PlaySpot

macOS utility that intercepts media keys (play/pause, next, previous) and redirects them to Spotify — even when other apps try to capture them.

Features

• Intercepts media keys and redirects them to Spotify
• Menu bar icon with enable/disable toggle
• Launch at login
• Remembers state between launches
• macOS 13.0+

Install

1. Download PlaySpot.zip from Releases
2. Unzip and move PlaySpot.app to Applications
3. Open the app — macOS will show a warning since it's not signed
4. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down and click "Open Anyway"
5. Grant Accessibility permission when prompted (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility)

Build from source

1. Open PlaySpot.xcodeproj in Xcode
2. Build and run (Cmd+R)
3. Grant Accessibility permission when prompted

How it works

PlaySpot installs a system-level event tap that captures media key events before they reach other apps. When a media key is pressed, PlaySpot forwards the command to Spotify using AppleScript. If Spotify isn't running, it launches automatically.

Updating

When installing a new version, macOS may not recognize the existing Accessibility permission. Reset it by running:

tccutil reset Accessibility com.local.PlaySpot

Or remove PlaySpot manually in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, then re-grant on next launch.

Permissions

• Accessibility — required to intercept media key events
• Apple Events — required to send commands to Spotify

License

MIT