Change Default Mail App on Windows, Mac, iPhone & Android

This guide shows you how to change the default mail app on Windows, macOS, iPhone, and Android. You’ll learn where the setting lives on each platform, how to switch to your preferred app (like Outlook, Gmail, or Spark), and what to do if the change doesn’t stick. No special tools are needed—just a few minutes and access to your device’s settings.

What You’ll Need

• Your device (Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, or Android phone)
• The mail app you want to set as default (already installed)
• Administrator access on Windows (if you’re not the admin, you may need their help)

Step-by-Step

Windows 10 and Windows 11

1. Open Settings (press Win + I).
2. Click Apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10).
3. In Windows 11, click Default apps in the left sidebar. In Windows 10, click Default apps in the left sidebar.
4. Scroll down to find Email (Windows 11) or Email under “Choose default apps” (Windows 10). It will show the current default, like “Mail” or “Outlook”.
5. Click the current email app icon or the app name. A list of installed mail apps appears.
6. Choose your preferred mail app from the list. The selection is saved immediately.
7. Close Settings. Your new default mail app is now active for mailto: links and default email actions.

macOS (Ventura and later)

1. Open System Settings (Apple menu  > System Settings).
2. Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.
3. Scroll down to the Widgets section. Look for Default email reader (it may be under “Default web browser” area).
4. Click the dropdown next to Default email reader.
5. Select your preferred mail app (e.g., Mail, Outlook, Spark).
6. Close System Settings. The change takes effect immediately.

Note: On older macOS versions (Monterey and earlier), the setting is in System Preferences > General > Default email reader.

iPhone and iPad (iOS/iPadOS)

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap the mail app you want to set as default (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Spark).
3. Tap Default Mail App.
4. Choose your preferred app from the list.
5. Go back. The new default is now active.

Note: You must have the app installed and it must support being a default mail app (most major ones do). If you don’t see “Default Mail App”, the app doesn’t support it.

Android (varies by manufacturer)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps (or Applications).
3. Tap Default apps (may be under “Advanced” or “Choose default apps”).
4. Tap Email app (or “Mail app”).
5. Select your preferred mail app from the list.
6. If you don’t see “Email app”, tap the app you want to use (e.g., Gmail), then tap Set as default and confirm.

Note: On Samsung phones, the path is Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Email app. On stock Android, it’s Settings > Apps > Default apps > Email app.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking a mailto: link and expecting the new app to open automatically – If you don’t see the new app open, you may have clicked “Always” on a previous prompt that set another app as default. Revisit the default settings and ensure your chosen app is selected.
• Forgetting to install the app first – You can’t set an app as default if it’s not installed. Install it from the official app store first.
• On Windows, changing the default for “.eml” files but not for “mailto:” links – Windows has separate defaults for file types and protocols. Make sure you change the “Email” default under “Default apps”, not just the file association for .eml files.
• On macOS, looking in the wrong Settings pane – The “Default email reader” is not in the Mail app’s preferences; it’s in System Settings > Desktop & Dock. Many users miss it.
• On iPhone, tapping the app in Settings but not seeing “Default Mail App” – This happens if the app doesn’t support being the default. Update the app or choose a different one.

Tips

• Test with a mailto: link – After changing the default, click a “mailto:” link on a webpage to confirm the correct app opens.
• Restart your device if the change doesn’t take effect – A quick restart can clear any cached settings.
• On Windows, you can also set defaults per file type – If you want .eml files to open in a specific app, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Set defaults by application and choose the app, then manage .eml and .msg associations.
• On Android, you may need to clear the default for the old app – Go to the old app’s app info, tap “Open by default”, and tap “Clear defaults” if the old app keeps hijacking links.
• Keep your mail apps updated – Updates often improve default-handling behavior and fix bugs.

Troubleshooting

The change doesn’t stick after restart

On Windows, some apps (like Outlook) may re-register themselves as default. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and confirm your choice. If it keeps reverting, uninstall the competing app or use the “Set defaults by application” option to lock in your preference.

mailto: links still open the old app

On macOS, this can happen if the old app is still set as the “default email reader” in its own preferences. Check the app’s settings and disable any “set as default” option. On iPhone, ensure you selected the app under Settings > [App] > Default Mail App, not just in the app’s own settings.

No “Default Mail App” option on iPhone

Your iOS version may be too old (the feature was introduced in iOS 14). Update your iPhone to the latest iOS. If the app doesn’t support it, try a different app like Outlook or Spark.

Android shows “No default app set”

This is normal. Tap “Email app” and choose your preferred app. If you don’t see the option, your manufacturer may have a different settings layout—search for “default apps” in Settings.

Windows shows “Choose an app” every time

This means no default is set. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, click the current email app, and select your preferred one. If the list is empty, reinstall the mail app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I change the default mail app on my iPhone?

You need iOS 14 or later, and the app you want to use must support being the default. Go to Settings > [App] > Default Mail App. If the option isn’t there, update your iPhone or choose a different app.

Does changing the default mail app affect my existing email accounts?

No. Your email accounts and messages remain intact. The default setting only controls which app opens when you tap an email link or send an email from another app.

Can I have different default mail apps for different accounts?

No, the default is system-wide. You can, however, set up multiple accounts in one app and choose which account to send from.

Will changing the default mail app on Windows affect Outlook?

It depends. If you set Outlook as the default, it will handle all email actions. If you set another app, Outlook will no longer be the default, but you can still open Outlook manually.

How do I reset the default mail app to the original one?

Follow the same steps and choose the original app (e.g., Mail on macOS, Mail on Windows, or the built-in Email app on Android). On iPhone, you can choose “Mail” as the default.

Why does my Android phone keep asking which app to use?

This happens when no default is set. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Email app and select your preferred app. If it still asks, clear the defaults for the old app.

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