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We’d had our Sonos network installed in this house for over 8 years without any problems. One of our devices is not compatible with the S2 upgrade so we left everything running on the Sonos S1 version without any problems.

 

A few months ago I upgraded two of our phones, 1 iphone is connected perfectly fine, the other refuses to connect to the sonos network.  We’ve uninstalled / re-installed the app several times, checked the WiFi config to triple check the Sonos and iphone are on the same network, checked permissions, etc.  The Sonos network itself is used daily and has never faltered. 

 

After (re)installing we:

  • see the 3 picture / intro screens
  • Choose connect to an existing network
  • the app reports it can’t find the network and we get to the “push the button” screen
  • we don’t have a device with the first “infinity” button, so go to the next screen
  • I press the play/pause and volume up on a device, the light starts slow flashing amber and nothing… eventually the Sonos times out and goes back to a white light
  • I’ve attempted the process with most of the speakers in the house, no change
  • I thought I remember there being a “the light is flashing” step, but the only option I see is “I don’t have this button”. Its been a while since I last stepped through the flow though so its possible I’m misremembering or this step has been eliminated  

I just uninstalled / reinstalled the app on an android device and worked flawlessly, as soon as the app opened it found the network and connected with no interaction with the speakers required at all.

 

The only thing I thought might have been a problem is the app didn’t have the local network permission when I first started troubleshooting it.  After reinstalling the app I checked and the permission was enabled, so not likely a factor but thought it was odd.  Probably clicked on the wrong option when the “allow location” opt-in was presented the first time

 

Thanks in advance for any ideas

Would be glad to help. However, I’m unsure if it’s your new iPhone that won’t connect to your network as mentioned which would not be a Sonos issue or if you’re having trouble with the device seeing/finding the Sonos system?

The phone works fine and is able to access all other devices on our local network, is only the Sonos S1 app not being able to connect to the Sonos network that seems to be a problem.

Do you have a mesh network or other type range extenders in play?

Any VPN or other network tweaks on the problem phone?

What happens if you disable the cell-data connection on the phone to force local wifi?

> Do you have a mesh network or other type range extenders in play

 

I have a google home mesh network, but I tried connecting with the satellite access points unplugged, using Sonos devices where one is connected wirelessly and a different attempt with one that uses an ethernet cable.

 

> Any VPN or other network tweaks on the problem phone? What happens if you disable the cell-data connection on the phone to force local wifi?

 

No VPN, firewall software or special network configurations installed / enabled.  Thats what’s so frustrating is its the exact same config as the iphone that works as far as I can tell. I tried disabling the cell data and use wifi only and get the same result.

> Do you have a mesh network or other type range extenders in play

I have a google home mesh network, but I tried connecting with the satellite access points unplugged, using Sonos devices where one is connected wirelessly and a different attempt with one that uses an ethernet cable.

 

 

OK here’s another question I need answers before I continue…

  • Do you have a modem/router combo box provided by your ISP that is still in use?

The “local network” permission is a sh*show of a feature on iOS (and now MacOS also). Even if it says it is enabled, sometimes it is not. It is REQUIRED for Sonos to work.

Suggest toggle that option off, then on again, maybe reboot your phone for good measure.

The “local network” permission is a sh*show of a feature on iOS (and now MacOS also). Even if it says it is enabled, sometimes it is not. It is REQUIRED for Sonos to work.

Suggest toggle that option off, then on again, maybe reboot your phone for good measure.

To elaborate on ​@controlav suggestion. Follow the paths below:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network > Look for Sonos > Turn On

Also…

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services  > Look for Sonos > Select: While Using the App or Always > Precise Location = On

 

Thanks for the help everyone, kids were on school trips the past few weeks so I finally got a chance yesterday to try again and … the app connected to Sonos when I opened it before making any of the suggested changes 🤦🏼.  I assume some software update either at the iOS or Sonos level fixed the underlying issue, but we’re able to control everything from all devices again

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