Does iTunes remind you of that partner who refuses to stop texting even after you broke up? Yes, we know the feeling. Unfortunately, iTunes can be clingy like that, opening itself even when not needed. Luckily, it’s not very hard to stop iTunes from opening automatically.

Even if you plug your Apple device into the PC, launch the music app, or use your headphones, this application will not open again. Read on to discover how to.

Eight ways to stop iTunes from opening automatically

Without further ado, let’s discover different ways to prevent iTunes from automatically opening:

Turn off automatic syncing

Are you bothered by a specific device that launches iTunes when you plug into your PC? Not a problem. Fortunately, iPhones and other apple devices can be disabled individually. This disable allows it to prevent iTunes from opening automatically.

Follow the steps below to prevent automatic sync on your Windows or Mac:

  1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable
  2. On the iTunes window (iTunes starts automatically), select the “devices” tab
  3. Click on your iPhone icon that you will see beneath the menu bar
  4. Next, click on the “Summary” tab in iTunes settings
  5. Under the “Options” section, uncheck the syncing automatically checkbox. The checkbox will say “Automatically sync when this iPhone is connected” option
  6. Select done

Finally, you have successfully disabled this application. Now, it won’t open when you plug your iPhone into Mac or windows.

Tip: Do you wish to get rid of the pop-up? Simultaneously, do you also want to sync your iPhone in the background automatically? Yes, there is a way. You can see an option to “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi” within the same panel. Selecting this will enable syncing in the background.

Stop iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically

You might be frustrated by iTunes popping up whenever you connect your iPhones and iPads.

To collectively prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from automatic sync, follow the steps below:

  1. Connect your iPhone or another device to a computer
  2. Launch iTunes, then tap ‘iTunes menu’
  3. Use keyboard shortcut command (comma)
  4. Or, click on “Preferences” in the menu bar
  5. Next, you will see a “Devices” section under Preferences
  6. Select “Devices”
  7. Uncheck the option “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically” box
  8. Select ok
  9. Close iTunes

Lastly, you get to stop automatic syncing for all apple devices.

Disable iTunes on the Mac startup tab

iTunes will open automatically on your Mac. Yes, it’s true if it’s on the list of your startup apps. Fortunately, here is how you can stop iTunes from opening automatically (through system preferences):

  1. Scroll to the top left corner
  2. Select the Apple logo
  3. Click on System Preferences
  4. Choose Users & Groups
  5. On the left sidebar, you will see your profile.
  6. Click on it and select Login Items
  7. Your Login Items list will display an application called iTunesHelper.
  8. Next, find iTunesHelper and select the application.
  9. At last, click on the (minus) sign.

Finally, you will have managed to disable the application on Mac.

Disable iTunes helper on Windows PC

You might remember installing iTunes on your PC. But did you know it comes with an Apple utility named iTunes helper? Yes, it does. When you install iTunes, this program installs along with it. Moreover, it keeps running in the background of your pc all the time.

Now, whenever you plug in an apple device such as your iPhone through a USB cable, this program detects it. Moreover, it allows the iTunes application to open automatically.

Here’s how you can disable the program on your Windows computer:

  1. Scroll toward the taskbar and right-click on it
  2. Select the “Task Manager” option that you will find on the pop-up menu
  3. After Task Manager launches, select “More Details”
  4. Next, select the “Startup” tab in the Task Manager tab
  5. Browse through startup utilities
  6. Find “iTunes helper” utility
  7. Right-click and select disable

However, before you click disable, ensure not to disable iTunes Mobile device helper. This application will prevent your Apple devices from syncing with iTunes completely.

Lastly, if this doesn’t work, check to see if there are problems in the:

  • iTunes installation
  • iTunes components
  • Next-track control external speakers
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Alarm clock apps, screensavers, and widgets too
  • Logitech media server

Stop iTunes from launching for music files on Windows

iTunes happens to be the media manager for your iOS device. Therefore, it may be the default player for many music files. As a result, it may launch automatically when these files are opened.

Here is what you can do about this on your Windows:

  1. Select the music file
  2. Right-click in it
  3. Next, under the “Open with” option, select “choose another app.”
  4. Select any other application to open a music file
  5. Check on the box that says, “Always use this app to open .ext files.”
  6. Select ok.

Ultimately, you will no longer complain that iTunes opens randomly to play music.

Stop iTunes from launching for music files on Mac

Follow the steps below to prevent the app from launching music files:

  1. Select the music file and right-click on it
  2. Select Get Info option
  3. Under the Open With the drop-down menu, select another application

Consequently, the application will no longer launch music files on your Mac.

Prevent iTunes launch when headphones are plugged in

You may wonder why iTunes opens when you plug in your headphones. Consequently, you may also want to stop it.

You can stop iTunes from opening automatically in this situation by force quitting. Yes, you can force the music application to quit. This way, it won’t open iTunes the next time.

Stop iTunes from playing music automatically

Apple music sports an Autoplay feature. This feature allows it to play music randomly. Or, it may even play the next song in the playlist once all the pieces in your playlist have played. Of course, you may not be thrilled with listening to random songs. Plus, you may want to stop apple music altogether. Luckily, there is a way.

Here is how you can disable this function:

  1. Open the Apple music application
  2. Open the Now Playing screen
  3. Select the song that Apple Music is currently playing
  4. Next, look for the Up Next option in the lower right corner of your iPhone
  5. Tap on the Auto Play icon (infinite loop symbol)

Finally, this should stop Apple music from playing tracks automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why does iTunes keep opening automatically on iPhones?

It is usual for iTunes to launch when an iOS device is detected via the USB cable. To stop this, launch iTunes. Next, in the menu bar, select iTunes. Click on Preferences. Third, select Devices. Finally, tick the “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically” checkbox.

  1. How do I stop the iTunes app from opening itself automatically on iPhone?

To disable any iTunes app connection on your iPhone, launch the application. Next, select Preferences. Lastly, click on your iPhone icon. Finally, make sure it is not synchronized with your iPad or iPhone.

  1. How to prevent iTunes from opening on Mac?

On your computer, right-click on the Taskbar. Next, choose Task manager. Next, scroll to the startup menu to browse startup utilities. Finally, look for iTunes apps and select disable.