new app (iOS) and local music library (NAS)

It’s not the first time they’ve done this. The app used to play music files that were installed on the phone ,which was extremely useful, given I have all my music on my phone to e.g. play in the car. So they removed this functionality from the IOS app, but fortunately I was on Android.  Until, I don’t know, a year or so later when they removed that functionality from Android too.

They've also totally failed to fix e.g. YouTube music screwing up library play by reducing the browseable albums to 100 from its previous (improvement of) 1000 or so. Which surely wouldn’t exactly be a difficult fix since it had that functionality before.

At which point we might be noticing a common theme. Every one of these “upgrades” makes it harder to play our own music, something that I suspect was what most of us bought the Sonos systems for.  Same is true for Amazon who once provided filespace and a workable music player. Then the filespace was taken away, and the music app now barely useable (and keeps trying to play “similar” streaming offerings instead of what you asked it to). Because nothing must interfere with the holy income stream of STREAMING!

Bad examples: none of these issues were due to Sonos screwing up. Direct playback was due to Apple/Google rules and YTM is 100% Google’s problem.

I am so sorry my user experience only has "bad examples". But regardless, the app has seen a persistent continuous reduction in functionality which Sonos appear quite unable or unwilling to care about. And now have made even worse.

They write a workaround in the website, referring to the usage of the Library (using macOS app), but it's simply not working. I've asked support to make it work. They just told me that there's not other way, except wait, and wait. And there's not an ETA. They removed the features for what I bought Sonos, and my systems are totally out of use now. They also told me to use Airport (not applicable in my case) or to use some music streaming service (not applicable, I can’t find my files there, and just in case… you should offer it, not to tell us to buy services…!!!)

This is the chronicle of a terrible day, the new perfect slogan for Sons is:
Sonos, silent waiting to get back your music

Thanks Sonos.

Re:Search - Sonos (i.e. Amazon) deliberately broke searching in NAS libraries a while back - because of course we should all be subscribing to Amazon Music to make Mr Bezos even richer!

Sonos executives are definitely getting Kickbacks because of all of this. They sold out their customer base for a little quick cash and destroyed company loyalty for a lot of their users in the process. 

Any suggestions Cochonou?

DONT BUY SONOS

Absolutely disgusted! I can’t see any reason why they would remove this feature. I have a ‘Play 5’ and only use it to play my own music. I don’t use streaming services and I haven’t listened to radio for about 20 years! Now it is a totally useless black box taking up much needed space. You have now taken away all my enjoyment. I would love to cuss and swear but Sonos obviously does not listen to their customers. £500 down the drain!!! THANKS!!! (not!)😠

Patrick Spence suggests that we “adapt to that change”! Why the hell should we!! When I have paid £500 on a quality speaker, I would expect to be able to play my own music through it! The guy is an idiot!!