Any way around the user account requirement?

Probably not what you want to hear but Sonos has made it mandatory (for actual reasons not just cause they want to ) so you may as well sign up for the account.

So many other topics here on the same subject, most with better answers than I can supply. Try the forum search or a search engine restricted to the forum's site.

Probably not what you want to hear but Sonos has made it mandatory (for actual reasons not just cause they want to ) so you may as well sign up for the account.

And yet their actual reasons aren't listed. I see no benefit at all to having an account, but I can see a couple of reasons why they might want me to have one and I don't agree with either of them. I'm not going to get into conjecture here.

So many other topics here on the same subject, most with better answers than I can supply. Try the forum search or a search engine restricted to the forum's site.

I'm not a rookie - the first thing I did was search for an answer but the terms I used led me only to threads about how to get a user account, not how to avoid one or restore the previous software.

Perhaps I should just email Sonos and inform them that their new software broke some pre-existing functionality.

This thread might be helpful to you.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/why-the-account-setup-6809450/index1.html

I imagine emailing Sonos will get you the same answer as the Sonos staff member provided in the above thread. And there are likely threads with better discussions out there, but this is the first 'good' one I found.

I have not seen of any way you can operate Sonos without having an account, although you clearly don't have to log in every time you use Sonos. I have seen a URL where you go and get previous versions of Sonos, but I think it's going to be difficult to find. And of course, older versions are not supported.

This thread might be helpful to you.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/why-the-account-setup-6809450/index1.html

I imagine emailing Sonos will get you the same answer as the Sonos staff member provided in the above thread. And there are likely threads with better discussions out there, but this is the first 'good' one I found.

I have not seen of any way you can operate Sonos without having an account, although you clearly don't have to log in every time you use Sonos. I have seen a URL where you go and get previous versions of Sonos, but I think it's going to be difficult to find. And of course, older versions are not supported.

Thanks very much for the link, I'll go check that out right now. I just finished reading all 7 pages of the v9.0 announcement thread and almost the entire thing was focused on AirPlay 2 problems. Nothing about account linking. The good news for me is that the backlash against the AirPlay 2 problems has been severe enough that we may see a software downgrade made available. Probably not, but I can hope.

As far as operating this system without an account, I've been doing it since day one of ownership. I had to do some kind of online linkup, registering the product with the central server for updates, but it never required adding an email like this last update is now asking for. .

I suppose I could set up a fake email address for this just to keep going, but I shouldn't have to. Currently, the system works as it always has - zero problems - but if my ideas about why they pushed for mandatory user accounts is correct, then you can expect a "silver bullet" is going to get pushed out at some point to all registered devices and it will (temporarily) brick whichever ones don't have an account linked to them. If that happens, its HEOS time... or maybe I'll just go back to wires and passive speakers. The Sonos HT has given me great service, though its sadly lacking in modern audio protocols. I had hoped to use it until it crumbled into dust.

You'll see this in the thread, but "you have always been required to have an email account". I honestly have had my Sonos speakers for so long that I can neither confirm or deny that claim.

You'll see this in the thread, but "you have always been required to have an email account". I honestly have had my Sonos speakers for so long that I can neither confirm or deny that claim.


I saw that too. However, I had the account here long before I owned any Sonos products. I was bewitched by a Play:1 that an acquaintance had and came to the old version of this forum to ask questions about home theater possibilities with my previous A/V setup. I just wanted to add two Sonos speakers to my wired 3.1 and found out it was impossible, or close to it. I eventually came across a phenomenal deal on the full HT and took it, and I've been glad every since. Except for when I want to watch a physical DVD... :8

I read that my user account for this forum is also a "Sonos User Account" - nice trick there, Sonos! This confirms one of my long-held beliefs about not registering for manufacturer support forums. But, since the account existed before my HT purchase, there aren't any players associated with it. The players are registered for activation, but not linked to my email.

I'm wondering if the new app and/or account requirement are part of the reasons that I'm seeing so many Sonos devices up for sale on CL now. I was really surprised to find a long list of Playbases for sale, along with the recent Sonos 5v2 and Sonos:One - all which are new enough to require linked accounts, whereas the older stuff doesn't show up much.

You have always had to register an e-mail address to setup Sonos, so you have always had an account. It may not be the same account as here (you can view it on the app: From the More tab, tap Settings > Account Settings), but there is an account registered. Both new and older Sonos devices have this requirement.

The new step is to strengthen the authentication process to protect against outside invaders getting in through the Alexa, Spotify, and Deezer pathways which have been opened up for direct control. It is also to comply with changing privacy laws around the globe.

I can almost guarantee Denon will have the same requirement (with probably not as much transparency as Sonos' Privacy Policy has).

Hi Proton, I posted this in a different thread, but I think it'll help with your questions too.

Sonos players have always required a registration step as part of the setup process. Anonymous email accounts or even fake ones have worked previously because the field just needed to be filled in with something that looked like an email, but that step did always exist in order to get music services and system updates. The change recently is that we've added a step requiring systems to be linked with an email verified, password protected account. For systems that have been around for a while that were registered with the old, email-only registration, it just means linking your system with a password and verifying the email. This protects your Sonos account, data, and system as a precautionary measure.

We first implemented this account linking to facilitate seamless integration with cloud services like Amazon Alexa, Spotify, and Deezer. A Sonos account gives you complete access to the full Sonos experience and another layer of protection for your system. Since then, we made it mandatory for all systems.

If you have any questions about privacy I'd encourage you to take a look at our privacy policy as it is very thorough. We're clear about what data is collected, and how to opt out of what isn't necessary for functionality. If you still have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give us a call.