No, you can’t set a default Save As location in macOS

It seems obvious: when you open a file in an app through the File > Open menu item, you would like to have the same location chosen when you choose File > Save for a new file or File > Save As (Option key may be required) to save the document under a new name.

Clicking the current folder name displays recent folders. The dropdown list shows the most recent locations you’ve used.

If you want to control the snapping back of Open/Save As dialogs, you need to install a third-party app, such as Default Folder X ($39.95).

This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Ken.

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