How to change the default application for WEBLOC files?

On macOS Sierra, I am encountering a strange behaviour of WEBLOC files. In the Open with: section of the Info window, the drop down list for choosing the default application is greyed out. It is set to Safari even though I have chosen a different default web browser in the System Preferences. I would like to change it to the browser of my choice, but it appears I am stuck with Safari.

App drop down greyed out in Info window

When I select more than one WEBLOC file at once, the drop down list stops being greyed out. But when I try selecting a different browser, I get the following error message:

You can’t change the item “Ask Different.webloc” to always open in the selected application.

The item is either locked or damaged, or in a folder you don’t have permission to modify (error code -10823).

Error message while trying to choose a different default application for WEBLOC files

Needless to say that this particular WEBLOC file is neither locked nor damaged and that I have all the required permissions for the containing folder and the file.

How can I change the default application for WEBLOC files so they open with the browser of my choice?


I have found a solution:

  1. Make sure that the Finder is set to show all filename extensions (Finder Preferences → Advanced).
  2. Edit the file name by deleting the “.webloc” filename extension.
  3. Show Info: Lo and behold – the application drop down list is no longer greyed out. Application list no longer greyed out after deleting ".webloc" filename extension
  4. Select the browser of your choice and press the Change All… button.
  5. The default application for opening any WEBLOC file has been changed, whether or not it has the explicit “.webloc” filename extension.