Skip to main content
Contributor II
Apr 7, 2025 5:17 PM UTC
Answered

Phone App - Frustrating

I finally got to purchasing a mobile phone for myself. One of the first things I wanted to do is use the Sonos app with my android phone. Until now, I’ve been using the app on my computer for years. First off, the phone will not load the playlist on my external drive into the queue. Never been a problem with the computer app. It gives me the informative message “Unable to add to queue”. No matter what I do, it will not create a queue from my playlist - very disappointing. Second, why in comparison is the computer app so straightforward and easy to navigate while the phone app is very confusing and frustrating? I was going to purchase a Move for my wife, but she will never be able to navigate that convoluted set up. The computer applications is so simple and practical - why complicate it?

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.
Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
Jun 12, 2025 11:30 AM UTC

Hi ​@Rod K 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

We now believe that this issue was resolved with the latest update. Please check your playlists, but also be aware that the update is being released as a phased rollout and you may not get the latest version until Monday next week, at the latest.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

11 replies

jgatie
Apr 7, 2025 5:19 PM UTC

If your PC app is able to access your local library and your mobile app cannot, it’s because the PC app is still using the old sharing methods.  You need to delete you local library and re-add according to these instructions:

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/add-your-music-library-to-sonos

Translate
Rod KAuthor
Contributor II
Apr 7, 2025 6:14 PM UTC

Thank you for the reply but that is not the issue. The library is there, and I can load individual songs into the queue but what it will not do is add the playlist to the queue.

Translate
Rod KAuthor
Contributor II
Apr 8, 2025 12:28 AM UTC

So the phone app appears to be useless for what I want to use it for. The phone app displays all my music, all my folders and I can play individual songs. Problem is it will not load a playlist into the queue nor will it let me create a new playlist. I use my playlist all the time so I guess I can only use the computer that has the user friendly design.

Translate
Airgetlam
Apr 8, 2025 1:52 AM UTC

They just released the update last Monday that makes all that possible, but have said that the rollout for those particular features are gradual. You may need to wait a bit, or possibly submit a system diagnostic, and call Sonos Support to discuss it. Don’t post the resulting diagnostic number here, they get sensitive about GDPR. Although I have no idea if Support can alter the queue for that aspect. I’m not sure how that is handled. 

 

Translate
Bruce
Lyricist I
Apr 8, 2025 3:40 AM UTC

Problem is it will not load a playlist into the queue nor will it let me create a new playlist. I use my playlist all the time so I guess I can only use the computer that has the user friendly design.

There’s been a few users posting about the inability to play playlists after the most recent update. Have you tried doing play now? This is the only way I can get playlists to play consistently atm. 

Translate
106rallye
Apr 8, 2025 5:09 AM UTC

What do you find convoluted in the app?

You wife may not be burdened with knowledge about the PC app, so she might not even notice there’s another way to do things.

Translate
Rod KAuthor
Contributor II
Apr 11, 2025 7:18 PM UTC

As an example of what I find convoluted is if I want to use the alarm feature, chances are I also want to use the sleep time. On the computer app in the bottom right hand side are the sleep time and alarm setup right next to each other. I found the sleep timer fairly easy on the phone app but spent over 5 minutes looking for the alarm setup. Finally googled were to find it. Once doing that it actually made sense where it was located, but why isn’t the sleep timer right there along with it? Everything is laid out very nicely on the computer app. I guess I should get a windows tablet and forget the phone when it comes to running the Sonos system in my home. 

Translate
106rallye
Apr 13, 2025 9:38 AM UTC

I do not use alarms, nor sleep timer, so cannot comment on this. I do recognise the fact the new app takes some getting used to. 
 

Sonos has stated they wil eventually ditch the PC app, so ai would not buy a Windows tablet just for the Windows app.

Translate
Rod KAuthor
Contributor II
Apr 14, 2025 1:49 AM UTC

Well that’s just scary. Let’s ditch the app that is straightforward and easy to navigate with the one that literally has hundreds of complaints. I love the Sonos features and the PC app works flawlessly but if that is going to be eliminated, I won’t be upgrading anytime soon or at least I won’t be upgrading my setup until the phone app proves itself. I don’t want to replace my Sonos system, but he phone app will have to prove itself.

Translate
Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
Jun 12, 2025 11:30 AM UTC

Hi ​@Rod K 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

We now believe that this issue was resolved with the latest update. Please check your playlists, but also be aware that the update is being released as a phased rollout and you may not get the latest version until Monday next week, at the latest.

I hope this helps.

Translate
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein