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Keith N
Keith N
Sonos Staff
May 11, 2024

The New Sonos App and Future Feature Updates

Hey all, today we're sharing a message from our chief innovation officer, Nick Millington in the announcement here. Going forwards we will update that topic and we therefore close this one for further replies.

 

 

We set out to create a more personalized and effortless listening experience with the updated Sonos app. It was rebuilt from the ground up to ensure it could support future innovation in the years to come. For its initial rollout, we focused on how we could answer some of the most common requests from our customers, including increased reliability, performance, and faster access to music.


Many of you have shared valuable feedback on both the improvements that have made your experience better, as well as the areas where we fell short. We are listening to all of your comments and working to address them as quickly as possible. Over the coming weeks, we will reintroduce the below features, while fixing bugs and performance issues. Thank you for your engagement and we look forward to building upon this first step to create a listening experience that meets everyone’s needs.
 

 

Available now

 

To access these changes, check for updates in the iOS / Android app store to download the latest version of the Sonos app. Make sure your Sonos products are also up to date.


Last updated: Oct 28, 2024. See release notes.

The update has the following version numbers:

 

80.11.38 - iOS
80.11.32 - Android

 

In this update:

 

  • Support for the all-new Arc Ultra soundbar and Sub 4
  • Music library improvements*
  • Improvements to product setup
  • Improved performance when browsing content in Home and in Browse on Android
  • Improvements to multi-system support on iOS
  • Fixes for multiple settings including Bluetooth display, EQ, and Sub bonding on iOS
  • The ability to schedule System Updates on iOS
  • Continued Voiceover improvements on iOS

 

* Requires player update - 81.1-58074 (or higher)

 

 

You can also follow along with updates in this article: 

 

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

    2256 replies

    Show previous replies
    av18
    Listener
    June 11, 2024

     

    I tried to sell my Sonos system because I expected QA and software to get worse, and boy was I correct. Unfortunately, many others have been experiencing similar issues and the market is flooded with second hand Sonos products that people are trying to get rid of. And I don’t blame them.

    Putting aside my own thoughts, feelings and experiences of the new app, I have seen a lot of posts like this that state (or imply) that Sonos kit is now worthless, because of the new app.  This post states that @av18 tried to sell his system, suggesting that he was unsuccessful in doing so.

    In the first instance there is no suggestion that the hardware is faulty and of course the app doesn’t render the hardware faulty, so that alone would suggest that the value is not significantly impacted by the new app.  But nobody has to take my word for this — just a quick look at EBay’s completed listings show that second hand Sonos kit sells extremely well and for prices that are broadly in line prices obtained before May’s software release.  


    If you want to sell up and move on, you are completely at liberty to do so, and you of course should be happy with where you spend your money.  But why you are trying to convince the forum here that your (and by extension our) kit is no worthless is beyond me. This is blatantly not the truth of the matter.  
     

    because without the ability to use the hardware it doesn’t matter how good it is. You need the controller app to use it. One can speculate endlessly about why some price on ebay is what it is, but there are a lot of use who have a lot of sonos components and can’t listen to them anymore.

    You are absolutely correct, I agree with you.  But that wasn’t the argument @av18 was puttting forward.  I don’t deny there are many users who are having severe diffficulties with their kit and  I sympathise  with those users.  But thst is not the same as saying Sonos kit is now worthless and impossible, or near impossible to sell.  I am just suggesting that people keep their posts real and grounded in facts — that is all.  

    The hardware cannot be used through bluetooth. We use our system not only for audio through TV/arc/HDMI, but frequently to play music through our phone throughout the day. If devices have frequent connectivity issues that require regular troubleshooting, they become unusable since they can’t be used for (in my case) their intended use. You are a part of this thread and see the multitude of issues. I do not believe it is controversial to say that a ‘good’ product with widespread and frequent issues ceases to be ‘good’. Especially when hardware functionality is so dependent on software/firmware/apps. 

    PS-  I never said it was worthless or said a word about secondhand pricing (despite it being moot, relative to the intended subject matter of my OP . But I DO say that unless manyyy things are resolved almost immediately it’s not worth the hassle. Also, think it’s telling when the convo turns into a debate on how easy a product is to sell. I don’t think users should need to have such a conversation in the first place

    av18
    Listener
    June 11, 2024

    In the first instance there is no suggestion that the hardware is faulty and of course the app doesn’t render the hardware faulty, so that alone would suggest that the value is not significantly impacted by the new app.  But nobody has to take my word for this — just a quick look at EBay’s completed listings show that second hand Sonos kit sells extremely well and for prices that are broadly in line prices obtained before May’s software release.

