Downgrade to S1

I was also able to successfully downgrade to S1 with the 80.06.04 Android app. I have 2 play1’s and 2 play3’s that were S2’ed.

The issue I ran across is that I had to downgrade one at a time. Quick summary of steps:

• (In an over abundance of paranoia, I unplugged all my S1 devices)
• Turn off all S2 devices but 1.
• Start S2 app select “Downgrade to S1” in Help.
• Walk through process (app says to connect directly with a wired connection to the router but I found this wasn’t necessary). There should only one device found.
• Once downgrade is done, unplug device. Plug in next device.
• Force stop of S2 app and restart.
• Repeat for all devices

I was able to add the devices back to S1 setup.

I then deleted all installations of any S2 software. Never again.

PS: The iPhone 7 + 16.1 app solution did not work for me. User error, no doubt.

@agbrowne : My Sonos playlists do still to exist somewhere, because I can retrieve a text list of them in phonos+. If I select one of those playlists with phonos+ open, I can then open the Sonos app and voila! The playlist becomes the current Sonos queue. I can add tracks to it, but cannot delete them once added. And I assume I cannot save an expanded queue as a new Sonos playlist.

I’m still holding my breath and assuming that when Sonos says it is restoring Sonos playlists and queue editing, it means things will be as they were prior to May 7. If I’m wrong, I might be screwed. We shall see.

Like the man said, ‘The waiting is the hardest part…’

Busy downgrading like me

As someone that has stayed on S1 since 2020 and has enjoyed full use of all features, including local libraries, of a 5 zone Sonos system from 2011 till today, I trust that the return to S1 works well for all those that desire it. 

If Sonos has indeed reopened the path to go back to S1, this is good news for me as well because it bodes well for the longevity of my S1 system for one that merely wants the app as a somewhat sophisticated remote control for the main act - Sonos hardware that is of excellent quality both for sound quality and reliability. 

Not one failure here for a dozen units since 2011. Including 3 Bridge units.

I assume you do not have any of the newer Sonos devices, like the ‘Era’ speakers? It’s my understanding those are incompatible with S1; or can they also be ‘downgraded’ so they will work with S1?

Maybe because it is going the same for other people as it is going for me? Downgrade, step 1: “Sonos requires precise location for setup” WTF Sonos why? OK. “Sonos can’t find any nearby devices” WTF? Try again. Same. Try again. Same. Give up. 

You are correct, I was done with my needs for home audio with the excellent play 1/ Sub by 2014, and saw no need for anything more thereafter.

I am pretty sure that Sonos models released after 2020 cannot work on S1.

I'm assuming you followed the step by step process, and are trying to downgrade for S1-compatible devices, as discussed in two sonos help articles?

The Sonos S1/S2 support FAQ lists which devices are compatible with either.

So I see two problems that preclude me from returning to S1: (1) As I understand it, the process begins with a ‘reset’ that would wipe out my Sonos playlists — which are for me the most important feature of the Sonos system that I cannot presently access using the post-May 7 app; and (2) I recently added a pair of new Sonos ‘Era’ speakers that can’t be used with S1. I could toss those and pull my old S1-compatible play1 speakers out of storage, but that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. 

So I will remain in ‘hurry up and wait’ mode, hoping for the promised return of playlist and queue editing functions in a ‘future update’ in September or October.

I also hope that once the dust settles I can safely update all of the ‘firmware’ and the app, abandon reliance on ‘phonos+’ to access my saved Sonos playlists, and eliminate the myriad bugs that plague my Sonos app now. Among new annoyances: at random I’m directed to ‘sign in before performing a search’; or the app freezes and will not respond to any commands, including attempts to close the app, which can only be cured by shutting down and restarting my ipad; ‘recently played’ still says ‘will be displayed once you have played some content’ and other little insects too numerous to mention.

I’m not sweating the small stuff. My playlists are still out there somewhere that phonos+ can find them; I can play all the tracks saved in those playlists; and my speakers sound as good as ever.

That'll have to do for a while. Hopefully Sonos will let us know via email when the development of the new iOS app is substantially completed, including restoration of Sonos playlists and queue editing, just as it does when it has new products to sell.