# NotchStar Now Playing stopped working after a macOS update

> Apple changed Now Playing access in macOS 15.4 and could again. NotchStar falls back to AppleScript for Music and Spotify, so other apps may stop appearing.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-stopped-after-macos-update/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

NotchStar reads Now Playing through an interface Apple does not document and has restricted before. Since macOS 15.4, third party apps cannot read it directly, so NotchStar loads an open source adapter through Apple's own perl. If an update breaks that route, Music and Spotify still work through AppleScript, but other apps may stop showing.

## What you will see

- Music and Spotify keep appearing, possibly with a placeholder instead of a cover or no progress bar.
- A browser or another player that used to appear is now "Nothing playing".

## What NotchStar does on its own

If the adapter says nothing within about three seconds, or ends unexpectedly, NotchStar switches to AppleScript polling for Music and Spotify. That keeps the card from freezing.

## What you can do

1. Quit NotchStar and open it again.
2. Make sure you run the latest NotchStar version, because adapter fixes arrive as app updates.
3. Check [Automation permission](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-automation-permission-music-spotify/) for Music and Spotify.
4. For other apps, check if they appear in Control Center's Now Playing. If macOS hides them there, NotchStar cannot read them.

## Honest limit

This route can break with any macOS release. Apple controls it, and I cannot promise otherwise. See [which apps show up](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-sources/), the [background guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/how-notch-apps-read-now-playing/) and the [Now Playing page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/now-playing/).

## Keep reading.

- [Now playing, with real album art](https://www.notchstar.com/features/now-playing/): See the song playing on your Mac with album artwork and controls in the notch. Live updates, and a progress bar when the player provides one.
- [Which apps show up in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-sources/): NotchStar shows any app that reports to the macOS Now Playing service. Music and Spotify also work through an AppleScript fallback. Other apps may not appear.
- [How notch apps read what is playing, after macOS 15.4](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/how-notch-apps-read-now-playing/): Why showing the current song got harder in macOS 15.4, how open source adapters work around it, and the tradeoffs. Tested, with real findings.
- [Mac notch music controls not working: what to check first](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/mac-notch-music-controls-not-working/): Check the player, missing track information and Music or Spotify permissions before reinstalling a notch app. Learn which missing controls are expected.

## More in Home and Now Playing.

- [Which apps show up in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-sources/): NotchStar shows any app that reports to the macOS Now Playing service. Music and Spotify also work through an AppleScript fallback. Other apps may not appear.
- [Spotify is not showing in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-spotify-not-showing/): If Spotify does not appear in the NotchStar Home tab, start a track, reopen the notch, and allow Automation for Spotify if macOS asks. Steps and the fallback.
- [How NotchStar Now Playing works with Apple Music](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-apple-music-now-playing/): Apple Music tracks show with artwork and controls through the system Now Playing service. Radio style items have no duration, so there is no progress bar.
- [Why album artwork is missing in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-album-artwork-missing/): NotchStar shows a music note instead of a cover when the player gives no artwork, a new track has not sent its art yet, or in the AppleScript fallback.
- [Why there is no progress bar in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-no-progress-bar/): NotchStar draws the progress bar only when the player gives a real duration and elapsed time. Radio style Apple Music items and some streams give neither.
- [The perl process NotchStar starts for Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-helper-process/): NotchStar starts one Apple signed perl process to read Now Playing while the Home card is open. It ends when you leave Home or quit.