Used to be you could just pop into the Safari preferences to set your default Web browser in Mac OS X, but that’s gone. How do I set default browser now in Yosemite?
Back in the early days of Mac OS X there was a System Preference that centralized all the default app settings for email, Web browser, FTP client, etc. Then Apple pushed those into the Apple-branded apps, figuring that most people would stick with Safari and Apple Mail (etc). Then Yosemite came out and some of these had changed. You still set your default email program within Apple Mail Preferences, but the Web browser? That’s a bit harder to find.
Personally, I think having a single System Preference that let you configure all of your “helper” apps is the best solution, but I’m sure there are reasons within the rarified world of Mac UI development that it’s no longer an option. So it’s a detective game…
To start, as you say, Safari’s preferences no longer includes the “default Web browser” option:
Lots else there to explore, but you need to go back to System Preferences, so choose that from the Apple menu on the top left of your screen, then look along the very top row of icons:
You guessed it, click on “General”.
A close look and almost dead center on the window you’ll see:
Click on “Safari” and you’ll likely be surprised by how many of the apps you have installed are considered legit options for the default web browser:
I’d caution you not to pick something weird like iTerm or VLC. I prefer Google Chrome, personally, so that’s what I chose.
Close the window, and you’re done. Good to go. And when Mac OS X 10.11 comes out? Who knows where it’ll be. 🙂