Some speakers can not be ‘downgraded’ to S1, they don’t exist in the operating system as a defined speaker. Which devices are you interested in downgrading?
It might help you to read this, and the associated FAQs.
I’ve tested the S1 app by downgrading one speaker and the iPhone sonos app volume control works!! I did not check S1 in the Lock Screen as that was less important to me. S2 volume control never works anymore. This is a big deal to me as I used to be able to control the volume with everything including my Apple Watch. None of these work anymore. A real disappointment. 
How do I downgrade my entire system to S1 to get this vital feature back? I get an error saying downgrading failed. Do I need to buy new S1 units?
Thanks in advance!!
S1 no longer has it, either. Apple clamped down on its rules against using hard buttons or the lock screen to control 3rd party hardware. If Sonos didn't get rid of it, they'd be kicked off the App Store.
In app S1 volume control works with IOS 17. I just need to know how to move the rest of my system over to S1. Waiting for support on this request.
such nonsense, Sonos and Apple have problems with each other and the customer has the errors again, when will these problems finally stop... Other apps can access the volume controls without any difficulty, excuses for stupid...
"Other apps" are media players, not remote controls for 3rd party hardware.
I’ve tested the S1 app by downgrading one speaker and the iPhone sonos app volume control works!! I did not check S1 in the Lock Screen as that was less important to me. S2 volume control never works anymore. This is a big deal to me as I used to be able to control the volume with everything including my Apple Watch. None of these work anymore. A real disappointment.
How do I downgrade my entire system to S1 to get this vital feature back? I get an error saying downgrading failed. Do I need to buy new S1 units?
Thanks in advance!!
S1 no longer has it, either. Apple clamped down on its rules against using hard buttons or the lock screen to control 3rd party hardware. If Sonos didn't get rid of it, they'd be kicked off the App Store.
I’ve tested the S1 app by downgrading one speaker and the iPhone sonos app volume control works!! I did not check S1 in the Lock Screen as that was less important to me. S2 volume control never works anymore. This is a big deal to me as I used to be able to control the volume with everything including my Apple Watch. None of these work anymore. A real disappointment.
How do I downgrade my entire system to S1 to get this vital feature back? I get an error saying downgrading failed. Do I need to buy new S1 units?
Thanks in advance!!
No. Apple makes problems by only letting music players change volume, not remotes like the Sonos app. What can Sonos do?
such nonsense, Sonos and Apple have problems with each other and the customer has the errors again, when will these problems finally stop... Other apps can access the volume controls without any difficulty, excuses for stupid...
No trading allowed in this community. Has been reported.
Right. Boycott Sonos, based on a decision made by Apple. Makes sense.
What a stupid excuse. No more sonos products for me.
I completely agree with the sentiments above: not being able to control the speaker volume from the Sonos app using the iPhone buttons is ridiculous. It used to work so this is just some bureaucratic nonsense. If the Sonos app is not classed as a music player app - then maybe you need to reclassify it - or create a music player app that we can use as people would expect. Come on - you are a big enough company that I’m sure you can work with Apple to fix the problem.
To the bolded - How do you know they haven’t? The last time Apple removed functionality, Sonos tried for over a year to work with them to fix it, and Apple wouldn’t budge.
This sucks! Now I have to go into app and swipe volume op or down. Much prefer using the physical volume buttons on iPhone also when locked…
Gotto change as this is not user-frienfly at all!
I completely agree with the sentiments above: not being able to control the speaker volume from the Sonos app using the iPhone buttons is ridiculous. It used to work so this is just some bureaucratic nonsense. If the Sonos app is not classed as a music player app - then maybe you need to reclassify it - or create a music player app that we can use as people would expect. Come on - you are a big enough company that I’m sure you can work with Apple to fix the problem.
How is a user expected to change the volume of tunes played from the iPhone on the Beam?
In the Sonos app there’s a volume slider.
