Default Handler
Default Handler is a small macOS utility from Edovia that lets users assign or restore default URL-scheme handlers for apps such as Screens 5.
What is Default Handler?
Default Handler is a lightweight macOS utility from Edovia Inc. that helps users change which app opens a specific URL scheme. It is designed for situations where a sandboxed Mac app cannot set itself as the default handler on its own, such as using Screens 5 for vnc:// links. In the app, you create a handler entry for a URL scheme and choose the app that should open those links. It can also restore the previous handler when you want to undo the change. Default Handler is aimed at Mac users who need a simple way to control link-opening behavior for compatible apps on macOS 14 or later.
Key features
- Assign a chosen app as the default handler for a URL scheme
- Create handler entries for schemes such as vnc://
- Restore the original handler when you want to undo a change
- Support sandboxed apps that cannot change handler settings themselves
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
This utility changes which app opens supported URL links, so its main effect is on how macOS routes those links. That behavior is normal for its purpose, but changing a handler can cause certain links to open in a different app than before until you switch it back. Keep it only if you use custom URL-scheme handling and review any changes you make so they match your preferred workflow.
Recommendation: Keep Default Handler if you use Screens 5 or another app that needs help becoming the default handler for a URL scheme. If you no longer use that setup, you can remove it; the main consequence is that those links may stop opening in your preferred app until you set the handler again.
Common paths
/Applications/Default Handler.app
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