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RyanS8888
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

    Show previous replies
    YellowGypsy
    Lyricist II
    August 4, 2023

    @mattmik You can still control volume with the Sonos app (or voice, or the IKEA Dirigera Hub and remote) , just not with the lock screen controls.

    If I have the Sonos app open on my phone I cannot use the volume buttons either.  I have to use the slider which is not ideal.  Am I missing something?  I would be fine with having the app up but that is not functioning on the two iPhones in our house.  

    I would not mind the Ikea remote, but they have a habit of discontinuing things pretty quickly and the $80 or so it cost isn’t cheap.  I also have two other smart hubs in my house,  I still would love it is Sonos would make an OEM remote.

    I would agree. I’d rather an OEM remote over the app or an expensive third party remote. I realise that wouldn’t necessarily be everyone’s preference though. I hope Sonos do look at alternative options as, regardless of the reason for the functionality removal, it does lessen the product offering quality. Sonos might blame it on apple but I expect fewer people would ditch their apple products if the choice was to be forced. 


    Thanks for remote suggestions. The ikea offering is a bit expensive but I will look into lutron now.

     

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    August 4, 2023

    If I am reading the release notes correctly, and the official statements, It’s not just Apple saying ’we don’t like Sonos’ in particular. I’ve also dealt in the past with getting apps approved by Apple, although not as a Sonos employee. 

    What Apple is saying is  ‘you’re doing a weird hack that has potential security implications, and might be a security risk at some point, so we’re going to put our foot down and stop approving your app if it includes that functionality’.

    Sonos then had no choice but to remove that ‘hack’ that was working (in most cases, but apparently not all) for an app that was not a player of streams, but a remote control to an app running on another device that was a player of streams. Minor distinction, but that is why the hardware buttons are still working for player apps (that connect to the Sonos speakers via Bluetooth or AirPlay 2), in which the “player” is still on the Apple device. 

    Bruce
      RestoreHardwareVolumeControl
      Lyricist I
      August 9, 2023

      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

      This is so stupid. Glad I know now. Was about to purchase a couple more playbars. I’ll go with the competition. 

        buzz
        buzz
        Grand Maestro
        August 9, 2023

        I think that many S2 users could simply start using AirPlay rather than the SONOS controller. Some S1 users could use AirPlay with some SONOS players, but without the Group capability.

        Siriusblows
        Lyricist III
        August 9, 2023

        I don’t need a work around. I need what I paid for. Why can it work on android and not iPhone ffs it’s not rocket surgery. It’s 2 buttons on an iPhone lol 

        vhs25
        Lyricist I
        August 9, 2023

        Interestingly the BBC Sounds app still works with the iOS lock screen and hardware volume buttons. Maybe Sonos could have a word with them to see how they do it?

         

        Siriusblows
        Lyricist III
        August 9, 2023

        The whole thing is bizarre. I have reached out to Sirius and they are looking into it 😎

        Airgetlam
        Airgetlam
        August 9, 2023

        BBC sounds app works by playing the sound directly through the iOS system. Sonos plays the sound by the remote control app telling the speakers where to go and get the stream from, so nothing is ‘playing’ on iOS, it’s all on the speaker. 

        Bruce
        dcsearle
        Contributor I
        August 13, 2023

        I always used this to control the volume when i was tired or falling asleep - it was easy to just hit the volume buttons rather than have to unlock my phone. this really sucks and is a terrible step backward in terms of functionality - someone has sold out here… :(

          dcsearle
          Contributor I
          August 13, 2023

          I always used this to control the volume when i was tired or falling asleep - it was easy to just hit the volume buttons rather than have to unlock my phone. this really sucks and is a terrible step backward in terms of functionality - someone has sold out here… :(

          maybe i will just use spotify to play via my sonos device instead - that way i can use the volume buttons. bye bye sonos app. fools. 

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