How is a user expected to change the volume of tunes played from the iPhone on the Beam?
Just as well I didn’t replace my Sonos speakers that I just about do I’m sure I’ll find another speaker system that I can control from iPhone. What a pity I really enjoyed my sonos system.
You can still control the speakers from your iPhone.
Just as well I didn’t replace my Sonos speakers that I just about do I’m sure I’ll find another speaker system that I can control from iPhone. What a pity I really enjoyed my sonos system.
Given your extensive knowledge of Sonos’ code base, Apple’s code base, Sonos’ corporate stance, and the effort being put forth by Sonos engineers, which is it?
I call *, laziness or corporate nonsense - and probably all three. How can they think this is acceptable?
*Moderator Note: Modified in accordance with the Community Code of Conduct.*
@buzz - you assume ppl are using Spotify… guess what, not everyone is. It’s a big deal that this features is gone, sure there are workarounds, but that’s all they are, nothing as convenient as changing vol without unlocking an iPhone was.
I don’t use Spotify. I did use the feature, but I don’t consider it to be a big deal for it to be a dropped feature.
I’m not trying to be confrontational; I’m just saying it’s not a big deal to everyone. I accept that it was an important feature to you, and many others, but not to all.
@buzz - you assume ppl are using Spotify… guess what, not everyone is. It’s a big deal that this features is gone, sure there are workarounds, but that’s all they are, nothing as convenient as changing vol without unlocking an iPhone was.
dcsearle,
Your world has not completely collapsed. You can have it your way by simply playing Spotify using the Spotify App. If the Spotify App annoys you in some way, take this up with Spotify.
While Lock Screen controls seem to be central to some users’ vision, I never use them other than to explore a comment made here. I don’t want my phone/pad/computer fussing with music. This was my original reason for adopting SONOS. If my phone/pad/computer crashes or needs a reboot, the music continues. Plus, in my opinion, there are awkward interactions between Apps with respect to handling audio. If I interact with another App that provides audio, it may replace the music and it is quite awkward to revert to the music. Also, I move around and the Lock Screen tends to be linked to the wrong Room. This could result in my accidentally adjusting the wrong Room or another user adjusting my Room.
Sonos is not a music player like Apple Music or pandora. It was nice to be able to use the volume control inside the app itself. But moving the tab is not that big of a deal. Y'all get overly wound up over the littlest of things. I am sure apple wants to limit Sonos and certain apps functionality to drive people to THEIR product. Don't blame Sonos blame apple.
If it is that big of a deal, just use the voice commands “hey Sonos turn it down 20%” etc.
Y’all havent read the entire thread, Ubet, or you’d understand that all the response leads to the point that Sonos made this decision themselves. I’ve had Sonos products since 2012 and am a big fan, even still have my original play5, never complained once, so this isn’t some gripe - I’m funamentally annoyed that a feature I use EVERY DAY has been removed.
Voice controls are just as useless as unlocking the phone if you’re in a room where someone else is sleeping. It’s a backward step, Spotify can handle it, Sonos now can’t… so its achieveable, they’ve decided not to.
Yes I read the whole thread, and understand that it was disabled because they couldn’t keep it working for apple and Apple doesn’t allow the function on stuff that isn’t a music player. That is why it still works on Android not ios.
just because you only choose to see what you want to see doesn’t change the facts.
Sonos, please make that feature (controlling volume by iPhone hardware buttons) available somewhere deep in the settings. Default off = Apple happy
Sonos users who need this would search, find and use = also happy.
You started as innovative, TOP quality and huge customer added value audio/tech company. Please do not loose this DNA spirit…
If you have read the thread, you would have read that indeed Sonos decided to remove this for two reasons:
- they could not get this to work reliably; and
- Apple does not really allow this for apps that are not music players.
Both reasons are probably connected. Spotify is a music player, so yes, they can handle it. The Sonos app is only a remote, not a music player.
