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How do I change mail.app as my default mail application?

Luke1robb

Luke1robb

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
The title pretty much says it all, just trying to change my default email app from mail.app to gmail... is this possible? What other ways could I do it, if it isn't?
 
Do you want...

When you click a mailto link in safari, a new window would pop up with (web)Gmail ready to go? (I don't think you can)

Instead, you should be able to configure Mail to work on your Gmail account.
 
silverblack said:
Do you want...

When you click a mailto link in safari, a new window would pop up with (web)Gmail ready to go? (I don't think you can)

Instead, you should be able to configure Mail to work on your Gmail account.
Click to expand...

That's what I was hoping to do, but how would I do the second... is Mail.app really that good or useful?
 
"Really that good?" is a subjective opinion. But I do find Mail.app excellent for offline access and integration.

Offline access is obvious, you can move and store email to your HDD, access them without internet.

Just like everything else, integration is a big advantage in OS X. Mail interfaces with just about everything:
- stores/pull email address from Address Book (with sync with iPhoto/itouch)
- works with Time Machine, so TM backs up your deleted emails
- integrates with iCal, so you can generate appointments based on information in emails
- sync with Mail.app in iPhone/iTouch
- all emails indexed by spotlight for fast searches
 
maybe I'm just stupid, but if I read an email on my iPhone, mail.app doesn't update the status to read. Is there anyway to make it do this? It's the one thing that has always held me back from utilizing the app.
 
charliex5 said:
maybe I'm just stupid, but if I read an email on my iPhone, mail.app doesn't update the status to read. Is there anyway to make it do this? It's the one thing that has always held me back from utilizing the app.
Click to expand...

POP3 doesn't support that feature. IMAP does. If your email provider supports IMAP you'll need to switch to using IMAP to do what you want.
 
charliex5 said:
maybe I'm just stupid, but if I read an email on my iPhone, mail.app doesn't update the status to read. Is there anyway to make it do this? It's the one thing that has always held me back from utilizing the app.
Click to expand...
Good news, Gmail has free IMAP. That's why I said you should take advantage of it! IMAP will keep ALL your Mail in sync anywhere you access it (that is, if you have it set up properly).

First you must log into gmail.com to enable the IMAP feature. Once you're logged in, click on Settings. Then click on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab. Enable IMAP. Then Save Changes.

Ok, now you're ready to set up your Gmail on your Mac and iPhone. Honestly, I would recommend you just erase the accounts on both your Mac and iPhone and start from scratch following the steps in these guides provided by google. It will make things easier.

Just click on the Apple Mail 3 guide (or Apple Mail 2 if your on Tiger) and the iPhone guide and just follow the steps. You'll be checking your mail like a pro in no time! 😀
 
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