How to stop iTunes turning on when I plug or unplug headphones?

[CharType]

My iTunes turns on and automatically starts playing when I plug in or unplug my headphones. I would really like iTunes to not turn on without my permission. Can anyone tell me how to make it stop doing this? Thanks.

My operating system is macOS Sierra 10.12.6 and I'm on a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) .

 

[Slydude]

What headphones/earbuds are you using? I have a headset that understands certain gestures (similar to the AirPods). If I make certain movements with that headset it will trigger Music/iTunes.

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[CharType]

Sony MDR-XB450. It doesn't have anything like that.

 

[Rod]

It's possible that iTunes Helper is responsible for this but there is no easy way to disable this without loosing other valuable functions. Does iTunes do the same thing when you plug in your iPhone (assuming you have one)?
There is a setting tick box on the first page of the iTunes sync window that says something like Launch iTunes When iPhone is connected, this is usually "on" by default but you could try unticking that box, I always did. It will mean you will have to launch iTunes manually for backup and sync but if it solves the problem it would be well worth it. Let us know if that works. I cannot test it myself as I am on a later macOS and all my headphones are bluetooth.

 

[pm-r]

Try some of the suggestions you can find here:
iTunes turning on when I plug or unplug headphones? - Google Search

It sounds like an old preference file i invoking iTunes to open when something is inserted or removed from the port.



- Patrick
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[CharType]

I don't have an iPhone. I couldn't find an "iTunes sync window". On the first two pages of that google search, all I found that works or might work are two things. First, I checked a box labeled "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically". I'll see if that does anything. The other one is this thing: Play Button iTunes Patch – Farhan Ahmad . I'll follow the steps on that when I have next restart my computer.

 

[pm-r]

I wonder if you have some third-party utility such as SmartStop that's controlling iTunes And whatever is plugged in or unplugged from the headphone jack??

If not, maybe you could use it but reverse its intended usage?? ie: Do the opposite using its options.

Stop Music in iTunes When Headphones Are Unplugged On Mac - SmartStop

Or BreakAway that seems to do a similar thing if they still work:
How To Automatically Pause Your Music When You Unplug Your Headphones [Mac]



- Patrick
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[CharType]

I don't have either of those utilities. I have very few pieces of software installed that mess with my system controls and I don't think any of them would be doing this.

 

[pm-r]

I don't have either of those utilities. I have very few pieces of software installed that mess with my system controls and I don't think any of them would be doing this.

Maybe try using one of them and get things working the way you want.

Seems that your Mac isn't working the way you want it to without them!!!

I would suspect a corrupt .plist (Preference) file as the cause but I don't know which one it would be, hence the suggestion to use such a utility.

If they fix the problem, you could probably remove them later if you want.



- Patrick
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[ferrarr]

What happens if you have iTunes open before you plug in the headphones?

 

[Rod]

I suppose this is one of those reasons we occasionally perform a “clean” install. To get rid of all those old conflicting control panels, preferences, application support files etc leftover from previous apps and operating systems. You say you are using iTunes which was replaced by Music about three operating systems ago, you are also using plugin earphones rather than Bluetooth so if your system is a bit dated your problem may be solved by upgrading your macOS.
I have tried reproducing your problem on my 2015 MBPr running Catalina 10.15.3 and it doesn’t happen.
Having said that I usually do a “clean” install of new operating systems as I did with Mojave 10.14.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

Wait. Wait. iTunes was replaced by Music? What is Music? Still using iTunes and I buy tunes on that. Can I change over to MUSIC and have everything in my library on Music? What is the advantage of Music over iTunes?

Pete

 

[Rod]

iTunes was replaced some time ago on iOS devices and more recently on macOS Catalina with "Music". The functions have been split into three seperate apps, one for your music library called Music, one for Books and another for Movies. Syncing for iOS/iPad OS and all other portable devices is now managed from Devices in the Finder window.
This does not extend to Windows devices. The latest version for Windows is iTunes 12.2 which is possibly what you updated to. Apple Is Killing iTunes, But Not on Windows
Just as an afterthought have you checked that the windows media player settings are not affecting or causing the problem somehow?

 

[ferrarr]

Wait. Wait. iTunes was replaced by Music? What is Music? Still using iTunes and I buy tunes on that. Can I change over to MUSIC and have everything in my library on Music? What is the advantage of Music over iTunes?

Pete

Here's what Apple has to say about it, What happened to iTunes? - Apple Support.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

Here's what Apple has to say about it, What happened to iTunes? - Apple Support.

Thanks Rod. Read the article. Since I am on High Sierra and cannot upgrade to Catalina, MUSIC should not affect me and I'll still be using iTunes is what I gather from this article. Correct?

Pete

 

[Slydude]

That's correct. The switch to the Music program doesn't happen unless you update to Catalina.


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[chscag]

Thanks Rod. Read the article. Since I am on High Sierra and cannot upgrade to Catalina, MUSIC should not affect me and I'll still be using iTunes is what I gather from this article. Correct?

Pete

At least for now you're not affected. However, I expect Apple to do away with iTunes altogether and switch to the Music app. Sort of the same way they got rid of iPhoto and moved everyone to Photos. Not really any difference between them and once you get used to the new Music app and backing up your iDevices from the Finder, I think you'll like the new approach.

 

[pm-r]

My iTunes turns on and automatically starts playing when I plug in or unplug my headphones.

Do you have another set of headphones or earbuds or external speakers you could try and see if they all do the same thing???

I don't know if it will make a difference but do your headphones have an in line Volume control or play/pause buttons???

What about any other of the speaker devices you could try???




- Patrick
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[ferrarr]

At least for now you're not affected. However, I expect Apple to do away with iTunes altogether and switch to the Music app. Sort of the same way they got rid of iPhoto and moved everyone to Photos. Not really any difference between them and once you get used to the new Music app and backing up your iDevices from the Finder, I think you'll like the new approach.

I agree, it took a little getting used, just like all new apps, but it works seamlessly with our devices here.

 

[Rod]

Yes. That's about it.