MacOS – How to use Gmail as the default mail client app in Mac OS X

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I use Gmail as my e-mail client, but when I click on a "mailto:" link, the Mail.app is opened.

Is there a way to avoid the Mail.app opening in this case? Can I open Gmail instead?

Best Answer

You do NOT need to install a third party app.

Both Google Chrome and Firefox support this functionality. (ok, technically these are third party apps, but lets assume you are not using safari.)

Chrome:

  1. Open gmail in chrome.
  2. In the address bar next to the "bookmark star" you should see a grey diamond. Click on the diamond
  3. Select "use gmail". enter image description here
  4. If you do not see the gray diamond, follow the instructions below.

If you made a mistake and selected "No" and you really wanted to select "Use Gmail"

  1. With Chrome open, copy and paste this into your address bar at the top: chrome://settings/handlers
  2. Under the Ignored protocol handlers section, Click on X to the right to delete.
  3. Close and open Gmail.
  4. Answer the question correctly this time. :)

Source: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/hnRteY7bHfE

Alternative way, if you need to do this programmatically.

Firefox:

See @Am1rr3zA answer on this question. Click here to jump to his answer.

Safari:

See @fpotter's answer on this question. Click here to jump to his answer.

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