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Contributor I
October 28, 2017

Sonos controller problem on iOS 9.3.5

  • October 28, 2017
  • 129 replies
  • 22859 views
I have my Sonos controller on several iOS devices but after the most recent Sonos update I cannot start the Sonos Controller on my iPad with iOS 9.3.5. (it's an older iPad and iOS 9.3.5 is the most recent iOS for that device). I can start Sonos controller on my iPhone iOS 11.0.3 and then the iPad with iOS 9.3.5. picks that up and I can then continue to use the iPad with Sonos controller to choose music and so on. Not a huge thing and I have a work around but something is not working as it should, the Sonos 8.1 Software release notes say iOS 9 and higher. Can you let me know how to fix the problem?
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129 replies

Collaborator II
April 9, 2019
Same problem here, have a couple of wall mounted iPad 2s, not great, although I don't expect support for such devices to last forever, a heads up would have been appreciated. Instead we get an updated support article with many devices an OS versions culled.
Lyricist I
April 9, 2019


I'm afraid you are not going to be happy, because Sonos is not going to reinstate the previous version as Sonos Legacy. Time to invest in another multi-room system that maintains backwards compatibility with outdated versions of mobile operating systems. Good luck finding one.


Well, I wrote more in hope more that expectation. Since my original post, I have stumped up £3.99 for Sonopad, and a quick use seems to prove it works OK. I'm probably only delaying the inevitable.
Lyricist I
April 9, 2019
I think this is ridiculous. I have perfectly good iPads mounted to the wall and I am no replacing them. SONOS you SUCK! The performance response is BS. My iPad has plenty of power to do the job. Sonos is no better than Apple creating a replacement market for perfectly good hardware. Sonos DO NO EVIL and put the controller back.
Lyricist II
April 10, 2019
I have my Sonos controller on several iOS devices but after the most recent Sonos update I cannot start the Sonos Controller on my iPad with iOS 9.3.5. (it's an older iPad and iOS 9.3.5 is the most recent iOS for that device). I can start Sonos controller on my iPhone iOS 11.0.3 and then the iPad with iOS 9.3.5. picks that up and I can then continue to use the iPad with Sonos controller to choose music and so on. Not a huge thing and I have a work around but something is not working as it should, the Sonos 8.1 Software release notes say iOS 9 and higher. Can you let me know how to fix the problem?
Lyricist II
April 10, 2019
It was just yesterday that I experienced the problem with my iPad operating iOS 9.3.5. I’ve read all the information here and it seems like Sonos should be able to support an older version of their controller. Now I’m supposed to go buy a new iPad which otherwise works perfectly for me? I don’t think that this is a good way to do business.
jgatie
April 10, 2019
It was just yesterday that I experienced the problem with my iPad operating iOS 9.3.5. I’ve read all the information here and it seems like Sonos should be able to support an older version of their controller. Now I’m supposed to go buy a new iPad which otherwise works perfectly for me? I don’t think that this is a good way to do business.

Apple does not allow you to maintain two versions of an app, you can put up legacy versions, but they must remain as is. The problem with legacy versions is eventually the firmware on the Sonos units is out of sync and the old app stops working (usually after 2-3 firmware releases). On top of that, even if it were possible, changes to codecs, security, authentication, etc. will cause streaming services to eventually stop working. There is just no way for Sonos to support multiple legacy versions of both software and hardware in a customer friendly way because, given the fluid nature of streaming standards, the hardware will ultimately cease to operate.

The true culprit in all of this is Apple. Apple's forced obsolescence policy causes Sonos to abandon an iOS version an average of two years sooner than for Android. So it appears Sonos is willing to stretch out the support when possible, but that is not Apple's way.
Lyricist II
April 10, 2019
Thanked for the education.
Lyricist II
April 11, 2019
Do not bother with the SONOS folks. Download the SonoPad app from the App store. Problem solved.
Contributor I
April 11, 2019
How can this happen ? why would you think it acceptable that customers should replace working telephones in order to carry on using an expensive sound system. This is a really poor product management.
Contributor I
April 11, 2019
Just finished a call with tech supp regarding the iOS issue. Fellow admitted there are a plethora of phone calls concerning the situation. However, casually sluffed it off as "use another device" or "update to a newer iPad" .
Also admitted the auto update feature is on by default. The more relevant and somewhat ignorant situation is not being able to revert back to the previous sonos version!!