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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
    Paul575757
    Lyricist II
    May 30, 2024

    I would. Much has I have loved them, I would return all my Sonos products if I could. This app messaged really means I can't do what I bought them to do. It's a pity they have made such a mess of it. 

    SeeBeeSee
    Lyricist I
    May 30, 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: May 21, 2024. See release notes.

    • VoiceOver on iOS now properly interacts with individual elements of the Sonos app's home screen - and now adds improved VoiceOver support for allowing for navigating and controlling the Now Playing Screen, System View, Output Selector, Queue, Volume Sliders, and Add Product
    • Improved TalkBack support for the Now Playing Screen, System View, and Add Product
    • Improved Local Music Library playback of folders
    • Adding and editing alarms with the ability to Search for content


     

    Coming soon

    • Continued improvements to navigation for visually-impaired customers: mid-June
    • Adding to queue and playing next: early June
    • Sleep timer: mid-June
    • Local music library search and playback: mid-June
    • Update WiFi settings: mid-June
    • Snooze alarms: TBD



     

    Known issues and workarounds


    "Sign in as the System Owner" error while updating products during setup

    • Workaround: No workaround currently available.

     

    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.

    • search does not look in my music library
    • When a category in my music library (such as ’Artists’) is opened there is no alphabet index on the right hand side, so it takes forever to scroll to an artist whose name doesn’t begin with ‘a’ or ‘b’. I have a very large library.
    • It’s impossible to create a queue on the fly, because the only option is to replace the queue.
    • The home screen has too many functions. It was much better having the 5 meta functions at the bottom of the ‘current track’ page, because this is the screen that is in view 90+% of the time.
    • On my iPad the home screen has headings and ads rolling over the top of the content which makes it impossible to use. Besides, on both the iPhone and iPad, the content is not always there. Sometimes I have to restart the app to get the ‘your sources’ content.
    • The current track screen doesn’t fill the screen, so the previous screen is still visible around the edges. It is particularly annoying when using the iPad and the previous screen is the home screen with the scrolling error.
    • Going to the ‘queue’ page puts it at the top of the queue, not at the ‘current’ track. Once again it results in interminable scrolling with a large queue.
    • There’s no way to update music library from iPhone and iPad apps
    • Many other bad executions & decisions about what is functional 

     

     

      simoneddible
      Lyricist I
      May 30, 2024

      The old app was crappy but usable at best and I could trick it to work despite being laggy and buggy…can we go back to the old app? The new one is horrendous - there is a weird constant scrolling on the Home Screen of the category titles, I have to hit “apply” after adjusting the volume? No add to queue? On an iPhone 13…

       

      Looks like you are on iPhone. You can downgrade using the following process. Not straightforward I am afraid but that’s one of the downsides of the way Apple runs the iPhone.

      https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/1cyfqh8/simplified_iphone_downgrade_option/

       

      On Android, it’s straightforward.

      Download 16.1 from here:

      https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/sonos-inc/sonos-for-android/sonos-for-android-16-1-release/

       

      Then disable Auto update via the Playstore. Click on Your Account Icon (top right) then click Manage Apps and Device. Click Manage Tab. Find Sonos and click on it. (Sort by App name to make the search easier!) Then click the 3 vertical dots in the top RH side and uncheck “Enable Auto Update”

       

      mettadipa
      Listener
      May 30, 2024

      The new app is a real disaster: slow, unresponsive, buggy. Basically, it has all the problems of the worst app in the world. I am wondering how Sonos development team could decide to release this app in its alpha stage? Don’t use Agile as an excuse please. Kindly revert to the old version, hire a new team to fix the app and release again in August or September.

        Paul575757
        Lyricist II
        May 30, 2024

        The old app was crappy but usable at best and I could trick it to work despite being laggy and buggy…can we go back to the old app? The new one is horrendous - there is a weird constant scrolling on the Home Screen of the category titles, I have to hit “apply” after adjusting the volume? No add to queue? On an iPhone 13…

         

        Looks like you are on iPhone. You can downgrade using the following process. Not straightforward I am afraid but that’s one of the downsides of the way Apple runs the iPhone.

        https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/1cyfqh8/simplified_iphone_downgrade_option/

         

        On Android, it’s straightforward.

        Download 16.1 from here:

        https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/sonos-inc/sonos-for-android/sonos-for-android-16-1-release/

         

        Then disable Auto update via the Playstore. Click on Your Account Icon (top right) then click Manage Apps and Device. Click Manage Tab. Find Sonos and click on it. (Sort by App name to make the search easier!) Then click the 3 vertical dots in the top RH side and uncheck “Enable Auto Update”

         

        thank you so much for this. Can I just check with you, should this be free? It’s asking me to enter my credit card details. Forgive my ignorance. I'm very grateful for the advice.

