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AirPlay and Groups

  • June 20, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 176 views
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Ok so newer to Sonos. I’ve had a Sonos Playbar soundbar (older non-AirPlay capable) connected to my TV via an optical cable. I wanted the ability to AirPlay to it without turning on the TV so I purchased a set of Sonos Era 100 speakers to 1) add AirPlay functionality and 2) give my entire primary living space synced music.

Is there a way to make this AirPlay to all 3 devices automatic? I have it setup in the Sonos App as a group with all 3 devices but to get sound on all 3 devices I have to start music, Then AirPlay to both the Era 100 speakers with the iPhones native AirPlay menu but then I have to go into the Sonos App to add the older Soundbar. Works great once going but hoping I’m missing something that would make it easier. 

Best answer by Corry P

Hi ​@Eldurso 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

I think the following setting will be of use to you: in the Sonos app, go to Settings icon » General Settings » AirPlay » Group Non-AirPlay Products and turn it on.

This will prevent the initiation of AirPlay playback from ungrouping the Playbar from the Era 100s. You will still need to group manually, but you won’t need to group each and every time. Note that if you start playing TV audio through the Playbar, the Playbar will remove itself from the group (Assuming Settings icon » [room with Playbar] » Ungroup on Autoplay is on).

You will no longer need to group after initiating AirPlay playback - you can do it before instead, which is a bonus.

I hope this helps.

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5 replies

Corry P
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  • Corry P
  • Sonos Staff
  • Answer
  • June 23, 2025

Hi ​@Eldurso 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

I think the following setting will be of use to you: in the Sonos app, go to Settings icon » General Settings » AirPlay » Group Non-AirPlay Products and turn it on.

This will prevent the initiation of AirPlay playback from ungrouping the Playbar from the Era 100s. You will still need to group manually, but you won’t need to group each and every time. Note that if you start playing TV audio through the Playbar, the Playbar will remove itself from the group (Assuming Settings icon » [room with Playbar] » Ungroup on Autoplay is on).

You will no longer need to group after initiating AirPlay playback - you can do it before instead, which is a bonus.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
Airgetlam
M
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  • Maddyindc
  • Trending Lyricist II
  • June 23, 2025

Based on my experience there are 2 potential issues.  If you ever decide to use the speakers on airplay for sound to the TV you may experience a small delay.  I only have this problem with SONOS and airplay, not with other Airplay speakers.  Also my groups will not stay connect4d as groups consistently. I frequently will turn off the power strip that I have speakers on when I am not in the room (I have some up in a loft area that I don’t use much and one in my office that is sort of redundant with the PC speakers.  When I turn the power strip back on the new speakers will NOT want to connect to the music playing (with the speakers that were not turned off).  I have to shut off the music completely, disconnect any speakers that have been grouped, give it 60 seconds for everything to “rest” and then start up the music again add the speakers individually. 

Corry P
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  • Corry P
  • Sonos Staff
  • June 23, 2025

Hi ​@Maddyindc 

If you unplug Sonos speakers from power, they will be removed from any groups - this is expected behaviour. Sonos speakers are supposed to be on at all times.

The delay when playing AirPlay content is also intended - it gives Sonos speakers a chance to buffer the stream for coordinated networked playback.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
Airgetlam
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  • Maddyindc
  • Trending Lyricist II
  • June 23, 2025

I know they will be removed.  But I can not add them back unless I shut the app down and remove all the speakers and then start the group new.

Corry P
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  • Corry P
  • Sonos Staff
  • June 23, 2025

Hi ​@Maddyindc 

Thanks for expanding on your report - I understand now, and agree that this is unwanted behaviour.

I just tested grouping my Kitchen and Bedroom speakers with my Livingroom speaker - once it worked, I turned off my Bedroom speaker and ensured the app had noticed it go missing before I turned it on again. Once it was back on, I was able to group it to my Kitchen and Livingroom group and play to them all without issue.

As I was unable to recreate your reported issue in my testing, I recommend that you reboot your router by switching it off for at least 30 seconds. It may also help to reserve IP addresses for the devices that commonly connect to your network - doing so can prevent IP addresses being mistakenly issued to multiple devices by the router. Please consult your router manual or your ISP (if they issued the router to you) for instructions on how to do this.

If the issue persists after doing this, I recommend you get in touch with our technical support team who have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your Sonos system and what it reports.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
Airgetlam
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