Fed up with Sonos updates - lost one of my speakers

Don’t factory reset anything without further consult.

Which device are you attempting to use to control the system? Which operating system is this device using? Which SONOS units are wired? Wireless?

Too late 😣 now I can't do anything as my android phone is 7.0 and I don't have access to a new Android OS so I can't use the app to create system anymore.

Any suggestions to Sonos that I can stream music from my nas? Either that or I have to buy a new smartphone (my Moto G4 won't update to rev 8)

This is sickening.

P.s

When this has happened in the past I have added speakers back onto the system, both with and without factory reset. The problem here is the Sonos 1 app doesn't support android 7 with the features to enable me to add products to the system. Very very poor and a major design flaw IMO

Probably the quickest, easiest plan would be to Invite a friend to diner -- if they have a more modern pad/phone. Once you get the system operating you can use the W10 controller to operate the system. Actually I prefer the desktop controllers when operating the system.

Another path would be to purchase an inexpensive Android pad, but  research its operating system carefully because the cheapest pads will probably have Android 7 or 8. 

I had one flash of inspiration and that was to use my old xp pc that I originally set the system up with, it will have had the original controller.  Booting up the pc and Sonos controller, again before I could do anything the Sonos controller demanded an update... So I'm even unable to use the controller that came on the CD when I bought the Sonos.  This is very poor and short sighted.

You're idea sounds ok in principle, but I shouldn't have to do that, and it means installation of software on a friend's phone they may not want, and I shouldn't be in this situation in the first place. Even Microsoft don't do this! Sonos forced me to update the controller with no warning of the implications.

I’d just like to add also that I believe the Sonos system is not fit for purpose.  Essentially under the UK Consumers act, when you buy a product that’s designed to work with an app, it should be of satisfactory quality, fit for a particular purpose and as described by the seller. 

When I purchased Sonos in 2012 it was never made clear that in the future it may become unusable due to controller updates etc.  I believed that I would always be able to control my sonos system through the controller that shipped with the products on a CD (remember those!).

Sonos is failing to meet these criteria!

5.25am… I have been working on this problem most of the morning (UK time).. I’ve stopped short of rooting my Moto G4 in order to update the OS on that..  this is just one complete nightmare.

I’ve lost sleep, have a bricked audio system and am totally disgusted with the approach Sono’s have taken.  All I want is a blummin windows app that will allow me to manage my system as it was 12 years ago, no updates.. I was happy listenning to my music on my NAS.. now I can’t do that.

Might as well buy an Amazon Echo and stream music from there.

COME ON SONOS SORT THIS OUT!!!!!!!!  I should not expect my hardware to stop working because of blummin’ firmware, well okay, maybe it might!!!!  But I shouldn’t expect to be forced software updates on a speaker/audio system!!

I’m shattered, had little sleep and lost all patience.  I just do not know what to do.  And all I hear is ‘borrow a friends smartphone’…  what if none of my friends have Android 8+ eh?  

And I’m looking at circa £100 for a new smartphone (or £40 for an Amazon Fire) - but why should I have to pay this money to basically get my £600+ system back and running which I invested in 12 years ago.

Crikey, I’m having a right rant here.  Seriously, Sonos :(

Not sure what your rant is about. Sonos requirements are clearly stated on the website: your OS is not up to date anymore. The only thing you can hold against Sonos is that they follow the end of manufacturer support for OS’s more closely than others.

The system needs security updates because it is connected to the internet. In the Sonos system the app (whether it is installed on a phone or on a PC) has to follow suit.

So you know when your OS is no longer supported by its manufacturer, you will lose functionality in the Sonos app sooner or later. Sonos is clear about this, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Some investigation on this forum would have saved you a lot of grief and time: you cannot heal a system from an out of date phone (however usable for other purposes) or from a PC.

I would very much like to know what the status of Sonos would be under the consumer legislation you describe, especially since you state you have bought it twelve years ago.

I totally disagree, when I purchased this system 12 odd years ago, there was no indication that the system would stop functioning as OS went out of date.  This was always intended as a home music system, running my own music, why would the app and speakers *need* to be updated (through no choice I add!!).

You wouldn’t buy a audio amplifier that would stop working if you didn’t fit a new plug every 5 years, bad analogy I know but this product clearly has a limited life and for those of us who don’t buy the latest smart gadget every two years can’t use this anymore.

Basically this was not made clear at the time I purchased the product.  I’m not even sure it was in the small print.  In the early days I did not need to login into Sonos to add speakers!

But we are where we are, and I’ve just bought a new phone so that I can use sonos again.

Windows XP still works, its unsupported but you can still use it! (and install old software).

Nope - Sonos’ removed the management features from the windows app, and I don’t know why.

I still think you expect to much from internet connected consumer electronics. You could have stopped the system and the app from updating a long time ago since you did not need internet access. You didn't do that at the time  and you accepted all user terms in the meantime. Other users (dare I say most users) have enjoyed the internet connected features. 

If I remember it well Sonos said it removed the management features from the Windows app to save valuable development and maintenance time. As I have explained the app needs to move with te system software, so you cannot manage an up to date system with an out of dtae (Windows XP) app.

I think your anger should be directed at your phone maker that stops updating the OS after a period that is (way) shorter than the time you want to enjoy your phone. Sonos just follows this lead (though it must be said closer than other manufacturers).