Contributor I

Answered

Bring back the ability to search music library

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
May 8, 2024
119 replies
6027 views

I have been using Sonos for several years, and it is attached to a streaming service and my music library on a USB drive, which has years worth of accumulated music, including a lot not available on streaming. I have just (8 May) updated to the new Sonos app. Now I can still see and trawl through my music library, but cannot search in it. The general search function just returns the streaming and Sonos radio results, and there’s no dedicated search for the music library. This effectively cuts off my access to my own music, by making it prohibitively difficult to find anything. Please bring this functionality back. I know you want to prioritise revenue generation, but this is disrespectful to your customers.

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Best answer by BazDistro

Taking away search capabilities is bad enough—I’m already looking for Sonos alternatives. But they also removed the alphabetic side bar that allowed us to more efficiently move around the library. It’s hard to imagine this was an oversight. It’s a concerted effort to turn us away from our own music libraries and I agree with others who interpret this as egregious disrespect. If things remain unchanged, this is an absolute deal breaker. I don’t use streaming services and never wish to. Sonos is useless if it cannot help me to easily stream my own carefully curated music collection.

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Ronmac13

Lyricist III

I discovered this backward step when reading a review of the app, and of the new web based version for desktop - both of which lose this Music Library Search, the old desktop app still has it, but that is not being updated as far as I know, so at some point this will disappear.

I guess the tech reason for it is that all the data comes from the cloud so they’ll need to sync info from our local libraries to the cloud for the apps to see it.

As an aside, I have a Plex server running which also points to my Music Library - this is great for streaming your music on your phone away from home. Plex can be added to Sonos as a service and is searchable - not tested it much though.

Not ideal, but might be a good work around until they fix it (which I’m sure they will), I don't know what proportion of Sonos users use local Music Libraries a lot but my guess would be a reasonable minority so the app’s first release has been targeted at the majority (all a guess).

Yours hopefully,

Gav

PS - quote from another Topic “In addition and contrary to some speculation, local Music Library is not going anywhere, though SMBv1 support has been permanently removed. Local Music Library searching is something that is still being worked on.”

What a cop out for stupidity! Still being worked on??

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irish123

Lyricist I

Are you serious Sonos? What a piece of crap software! I am divesting from these scam speakers. I have alot of stock too. Goodbye Sonos

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Zzzzzzzzz

Lyricist I

I agree with all of the above, what a lowly act this “Ugrade” constitutes. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN STREAMING SERVICES. Just want to listen to the music i collected over the years. I really cannot recommend Sonos to anyone anymore.

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Mojovince

Lyricist I

I too have a 25,000 track music library and have no interest in streaming services. Some of the above posts mentioned not being able to search their music library. Mine does not even appear in the app. So like others, my speakers are useless to me without being able to access my own music. If this problem is not remedied soon, I think that there should be a class lawsuit. I'm also offended that Sonos does not respond to our complaints.

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RoyBucks

Lyricist III

The article linked below covers some of how Sonos responded in an online forum earlier this week. It doesn't really give adequate answers or explanations for this monumental f*** up but it's the most we've heard.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/14/24156703/sonos-app-redesign-new-ama-complaints

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TarHeels

Trending Lyricist I

Just got another email about how wonderful this new app is...of course its a noreply email, so can't get anyone to listen that way!

Of course we can email the ceo at ceo@sonos.com but doubt he reads that himself....but may make us feel better.

Oh, I gave the 'CEO" an earful in my email, and used the word 'suck' repeatedly. I did get a reply (bot, most likely) saying libraries would be restored by mid-June. I'm not holding my breath.

So, SONOS, if you're seeing this response and give even one damn about your customers, GET OFF YOUR PANSY ASS AND RETURN OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES TO US.

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Ronmac13

Lyricist III

I too have a 25,000 track music library and have no interest in streaming services. Some of the above posts mentioned not being able to search their music library. Mine does not even appear in the app. So like others, my speakers are useless to me without being able to access my own music. If this problem is not remedied soon, I think that there should be a class lawsuit. I'm also offended that Sonos does not respond to our complaints.

I could see, but not search, my library for the first few hours then it disappeared.

sonos are/ should be finished

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areasonableflan

Trending Lyricist I

I was just about to invest in $1000+ of Sonos speakers for my entertainment setup. No more. This is despicable and they should be embarrassed. I hope many many people get fired over this.

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Biff1977

Contributor I

I have also invest a lot of money and am very disappointed that I can no longer play my 8,000 plus mp4s stored on a my windows hard drive.

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mikemcspoon

Lyricist II

As others have said. Now researching alternative systems. Sonos has slowly eroded it's core customers goodwill. If the search of my music library doesn't come back I'm selling. How was this ever a good idea, bit like bricking products a few years ago. A company losing its way.

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