Mac OS X Tip: Change Default App To Open a File

For many different reasons, you may want to change the default app that opens a certain type of files on your Mac.

For this example, I am going to use a music (m4a) file. This type of file opens by default with iTunes. This may be handy if you have all your songs in iTunes, but it's not always convenient. Plus, also by default, imported files into iTunes make a copy in the iTunes Music folder, doubling up files on your Mac. But that's for another day.

So, instead of opening iTunes when I open a music file of the extension M4A, I want to use the Quicktime player.

To change the default opening app to a different application: 

1. Right click (Control Click) a file of the file type you want to change.

2. Select "Get Info".

3. Under "Open with" heading, click on the default application.

4. Now select the new application you want the file to open with.

5. If you want this file type to always open with the new app you chose, now click the "Change All..." button and confirm.

How To Use A Mac Trackpad Without Having To Press Down - OS X Tip

One thing that I never understood with a Mac laptop is why they still make you (by default) have to physically press down and click on the trackpad. The good news is, if you like, you can set a Mac’s trackpad to tap to click!

Enable Tap To Click on OS X 

1. Open System Preferences.

2. Click Trackpad.

3. On the Point & Click tab, check on the option, Tap to click.

Another option you may want to switch on now, is the ability to drag open windows around, without having to click down on the trackpad. All you’ll have to do is use three fingers to drag.

4. On the same option screen, check on the option Three finger drag.

iTunes 12.2 How To Fix iCloud Purchases Not Showing

A recent bug with iTunes 12.2 is iCloud purchases like Music, TV shows, Movies, etc, are not showing for some people. Even logging out and back into your iTunes account doesn't seem to fix the issue.

In older versions of iTunes there used to be a setting that said, 'Show iTunes In The Cloud Purchases', and checking this on used to fix the problem when purchases didn't show. This option however, is now removed from iTunes in version 12.2.

Even with the latest version of iTunes, Apple haven't yet seemed to fix this bug, but there is a work around!

Go to the TV Shows tab (or the Movies tab), then click "View" on the Menu Bar. Look for the two options, "All TV Shows" and "Only TV Shows Available Offline". Check "Only TV Shows Available Offline", wait a few seconds, then check the option back to "All TV Shows". Your iCloud purchases should then appear.

I must give all credit for this tip to the users on the Apple Support Communities. This tip worked for me and was too important not to share for everyone who may have experienced this bug.