Level 1

10 points

iTunes starts up whenever I connect my bluetooth headset

I am using bluetooth headset to communicate on Skype. Whenever somebody's calling me, I turn my headset on and it will automatically connect to my MacBook. Every time, however, it will also automatically start iTunes and begins to play. I don't want this behavior, since instead of listening to music I would actually want to talk on Skype. How can I change this?

Possible explanation to this could be that headphones may send "Play" button message to the computer once connected, since this is same button that is used to turn them on/off. I am not sure however, if they actually do send this button. But in case they do, how can I disable iTunes startup on Play button? Is there are an official way to do it or should I really go with something like this: http://superuser.com/questions/31925/stop-play-pause-button-opening-itunes-in-sn ow-leopard/39390#39390.

MacBook Pro 6.2, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 6, 2010 2:04 AM

Top-ranking reply

mritunjai

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Sep 15, 2014 11:11 AM

I've got this figured out.

On OSX, the "RCD" (remote control daemon) is responsible for the naughtiness. It has hard-coded list of actions to do when it detects certain "events" - one of them being connecting to a bluetooth headset.

To disable this behaviour (minimal loss of functionality, possibly your apple remote won't work):

1. Open Terminal

2. Enter (these are two separate commands)

launchctl stop com.apple.rcd

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

This should stop rcd from being launched by OSX. No rcd - no auto-magic multimedia. Your volume keys should continue working, but things like play key (or bluetooth) auto-starting iTunes should stop.

PS: The following is the nuclear option. In Terminal, enter:

sudo chmod 000 /System/Library/CoreServices/rcd.app/Contents/MacOS/rcd

sudo pkill -9 rcd

To stop rcd from even being started by any app. To restore your rcd, use:

sudo chmod 755 /System/Library/CoreServices/rcd.app/Contents/MacOS/rcd

launchctl start com.apple.rcd

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139 replies

Jan 7, 2018 3:21 PM in response to rryk

I'm an Apple customer since 1982. This is really bad. Shameful.

Users need to be able to disable the inane functionality of a blutooth change conection launching iTunes and interrupting the current audio.

Suppose that the current audio was really important? But Apple thinks a blutooth connection warrants launching iTunes, interrupting the current audio and making it really difficult to recover.

Recovery requires quitting iTunes and then shutting down and re-launching whatever app was playing audio before being so rudely interrupted. A user who is not well versed in recovering from the horrible effects of this functionality will likely be very confused (e.g. "What happened to the sound? what is this new window that has also rudely stolen focus after opening automagically?") and take several minutes to recover.

Do any Apple personnel understand how rude and stupid this functionality is?

Do you realize how bad it looks to not only have such rude and stupid functionality, but you're also going to great lengths to prevent people from alleviating their suffering from such inane functionality.

rryk Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 8, 2010 12:44 PM in response to rryk

Anyone?

Jan 21, 2011 5:27 AM in response to rryk

i get the same effect whenever i use my Creative WP-300 BT headset. it's just very irritating.

Jul 6, 2011 4:32 PM in response to rryk

yep, same with "Avalon BT". Sometimes i wish to simply delete itunes...

I use it as headphones, not as headset. But i want to listen to youtube or soundcloud and NOT to itunes!

Jul 31, 2011 4:40 PM in response to rryk

Same issue with my Jabra Halo and LG HBM-520

Aug 11, 2011 5:28 AM in response to rryk

Same issue with Rocketfish RF-MAB2

Aug 22, 2011 3:47 AM in response to rryk

Having same issue here too on MBP 2011 with Lion. I would like to fix this. It is so much annoying.

EmBe79

Level 1

0 points

Aug 31, 2011 4:04 AM in response to rryk

Same for me, with Artic P311 Headset. Please fix it...

Sep 19, 2011 5:08 PM in response to rryk

Same with Sennheiser PX210BT. Very annoying.

Sep 29, 2011 1:43 PM in response to rryk

Same with Sennheiser PX360BT. I hate this "feature"!

seth80

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2011 1:51 AM in response to rryk

Same problem here with Sennheiser MM 450. Did not happen in Snow Leopard, I believe.

Very annoying.

shgreen

Level 1

20 points

Nov 27, 2011 8:08 PM in response to rryk

Same with Jabra Halo. Combined with continuous bluetooth audio agent crashes.

Dec 4, 2011 10:59 AM in response to shgreen

Same with Sennheiser. Did not happen with Snow Leopard.

Dec 16, 2011 6:17 PM in response to rryk

Just another example of Apple trying to take over the way your computer behaves... basically it is designed this way, so until they fix it, ENJOY!

I have the same problem, in Snow Leopard.

Dec 28, 2011 3:56 PM in response to coreytodds

Mine does the same thing. I am thinking about trying to uninstall iTunes. I HATE programs that start up by themselves unless you specifically have them setup to auto start.

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iTunes starts up whenever I connect my bluetooth headset