    The hardware isn’t faulty. Neither is the Windows Controller app. In fact, that is the only way I can currently use my system, by manually logging into my Windows box, and directing music from the app to the specific speaker. Music and services play fine through there. Zero issues. This is as of the latest v16.2 I just updated today (some patch which kept the version at 16.2).  The app on the other hand, is completely unusable as of today’s latest release - 80.02.07-release+20240605…

    But I’m very serious about selling at this point too. I’ve just ordered some WiiM hardware, and will be playing with that this weekend to decide which direction to go.

    My point is that you shouldn’t have to do any of the extra steps you mentioned. I’m sorry you have to do so.

    DaveS00
    Lyricist III
    June 11, 2024

    THE SOLUTION:

    Disable 5ghz in your router settings. This resolves all app reliability, speed and connection issues.

    Overkill

    Regards the whole 5GHz - agree with the above.

     

    There is an issue with some chips in WIFI routers/access points etc, including some BT routers and many other branded products. Some of the early chips did not pass traffic between the two frequencies (2.4 & 5 Ghz). This is NOT an issue with Sonos itself, and impacted many end user devices across many manufacturers of differring devices. The solution to this problem is either:

    1. put all the devices that need to communicate with each others on the same frequency, i.e. all on 2.4 or all on 5 on one of the two frequencies. In reality this means if you have older devices put them on the 2.4. Older devices don’t support 5Ghz as it didn’t exist at the time.

      Most good modern devices support both frequencies, some cheap modern devices still only support 2.4Ghz.

      In my case wth Sonos S1 & S2 this would mean all Sonos devices need to be on the 2.4Ghz network, in addition your phone/tablet etc will also need to be connected to the 2.4Ghz network so it can “see” the Sonos devices.

      For me solution B was better, which I achieved by adding my own WiFi Access Point to the network and swithcing of WiFI on my ISP router.
       
    2. Replace your wifi router/access point with a device that does work correctly across 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz.

     

      John Guarr
      John Guarr
      Enthusiast II
      June 11, 2024

      We set out to create a more personalized and effortless listening experience with the updated Sonos app. It was rebuilt from the ground up to ensure it could support future innovation in the years to come. For its initial rollout, we focused on how we could answer some of the most common requests from our customers, including increased reliability, performance, and faster access to music.


      Many of you have shared valuable feedback on both the improvements that have made your experience better, as well as the areas where we fell short. We are listening to all of your comments and working to address them as quickly as possible. Over the coming weeks, we will reintroduce the below features, while fixing bugs and performance issues. Thank you for your engagement and we look forward to building upon this first step to create a listening experience that meets everyone’s needs.
       

       

      Available now

      To access these changes, check for updates in the iOS / Android app store to download the latest version of the Sonos app. Make sure your Sonos products are also up to date.

      Last updated: Jun 4, 2024. See release notes.

       

      • Improved playback settings including “Play next,” “add to end of queue,” and on iOS, the mute button
      • Improved product setup, Bluetooth discovery and WiFi settings
      • Added sleep timer settings
      • Improved Trueplay setup on iOS
      • Introduced distance settings for home theater surrounds
      • Improved navigation for users who are blind or visually-impaired 
      • Added VoiceOver support for toast messages on iOS


       

      Coming soon

      • Continued improvements to navigation for visually-impaired customers: mid-June
      • Playback controls including mute and volume numbers: June
      • Local music library search and playback: mid-June
      • Improved playback settings including Play Now: July
      • Create and edit local music library: July
      • Improved Autoplay settings: July
      • Improved Sub audio settings with Amp: July
      • Snooze alarms: TBD

       

      Our latest update resolves some of the most critical known issues, but know we have more to do. We hear your feedback and are working hard to deliver the experience you expect and deserve.

      I was just reading what should currently be working. I am able to add a song to the end of the current queue. So that’s good, but once it’s in the queue (playlist) I can’t move it to another position. I think that is coming?  Also, every time I search for a song, the app seems to search the radio stations, which I don’t use. I have my own extensive music library, with my own songs sitting on my NAS drive (supporting SMB2). Can you (Sonos) please look into this. Oh, I just noticed above, that may be planned for mid-June. What’s always been a problem, even with the old app (that worked) is that when I would search for a song that I know is in that queue, it wouldn’t go to that song to allow me to play it, but instead, add that song again to the current position. This is why my queues keep getting larger and larger. That sounds like an easy fix. 

      John Guarr
      John Guarr
      Enthusiast II
      June 11, 2024

      We set out to create a more personalized and effortless listening experience with the updated Sonos app. It was rebuilt from the ground up to ensure it could support future innovation in the years to come. For its initial rollout, we focused on how we could answer some of the most common requests from our customers, including increased reliability, performance, and faster access to music.


