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Contributor I
July 27, 2023
Answered

Sonos iOS Apps volume not working with iPhone volume button

  • July 27, 2023
  • 87 replies
  • 29708 views

The Sonos app suddenly not working with the iOS lock screen control and volume button anymore, suspect it happen after the Sonos iOS app updates.

 

So far I had tried:

  1. Restart the iPhone and make sure the iOS and Sonos App having latest version
  2. Reset Sonos app
  3. Reset + uninstall + reinstall app
  4. Off and on Sonos ERA300 and do the above
  5. Research all possible solutions from Google but nothing helps yet :(

 

All of this not working, my app version is 15.6 build 74043110 with iPhone 14 Pro iOS 16.6. Is anyone facing the same issue or this is a known software bug?

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Best answer by GuitarSuperstar

15.6 Update Release Notes:

  • We’ve removed the ability to control the Sonos app for iOS using lock screen controls and device hardware buttons. The way these features were architected do not meet Apple’s experience guidelines for developers and no longer offer a reliable control experience.

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/release-notes-for-sonos-s2

87 replies

Contributor I
July 30, 2023

Kinda vexing that the volume button functionality is still available if we abandon S2 and use the Apple Music app.  

Lyricist II
July 30, 2023

I’m visually impaired and find  the iphone buttons much easier to use than the tiny onscreen sliders. This was a crappy surprise move by Sonos that did not consider the customer experience. And I notice that all my other apps do allow volume control via the buttons. Shape up, Sonos, and restore this functionality. 

Lyricist I
July 31, 2023

Not impressed sonos 

Lyricist I
July 31, 2023

I find the removal of apple volume button functionality by Sonos totally baffling. Thats what volume buttons are for. Sonos should reconsider the necessity to remove this function which in my experience worked just fine.

bockersjv
Local Superstar
July 31, 2023

I find the removal of apple volume button functionality by Sonos totally baffling. Thats what volume buttons are for. Sonos should reconsider the necessity to remove this function which in my experience worked just fine.

Have you read the reasons in this and other threads.  This, as usual, is an Apple reason.  They seem to be wanting the Volume control buttons to control sound coming from the device rather than any external source (unless that source is another Apple device!).

It’s annoying and further proof how IT companies seeming to be playing games with each other with no consideration for the end customer.  A trend that seems to be getting worse everywhere.

 

What I would like to see is a better implementation of the volume control in the Sonos UI.   The slider is very small and when trying to control at lower volume it’s too easy to mute the speaker by mistake.

Contributor I
July 31, 2023

Let’s see, removing functionality makes it better….?  Oh wait, it still works on Android devices?  So is Sonos giving Apple the finger?  Makes one wonder.

So they basically stop developing the desktop app years ago with the thought that everyone is controlling using tablet or smartphone, which I guess isn’t too far off the mark (I still use both the desktop and mobile versions).  And then they (Sonos) removes functionality and this makes it better?  Better for who, their developers since it’s clearly not their customer base.

Please Sonos, restore this little piece of functionality.  I have considered deleting most current app release and restoring the 15.5 release and just not updating the app moving forward.

 

 

Airgetlam
July 31, 2023

I’m confused as to how anyone can think that removing things like ‘play from this device’ or ‘hardware volume functions’ serves Sonos in any way as an intelligent business choice. It seems relatively clear that these changes are being forced on Sonos by others…

Bruce
Lyricist III
July 31, 2023

Sirius please fix this issue ffs   Opening my iPhone and opening the Sirius app to adjust the volume is 💩. Laying in bed at night I want to grab my phone and push the iPhone buttons. Anyone know a speaker that doesn’t operate like this pos?

Trending Lyricist I
August 1, 2023

Wow.  This is kind of a giant bummer to me.  I have ALWAYS used the buttons on my iPhone and it completely throws me off having to mess with the app each time.  I am also super unimpressed with having to dig through these forums to find out it was intentional.  Sonos, you make it hard to love you sometimes.  You will add two good features and then blow up something for fun (or a dumb idea).  Please work on getting this back.  I have never had an issue ever so not really sure what experience it was not providing.  

 

At least the Spotify programmers are competent enough to allow the buttons so I can go that route.  Maybe you should hire a few of them to help you.  

Lyricist III
August 1, 2023

Did Elon musk buy Sonos? And btw Sirius doesn’t blow Sonos blows I was pissed when I made my account. I luv Sirius. Sonos is junk. Bring back the volume control