How do I stop the Music app from opening on my iPhone when I plug in my headphones?

I've got an iPhone 6 running the latest software. I've noticed since a few updates ago that when I plus in my headphones the Music app opens, even when the phone is locked. I find this really irritating, as there are obviously a lot of other reasons I would plug in my headphones other than to use that app. It also opens to the same song each time (first song alphabetically), instead of something more logical like the last song I listened to.


In any case, I have to assume Apple developers wouldn't create this without a way to turn it off - anyone know how?


(This is almost as annoying as the time they assumed everyone wanted a free U2 album in their music library. Please don't make assumptions on my behalf!)

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 7, 2016 4:30 PM

Reply
Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 26, 2018 2:51 PM

Does anyone have an answer for this? I absolutely HATE this idiot feature. Every time I go to make a phone call the stupid phone starts blaring music. Apple, this is really ridiculous that there's no way to turn it off and make it stop doing this.

50 replies
Sort By: 
Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

Feb 26, 2018 2:51 PM in response to zanderlicious

Does anyone have an answer for this? I absolutely HATE this idiot feature. Every time I go to make a phone call the stupid phone starts blaring music. Apple, this is really ridiculous that there's no way to turn it off and make it stop doing this.

Reply

Nov 19, 2017 9:28 PM in response to XoClover16oX

This is happening with my iPhone 6s Plus as well. Siri will always activate no matter what I’m doing and the music will play any and every time I put my headphones in. Regardless of what i’ll Be doing. It’s so annoying that I almost threw my phone in frustration. I have no idea what to do or how to stop it. :(

Reply

Jan 20, 2018 9:21 AM in response to Foxykid09

I am also having the same problem and am VERY frustrated. It is dropping my calls and will then start playing music to which I have to shut down the phone, turn it back on, and go through the same process only to have it drop ANOTHER call. I can't sit the phone in my pocket, in my purse, b/c it will randomly shut off or start playing music. To make matters worse, no Apple technician has addressed the issue. It is not only frustrating to the person I am speaking with on the phone but it is also costing me battery life.


I saw where Apple is no longer phasing out older battery phones but if this is their response to it in an attempt for us to purchase a newer phone then I'm out. This is bad business and shady. They'll need to charge more than 1k for their next iPhone if they plan on getting anyone to buy it if this is how they treat their customers. Good luck. #applefail #horriblecustomerservice #shadyaf

Reply

Dec 21, 2017 3:08 AM in response to OriginalName022

Hello, I tried this as I am having the same problem but I don't see the "handoff & suggested apps" portion. My iPhone 8 only has the "handoff" selection. No further actions except to turn it off. Can I delete the music app? This has only happened since the update. Thanks.

Reply

Feb 23, 2018 9:47 AM in response to zanderlicious

Same issue - on IOS 11.2.2.


Music starts playing every time I finish a call using headphones. I have 'show apple music' off, zero downloaded music, am signed out of home sharing, have automatic downloads set to off, all notifications set to off and am signed out of itunes & App Store... so where is it getting this music from?

Reply

May 11, 2018 12:54 PM in response to McRandy

No such luck for me - I have been banging my head against this Music default auto play 'feature' for over a year now, it's apparently been an issue for users for more than 5 years - every time my iPhone (6, 11.3.1) gets in range of the Bluetooth receiver in my car (Tune 2 Air) it launches the Music app - even if the car is off and/or the ipod input is not selected.


I did the dodge of putting in a long silent track called AAutoplay, so I don't get blasted with the same song every time, but I'd love a cleaner solution.


This will happen even if I have Pandora running on the phone when I get in - if Pandora isn't actively playing, Music will appear on the Lock screen.


I'm trying to find out if there's a way to configure the connection from the vehicle end - I do have steering wheel controls that will work to skip forward (and back, in Music), but no joy so far there, either.

Reply

Nov 9, 2017 1:21 PM in response to OriginalName022

This section does not exist in Settings > General. There is only Handoff. 11.1 iOS.


Anyone know of a way to completely disable the buttons on headphones with mic and remote control? Maybe this can prevent Apple Music and Voice Control from randomly opening when using 3rd party headphones.

Reply

Dec 22, 2017 12:11 PM in response to zanderlicious

Settings - Notifications - turn off notifications for the Music app

This does this for Pandora or Spotify also so I do not know the solution for turning off autoplay altogether, or for apps from which you still want notifications. I wonder if we can fool around with the badges and icons to see if that helps?

Reply

Apr 3, 2018 9:26 AM in response to McRandy

Well, I don't know, why this reply landed here (it was supposed to be an add-on to one of my former posts, well ...) but, I have to tell you: since I disabled the handoff-feature, I didn't have the problem any more. (Maybe nobody called my number since then?) 😁

Best regards and good luck!

Randy

Reply

Jul 7, 2018 6:01 PM in response to zanderlicious

So for ANYONE that has their iphones, iPads updated...if you see nothing but Handoff...just delete the music app.. Yes I know, its annoying. But Its better than threatening to throw your expensive iPads across the room like me. I just deleted the app and the music STOPPED. I was getting extremely frustrated. Every time my headphone would move a certain way it would stop and start random music. If I had Netflix and paused it it would randomly turn back on while I was using safari. And if I was actually watching Netflix it would pause every couple of seconds.

I don’t know if it is this update but it seriously needs to be fixed or at least have a headphones setting where we can opt on or off from having random stuff play.

Reply

Sep 14, 2018 7:27 AM in response to donnaliane

Exactly the same issue here.

I have an iPhone 6 for work and an iPhone X as my personal phone.

I use a headset attached to both phones as I’m making work calls all day. Whenever I finish a call on my work phone, my music just kicks in through the headset on my personal phone.

It’s driving me mad!!!

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I stop the Music app from opening on my iPhone when I plug in my headphones?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.