Retired Sonos Staff

New to Sonos or Alexa? How to set up

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
October 3, 2017
194 replies
139172 views

So you have an Alexa device and Sonos players, where do you go next?

1. Make sure your Sonos and Alexa devices are all powered up and connected to the network.

If you're new to Sonos, this means Installing the Sonos app, and going through the steps for Setting up Sonos here.

If you're new to Alexa, install the Alexa app (currently only available in the US, UK, and Germany) and make sure your Alexa device(s) show up. They will be listed under Settings > Devices. Amazon has a setup guide for the Echo Dot here.

2. In the Alexa app, search for and add the Alexa Skill for Sonos.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to authenticate your Amazon account, then your Sonos account.

4. Finally, inside your Alexa app, select discover devices under Smart Home or on the Sonos skill page.

You are now ready to try out some commands! There’s a great, comprehensive list here.

Wondering how it all works? Check out the How it works thread.

If you run into any trouble, please feel free to take a look here to start, or ask any question in the Amazon Alexa and Sonos forum.

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amvale

Trending Lyricist I

So far this is a COMPLETE FAIL! I updated my sonos system and then went to my Alexa app. Searched for Sonos under Alexa skills and does it show up at the top of the list? Nope, the true Sonos skill is at the very bottom (clearly working very closely with Amazon on this!). I enable the skill, it asked to sign it, I do so and then it hands me off to the Sonos app. Sonos app indicates that I need to upgrade my app and hands me off to the Apple App Store. No update - as I'm on the latest so it indicates that I should "Open" the app. Then... nothing. A complete fail. Sonos clearly bet on the WRONG HORSE for initial launch!!! Any "partner" that has you at the bottom of the search list of your own company name clearly shows their level of commitment. I'm truly disappointed at how far behind the curve Sonos is and that Google or Apple didn't simply purchase them.... Had the same issue with the update sonos app part. Delete app from device and reinstall from cloud worked for me. My sonos skill was top on the Alexa app. If I recall correctly I had it on sort by release date. Bear in mind it is in public beta and therefore not everything will be perfect.

Ctrucks - I truly appreciate the feedback but the honest truth is that Sonos made this announcement and commitment over a year ago and the "public beta" is truly just an indication of their level of confidence to deliver - not a true public beta. Google announced some very cool devices today and while they fall short of the home theater experience I have to believe that their own integration with the Google Assistant is spot on. Honestly my posts are probably more about my disappointment that Apple didn't purchase Sonos than Sonos trying to have Amazon be a "partner" and Amazon most likely treating them like one of their many "3rd party integration partners". With a Sonos press conference I had hoped for more...

F

FriethMan1957

Lyricist II

So far this is a COMPLETE FAIL! I updated my sonos system and then went to my Alexa app. Searched for Sonos under Alexa skills and does it show up at the top of the list? Nope, the true Sonos skill is at the very bottom (clearly working very closely with Amazon on this!). ....... Sonos clearly bet on the WRONG HORSE for initial launch!!! Any "partner" that has you at the bottom of the search list of your own company name clearly shows their level of commitment. I'm truly disappointed at how far behind the curve Sonos is and that Google or Apple didn't simply purchase them...

There are 4 options for sorting the list of Skills. They are RELEVANCE, AVG CUSTOMER RATING, RELEASE DATE & FEATURED. On my system Sonos skill comes top in 2 and 2nd in the 3rd and next to bottom in the FEATURED option.

I don't think; to be honest, we should make any statements regarding the commitment or otherwise of a partnership based on a search ranking algorithm that we do not fully understand!

As for Sonos being "behind the curve" and Google/Apple acquiring them - please God save me from that.

A

amvale

Trending Lyricist I

So far this is a COMPLETE FAIL! I updated my sonos system and then went to my Alexa app. Searched for Sonos under Alexa skills and does it show up at the top of the list? Nope, the true Sonos skill is at the very bottom (clearly working very closely with Amazon on this!). ....... Sonos clearly bet on the WRONG HORSE for initial launch!!! Any "partner" that has you at the bottom of the search list of your own company name clearly shows their level of commitment. I'm truly disappointed at how far behind the curve Sonos is and that Google or Apple didn't simply purchase them...

There are 4 options for sorting the list of Skills. They are RELEVANCE, AVG CUSTOMER RATING, RELEASE DATE & FEATURED. On my system Sonos skill comes top in 2 and 2nd in the 3rd and next to bottom in the FEATURED option.

I don't think; to be honest, we should make any statements regarding the commitment or otherwise of a partnership based on a search ranking algorithm that we do not fully understand!

As for Sonos being "behind the curve" and Google/Apple acquiring them - please God save me from that.

You are correct - there are filters for all skills but a partnership would promote that the day of launch - I didn't change any of the default search parameters. This has nothing to do with search ranking algorithm; it has to do with level of commitment and promotion strategy. As far as the Google/Apple comment - the future is AI and machine learning - two things that Sonos won't do but Google and Apple will. True home integration will require this...

C

contaygious

Trending Lyricist I

Hi, can I disable alexa exho dot from playing music somehow? When i say alexa play artist on pandora it plays on the stupid dot. Also, it says it cant play genres?

I

iainsm

Lyricist I

Is there a plan to include Deezer in the Alexa integration and if so what is the timescale?

M

Mark_2

Contributor I

I can't really use it at the moment. I can't play anything from my library or Spotify. That doesn't leave anything??. Just voice commands for stop, volume etc. Not really that exciting yet. Hopefully these features will come and I'll then start using the skill.

P

podboi80

Lyricist I

Alexa is not understanding any of the iHeart named stations, ie: iHeart80s, iHeart90s. It keeps playing some news station.

V

varsas

Trending Lyricist I

I can't really use it at the moment. I can't play anything from my library or Spotify. That doesn't leave anything??. Just voice commands for stop, volume etc. Not really that exciting yet. Hopefully these features will come and I'll then start using the skill.

Upload some music to your free Amazon music storage and you can then make more use of it.

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User625323

Trending Lyricist I

I am having issues with music playing over my Echo Dot instead of the SONOS speaker. My SONOS speakers are named as follows: Living Room, Kitchen, Office and my Echo Dots are named as follows: Living Room Dot, Kitchen Dot, Office Dot and Bedroom Dot.

If I look in the Alexa app, the SONOS devices are showing up and names as above, do I need to rename the Echo Dots to solve the problem?

I am having this problem as well.

Additionally, when I say "Volume Up/Down" - my Dot volume responds, not the Sonos speakers. Is there a solution?

U

User625323

Trending Lyricist I

Is there a way to play a radio stations? What command do you use? Thanks

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