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Can I change the default music app on OS X? When I accidentally press the play/pause button on my headset it opens the Music app (formerly part of iTunes), which I never use or plan to use ever.

I will be super happy to map that button to mute/unmute the system audio, but that could be a long shot.

I would be satisfied by setting my default app to VLC, so at least I can use the button to play and pause the music on my favorite app.

As a last option, I'd settle for disabling that functionality, so at least accidental presses don't fire up a nagging app on top of my work forcing me to close it.

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  • Which version of macOS, what kind of headset do you use?
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Nov 4, 2020 at 6:14
  • OS X Catalina (10.15.7) and a cheap generic headset with mic, it has a hub in the middle of the cable with a volume rocker and a single button, apparently to play/pause music and take/end calls.
    – kaldimar
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 17:20

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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There's an app called NoTunes. It's a background service that will stop the Music app from launching and allows you to set up an alternative app if needed.

Since it's a background service, it would consume some energy.

It's not perfect, but it works.

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    – Andy Griffiths
    Commented Sep 19, 2022 at 10:57
  • This is very much the correct answer
    – adejones
    Commented Aug 6 at 13:32
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How to change default music app on macOS:

Right-click on your audio file (mine is mp3), and select 'Get Info'

Right clicking

Dropdown 'Open With'

Dropdown

Select your desired app, from the app chooser (I chose VLC)

Choosing VLC

Then, click on 'Change All'. What it will do is when you open the mp3 file, it will open in VLC. So you will have to do the steps again with an m4a or wav or ogg files.

Change All

Now if you open the app, it will run in VLC!

Opened in VLC

YouTube video to change default music/audio app

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