      Many of you have shared valuable feedback on both the improvements that have made your experience better, as well as the areas where we fell short. We are listening to all of your comments and working to address them as quickly as possible. Over the coming weeks, we will reintroduce the below features, while fixing bugs and performance issues. Thank you for your engagement and we look forward to building upon this first step to create a listening experience that meets everyone’s needs.
       

       

      Available now

      To access these changes, check for updates in the iOS / Android app store to download the latest version of the Sonos app. Make sure your Sonos products are also up to date.

      Last updated: Jun 4, 2024. See release notes.

       

      • Improved playback settings including “Play next,” “add to end of queue,” and on iOS, the mute button
      • Improved product setup, Bluetooth discovery and WiFi settings
      • Added sleep timer settings
      • Improved Trueplay setup on iOS
      • Introduced distance settings for home theater surrounds
      • Improved navigation for users who are blind or visually-impaired 
      • Added VoiceOver support for toast messages on iOS


       

      Coming soon

      • Continued improvements to navigation for visually-impaired customers: mid-June
      • Playback controls including mute and volume numbers: June
      • Local music library search and playback: mid-June
      • Improved playback settings including Play Now: July
      • Create and edit local music library: July
      • Improved Autoplay settings: July
      • Improved Sub audio settings with Amp: July
      • Snooze alarms: TBD

       

      Our latest update resolves some of the most critical known issues, but know we have more to do. We hear your feedback and are working hard to deliver the experience you expect and deserve.

      I was just reading what should currently be working. I am able to add a song to the end of the current queue. So that’s good, but once it’s in the queue (playlist) I can’t move it to another position. I think that is coming?  Also, every time I search for a song, the app seems to search the radio stations, which I don’t use. I have my own extensive music library, with my own songs sitting on my NAS drive (supporting SMB2). Can you (Sonos) please look into this. Oh, I just noticed above, that may be planned for mid-June. What’s always been a problem, even with the old app (that worked) is that when I would search for a song that I know is in that queue, it wouldn’t go to that song to allow me to play it, but instead, add that song again to the current position. This is why my queues keep getting larger and larger. That sounds like an easy fix. 

      We set out to create a more personalized and effortless listening experience with the updated Sonos app. It was rebuilt from the ground up to ensure it could support future innovation in the years to come. For its initial rollout, we focused on how we could answer some of the most common requests from our customers, including increased reliability, performance, and faster access to music.


      Many of you have shared valuable feedback on both the improvements that have made your experience better, as well as the areas where we fell short. We are listening to all of your comments and working to address them as quickly as possible. Over the coming weeks, we will reintroduce the below features, while fixing bugs and performance issues. Thank you for your engagement and we look forward to building upon this first step to create a listening experience that meets everyone’s needs.
       

       

      Available now

      To access these changes, check for updates in the iOS / Android app store to download the latest version of the Sonos app. Make sure your Sonos products are also up to date.

      Last updated: Jun 4, 2024. See release notes.

       

      • Improved playback settings including “Play next,” “add to end of queue,” and on iOS, the mute button
      • Improved product setup, Bluetooth discovery and WiFi settings
      • Added sleep timer settings
      • Improved Trueplay setup on iOS
      • Introduced distance settings for home theater surrounds
      • Improved navigation for users who are blind or visually-impaired 
      • Added VoiceOver support for toast messages on iOS


       

      Coming soon

      • Continued improvements to navigation for visually-impaired customers: mid-June
      • Playback controls including mute and volume numbers: June
      • Local music library search and playback: mid-June
      • Improved playback settings including Play Now: July
      • Create and edit local music library: July
      • Improved Autoplay settings: July
      • Improved Sub audio settings with Amp: July
      • Snooze alarms: TBD

       

      Our latest update resolves some of the most critical known issues, but know we have more to do. We hear your feedback and are working hard to deliver the experience you expect and deserve.

      I was just reading what should currently be working. I am able to add a song to the end of the current queue. So that’s good, but once it’s in the queue (playlist) I can’t move it to another position. I think that is coming?  Also, every time I search for a song, the app seems to search the radio stations, which I don’t use. I have my own extensive music library, with my own songs sitting on my NAS drive (supporting SMB2). Can you (Sonos) please look into this. Oh, I just noticed above, that may be planned for mid-June. What’s always been a problem, even with the old app (that worked) is that when I would search for a song that I know is in that queue, it wouldn’t go to that song to allow me to play it, but instead, add that song again to the current position. This is why my queues keep getting larger and larger. That sounds like an easy fix.

