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Answered

Hardware volume controls

  • December 20, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 880 views
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I am running 10.6 on iOS13.3 on an iPhone 11 Pro Max and can’t use the hardware buttons to control the volume in the Sonos app. I have checked that the hardware volume control is on (also toggled it on and off) and restarted the app but had no luck. I have read somewhere that the lock screen controls going missing is because of Apple protecting AirPlay 2 functionality but is this related? None of my speakers have AirPlay 2 functionality, I just have a 3rd gen Apple TV on the network.

 

I literally have to use the volume slider in the app to adjust the volume of the system or use the physical buttons on each speaker.

 

Has anyone else noticed this or found a solution?

 

Thanks for any support provided!

Best answer by Alex.L

The lock screen controls not showing up is to do with Third-Party AirPlay devices. Your Apple TV has AirPlay and as such Sonos can’t display lock screen controls. 
 

Ensure that you aren’t listening to anything on the iOS device when trying to use the physical buttons, you’ll change the volume of that instead of Sonos, the iOS device will prioritise the playback on itself 

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    5 replies

    Alex.L
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    • Alex.L
    • Lyricist III
    • Answer
    • December 20, 2019

    The lock screen controls not showing up is to do with Third-Party AirPlay devices. Your Apple TV has AirPlay and as such Sonos can’t display lock screen controls. 
     

    Ensure that you aren’t listening to anything on the iOS device when trying to use the physical buttons, you’ll change the volume of that instead of Sonos, the iOS device will prioritise the playback on itself 

    Previously a DJ & Radio Presenter. iOS & Android developer in my spare time. Setup: Move, Archer AX1500 with Raspberry Pi as DNS with AdGuardHome
    Airgetlam
    Edward R
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    • Edward R
    • Retired Sonos Staff
    • December 20, 2019

    Moderator Note: Bumping topic for responses as it was closed in error. 

    Try searching our articles for help with your question: https://www.sonos.com/en/support
    Airgetlam
    • Airgetlam
    • December 20, 2019

    I concur with Alex L. I’ve found that iOS has altered the function of the hardware buttons to respect the “top” or most recent app playing on the device, so if I want them to control Sonos, I need to have that app open and the most recent. I’m pretty sure this was a change by Apple, not Sonos.

    I just make sure the last app I used is Sonos, and the hardware buttons work. 

    Bruce
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    • hammy_1
    • Author
    • Avid Contributor I
    • December 20, 2019

    I can’t even get the hardware buttons to work even when in the app. As per OP, I have to use the slider to change the volume. ☹️

    Airgetlam
    • Airgetlam
    • December 20, 2019

    Hmm, I guess I misread your OP.

    While I don’t have your iPhone, I don’t have that issue on any of my iOS devices. 
     

    Have you tried deleting the app, then downloading a new copy of it, and installing again? If you do so, just be sure to “connect to existing system” when prompted.

     

    The only thing that makes any sense to me is that the controller didn’t initialize properly when you installed it. Fortunately, all of the important info is stored on the speaker level, so you lose nothing by deleting the controller and reinstalling.

    Do you have another device that you can install on as well, other than your phone?

    Bruce
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