Where to find and change your default email app
Your default email app is the program that opens when you click a link that says "Email" or when your computer tries to send something. On Windows, you change it in Settings under Apps > Default Apps. On Mac, open System Settings, go to General > Default Web Browser (or Mail for email specifically on newer versions), and pick from the dropdown. On Android, long-press the Gmail app (or whichever email app you use), tap App Info, then Default Apps, and select "Email" or "Opening Links".
The steps differ because each operating system stores this information differently, but the idea is the same: you're telling your device which program to use when it needs to send mail or open an email link. If you skip this step, your device will use whatever it came with — usually Outlook on Windows, Mail on Mac, and Gmail on Android.
Once you set a default, it stays that way until you change it again. You can switch back anytime using the same menus.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and scroll to "Email" to pick your program.
- On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default Web Browser and select your email app from the dropdown menu.
- On Android, long-press your email app, tap App Info, then Default Apps, and choose "Email".
- Your device will remember this choice until you manually change it in the same menu.
- Setting a default prevents your device from opening the wrong email program when you click an email link.
Why your device needs a default email app
When you click a link that starts with "mailto:" — like "Email us" on a website — your device needs to know which program to open. Without a default set, you might get a dialog asking you to choose every single time, or your device might open an app you don't use. Setting a default removes that friction.
The same applies when a program tries to send something on your behalf. If you're using a calendar app and it tries to email an invitation, it will use whatever email program you've set as default. If you haven't set one, the calendar might not be able to send at all, or it might pick the wrong program.
Setting a default email app on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app that appears. Once Settings is open, go to Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps. Scroll down until you see "Email" — it will show your current default next to it.
Click on the Email row. A window will pop up showing all the email programs installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use. If you don't see the program you want, it may not be installed, or it may not be registered as an email app with Windows.
After you click, Windows saves your choice immediately. You can close Settings. The next time you click an email link, your new default will open.
Setting a default email app on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). In the sidebar, click General. On the right side, look for "Default Web Browser" — on newer Macs, there may also be a separate "Mail" option.
Click the dropdown next to "Default Web Browser" or "Mail" and select your email program from the list. If you don't see your email app in the dropdown, it may not be installed or may not support being set as default. Close System Settings when you're done — the change takes effect immediately.
If you use multiple email accounts through the same app, setting the default app doesn't change which account opens — that depends on your app's own settings. You may need to configure that separately inside the email program itself.
Setting a default email app on Android
Open your Settings app and scroll down to Apps (or Application Manager, depending on your phone). Find the email app you want to use — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or another program. Tap it to open its details page.
Look for a button or option called "Default Apps" or "Set as Default". Tap it, then select "Email" from the list of options. Some phones may ask you to confirm; if so, tap "Set as Default" again. Android will now open that app whenever you tap an email link.
If you don't see a "Default Apps" option, your phone may use a different menu structure. Try tapping "App Info" or looking for an "Open By Default" section. If the option still doesn't appear, your email app may not support being set as default on your version of Android.
What happens if you don't set a default
Without a default email app set, clicking an email link will usually show a dialog asking which app you want to use. You'll see this dialog every time, which becomes annoying quickly if you click email links often. Some devices may pick one app automatically, but it might not be the one you prefer.
Some programs — like calendar apps or contact managers — may refuse to send emails at all if no default is set. They need to know which email program to hand the message off to. Setting a default solves this problem.
If you change email programs later, you'll need to come back to these same menus and pick a new default. Your old default won't automatically switch just because you installed something new.
Switching your default email app later
You can change your default email app anytime using the same steps above. Go back to Settings (Windows), System Settings (Mac), or the Apps menu (Android) and pick a different program. Your device will use the new default the next time you click an email link.
If you uninstall your default email app, your device will usually ask you to pick a new default the next time you try to send or open an email. If it doesn't ask, go back to the default apps menu and set a new one manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my email app doesn't show up in the default apps menu?
The app may not be installed, or it may not be registered with your operating system as an email program. Try reinstalling the app from your device's app store. If it still doesn't appear, the app may not support being set as default — in that case, you can still use it, but you'll need to open it manually or switch to a different email program.
Can I set different default email apps for different accounts?
No. Your device can only have one default email app at a time. However, most email programs let you add multiple accounts inside the same app, so you can use one program for all your email addresses. If you need to use two different programs, you'll have to switch your default manually when you want to use the other one.
Will changing my default email app affect my existing emails?
No. Changing your default app only affects which program opens when you click an email link or when another program tries to send mail. Your existing emails stay where they are. If you switch to a new email app, you may need to set it up to access your email accounts, but your messages won't disappear.
What if I want to use Gmail for some links but Outlook for others?
Your device only supports one default, so you can't automatically route different links to different apps. You can set one as default and manually open the other when you need it. Some email programs offer rules or filters that might help organize incoming mail, but that's different from choosing which app opens a link.
Does setting a default email app cost anything?
No. Changing your default app is a free feature built into your operating system. You don't need to pay for anything or install extra software. The email apps themselves may be free or paid depending on which one you choose, but the act of setting a default is always free.