Skip to main content
aceandy79
Contributor I
July 11, 2026
Answered

Sonos playback issue

  • July 11, 2026
  • 14 replies
  • 101 views

Recently my Sonos app will stop playing if I use another music app on my phone. I used to be able to have a radio station playing through the Sonos app, and separately have a music app playing out to headphones through the phone.

This no longer works, if I start playing say Spotify or BBC Sounds on my phone it stops any existing streaming on the Sonos app. And vice versa, if I attempt to restart the stream within the Sonos app, it cuts off the other music playing out through the phone. This behaviour started recently, is it no longer possible for the Sonos speaker to play independently from the phone?

Best answer by aceandy79

Apologies, I wasn't aware of the distinction, so yes any time I have made reference to the widget, I in fact meant the now playing bar.

I do appreciate people taking the time to contribute and try to help with this. It turns out though that simply restarting the phone and it doing some updates has corrected the behaviour for me. I can play Sonos and other music apps independent again now! Thanks all 

14 replies

Show previous replies
aceandy79Author
Contributor I
July 12, 2026

For those of you saying you don't see a controller widget on your mobile devices, when you're in the app do you not get this thing at the bottom with the play button and volume control? 

 

 

kdowling
kdowling
July 12, 2026

The thing with the play button and volume in the Sonos app is called the Now Playing Bar. Tap it to bring up the Now Playing Screen. That’s not considered a “widget”. A widget is an element of the OS you’re using (Android or iOS for example).

For other elements of the Sonos app/screen see: SONOS User Guide | Sonos app

Did you try turning off the Lock Screen Control (your first screenshot), like I described above?

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    July 12, 2026

    As it’s Android, I’ll bow out ;)

    Bruce
      aceandy79AuthorAnswer
      Contributor I
      July 12, 2026

      Apologies, I wasn't aware of the distinction, so yes any time I have made reference to the widget, I in fact meant the now playing bar.

      I do appreciate people taking the time to contribute and try to help with this. It turns out though that simply restarting the phone and it doing some updates has corrected the behaviour for me. I can play Sonos and other music apps independent again now! Thanks all 

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement