iTunes starts up whenever I connect my bluetooth headset

This is, without doubt, the best typification of this behavior!

Apple is being very socially irresponsible in not fixing this. The anger generated by this has to be generating a lot of (bad) Karma for those "responsible."

Here is the solution I used:

1. I stopped using iTunes and found different providers for everything; Spotify, Netflix, etc.
2. Then, I stoped iTunes from auto-starting by opening a Terminal window and disabling it by running this command: sudo chmod -x /Applications/iTunes.app
3. If you ever need to run iTunes again, open a Terminal window and enable it by running this command: sudo chmod +x /Applications/iTunes.app

This works great. Thanks Apple.

I have spoken with Apple Support and a Senior Advisor with no fix. He kicked it up to some other next-level group who is supposed to get back with me.

This problem still persists. iTunes is annoying af because it provides no way to disable, uninstall, or generally stop from auto-playing whenever I connect my bluetooth speakers. From reading forums, you used to be able to turn this off -- but they've removed that feature. I like OS X, but the force-feeding of software is overbearing and unnecessary. As a customer, it's a negative experience.

I've done a combination of suggestions here and it's seemed to worked on OS X Mavericks 10.9.3.

1. Renamed iTunes.app and create psuedo.app that does nothing and replaces iTunes auto-play launch

   Outlined in a post HERE

2. Removed execution permissions from renamed iTunes.app (in my case renamed to noItunes.app)

   In terminal.app: sudo chmod -x /Applications/noTunes.app/

My only concern is an Apple admin is reading this all will patch iTunes, I'll be forced to d/l the update, and this will no longer work. 😮

I would really like to know when this is going to be fixed. I hate this behavior. Someone was way too clever or bored when they implemented this. It *****.

Apple: At least respond to the community about this horribly annoying problem. Will iTunes and Bluetooth just suck forever, or are you going to listen and do something about it? You don't have to take it away, just let us turn it off.

I would suggest that everyone in this thread call support, chat with support online and/or go to the genius bar. If it costs Apple money by taking up support time they'll make a change. Complaints in the "support" forums don't cost them anything.

I, too, am having this issue with my Bose Soundlink Mini wireless bluetooth speaker. iTunes loads when I connect the device, and it will not close while connected... in addition, the quality of the audio has been decreased by periodic popping and skipping noises (as if signal degradation occurring).

Dear Apple,

I'm disabling iTunes even though I have a library with 30,373 tracks 4,700 of which I bought from you because you are asleep at the wheel and forcing users to accept iTunes as the auto launching default handler of all things audio isn't winning you any more friends. I'm disappointed that you haven't had anyone fix the problem or at a minimum respond to this thread. Oh well, all hail Spotify, and Amazon Prime, long may you reign!

Someone please try this in Terminal.app (which will disable bluetooth discoverability of your laptop):

sudo defaults -currentHost write com.apple.Bluetooth DiscoverableState -bool FALSE

sudo killall blued

Let me know if iTunes.app starts automatically when you turn on your headphones afterward.

Thanks!

Shane

I'm also replying here to report the problem and as others mentioned I shouldn't need to go to the Terminal, kill iTuneshelper or rename my app to start this, it should be an option you uncheck in iTunes.

Apple - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - chime in here and acknowledge your working on a next fix in the next release or a bunch of us are going to move away from iTunes for good!

thx this works, iTunes don't. who cares

applesmbissues - THANKS! This solution seems to have fixed this problem. As a long time Windows user trying out a Macbook for the first time, I am disappointed that this issue has been going on as long as it has!

I googled "apple bluetooth headset iTunes" to find out this problem. I realize that many people have been dealing with this issue, and Apple is doing nothing in response. What a disappointment..

I use the latest version of 13 inch - Macbook Air (purchased on June, 2013) and use LG's bluetooth headset HBS-730. I noticed such problem couple weeks after I've been using the LG headset with my Macbook Air. It is not a huge trouble for me. HOWEVER, it is annoying that there is not a simple way to stop iTunes launch automatically.

Apple! Please, be considerate and listen to your customers.

So I did this, and it works perfectly to prevent it from opening, but now how do I bring itunes back?? The command you typed above isn't working; was it supposed to be the same as the first one?

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