Podcasts not showing up on Android/Sonos controler
Userlevel 2
How can I play podcasts from an android phone. I have installed the apps that are supposed to work with Sonos (Pocket Casts and BeyondPod), but I can't get either to work. The Sonos instructions say that the podcasts have to be in the Podcast folder in the root directory. Is that the \storage\sdcard0\Podcasts directory? BeyondPod only lets you choose whether to save the podcasts on the internal or external cards. It does not let you select the directory. Pocket Casts lets you select the directory, but then it puts the podcasts files in a subdirectory of the one chosen. Trying both of these apps and multiple configurations, I still can't get the podcast to show up when I look on "this device".
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OK I have finally given up with Pocketcasts. Sonos not consistently seeing the podcasts is a real pain. They appear eventually but you are not sure when. I have decided to use iTunes as the source of my podcasts and I sync them using iSyncr.
Once you have the app on your phone and the the desktop app on your pc or Mac you can sync your unplayed podcasts folder from iTunes.
If you sync using wi-fi then sync your files to the internal drive on your phone (if you sync to the SD card using wi-fi the files are stored in a default folder, and Sonos can see and play them but cannot rewind or fast forward them. You cannot change the default folder location for some reason with wi-fi sync).
If you sync over USB you can store the files on the SD card as long as you change the default folder location in iSyncr settings to a top level one on the SD card /Anyfolderyoulike. Sonos then works fine.
If you have less than 100 podcasts to sync then this app is free and Sonos sees the files straight away. Less bother!! http://www.jrtstudio.com/iSyncr-iTunes-for-AndroidI
Once you have the app on your phone and the the desktop app on your pc or Mac you can sync your unplayed podcasts folder from iTunes.
If you sync using wi-fi then sync your files to the internal drive on your phone (if you sync to the SD card using wi-fi the files are stored in a default folder, and Sonos can see and play them but cannot rewind or fast forward them. You cannot change the default folder location for some reason with wi-fi sync).
If you sync over USB you can store the files on the SD card as long as you change the default folder location in iSyncr settings to a top level one on the SD card /Anyfolderyoulike. Sonos then works fine.
If you have less than 100 podcasts to sync then this app is free and Sonos sees the files straight away. Less bother!! http://www.jrtstudio.com/iSyncr-iTunes-for-AndroidI
Hi,
My experience broadly similar. I use BeyondPod and have changed the default storage point to the one recommeded to work with Sonos. BeyondPod will automatically download new podcasts which I see as immediately available in the Beyondpod app on my phone / tablet (Nexus 4 and 7-2013, Lollipop). Where it falls down is Sonos seeing the updated versions. It sees what it knows was already there but not the new ones. It seems it does not scan that location when selected in order to refresh the contents. If I reboot the phone / tablet, however, that does trigger the refresh and all is good from there.
As the file location is the one specified by Sonos to work with podcasts, it seems a no brainer to have the controller app refresh at least when that option is selected, if not on some other schedule.
Works fine to a point but having to reboot device is not ideal or a smooth user experience.
My experience broadly similar. I use BeyondPod and have changed the default storage point to the one recommeded to work with Sonos. BeyondPod will automatically download new podcasts which I see as immediately available in the Beyondpod app on my phone / tablet (Nexus 4 and 7-2013, Lollipop). Where it falls down is Sonos seeing the updated versions. It sees what it knows was already there but not the new ones. It seems it does not scan that location when selected in order to refresh the contents. If I reboot the phone / tablet, however, that does trigger the refresh and all is good from there.
As the file location is the one specified by Sonos to work with podcasts, it seems a no brainer to have the controller app refresh at least when that option is selected, if not on some other schedule.
Works fine to a point but having to reboot device is not ideal or a smooth user experience.
Indeed, I use BeyondPod and am using /storage/emulated/0/Podcasts as my podcast folder, and rebooting phone, Sonos sees the podcasts now.
This work around also works in DoggCatcher. In PocketCast the long press did not give the external player option need for occasional Sonos playback.
I can get the Sonos controller to 'see' my podcasts downloaded by BeyondPod (by switching the download directory and enabling playing in 3P apps - no problems with sub-directories or anything). But the Sonos controller is only able to see file names, many of which are gibberish. So it's impossible to tell which episode I'm trying to play. And there's no good way to access playlists or any of the useful features that BeyondPod offers like SmartPlay.
My ideal scenario would be for a podcasting app to 'cast' the audio stream to Sonos speakers, just like you can cast to your TV with Chromecast. (I actually can cast from BeyondPod to my TV and then play the audio through Sonos with the PlayBar, but it is a pain to have to turn on the TV to make this all work.)
Google Music can 'cast' directly to Sonos speakers and lets me manage Sonos audio through their app - this is a great implementation. Can we get the same from a podcast app? This seems like it would be better for Sonos too, as you wouldn't have to deal with supporting all of these podcast management features like correctly reading metadata. Just let us use an app that already manages podcasts well, and stay out of the way.
I can see podcasts from beyondpod after rebooting the phone and re scanning from the sonos app. The reboot may be the only thing needed!
