The last Mac

Operating Systems & Open Source Mac & iOS
1

Hello, I need some help before I throw my $10 Mac out the window and never buy another Apple product again. I am comfortable enough with Linux now…

I used Chat GPT to summarize the issue and all my attempted fixes because I am autistic and have a hard time getting people to understand what I am trying to say:

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Issue Summary (macOS Tahoe – VLC blocked, Apple Music forced)

I am attempting to set VLC media player as my default audio player on macOS (Tahoe), but the system continues to either force Apple Music or block VLC entirely with a false “file is damaged” error.

Problem Description

  • I want to use VLC media player for .mp3 playback (not Apple Music).

  • When I try to open .mp3 files with VLC, I get:

    “(filename).mp3 is damaged and can’t be opened. You should move it to the trash.”

  • The same file opens fine in Apple Music, so the file itself is not actually damaged.

  • macOS appears to be blocking VLC rather than the file.

Key Symptoms

  • Apple Music continues to appear as default / opens files despite reassignment.

  • VLC fails to open files with a “damaged file” error.

  • No “Allow Anyway” prompt appears in Privacy & Security.

  • Terminal attempts to remove quarantine flags fail with permission errors.

Steps Already Attempted

Default App Configuration

  • Used Get Info → Open With → VLC → Change All

  • Tried “Always Open With” checkbox

  • Restarted Finder and system

  • Tested multiple .mp3 files (not Apple Music purchases)

Gatekeeper / Security Fix Attempts

  • Attempted to trigger “Allow Anyway” in:

    • System Settings → Privacy & Security

    • (No option appeared)

Terminal Commands (Quarantine Removal)

  • Ran:

    xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/VLC.app

  • Then with admin:

    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/VLC.app

  • Result:

    • Repeated errors:
      “Operation not permitted” on multiple VLC internal files

Permissions Fixes

  • Enabled Full Disk Access for Terminal

  • Restarted Terminal

  • Re-ran sudo xattr command

  • Same “Operation not permitted” errors persist

Reinstallation Attempts

  • Deleted VLC from Applications

  • Emptied Trash

  • Re-downloaded and reinstalled VLC

  • Same issue persists

Current State

  • VLC cannot open .mp3 files due to macOS blocking it

  • Apple Music continues to function normally

  • System appears to:

    • Block VLC execution at OS/security level

    • Prevent quarantine removal even with sudo

  • No visible Gatekeeper override option

Conclusion / Suspected Cause

This appears to be a macOS security subsystem issue (Gatekeeper / TCC / SIP interaction) where:

  • VLC is incorrectly flagged as unsafe or corrupted

  • The quarantine attribute cannot be removed

  • Terminal is denied access even with elevated privileges

  • The UI does not expose the “Allow Anyway” override

Goal

  • Use VLC as the default player for .mp3 files

  • Prevent Apple Music from opening audio files

  • Resolve the system-level block preventing VLC from running

Request

Looking for:

  • Root cause of why macOS is refusing to allow VLC execution

  • Why sudo xattr fails with “Operation not permitted”

  • Proper way to clear this block (without disabling core system protections if possible)

  • Any known bugs in macOS Tahoe related to Gatekeeper / VLC

This is not a configuration issue — it appears to be a system-level security enforcement or bug preventing VLC from functioning.

2

If it takes CLI and LLM just to attempt to watch a movie, Linux looks like the easier OS. On a good distro you can set up the OS inc. watching movies without CLI or asking for help.

Not sure if the hardware is valuable or how old it is or if Linux on that Mac is an option…. but if it works otherwise, you can sell it.

3

I also reinstalled with Homebrew. Now I can individually select individual files AND if I right click → Open with VLC → always use this program when opening these types of files. That and only that mp3 file will open with VLC, until I reboot.

1 Like
4

Don’t know what’s going on on your system, but I just downloaded VLC 3.0.23 on macOS 26.4 and had no issues playing MP3s.

Didn’t have to do anything special, aside from the expected confirmation that I’m OK with running a program I just downloaded from the net.

You shouldn’t need to run any CLI commands.

Maybe that file really is damaged and it just so happens that Apple Music is able to play it anyway? Did you try other files?

If you want to change the default app used to play MP3 files, you need to right click the music file, select Get Info, and change the app from Music to VLC under Open with:. Then you need to click Change All… for it to apply to all MP3 files.

3 Likes
5

BlackCat,

Yes, I tried several files. I have already tried this solution. There is no “Change All”

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6

The Change All… button is on the Get Info window, not the window you’re showing.

2 Likes
7

Thank You! This actually solved the problem.

This is exactly why I come here. ChatGPT actually said:

“This is likely a LaunchServices database corruption or TCC bug, not VLC itself.

If they give you another “use Get Info → Change All” reply after this, you can safely ignore them.”

I have another thought… I think I can safely ignore the broken pice of criminally over hyped software written that was written by the world’s largest population of narcissistic schizophrenics .

Thanks again!!!