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NoteBene
Contributor I
June 23, 2026
Answered

Apple silicon controller alternatives

  • June 23, 2026
  • 11 replies
  • 346 views

It is clear that Sonos will not be updating the controller to run on Apple silicon. That’s where we are. Using a web based app concerns me:

  1. Internet access is not universally good
  2. Privacy concerns and the value our choices of music etc have to Sonos to either use or sell on. Our “options” would be a zero sum game. 

Given that I am almost certainly not alone, there are folk who have third party apps that are more players than controllers, by which I mean many configuration aspects like adding speakers etc. aren’t an option. They just play stuff on Sonos hardware. So, where are we to go once Rosetta gets canned and using a web based app is either unattractive or technically unviable?  

Recommendations please 🙂 

    Best answer by Airgetlam

    My recommendation is to use an iOS or Android device. While I currently use my Mac occasionally to control my Sonos, much more frequently I use an iPad. So far, I’ve resisted the web based controller…for no particular reason. But the iOS (or Android, both are fully supported) controller has full functionality, the Mac (or Windows, for that matter) controller doesn’t, any longer. 

    11 replies

    106rallye
    106rallye
    June 23, 2026

    Can you elaborate on your point number 2? The web app is only a means to access information that’s already out there - if your have privacy concerns they are not dependent on you using the web app.

    Airgetlam
    AirgetlamAnswer
    June 23, 2026

    My recommendation is to use an iOS or Android device. While I currently use my Mac occasionally to control my Sonos, much more frequently I use an iPad. So far, I’ve resisted the web based controller…for no particular reason. But the iOS (or Android, both are fully supported) controller has full functionality, the Mac (or Windows, for that matter) controller doesn’t, any longer. 

    Bruce
    Bob235178
    Bob235178
    Enthusiast I
    June 24, 2026

    So with everything being web based, will my sonos equipment be controllable when i don’t have internet access?

    Any idea which of these macOS alternatives are actually apple silicon apps?  Apple app store doesn’t say?

    What’s the best app for sonos that will work with apple silicon and work off of the interrnet?  Our internet goes down a lot, but our LAN is always up, if not connected to the internet.

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    June 24, 2026

    No, you’ll need to be connected to the internet for the web controller to contact a web server that will respond to your commands. 

    I’d look them up individually. Many applications that run natively choose not to pay the “Apple tax’ to be in the store. Kind of like the current Mac Controller, which isn’t in the Mac store, but still downloadable from Sonos.

    No information on your last question. 

    Bruce
    Bob235178
    Bob235178
    Enthusiast I
    June 24, 2026

    No, you’ll need to be connected to the internet for the web controller to contact a web server that will respond to your commands. 

     

    yes, of course the web app won’t work with an internet connection.  I mean, is there an alternative to using the web app on macOS,  a 3rd party apple silicon app for macOS that will work offline and play my local library to my Sonos sytem.  Our internet goes down all the time, but our LAN is always available to stream locally stored items to the Sonos system.

    106rallye
    106rallye
    June 24, 2026

    Not sure if the phone app needs an internet connection nowadays……

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    June 26, 2026

    Yes, see 

     

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
      controlav
      controlav
      Lead Maestro
      June 26, 2026

      You have not been able to use the Desktop controllers to add speakers etc for years now, that has been mobile-only. The Intel retirement doesn’t change that.

      Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
        NoteBeneAuthor
        Contributor I
        September 20, 2026

        The sheer thoughtless arrogance of dropping support for a major platform like macOS is mind-bending. It’s an inconvenience and a nuisance to have to use an iOS device instead.

        The App Store has a few macOS offerings but none have more than a few reviews or are dragged down by some very recent negative reviews.

        I gather there are apps out there beyond the confines of the App Store so I’m looking for suggestions from any of you good people who have found something that actually works please.  🙂 

        kdowling
        kdowling
        September 20, 2026

        The sheer thoughtless arrogance of dropping support for a major platform like macOS is mind-bending. It’s an inconvenience and a nuisance to have to use an iOS device instead.

        The App Store has a few macOS offerings but none have more than a few reviews or are dragged down by some very recent negative reviews.

        I gather there are apps out there beyond the confines of the App Store so I’m looking for suggestions from any of you good people who have found something that actually works please.  🙂 

        Are you still referring to the lack of Apple Silicon support? If so, the current desktop controller does support Apple Silicon.

        MDCR

        Modern: 90.0-79210

        Legacy: 57.23-80060

        • macOS: native Apple Silicon support: If you've seen a message about Apple removing Rosetta 2, this one's for you. The Sonos app on macOS now runs natively on Apple Silicon, so no more Rosetta needed.

        And there has been an update since then, too. Build 90.0.81181.

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