I had the same problem and was frustrated! But I then did the following which sounds as though you have done it but worth a check:
Open Pocketcast
Select Podcasts
Select Settings (the cog wheel) - bottom right of screen
Select Storage
Select Store Podcasts on
Select Custom folder
Check file path of Custom folder location
(my files were stored at storage/emulated/0/Android/data/au.com.shiftjelly.pocketcasts/files)
Plug your phone into your computer and check the folder options on your phone via the FTP protocol
In my case I could see the folders Android and Podcasts at the top level
If you can see Podcasts at the top level go to the next step back on the phone. If you can’t add a folder called Podcasts
Back on phone
Select Custom folder location in Pocketcasts
Insert filepath to Podcasts folder which in my case would be /storage/emulated/0/Podcasts
Obviously the allow Sonos etc to see Podcasts option is selected
I then cleared the queue on Sonos from my computer and closed it down. I then rebooted the phone and opened Pocketcast and Sonos. Bingo. Under This device on the phone were the podcasts.
Sometimes the sync does not seem to work so I repeat the last step and Sonos picks up the Podcasts
A bit of a faff but maybe worth another go
By the way, thanks a lot for the bubbleUpnP tip, User319995 and jimjmc ! Works quite well for now.
So I bought the pocket casts app based on Sonos' specs which state that this app will allow me to play the podcasts through the sonos app. And it is false information, it simply does not work, not in any way, shape or form, and Sonos is accountable for wasting my time and money on this so far. Please fix, and do not point me to the obvious share settings in pocket cast app, the Podcast root folder or any other such evident stuff.
I am also having this same issue with pocket casts. Sonos people, is downloading a 3rd party app our only solution? Your site claims that pocket casts is compatible. I have checked the setting that says "allow sonos and Google play to see" is there anything else I should do? Please help. I'd love for this to work seamlessly, and I'm sure that by compatible you don't mean downloading a 3rd party app or manually moving files (a "solution" in which the file names of my podcasts are ridiculously complex), so what do you suggest I do? Thanks. JQ
I am also having this same issue with pocket casts. Sonos people, is downloading a 3rd party app our only solution? Your site claims that pocket casts is compatible. I have checked the setting that says "allow sonos and Google play to see" is there anything else I should do? Please help. I'd love for this to work seamlessly, and I'm sure that by compatible you don't mean downloading a 3rd party app or manually moving files (a "solution" in which the file names of my podcasts are ridiculously complex), so what do you suggest I do? Thanks. JQ
I've tried jimjmc's solution above and it works quite well with Pocket Casts. It's certainly a lot easier than constantly copying the files from one folder to another.
1) install the BubbleUPnP app from the play store.
2) Open the BubbleUPnP app and click on the menu button
3) Add your sonos speaker as a new Local Renderer
Steps 1-3, you only need to do once!
4) Open Pocket casts. When you see the podcast you want to play, long-click on the play button (the same button that is also used as the download button), and select "Play in external player".
5) Select BubblUPnP as your player.
The one annoying issue is that if you listen to only half the podcast and then want to listen to the rest of it another day, or in the car, it goes back to the start again. This would not be an issue if Sonos allowed apps such as BeyondPod and Pocket Casts to cast directly to Sonos. Please, please, please, Sonos, allow that to happen!
1) install the BubbleUPnP app from the play store.
2) Open the BubbleUPnP app and click on the menu button
3) Add your sonos speaker as a new Local Renderer
Steps 1-3, you only need to do once!
4) Open Pocket casts. When you see the podcast you want to play, long-click on the play button (the same button that is also used as the download button), and select "Play in external player".
5) Select BubblUPnP as your player.
The one annoying issue is that if you listen to only half the podcast and then want to listen to the rest of it another day, or in the car, it goes back to the start again. This would not be an issue if Sonos allowed apps such as BeyondPod and Pocket Casts to cast directly to Sonos. Please, please, please, Sonos, allow that to happen!
I've used BeyondPod for over a year, and started back when it used to be 'supported' on Sonos. Apparently, now it isn't (which isn't surprising, since it never really worked well on Sonos). I'm considering switching to PocketCasts, but it sounds like that won't work much better.
I can get the Sonos controller to 'see' my podcasts downloaded by BeyondPod (by switching the download directory and enabling playing in 3P apps - no problems with sub-directories or anything). But the Sonos controller is only able to see file names, many of which are gibberish. So it's impossible to tell which episode I'm trying to play. And there's no good way to access playlists or any of the useful features that BeyondPod offers like SmartPlay.
My ideal scenario would be for a podcasting app to 'cast' the audio stream to Sonos speakers, just like you can cast to your TV with Chromecast. (I actually can cast from BeyondPod to my TV and then play the audio through Sonos with the PlayBar, but it is a pain to have to turn on the TV to make this all work.)
Google Music can 'cast' directly to Sonos speakers and lets me manage Sonos audio through their app - this is a great implementation. Can we get the same from a podcast app? This seems like it would be better for Sonos too, as you wouldn't have to deal with supporting all of these podcast management features like correctly reading metadata. Just let us use an app that already manages podcasts well, and stay out of the way.
