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Connecting sonos to iphone wifi hotspot

  • May 9, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 23596 views

I recently moved to a rural area where a cellular hotspot is my only connectivity option. I have read all the threads related to this topic but have had no success. Here is what I have tried:

  1. Turn on iphone hotspot on phone 1
  2. Connect to this hotspot on phone 2
  3. Launch Sonos app on phone 2
  4. Wait for "let's fix it" message to pop up and click on it
  5. Did I change router or network settings → yes
  6. Do I want to add a trusted network to Sonos → yes
  7. Click on "find system"
  8. Get message "we couldn't find a Sonos system on this account"
  9. Unplug my Play 1
  10. Plug it back in holding play button until it flashes white and orange
  11. Release button and it flashes green
  12. Repeat steps 4-7
  13. Same result
  14. Swipe right to find "Add your Play:1 - estimated time - 5 min"
  15. Sign in with user name and password
  16. App is up to date → continue
  17. Add to an existing system? → No, create a separate system
  18. Join to temporary network with a long randomly generated name
  19. Plays a series of chimes
  20. Make sure light is flashing white and green → check
  21. Now let's add your Play:1 to <my neighbor's wifi>
  22. Change network
  23. I don't see my network
  24. Adjust router settings (I don't have a router)
  25. Alternatively, choose "other network" and type the name of my wifi hotspot
  26. We could not find this network. Try rebooting your router (I don't have a router)

 

Best answer by Xander P

Hi @Frank Boscoe, welcome to the Sonos Community!

Hotspot setups can be a bit tricky sometimes, and as such are not supported setups for Sonos. That being said though, here are some things that may help to get around this;

  • Reboot all devices involved, and Reset the Sonos app
  • Perform another Factory Reset on the Play:1
  • If the neighbours WiFi is saved on phone 2, it may help to forget that
  • For this it is nessessary to host the hotspot from a different phone

Hope this helps, however if not, you may need to look in to an alternative means of connection.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

4 replies

Xander P
Forum|alt.badge.img+15
  • Retired Sonos Staff
  • Answer
  • May 10, 2021

Hi @Frank Boscoe, welcome to the Sonos Community!

Hotspot setups can be a bit tricky sometimes, and as such are not supported setups for Sonos. That being said though, here are some things that may help to get around this;

  • Reboot all devices involved, and Reset the Sonos app
  • Perform another Factory Reset on the Play:1
  • If the neighbours WiFi is saved on phone 2, it may help to forget that
  • For this it is nessessary to host the hotspot from a different phone

Hope this helps, however if not, you may need to look in to an alternative means of connection.


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • May 10, 2021

Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes. 


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • May 12, 2021

I gave up and bought a Bose bluetooth speaker instead.


Xander P
Forum|alt.badge.img+15
  • Retired Sonos Staff
  • May 13, 2021

Hi @Frank Boscoe, understood. Shame to see you go, but if it fits your needs better regarding the network options you have, then it’s the right call :)

If you do decide to come back to Sonos, then we’ll be happy to help with any questions you have!