Don’t be angry. Once the app is updated, it also needs the speakers to be updated. Have you done that? The app and system cannot be out of step with the other’s update.

Turn off automatic updates on BOTH the Sonos firmware (via Sonos app) and the Sonos app (via the App Store or Google Play Store).  If you leave one or the other turned on, you will be out of sync and Sonos will request (not force) that you update. 

When you update, make sure that all of your players are updated — even normally powered down speakers. Otherwise, when you do eventually power that speaker, the system will usually demand that it be updated. The updater will fetch the current version and this might be newer than your system version and this will trigger a full system update. Sometimes mismatched versions will work OK, but we have no control over or advanced notice of this possibility.

Why do you keep pandering the lie we are not forced to update.  If I can not use the software because I MUST update first what else do you call it?

Misconfiguration? There are many users who continue to use the pre May 2024 version by turning off updates. Unfortunately, there is no way to now go back to that configuration. The use of this old version cannot be permanent because the phone/pad/PC will eventually stop supporting older versions of their own software that are required to run the older versions of the SONOS controller and firmware. Also, you may not be able to update your phone/pad/PC because that will require updating to an operating system that may not support your version of the SONOS software.

A while back I had to recycle a perfectly functional cellphone because the cell towers stopped supporting it.

If you are not adding new Sonos to your system and have disabled both your controller auto-updates (on every controller, app store setting) and the in-app auto update setting you are not going to see forced updates.

If you want to add new Sonos then yes, you must update all to the current versions.

I have had the same four speakers for some years, I have all auto updates on both my phone and the app switched off.  I am so frustrated by your equipment I was in a Costco last week and saw people looking at Sonos gear and had to warn them not to purchase it.  I do not use the system much anymore because I have cheap bluetooth speakers that WORK, I’m not having to turn speakers on and off connect cables to the internet, not have intermittent faults, drop outs and forced updates.  I am so over it.  I’m waiting now to receive the message the speaker memory is full of bloat and the system needs to be replaced.  Trust is gone.  What a waste, great sound with constant fiddling to keep it working.

Sorry to hear of your problems, ​@PoidaSolomon. That’s very odd behaviour from your system. I also have auto updates turned off, so that I can install at a time that suits me but I usually update within a few days of the update availability. Does anyone else use your system? It’s an “if one updates, all must update” situation: the system and controllers must all be in sync for compatibility. 
For what it’s worth, my system is stable, and quick to respond to volume change or voice commands. 

If you’re not updating, how can you possibly know whether your assertions about drop outs and reconnections etc are still true? The whole of the last year was spent by Sonos fixing the app. Just update it all, including your system, and you’ll stop seeing the requests to update. What have you got to lose? You’re not using it much anyway, you said. Isn’t this all just pre-emptive catastrophising?

Thanks Senior Virtuoso, I’m the only one using the computers or the app. I did a series of updates in March this year which caused heaps of issues as did the one I did in November last year, both forced.  I tried using my laptop today and found it was an older version (I have the app in my PC as well) so reluctantly did an update on it. I have had auto updates turned off since early ‘22.  I’ve restarted, reconnected speakers to the internet, reloaded software that many times I am gunshy so no I want nothing more to do with the company and their updates, I no longer trust it.