        Toolio
        Prodigy II
        May 30, 2024

        It’s asking me to enter my credit card details.

        The request for payment is related to the apkmirror premium service. Close the window asking you to join and continue with the free service. There is no need to pay or login.

        Paul575757
        Lyricist II
        May 30, 2024

        It’s asking me to enter my credit card details.

        The request for payment is related to the apkmirror premium service. Close the window asking you to join and continue with the free service. There is no need to pay or login.

        Thank you 

          Jack Burton
          Avid Listener
          May 30, 2024

          Sonos company has fallen from its position many notches into the dark. I work in IT as an application owner in the healthcare industry.  There is no such thing as an initial release with missing features . It joust can’t exist,  you meet the scope of previous needs and future needs in a software release. That’s exactly what happened here (half baked) with a decision to “get feedback to see what features are used.”  That is the worst decision for the company and customers. My family is so outraged over this update that we refused to use it and now or forced to use the third-party apps over AirPlay, is this company goal? It actually makes me think I should’ve not bought the product in the first place because this happened and what’s gonna prevent it to happen in the future?  Was there some beta release with the actual people who use the app?  Wouldn’t that be time for the feedback and not a production release? Did the people who develop the new app not use Sonos daily? 

           

          One huge feature missing is “add to queue”. I know it’s coming in future updates but I need it immediately not in a month.  


          This software release can’t be taken lightly and highly recommend placing negative reviews on App Store first and the website or storefront that your product was purchased.  A lesson needs learned from “high” paying customers.   

          Hardware is one part, your company nailed that.   Software is just as important as its runs the hardware.  Tesla release bad software on their cars?  

           

          IIt’s a sad turn of events as I recommended the company to friends, but that has completely changed after this software update as customers are not first.

           

           

           

           

           


           

           

           

            BVRBVR
            Contributor I
            May 30, 2024

            The old app was crappy but usable at best and I could trick it to work despite being laggy and buggy…can we go back to the old app? The new one is horrendous - there is a weird constant scrolling on the Home Screen of the category titles, I have to hit “apply” after adjusting the volume? No add to queue? On an iPhone 13…

             

            Looks like you are on iPhone. You can downgrade using the following process. Not straightforward I am afraid but that’s one of the downsides of the way Apple runs the iPhone.

            https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/1cyfqh8/simplified_iphone_downgrade_option/

             

            On Android, it’s straightforward.

            Download 16.1 from here:

            https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/sonos-inc/sonos-for-android/sonos-for-android-16-1-release/

             

            Then disable Auto update via the Playstore. Click on Your Account Icon (top right) then click Manage Apps and Device. Click Manage Tab. Find Sonos and click on it. (Sort by App name to make the search easier!) Then click the 3 vertical dots in the top RH side and uncheck “Enable Auto Update”

             


            Doesn’t it suck to have to resort to something like this to use your Sonos System to listen to music?

              John Guarr
              John Guarr
              Enthusiast II
              May 30, 2024

              The old app was crappy but usable at best and I could trick it to work despite being laggy and buggy…can we go back to the old app? The new one is horrendous - there is a weird constant scrolling on the Home Screen of the category titles, I have to hit “apply” after adjusting the volume? No add to queue? On an iPhone 13…

               

              Looks like you are on iPhone. You can downgrade using the following process. Not straightforward I am afraid but that’s one of the downsides of the way Apple runs the iPhone.

              https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/1cyfqh8/simplified_iphone_downgrade_option/

               

              On Android, it’s straightforward.

              Download 16.1 from here:

              https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/sonos-inc/sonos-for-android/sonos-for-android-16-1-release/

               

              Then disable Auto update via the Playstore. Click on Your Account Icon (top right) then click Manage Apps and Device. Click Manage Tab. Find Sonos and click on it. (Sort by App name to make the search easier!) Then click the 3 vertical dots in the top RH side and uncheck “Enable Auto Update”

               

              I wanted to download what I think is the newest Sonos app, but it’s taking me to APKMirror. I don’t know this site and it has a little box in the bottom right that says something about a primium version of this app for $10. I never had to pay for a Sonos app before. I don’t know if I want to click on this. It says it’s for the Sonos 80.01.08 version of the IOS app. It does indicate by Sonos, Inc. and has the Sonos logo. So looks okay. 

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