Remove Default Apps Mac

Default

MacOS already comes with some well-thought-of pre-installed apps that are designed to be used for different functions and services. These apps let you use your Mac straight out of the box. However, even though macOS’s exclusive apps are by far some of the most reliable ones to date, each of us tends to have personal preferences. For instance, you might favor using Chrome over Safari for web browsing. In this article, we’ll share with you how to change default apps in Mac to your preferred ones.

What Are Default Mac Apps?

Default apps are the programs that automatically launch when you perform an action on your Mac. For example, if you haven’t installed and set up a different browser yet, any web link you click will open on Safari, Apple’s proprietary web browser. To give you an idea, here are some of the most basic pre-installed apps you may find on your Mac:

Is there anyway to completely remove the top level menu from the app? I've tried all the following and none seem to work. My app needs to show a transparent overlay on top of each monitor screen, that takes up the entire screen.

  1. MORE: How to Force Quit an App in Mac OS X One of the nice things about the Mac is that when you double click on a file, it automatically opens in a default application.
  2. How to uninstall default apps on Mac with Terminal. Despite the warning, it is possible to remove unnecessary standard programs via Terminal. But first, you should know that with the release of macOS 10.12 Apple has made changes in its security technology System Integrity Protection (SIP) and it now forbids modifying system items on Macs.
  • App Store
  • Automator
  • Calculator
  • Calendar
  • Contacts
  • Dashboard
  • FaceTime
  • DVD Player
  • Game Center
  • iBooks
  • iMovie
  • iTunes
  • Launchpad
  • Mail
  • Maps
  • Photos
  • QuickTime Player
  • Safari
  • Time Machine

Some of these apps are indispensable, such as Automator and Time Machine. On the other hand, some are plainly extras that you can live without, such as Game Center and Launchpad. Meanwhile, there are those apps that are actually quite useful, but can be substituted by other apps that may do the job better. These include iBooks, QuickTime Player, Mail, Maps, and as exampled earlier, Safari. If you want to use another app in place of the default apps in Mac, you have two options: temporarily use a different app or permanently change the default app for specific functions.

Temporarily Using Another App To Perform A Task

It is straightforward and won’t require you to tinker with your Mac’s settings in any way. To try doing this, do the following steps:

  • Download the app you want to use. For instance, VLC Player for playing movies and other video files. If you already have it, go to the next step.
  • Open Finder. Look for the file you want to play. Right-click on it. On the menu, select Open With. The list of usable apps relevant to the file will appear. You will see the default app at the top of the list.
  • Select the alternative app you want to use. The file will now open in that app.

How To Change The Mac Default App Settings

If you think you’re going to use alternative apps for a long time, it’s better to just set them up as default apps instead of doing the method above every single time. However, keep in mind that you can’t change default app settings in one go. But, don’t worry. Switching default apps shouldn’t take long. What’s good about this is you can always change your default apps.

Changing Default Browser

Safari is the default browser for all Apple devices. If you have installed other browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera, you probably got a message asking to make them your default browser. If you ignored that request before, you could make any of them your default browser now.

  • Go to System Preferences > General.
  • Locate Default Web Browser.
  • Click the drop-down menu to see the available browsers that can be set as default.
  • Click on your browser of choice to set it as default.

Remove Default Apps Macbook

Changing Default Email App

Apple’s Mail app is pretty straightforward and easy to use. However, for some, it can be too honest that it lacks some cool features that other email apps have. To switch from Mail to another email app you’ve downloaded and installed, do these:

  • Open the Mail app. Go to Mail > Preferences.
  • Find Default Email Reader. Click it to open the list of other email clients on your mac.
  • Select the email app you want to use.

Changing Default Apps For Various Types Of Files

You can also change the default app or program to open certain file types, such as photos and videos. Here’s how:

  • Open Finder. Right-click on the file you want to open a different app.
  • On the menu, click Get Info.
  • A box will appear. Find “Open with:” Click it.
  • Click the drop-down menu to choose a new default app.
  • Click Choose All. Now, all files of that type will open on your newly set default app.

On a final note, no matter what apps you set as default, it’s essential that you keep your Mac in tip-top condition. Tweakbit MacRepair can help you with that. By taking care of your Mac’s storage space, RAM, and battery, you are sure to enjoy using your Mac better and longer.

If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.

UltraSearchApp is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that belongs to the Adware family. It can cause many troubles such as unwanted ads and pop-ups on your web browser, redirect your searches to advertising web-sites, web-browser crashes and slow loading webpages. Adware often installs on the MAC system with the free programs.

Even worse, adware be able to collect a wide variety of sensitive info about you which can be later sold to third parties. You do not know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe.

Threat Summary

NameUltraSearchApp
Typeadware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up advertisements, popups, pop-up virus
Symptoms
  • unclosable window appear and recommend fake updates and other unwanted apps
  • your internet browser is redirected to web-sites you did not want
  • unwanted apps installed without your knowledge
  • an unexpected toolbar appears in your web browser
  • your MAC settings are being changed without your request
  • low ping but slow Internet
  • your MAC OS is no stable leading to freezes
RemovalUltraSearchApp removal guide

How does UltraSearchApp adware get on your MAC system

UltraSearchApp and other adware spreads bundled with various free applications, as a supplement, that is installed automatically. This is certainly not an honest way to get added onto your machine. To avoid infecting of your Apple Mac and side effects in the form of constant pop up windows and/or intrusive advertisements, you should always carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license. Additionally, always select Manual, Custom or Advanced installation method. This allows you to disable the install of third-party and often harmful software.

