How to stop iTunes from launching when using Keyboard media keys

I've always used

launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist

to stop itunes from interfering.

Strangely after the 10.8.4 update, Vox couldn't be controlled anymore by my media keys, but after

launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist

and

launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist

it works again 🙂

Thx. While it does keep iTunes from starting when I press "play" on remote, sadly it doesn't make it control Vox. Strange because remote works in iTunes, VLC, etc. Enabling/disabling remote support/hw buttons in Vox preferences makes no difference at all - media keys work, remote doesn't, that's it 🙂

I've grown tired of my headphone remote controls not working on my laptop, but when went to undo mmfix I got the error "bad file"... I just tried the recently posted signed "rcd", however I don't see any change what so ever; my headphone remote controls still don't work.

Is there any way I can

1. Undo mmfix
2. Prevent iTunes from launching on "play" button
3. Get headphone remote controls

For (2) did you try bodhirocking solution?

"Well since the rcd got corrupted or can't be launch because of codesigning issues, we can disable the launch request for the app using:

launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist

I got this terminal command from: http://gavinroy.com/disabling-default-itunes-launch-behavior-with

"

This still works for me, even in Mavericks!

http://coppertino.com/vox/addon.html

This seemed so promising, but I guess it only works for Vox because my headphone controls still don't work. I'm actually considering whether or not I should pay a programmer to make a utility for this. (some code available here http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7772976/detect-headphone-button-presses-in-os -x)

yeah, for VOX works great ! ..

I've just stumbled with this alternative too, I haven't tested, though.

http://lifehacker.com/5651055/free-your-macs-media-keys-from-itunes-no-manual-ha cking-required

Drag iTunes to trash. Problem solved. Hello Clementine, hello FLAC. 🙂

Same problem here with the remote control, I want to control plex but itunes keeps launching.

You cannot drag itunes to the trash and have not been able to for some years.

Oh, my beloved Wacom tablet!

iTunes keeps launching by itself when I have my Wacom Intuos connected to my Mini 2011 and this behavior disappear as soon as I disconnected it.

Solution: I applied this patch and everything works fine now: https://github.com/thebitguru/play-button-itunes-patch

Here's the solution:

With Spotify open and selected, press the play/pause button. It should play/pause Spotify. Now when you switch to another app, the media buttons remember you're wanting them to power Spotify.

Do the same thing with iTunes if you want to control iTunes the same way.

I don't know if you guys resolved this issue or not, but I found a solution: http://www.thebitguru.com/projects/iTunesPatch

"This is a patch for removing the default OS X behavior of always starting iTunes when the play button on the keyboard is pressed. This feature can be useful for a lot of users, but it can also be annoying if you are using VLC or other similar programs that support the media keys.

The

Patch.command

Lastly, this program will backup the original file in case if you would like to restore the original functionality."

The patch works allright, but when I fiddle with the settings in VLC, it is going back to the previous state. Doing the patch again deals with that.

On the side: It is a pity that there is no way to let the Apple remote control VLC in a more proper way other than play/pause. All other functions are crippled/not working/buggy.

Finally! YAY! 😀 Thanks!

Thank you, chrisclock.

It works, Yosemite 10.10.2 😎