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

View in context

139 replies

scott297

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2015 11:45 AM in response to Will248

Finally, this is a solution that worked. I'm running OS X 10.10.5 (14F1021)

What an unbelievably infuriating situation. I added it to my .profile file.

Nov 2, 2015 12:18 AM in response to BillHahn

Thank you, BillHahn, Well organized! This method work for me, it is on page 4. By the way I am using 10.9.5

Dec 31, 2015 1:49 PM in response to DNeuwir

I guess I would never run into this problem, because I just keep iTunes running all the time. 🙂

Duane

Level 10

124,303 points

Dec 31, 2015 10:44 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Is it playing music all the time? Even if you have iTunes running but no music playing, connecting a bluetooth headset will start music playing.

macnewly

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2016 2:56 PM in response to RajMe

macnewly

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2016 3:03 PM in response to crystalship

what version of OSX are you using anyway?

macnewly

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2016 3:05 PM in response to KiawahOC

+1 - helped me!!!

Jun 2, 2016 4:36 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

didnt we buy macs so we wouldnt need to customize basic functionality? why hasnt apple fixed this??????

Jun 2, 2016 6:42 AM in response to EnglishTrainer

Apparently Apple sees this idiocy as a feature, not a bug.

Markino

Level 1

46 points

Oct 4, 2016 1:32 AM in response to rryk

I have the same very annoying problem.

I'd like to know the name of the "genius" who introduced this annoying feature, we should give him the Nobel prize for the hassle!

vgaicuks

Level 1

4 points

Oct 20, 2016 9:52 AM in response to BillHahn

Thank you very much, save my day.

LJ Mitch

Level 1

4 points

Feb 6, 2018 8:53 AM in response to David Dalzell

I totally agree and am equally frustrated

Mar 2, 2018 6:29 AM in response to rryk

APPLE PLEASE FIX THIS thanks

yul3232

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2017 8:51 AM in response to lordphnx

I've seen my problems solved by removing execution rights from the remote control daemon, by doing:

sudo chmod -x /System/Library/CoreServices/rcd.app/Contents/MacOS

After running this I was getting high CPU usage by launchd process. I reverted this, iTunes launched and CPU usage got back to normal. It looks like system tries to launch iTunes indefinitely.

ccrudup

Level 1

4 points

Apr 12, 2017 3:19 PM in response to rryk

So. This was a real crazy issue. You can try the Do Nothing app trick. Didn't work for me, but seems workable. I deleted iTunes, created the app, linked the bluetooth to the DN app, but when I reinstalled iTunes the same thing happened

But...

After this when I renamed the iTuneshelper in the package contents...Walla! No more issues. This had been bugging me for over a year.

Don't know if disabling iTuneshelper is smart, but it certainly solves this crazy issue.

Love Apple, Hate Apple. Sera Sera...

Hope this helps

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iTunes starts up whenever I connect my bluetooth headset