Contributor I

Answered

Playing music from iPhone library to Sonos

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
May 16, 2019
47 replies
53365 views

I know there are other threads about this but I have not found any solution. It is impossible to properly play music from my iPhone music library to my Sonos speakers. The songs skip midway through, then skip and skip without even playing, then just stop playing all together.

Yes, I have done everything suggested. I have changed my wireless settings from automatic to channel 1, and I have set auto-lock to never and tried my best to NEVER USE MY IPHONE FOR ANYTHING while using Sonos. But this is ridiculous. Not only does it drain my battery but sometimes while playing music all evening long I need to use my phone - shocking, I know. The moment I open any other app, my songs start skipping.

This is NOT a wireless connectivity issue or other communication with Sonos speakers issue. I can stream Pandora from my Sonos app all day while using 6 different iPhone apps and never have the Sonos app on the screen. This is ONLY an issue when playing from my iPhone library. Again, Sonos, this is only an issue when playing from my iPhone music library.

This should not be an end-user workaround. This is a basic function and should be something that is fixed and explained by Sonos. Where is the solution?

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Best answer by Airgetlam

The solution, as has been explained in many threads, and in the Sonos FAQ on the matter, is to move your music off of the iOS device, and on to either a computer's hard drive, or an NAS of some type.

Yes, it's a pain in the rear. You can thank Apple for forcing this issue to occur, which Sonos has indicated that they're working on finding a solution for with Apple. And if you've ever been a developer working with Apple on anything at all, you'd have some sympathy for Sonos.

Show previous replies

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tedcape

Lyricist III

On the advice of my audio equipment vendor installer, I bought an AudioQuest Beetle Bluetooth device, plugged it into my Sonos amplifier and paired it with my iPhone. To play audio from my iPhone through Sonos, I select Line In on the Sonos interface. As long as the iPhone stays in range of the Beetle device, it works. Volume continues to be controlled through Sonos.

Stuart_W

World-Class Superstar

On the advice of my audio equipment vendor installer, I bought an AudioQuest Beetle Bluetooth device, plugged it into my Sonos amplifier and paired it with my iPhone. To play audio from my iPhone through Sonos, I select Line In on the Sonos interface. As long as the iPhone stays in range of the Beetle device, it works. Volume continues to be controlled through Sonos.

It’s hardly surprising they would suggest you spend at least £100 on hardware from their point of view. Though there are cheaper (free) solutions and others that even though they include buying hardware are far more versatile (eg a NAS). And those solutions don't force you to have the phone charged and in the vicinity of the new device.

Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2

S

ShortChop

Lyricist I

Here’s a thought: since apparently a Raspberry Pi has enough horsepower to emulate Airplay and send music to the Sonos, cpuld someone possibly develop an Alexa skill to take the Bluetooth stream from my iPhone and stream it over WiFi to my Sonos speakers?

Since Sonos and Amazon are a bit in bed anyway, I was hoping that Sonos could maybe get support from Amazon to develop that; most folks with this issue, like me, only occasionally stream music from their phone to their Sonos speakers, and since I already have an Echo and the Exho Dots are downright cheap nowadays, Most folks would a lot rather have that capability back without buying any new hardware, or at least without buying another Sonos speaker they don’t need or want.

seems like a win/win to me; more sales of Echos, more capability for Sonos.

S

Sonossoldout

Lyricist I

Ok it’s obvious what happened…

Time Reverse!!!

My landlord bought me a Sonos. Being a software engineer and then a vp of technology, I ended up in charge of a lot of software being delivered to a wide range of customers. When I got my Sonos, I was floored at the user experience. So easy and intuitive! I ended up buying another one and love them.

then I lost my ability to stream from my iPhone.

sonos sold out. Either they caved to pressure from redistribution charges or Apple is being a total greedy jerk. Sonos is a brand that, in my mind, is in the same level as Apple. That would have been a great partnership and would have instilled value in the Apple products I do have. And would make me thing more about the other Sonos products. My kids are getting iPads for Christmas, I would love to think about how my daughter can stream her swift in her bedroom.

Apple lost a leader and it shows.

Airgetlam

I’m of the opinion that the change by Apple was not directed at companies like Sonos and BlueSound, but instead a by-product of a change made for other reasons, probably security or battery life related. But of course Apple hasn’t commented about the change.

For your daughter, I’d give strong consideration to AirPlay 2, it works well for me, when I’m not using my NAS.

Bruce

S

ShortChop

Lyricist I

I do feel like I should follow up me previous comments with my latest experience. I dig into it a little bit, then I realized that I could leave iTunes and the Sonos app up on my wife’s computer, control it from my iPhone, and essentially play my iPhone music through my Sonos. Actually, I can even control it from Alexa without even using the iPhone.

yes, it’s a hassle to leave the laptop up, but at least it gets my functionality back. It still seems to me like you could write an app to run on… just about any computing device… to serve music up to the Sonos. But maybe it’s two guys in Honk Kong working part time for Sonos that develop all their software, and they’re spending more time protesting lately. Who knows. Long as I can play my music, I’ll live.

W

Wiggasworld

Contributor I

Then I'd recommend that you speak directly with Apple.

No one is terribly pleased by this. Certainly not us, the customers of Sonos, but while I'm sure it's high on Sonos' list of things to get fixed, they have to rely on Apple to revert the change that was made which affects the way that Sonos, and oddly pretty much only Sonos works.

Until Apple is willing to work with Sonos on a fix (which they may, or may not have an interest in doing, since Sonos competes directly with HomePods), it seemed appropriate to provide potential solutions so that you can continue your life in the meantime.

And if you own an AirPlay 2 Sonos receiving device, such as a Beam, Sonos One, or PLAY:5 gen 2, you can always AirPlay 2 your content to your Sonos system, using Apple's own music player, which (oddly) isn't affected by the change that Apple made.

Yes, you're right. It sucks. I don't know of a single person who likes the situation, including me. But it exists. We've just offered you potential alternatives until such time as Apple deigns to acknowledge the issue.

Yeah, as a long time Sonos customer leveraging the technology in multiple places at my inn, the investment is now defund for one of the main music sources. I agree with the other customer. You stop advertising as is and get your customers a fix. Migrating ALL music to another source if RIDICUL

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