Is there a way to tell the Mac to ignore what it thinks is a physical play button press, such as would be sent from a headset or other external audio device, and allow that signal to proceed to the active app?
I have an external timer device, often called a Stackmat or a G5. It connects to my Mac using a 3.5mm audio cable, then into the microphone input of a USB-C adapter. As far as the Mac is concerned, this is a microphone. Once it's physically connected, and after I change the system default sound input to this USB device, I should be able to use the external timer with the CS Timer web page.
I've had very limited success getting this to work. One thing that is interfering with the whole process is that the external timer seems to be sending some type of signal that my Mac interprets as a play button click. As a result, the Music app launches by itself and starts playing (usually Gang of Four or the B-52's, but that's beside the point).
I suspect this is interfering with the proper communication between the external timer and the web site. In other words, I think the fact that Mac is grabbing this signal and interpreting it as autoplay is keeping my timer from working with the website.
I have searched the web and found literally dozens of forum topics in which frustrated people complain that the Music app is launching automatically, either at startup, or anytime they connect earbuds or a Bluetooth headset. They are all frustrated that there seems to be no way to turn this off. In my case, it's even more frustrating, as the device I'm using has nothing to do with audio.
I've read and tried several suggestions. No luck so far. Has anyone on AppleVis found a way to stop Music from autoplaying?
Comments
I have an idea that you could try if you don’t use the music app
This might not work on modern versions of macOS, but I’m wondering if there is some way you could delete the music app.
You might need to disable SIP to do this, or perform some more advanced tricks that I don’t know of.
I know Normally system apps (music, Safari, TV, weather, notes, etc) cannot be deleted.
I use the Music app
I do use the Music app, to orhanize my library and playlists for syncing with my phone. But I rarely use it to play on my Mac.
I guess I could just delete it out of the applications folder? But, yeah, I kind of want to keep it. I just want control over when it opens.
Remote control daemon
I found this, which seems to work. RCD (that's the letters R, C and D, which VoiceOver seems to announce as R D C) is the remote control daemon. Apparently this command turns it off. I can still launch the Music app from the dock and use it normally.
Open terminal and issue the following command:
launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist
Use at your own risk. I'm not responsible for breaking your Mac.
It Works, But ...
That kills *all* use of remote media keys, including legitimate use of hardware buttons to play/pause/seek/change volume.
What you may actually want is an app like Music Decoy or NoTunes, that works by essentially taking the place of the media app and intercepting play events. Then when you are using another app, the controls still work and you can still use any hardware buttons you have. Check them out, if you're interested.
Good to know
Thanks Sebby. For my needs, the launchctl command works well. I have a Mac Mini with no external media control buttons, and, as I mentioned, I never use it to play media, only to organize it. But I'm glad you added your information, for others who might find this thread later.