How to Set the Default App for .md Files on macOS

## Step-by-Step

Change the Default via Finder

1. 01

   Find any .md file in Finder. Any one will do — the change applies to all of them.

2. 02

   Right-click (or Control-click) the file.

3. 03

   Select Get Info from the context menu. Or press Cmd+I as a shortcut.

4. 04

   In the Get Info window, find the “Open with:” section.

5. 05

   Click the dropdown and select ShowMeMyMD (or your preferred Markdown app).

6. 06

   Click the “Change All…” button below the dropdown.

7. 07

   Confirm in the dialog that appears. Click Continue.

## Alternative

From the Terminal (Power Users)

If you prefer the command line, you can use duti to set file associations. Install it with Homebrew if you don’t have it:

Then run:

That’s it. One command, same result as the Finder method.

## Why Bother

Why Change the Default?

TextEdit shows raw Markdown syntax — all the # and ** and ``` symbols. That’s not how Markdown is meant to be read.

A proper Markdown viewer renders those symbols into formatted headings, bold text, and syntax-highlighted code blocks. You see the document the way the author intended, not the source code behind it.

## Recommended Viewer

ShowMeMyMD — Native, Fast, Beautiful

ShowMeMyMD is a native macOS Markdown viewer. It renders .md files instantly with syntax highlighting, multiple themes, and rich text copy. $2.99 one-time on the Mac App Store. No subscription, no account.

## Keep reading

• How to Open .md Files on Mac (4 Methods) — overview of all your options
• ShowMeMyMD: Markdown Viewer for Mac — full feature overview