Control Sonos volume with Android hardware buttons

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
November 16, 2021
15 replies
1766 views

Greetings,

I’m able to control the volume with hardware buttons on my Android device ONLY when I’m in the Sonos app or the Spotify app. I have no control over volume when outside the apps or from the lock screen. This Sonos support page (pic below) looks to be related, but the information might need updating. Within my own ‘App Preferences,’ there’s no option for ‘Hardware Volume Control.’

All the options that I do have inside ‘App Preferences” are currently switched ‘on.’

Any idea how I might fix this?

M

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Best answer by Ken_Griffiths

Thanks, Ken. I have no problems when the app’s open and showing. It’s when I’m on the home screen or the device is locked that I lose control over volume from the hardware button. A bit frustrating.

The only support information I can find, is what you have probably read already - this information pasted below perhaps being the most pertinent (I have bolded some words for you to consider) …

In some circumstances, the volume buttons will control Sonos even if the app isn’t active, as long as music is playing and lock screen controls are enabled. However, the controls will not be available when:

Viewing the Home Screen
Another app on the device is playing music or video
Connected to a Bluetooth audio device
A screen reader is enabled
Headphones are connected

So is it not working when you have the lock-screen controls displayed?.. note Sonos do say ‘in sone circumstances’ so it’s not guaranteed and presumably it may depend on the mobile device.

Show previous replies

M

MikeZH

Lyricist III

Same here. It worked well on my Galaxy S22. But since the update to Android 12 in Dec. '21, hitting the volume rocker outside the app will only change volume for media on the phone.

I suspect this might have something to do with the ongoing legal case between Sonos & Google. It might be Google removed this since they're not allowed to use it with their own speakers due to patent infringement. Just guessing here, but the timing appears to fit snugly.

Very frustrating, it was a comfy feature. I'd like very much to have it back!