      My Alexa still works along with my 19:30 alarm each evening, so no trouble there. And I might give Trueplay a try later since I’ve noticed that my Beam sounds different and a little tinny or hollow. But otherwise, my surround sound seams to be working okay.

      av18
      Listener
      June 11, 2024

      THE SOLUTION:

      Disable 5ghz in your router settings. This resolves all app reliability, speed and connection issues.

      Overkill

      Regards the whole 5GHz - agree with the above.

       

      There is an issue with some chips in WIFI routers/access points etc, including some BT routers and many other branded products. Some of the early chips did not pass traffic between the two frequencies (2.4 & 5 Ghz). This is NOT an issue with Sonos itself, and impacted many end user devices across many manufacturers of differring devices. The solution to this problem is either:

      1. put all the devices that need to communicate with each others on the same frequency, i.e. all on 2.4 or all on 5 on one of the two frequencies. In reality this means if you have older devices put them on the 2.4. Older devices don’t support 5Ghz as it didn’t exist at the time.

        Most good modern devices support both frequencies, some cheap modern devices still only support 2.4Ghz.

        In my case wth Sonos S1 & S2 this would mean all Sonos devices need to be on the 2.4Ghz network, in addition your phone/tablet etc will also need to be connected to the 2.4Ghz network so it can “see” the Sonos devices.

        For me solution B was better, which I achieved by adding my own WiFi Access Point to the network and swithcing of WiFI on my ISP router.
         
      2. Replace your wifi router/access point with a device that does work correctly across 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz.

       

      Overkill - imo turning off 5Ghz is the nuclear solution. MIGHT help the sonos but is guaranteed to slow major devices (computer, phones).

      Before replacing the router, try turning off IPV6. You should be able to do it in the settings or advanced settings of your router’s app. Made an immediate diff for me. Any major-brand router within ~5yrs old should be able to properly assign to 2.4Ghz and 5.4Ghz bands

        Shrike
        Listener
        June 11, 2024

        Instead of trying to catch up with YT Music and other apps (you’re so far from it) support ChromeCast in your products and that’s it. I made a mistake and bought IKEA Simfonisk not realizing that I’ll have to use your app for listening YouTube Music. UX is simply terrible. Navigation in the app is cryptic and lacks of basic functions, like going from an album/track to its artist. And many many other features simply to navigate around.

        John Guarr
        John Guarr
        Enthusiast II
        June 11, 2024

        THE SOLUTION:

        Disable 5ghz in your router settings. This resolves all app reliability, speed and connection issues.

        Overkill

        Regards the whole 5GHz - agree with the above.

         

        There is an issue with some chips in WIFI routers/access points etc, including some BT routers and many other branded products. Some of the early chips did not pass traffic between the two frequencies (2.4 & 5 Ghz). This is NOT an issue with Sonos itself, and impacted many end user devices across many manufacturers of differring devices. The solution to this problem is either:

        1. put all the devices that need to communicate with each others on the same frequency, i.e. all on 2.4 or all on 5 on one of the two frequencies. In reality this means if you have older devices put them on the 2.4. Older devices don’t support 5Ghz as it didn’t exist at the time.

          Most good modern devices support both frequencies, some cheap modern devices still only support 2.4Ghz.

          In my case wth Sonos S1 & S2 this would mean all Sonos devices need to be on the 2.4Ghz network, in addition your phone/tablet etc will also need to be connected to the 2.4Ghz network so it can “see” the Sonos devices.

          For me solution B was better, which I achieved by adding my own WiFi Access Point to the network and swithcing of WiFI on my ISP router.
           
        2. Replace your wifi router/access point with a device that does work correctly across 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz.

         

        Overkill - imo turning off 5Ghz is the nuclear solution. MIGHT help the sonos but is guaranteed to slow major devices (computer, phones).

        Before replacing the router, try turning off IPV6. You should be able to do it in the settings or advanced settings of your router’s app. Made an immediate diff for me. Any major-brand router within ~5yrs old should be able to properly assign to 2.4Ghz and 5.4Ghz bands

        I agree that everything should be on the 2.4gHz band, but everyone is talking about Wi-Fi issues. I don’t think I am. How would I know?

        Scotlander
        Listener
        June 11, 2024

        Utter tripe from Sonos.

        Stop with the grand vision until you’ve fixed the basics.

        Apologize for your f*** ups and listen to the overwhelming feedback from the customers you should value - without us you’d be nothing.

        If your speakers can’t play our music then you deserve to be nothing.

        Simple.

          Vinman1956
          Listener
          June 11, 2024

          The volume control slider doesn’t work, and there are no volume level numbers anymore.  Was this intentional?  If not, when will this be fixed?

          Show more replies
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