How do I permanently disable the Music app on my Mac and prevent it from co-opting earbuds?

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Level 1

37 points

How do I permanently disable the Music app on my Mac and prevent it from co-opting earbuds?

I do not want the Music app on my computer. Period. I can access acct by using Apple TV icon

I use my ear bud a lot and every time I open the computer the Music program co-opts the earbud (I switch to apple speakers, but have to get rid of that obnoxious program). I no longer listen to music of any kind on phone or computer, because stuff starts playing out of the blue sometimes WEEKS and MONTHS after playing the last time and I can't get rid of it (a separate issue, and one I have dealt with by deleting all my music...if I am desperate, I listen to Pandora)

[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Jun 17, 2025 01:58 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

201,503 points

Jun 17, 2025 02:24 PM in response to eskimodoc

"I do not want the Music app on my computer. Period. I can access acct by using Apple TV icon: [...]Now that I have vented, is there ANY way to not ever have that program triggered?.[...]"

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Block Apple Music with a Profile:

You'd use the Apple Configurator to create and then install a profile. See my User Tip: How to Use a Profile to Disable the iSight Camera in macOS 15 Sequoia - User Tip

I. Creating this Profile:

Download: Apple Configurator for Mac
Open: Apple Configurator
Go to: File menu
Select: New Profile
Select: Restrictions (located on the left pane)
Click: Configure
Click: Apps tab
Select: "Do not allow some apps" for "Restrict App Usage"
Click: "+" button
Type: Apple Music in the Search bar
Select: Apple Music
Click: Choose Button

Then...

II. Installing this profile. See II. of my user tip.

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Answer 2

eskimodoc Author

Level 1

37 points

Jun 17, 2025 05:45 PM in response to TheLittles

ok, saved to documents, followed through to part II, where directed to System Settings then General, then privacy and security.

privacy and security are not under General, but there was a "device management" tab under General that looked like your screenshot, clicked on +, selected the profile I had created/saved, it indicated there was one.
Got out, not sure if I had done everything. App still showed up and was still active, restarted computer, Music App still there and active.
repeated. both times I saved as a .config file (once I just tried simple name and it said it wouldn't be able to install without a payload) the config got rid of that anyway. but when file opened for final install, it gave its name as "untitled"
got this
Music app is unkillable, I guess.??

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

201,503 points

Jun 18, 2025 07:52 AM in response to eskimodoc

The method is a bit different for accessing this is a bit different in Sequoia. I provided you with the incorrect User Tip, though Copy & Paste. This is the User Tip to use: How to Use a Profile to Disable the iSight Camera in macOS 15 Sequoia. So, see if that does anything else for you.

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Answer 4

eskimodoc Author

Level 1

37 points

Jun 18, 2025 10:02 AM in response to TheLittles

I actually figured out the use of the device management in II.

The only issue now is where to find the profile for installation in part II. In your example leading up to your part II (you are using the camera issue), there is a save part:

The save part is missing from the Music issue, which ends with the creation of the profile.

I couldn't install profile from that point so tried using the save type info from camera part I using a couple of options...

I think I ended up with AppleMusic.config or some such. Which looked like it worked because it indicated a profile addition in Device management, but it actually didn't do the trick.

So, could you take me from creation of Apple Music profile in Part I to Part II installation? I think I must have to save the profile somehow before moving to part II. People like me can muddle through sometimes, but other times need to be led by the hand. :)

thanks for your time

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

277,729 points

Jun 18, 2025 06:01 AM in response to eskimodoc

You might try https://github.com/tombonez/noTunes.

tt2

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Answer 6

TheLittles

Level 10

201,503 points

Jun 18, 2025 10:16 AM in response to eskimodoc

“could you take me from creation of Apple Music profile in Part I to Part II installation? I think I must have to save the profile somehow before moving to part II. People like me can muddle through sometimes, but other times need to be led by the hand. :)”

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No worries.

Finding this File:

If you cannot find it, then use Spotlight Search to find it. Then, relocate the file to the Documents folder. Add it from there.

To use Spotlight Search, hold down command and then press the spacebar. From there, type: .mobileconfig

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Answer 7

eskimodoc Author

Level 1

37 points

Jun 19, 2025 12:14 PM in response to TheLittles

I was able to do it all, and studied Apple Configurator app help document; however, Music still popped up. I am obviously doing something wrong. I really liked what the configurator does and would like to play with it sometime.

For right now, I am using the notunes app.

Thanks for your time!

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Answer 8

TheLittles

Level 10

201,503 points

Jun 19, 2025 07:33 PM in response to eskimodoc

“I was able to do it all, and studied Apple Configurator app help document; however, Music still popped up. I am obviously doing something wrong. I really liked what the configurator does and would like to play with it sometime. For right now, I am using the notunes app. Thanks for your time!”

———-

You are welcome.

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