Just had an exchange with Sonos rep who repeated the decision from Sonos to remove this feature because there were too many “technical” issues even though, as I pointed out, their actual customers use it daily and have no issues with it.  There is something else behind this - I’ve been using Sonos for over 8 years and this is very valuable feature. To just wipe it out for their own customers is bad business. I’ll be looking for new speakers tomorrow. Technology on newer speakers from other companies, including Apple, has improved greatly. I wasn’t looking to switch but with a move like this now I am.  Horrible decision, Sonos.  I’ll never understand why a company makes decisions like this that are clearly counter-productive for their customers. Prediction: customers will start to flock elsewhere.  Sonos stock price will plummet.  Sad news all around. 

What the...Okay, is there any future development?

I think many users would really dependent on that :(

Very disappointing.  Please restore this feature

Have you read the reasons in this and other threads.  This, as usual, is an Apple reason.  They seem to be wanting the Volume control buttons to control sound coming from the device rather than any external source (unless that source is another Apple device!).

It’s annoying and further proof how IT companies seeming to be playing games with each other with no consideration for the end customer.  A trend that seems to be getting worse everywhere.

What I would like to see is a better implementation of the volume control in the Sonos UI.   The slider is very small and when trying to control at lower volume it’s too easy to mute the speaker by mistake.

I’m visually impaired and find  the iphone buttons much easier to use than the tiny onscreen sliders. This was a crappy surprise move by Sonos that did not consider the customer experience. And I notice that all my other apps do allow volume control via the buttons. Shape up, Sonos, and restore this functionality. 

Argh! Really, team?

Using the volume buttons was a useful, important, intuitive feature. Is it really beyond the expertise of SONOS and/or Apple to allow for this most basic way to control volume? 

Wow.  This is kind of a giant bummer to me.  I have ALWAYS used the buttons on my iPhone and it completely throws me off having to mess with the app each time.  I am also super unimpressed with having to dig through these forums to find out it was intentional.  Sonos, you make it hard to love you sometimes.  You will add two good features and then blow up something for fun (or a dumb idea).  Please work on getting this back.  I have never had an issue ever so not really sure what experience it was not providing.  

At least the Spotify programmers are competent enough to allow the buttons so I can go that route.  Maybe you should hire a few of them to help you.  

15.6 Update Release Notes:

• We’ve removed the ability to control the Sonos app for iOS using lock screen controls and device hardware buttons. The way these features were architected do not meet Apple’s experience guidelines for developers and no longer offer a reliable control experience.

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/release-notes-for-sonos-s2

Was planning on buying additional Sonos products but now due to removing the side button volume control I am going to check other manufacturers products.  Probably sell what I have. 

I find the removal of apple volume button functionality by Sonos totally baffling. Thats what volume buttons are for. Sonos should reconsider the necessity to remove this function which in my experience worked just fine.

I’m confused as to how anyone can think that removing things like ‘play from this device’ or ‘hardware volume functions’ serves Sonos in any way as an intelligent business choice. It seems relatively clear that these changes are being forced on Sonos by others…

It sounds like we have a strong, definitive answer (directly from the mouth of Sonos) at this point. I guess it’s time I work on my index finger dexterity with the hope of improving my otherwise shaky manipulation of the Sonos volume control slider on the iPhone. I’ll be using my middle finger for something else. Are you listening, Sonos? 

 “The way these features were architected do not meet Apple’s experience guidelines for developers and no longer offer a reliable control experience.”
A $2 billion dollar company that (face facts was built on the back of your customers investing in you and your products) chooses to simply turn its back on fixing this (feature that still works fine in android) an therefore turns its back on its iOS customers? 
In my business experience a company is measured on how it deals with setbacks and problems for its customers not just the problem itself. Not lookin good so far! 
Shares are consistent decline. 
I spent a lot of my hard earned money on my system as many have an I’ll be ditching an spending else where if this isn’t fixed soon. It changes the whole dynamics of volume simplicity. 

Not impressed sonos 

As I understand it the feature works with music players. The Sonos app is not a music player (the speakers fetch the music themselves) but a remote to the system…..

 Then you should probably fix the volume controls in your app… it sucks

Did Elon musk buy Sonos? And btw Sirius doesn’t blow Sonos blows I was pissed when I made my account. I luv Sirius. Sonos is junk. Bring back the volume control

What has changed is commanding Sonos from the lock screen using the Sonos app, probably because that is not actually sending music to the speakers itself. If you are using the SiriusXM app you are probably sending music from your phone to the speakers, in which case Sirius XM could ad controls to the app (as Spotify has done)?

You get this removed functionality and a whole lot more if you use the native Apps (eg Apple Music, Spotify etc) and Airplay to Sonos.

This is a significant setback for the product. Is anyone aware if Sonos produce a hardware remote control that can be used with their products instead? Thank you. 

Let’s see, removing functionality makes it better….?  Oh wait, it still works on Android devices?  So is Sonos giving Apple the finger?  Makes one wonder.

So they basically stop developing the desktop app years ago with the thought that everyone is controlling using tablet or smartphone, which I guess isn’t too far off the mark (I still use both the desktop and mobile versions).  And then they (Sonos) removes functionality and this makes it better?  Better for who, their developers since it’s clearly not their customer base.

Please Sonos, restore this little piece of functionality.  I have considered deleting most current app release and restoring the 15.5 release and just not updating the app moving forward.

Always a pleasure to encounter those who know best.

Sirius please fix this issue ffs   Opening my iPhone and opening the Sirius app to adjust the volume is . Laying in bed at night I want to grab my phone and push the iPhone buttons. Anyone know a speaker that doesn’t operate like this pos?

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?

Of course is Sonos’ decision to stop this. And they indeed say so themselves: “We’ve removed the ability to control the Sonos app for iOS using lock screen controls and device hardware buttons.” I trust their reasoning is sound though: “The way these features were architected do not meet Apple’s experience guidelines for developers and no longer offer a reliable control experience.”