria Langer // Jan 23, 2008 at 9:22 am
Steve, let me try this again. I just re-read your message and realize that you’re asking about Mac software. Sorry about the confusion.
I use Mail. It comes with Mac OS and it does what I need to. There may be better solutions out there, but I’m really not up-to-speed on the options. I tend to stick with something I’m happy with. And the syncing through .Mac makes it very convenient for me to share e-mail accounts among desktop and laptops.
I don’t have any recommendations for CRM or project management software.
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