Stop the Apple Music app from launching (lowtechguys.com)

Article summary

The article discusses how to stop the Apple Music app from launching automatically on Macs, which can happen when pressing the play button on the keyboard or when connecting a Bluetooth headset. This behavior is caused by a daemon called rcd that handles media keys. The article provides a solution called Music Decoy, which can be configured to launch another app when the play button is pressed. Alternatively, users can use other tools like noTunes to achieve the same effect.

Main themes

• Apple Music auto-launch
• Media key handling
• rcd daemon
• Music Decoy solution
• noTunes alternative
• MacOS limitations

What commenters say

• Some users find the automatic launch of Apple Music to be a huge pet peeve and a source of frustration.
• The inability to uninstall or hide the Apple Music app is seen as a limitation of MacOS and a sign of Apple's control over the user experience.
• Disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) is not a viable solution for many users, as it compromises the security of the system.
• The use of tools like Music Decoy or noTunes is necessary to work around the default behavior of Apple Music and provide a more customizable experience.
• Some users argue that Apple's design patterns have become similar to Microsoft's and that the company prioritizes its own apps over user preferences.
• Others defend Apple's approach, arguing that the trade-offs are worthwhile and that no option is perfect.
• The automatic launch of Apple Music is seen as a dark pattern that should be opt-in rather than opt-out.
• Users who have tried to remove or hide the Apple Music app have found it to be difficult or impossible, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction with the MacOS experience.