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Michael_55
Contributor I
November 27, 2013
Question

Use SonosNet as Wifi repeater/mesh for Laptops, Tablets, mobile devices?

  • November 27, 2013
  • 19 replies
  • 17504 views
According to the FAQ at https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1589/related/1, it sounds like you can set up your wireless devices (laptop, tablet, etc.) to use SonosNet as a wireless mesh for the home. Is that correct? I thought SonosNet was proprietary and could only be used by Sonos components. Allowing SonosNet to be used by non-Sonos devices is a VERY value-added feature. This means that having a Play:1 in your distant room, for example, would give Wifi access to the network/internet to mobile devices in that room (via SonosNet). I see a VERY good benefit for having additional Sonos components (including Sonos Bridge) in that regard. Saves you from buying Wifi Repeaters to extend the wireless range for tablets & computers in your house. Did I read the FAQ correctly? I hope so 🙂
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    19 replies

    sunloge
    sunloge
    Enthusiast I
    November 28, 2013
    It works with my Android tablette.
    The worst fail is "not trying".
    Ryan E
    Ryan E
    Sonos Employee
    December 4, 2013
    Yes, that's correct. With an Android device associated to a Sonos system, you can then follow the steps in the FAQ you linked in order to allow the device to connect to the wireless SonosNet for WiFi communication.
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    Michael_55Author
    Contributor I
    December 4, 2013
    Thank you. I tested this yesterday and found that it works pretty well -- except one oddity: the Ookla SpeedTest.net app would usually not be able to connect to their servers to perform a speed test. When it was able to, it would be interrupted during the test. Switching the Wifi back to my router's, no issues whatsoever. Either way, I'm excited that this mesh network is available to connect to.

    Thanks for the replies, you two.
    P_4
    Lyricist I
    January 6, 2014
    Works great on my android phone, but does anyone know if I can connect my Windows 8 laptop. If it is possible how do I do it?

    Thanks in anticipation.
    Ryan E
    Ryan E
    Sonos Employee
    January 9, 2014
    Works great on my android phone, but does anyone know if I can connect my Windows 8 laptop. If it is possible how do I do it?

    Thanks in anticipation.
    Currently, only Android devices are able to connect to SonosNet as an alternative to WiFi. Computers and iOS devices are not able to do so, I'm afraid.

    However, you can connect the laptop to the Ethernet port on the back of any Sonos component (wired or wireless) to connect back to the router through Sonos.
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      User379767
      Contributor I
      January 9, 2014
      Works great on my android phone, but does anyone know if I can connect my Windows 8 laptop. If it is possible how do I do it?

      Thanks in anticipation.
      Totally possible, just retrieve ssid/wpa2 passwd using rooted android device and create the wifi connection on your PC or iOS devices
      Lee Hill
      Lyricist I
      July 14, 2014
      FYI on my Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S4) I downloaded the free app Best WIFI to switch between Sonosnet and regular WIFI depending on which had a better signal.  That way you do not have to manually keep switching depending on where you are in the house.  I turned off the setting to notify on signal strength, it was annoying.
      User542495
      Lyricist II
      January 2, 2015
      Works great on my android phone, but does anyone know if I can connect my Windows 8 laptop. If it is possible how do I do it?

      Thanks in anticipation.
      did so and successfully added ssid and pw, however i cant't establish a connection on my w 8.1 laptop... any suggestions? thanks!!
      watertower
      Lyricist I
      August 28, 2015
      I managed to create a connection with my macbook but impossible to do the same with my laptop.

      I get SSID/KEY from my rooted Android phone. I create a new wifi WPA2 network on my macbook and ... MAGIC !

      BUT i did the same thing with my Windows 7 Laptop.... FAIL !!!

      Why ? Is it a windows problem ?
      MikeV
      MikeV
      August 28, 2015
      Technically the Sonos wireless network isn't WiFi. It may be similar to WiFi, but it isn't actually WiFi. Android and MacOS are both based on Unix/Linux, so there may be something about the Sonos network that is preventing Windows from connecting, but that Android and MacOS aren't concerned with and thus allows them to connect. I would imagine that if MacOS works, iOS devices would probably be able to connect as well.

      Just remember though... non-Sonos devices using SonosNet can impact your ability to stream music all of a sudden. It's been revealed somewhere else here that Sonos uses some kind of QOS on their network, most likely to prioritize streaming. But to what extent it's being used and how it impacts other devices or data was not explained.
      The S in IOT stands for Security.
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