If you would like to free your computer of adware and thereby get rid of UltraSearchApp ads and are unable to do so, you can follow the guide below to detect and remove adware and any other malware for free.

How to Remove UltraSearchApp (removal instructions)

According to computer security experts, UltraSearchApp removal can be finished manually and/or automatically. These tools which are listed below will allow you delete adware, malicious browser extensions, malware and potentially unwanted apps . However, if you’re not willing to install other applications to get rid of UltraSearchApp adware software, then use guide listed below to restore your MAC system settings to defaults.


To remove UltraSearchApp, execute the following steps:

  1. How to remove UltraSearchApp without any software
  2. Automatic Removal of UltraSearchApp

How to remove UltraSearchApp without any software

In this section of the post, we have posted the steps that will help to remove UltraSearchApp adware software manually. Although compared to removal tools, this method loses in time, but you don’t need to install anything on your MAC. It will be enough for you to follow the detailed guidance with images. We tried to describe each step in detail, but if you realized that you might not be able to figure it out, or simply do not want to change the Windows and web browser settings, then it’s better for you to use tools from trusted developers, which are listed below.

Remove potentially unwanted apps through the Finder

One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware software is to check your MAC OS installed programs screen and look for unwanted and suspicious software. If there are any software you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should remove them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to run adware removal utility such as MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM).

Open Finder and click “Applications” similar to the one below.

You will see a list of software installed on your computer. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the application you installed last. Most probably, it is the UltraSearchApp adware. If you’re in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. Once the application which you need to uninstall is found, simply right press on its name, and select “Move to Trash”.

Don’t forget, choose Finder, then “Empty Trash”.

Remove UltraSearchApp from Chrome

Reset Google Chrome settings is a simple solution to delete UltraSearchApp ads, harmful and ‘ad-supported’ extensions, internet browser’s startpage, newtab page and search provider which have been modified by adware software.

  1. First start the Google Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
  2. It will open the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
  3. You will see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
  4. Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
  5. You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and press “Advanced” link.
  6. Scroll down again and click the “Reset” button.
  7. The Chrome will show the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
  8. Next click the “Reset” button.
  9. Once this task is complete, your web browser’s new tab page, startpage and default search provider will be restored to their original defaults.
  10. To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.

Remove UltraSearchApp adware from Mozilla Firefox

If the Mozilla Firefox settings such as new tab, home page and default search provider have been modified by UltraSearchApp adware software, then resetting it to the default state can help. It will keep your personal information like browsing history, bookmarks, passwords and web form auto-fill data.

First, start the Firefox and click button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web browser. Further, click the Help button () as shown below.

In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed on the image below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.

Set Default Apps Mac

It will open the confirmation dialog box. Further, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the UltraSearchApp adware. When, it’s finished, press the “Finish” button.

Delete UltraSearchApp adware software from Safari

The Safari reset is great if your browser is hijacked by UltraSearchApp or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your internet browser, which installed by an malicious software.

Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.

It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to delete all unknown extensions from Safari.

Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.

Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.

Automatic Removal of UltraSearchApp

Run malware removal tools to remove UltraSearchApp adware automatically. The free programs tools specially designed for browser hijacker infections, adware and other potentially unwanted apps removal. These tools can delete most of adware from Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome. Moreover, it may remove all components of adware from Windows registry and system drives.

Remove UltraSearchApp adware with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM)

Manual UltraSearchApp adware removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware software may be not fully removed. We recommend that use the MalwareBytes that are fully clean your MAC system of adware software. Moreover, this free utility will help you to remove browser hijacker, malicious software, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC can be infected too.

  1. Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) from the following link.
    Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
    15865 downloads
    Author: Malwarebytes
    Category: Security tools
    Update: September 10, 2020
  2. After the downloading process is finished, please close all programs and open windows on your MAC. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
  3. The MalwareBytes Free will launch and open the main window.
  4. Further, press the “Scan” button for checking your MAC system for the UltraSearchApp adware. A scan may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your machine and the speed of your machine. When a threat is detected, the count of the security threats will change accordingly.
  5. Once that process is done, you’ll be displayed the list of all found items on your machine.
  6. Next, you need to click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
  7. Close the AntiMalware and continue with the next step.

How to stay safe online

Run ad blocking application such as AdGuard in order to stop advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons which affect your MAC system performance and impact your MAC system security. Browse the Internet anonymously and stay safe online!

Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard from the following link.

AdGuard for Mac download
2884 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018

Change Default App In Mac

Once the downloading process is finished, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guidance. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will run automatically and stop annoying pop ups, block malicious or misleading websites.

To sum up

Now your Apple Mac should be clean of the UltraSearchApp adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-ups and unwanted malicious web pages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adwares and other malicious software).

Mac How To Delete App

If you are still having problems while trying to remove UltraSearchApp ads from the Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox, then ask for help here here.

Remove Default Apps Mac Free

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Remove Default Application Mac

Loading...