I can get the Sonos controller to 'see' my podcasts downloaded by BeyondPod (by switching the download directory and enabling playing in 3P apps - no problems with sub-directories or anything). But the Sonos controller is only able to see file names, many of which are gibberish. So it's impossible to tell which episode I'm trying to play. And there's no good way to access playlists or any of the useful features that BeyondPod offers like SmartPlay.
My ideal scenario would be for a podcasting app to 'cast' the audio stream to Sonos speakers, just like you can cast to your TV with Chromecast. (I actually can cast from BeyondPod to my TV and then play the audio through Sonos with the PlayBar, but it is a pain to have to turn on the TV to make this all work.)
Google Music can 'cast' directly to Sonos speakers and lets me manage Sonos audio through their app - this is a great implementation. Can we get the same from a podcast app? This seems like it would be better for Sonos too, as you wouldn't have to deal with supporting all of these podcast management features like correctly reading metadata. Just let us use an app that already manages podcasts well, and stay out of the way.
There is only one problem that support constantly avoids mentioning: Sonos Android CANNOT find files in sub folders . Easy enough bug to locate & fix instead of all this wasteful back & forth with unhappy customers.
Hello. I bought the pocketcasts app yesterday (loving podkicker and had to abondon it) just so i could get it to work. now I find out I have to reboot my phone every time I download a podcast episode? thats not "working with sonos" it is works a bit with sonos. I am dissapointed"
Dominique -
This whole topic is very frustrating and needs to be solved by Sonos! This just doesn't seem that hard but it's clear that it doesn't work and all this rebooting/copying file stuff is no good. If I were giving requirements to Sonos, I'd say there are a few: start by allowing us to tell Sonos what our podcast player is. Then look to the default location where that service stores it's Podcasts (I believe they're all published). Then every time the UI comes up on the device, it needs to check the current Podcast repository on the phone.
I realize that this is tricky because all the services are stored/accessed/run from the Sonos player and not the device but it shouldn't be too hard to do.
We look forward to hearing back from Sonos on this soon!
I've given up on Sonos for podcast support. I've had success playing podcasts from BeyondPod to Sonos using BubbleUPnP. I have paid versions of both, but I think free versions will do the job. First setup Sonos as a local renderer in BubbleUPnP. Then from BeyondPod, long-press an episode and Play in External Player. The episode should be added to the BubbleUPnP queue and, depending on your settings, start playing.
It's not a seamless experience, but it works.
It's not a seamless experience, but it works.
Sonos needs to remove Pocketcasts from their list of applications that work with Sonos. There are zero Android podcast apps that Sonos supports. Their saying otherwise is dishonest.
I have been going back and forth with their technical support and have received contradictory advice over the course of the same thread: store your podcasts in the root podcast directory, store them in the music directory on the phone, look for them in the music directory on the Sonos app, look for them in the podcast directory on the app, etc.
Clearly the app is not supported. I'm frustrated that Sonos advertised support for Android's Pocketcast. Also, if Sonos tech support doesn't know the solution, they should just admit it and stop wasting our time with guesses. Perhaps they should buy an Android phone and attempt their purported solutions before asking us to.
That's frustrating, but I'll take what I can get for the time being (as kludgy as that may be).
You're welcome. I downloaded some more podcasts from Pocket Casts today. The new stuff didn't show up. I shut down my phone and turned it back on. The podcasts were then available. However, most of them don't have descriptions or they are not correct. They do play. This is a pretty clunky implementation in my experience so far. Don't expect an elegant podcast manager...but...they can play through Sonos.
Thanks. Very much appreciated
/storage/emulated/0/Podcasts
Userlevel 5
+3
Hello Matthew,
You are correct. BeyondPod is technically a service on that is deemed "Podcasts that Don't Work"; however, other clients have found work arounds for this particular service such as the one listed above.
Although these may have worked for some, we can not guarantee that they will work for all and thus deem it "unsupported".
Matthew, I have a dumb question for you since I'm brand new to Android. How do I figure out what the filepath is for the root Podcast directory? I ask because when you change the "Store podcasts on" setting in the Pocket Casts app from "Phone" to "Custom Folder..." and you then designate the custom folder, you have to type the filepath in full rather than being able to browse and select from a directory. If it makes a difference to your answer, I have a 2014 Moto X (i.e., internal storage only, no SD card slot).
I did this a couple of times, and it finally worked. After checking the setting referenced above, and also changing the Pocket Casts storage to the root Podcasts folder of my device, I shut down all my equipment, including my phone. I brought the bridge up, then the speaker, then my phone. I can now see podcasts under This Device, and they play through Sonos. The naming, artist info, etc of many of these podcasts is not correct/present...but I am not sure where that issue exists...and I mostly just care to hear them and then delete.
According to your own website, updated in October, BeyondPod is listed under "Podcasts Apps that Don't Work."
https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2198/~/playing-podcasts-wirelessly-from-your-andr...
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