Every time I go to open an image via Inkscape (version 1.2) I've got to go through this song and dance of selecting the file on my desktop > open with > other > change "recommended applications" to "all applications" > selecting Inscape. This is because for some reason Inkscape never appears in the list of "recommended applications" for opening image files. Apple support won't help me because it "involves a 3rd party application". The list of recommended applications is not editable by the user, nor does it change based on user behavior over time. Also I can't set Inkscape as the default application because most of the time I need images to open via Preview on my mac. What do I do? 

You want to open a jpg image. If you want to place it in Inkscape start Inkscape and drag it into the Inkscape window confirming the"jpeg bitmap image import" dialog - then hit "OK" or use the File->Import dialog. Inkscape  is a vector editor and therefore correctly it´s not in the list "Open With".

Yes, but for that to work Inkscape must already be open. 

Inkscape is not already open so there is nothing for me to drag an image into. 

Also as a program that can easily open images and turn them into .svg files, it makes absolutely no sense for it to not be listed in the category of programs that can open images.

Also how do I reply directly to comments in here? 

Then you don´t understand the difference between raster image and vector data editor. And you can macOS tell to open it with Inkscape by going "Other"->"All programs"->Inkscape and hit "Open" - dialog applies.

If you had read my comment fully you would see that that is how I am opening the images already, and it is a completely avoidable hassle. Also, it does not matter in this case what kind of image it is. .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tiff, Inkscape can open all of them so Inkscape should provide my operating system with the correct system file that shows it is capable of opening images in general. 

Don´t know what to say. Perhaps tell Apple. I rather make a difference in "reading/placing" a file versus "open" a file like where you place an image in a DTP software not assuming it can do all the bells+whistles with it.

Again as I said in my initial post, I have already talked to Apple about this and they told me to bring it to the attention of Inkscape's developers. All I want to be able to do is open an image file in Inkscape without having to go through 5 steps to do it. 

Maybe you have seen this: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/how-to-manage-file-associations-in-macos/

The user knows about - but it will change the behaviour to no good as Inkscape will be associated with "all" jpgs for instance.

It´s indeed a bit strange that we can drag a PNG file onto the Inkscape icon and it will open automatically as with PDF - but not other compatible file formats.

I asked in the macOS related chat - but no one @home right now.

Maybe this: https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/238255

(I don't have a mac handy to try)

I foresee that this is too much effort for the user who expects a 1 click solution. Let´s see if there´s a technical reason Inkscape ignores jpg and other bitmap formats upon opening.

For me it's not about what Inkscape does after it opens, its about Inkscape as a program not presenting itself to MAC OS in a way that the operating system recognizes as a program that is capable of opening images at all. So I have to manually instruct MAC OS every time that yes, indeed, I do want to open this image file with Inkscape. Mac OS gives me a warning for every image file that: "(!) It is not known if this application can open whatever.jpg" 

or .png or .jpeg or any other image file type that I know of. 

If it even won´t open png like here under BigSur it´s for sure a Ventura thing.

Can you drag a png onto Inkscape´s icon to make it open?

correction

I'm on Ventura, not Monterey. 

Mac OS 13.2.1 specifically. 

I've tried to move an image icon onto the Inkscape icon to open it but it won't do it.

Yes - sure Ventura - the latest aggravation. You´re lucky that Inkscape runs at all on your system. I´ll stick to BigSur as long as I can.

@LadySagegami,

I'd file a bug report that includes your image from #16 .  There may be some MIME type registration that the developers can add to Inkscape that resolves the "it's not known if this application can open this file". That may get Inkscape into the contextual menu.

https://inkscape.org/forums/beyond/how-to-report-bugs-or-request-new-features/