update 15.6 no volume control

I’d imagine Apple has been annoyed with Sonos’ ‘hack’ that allowed this for some time, they finally are putting an end to it. But, based on what I read in these forums, that ‘hack’ worked for some, but not everyone. I was one of the fortunate few, I will miss it. But, as a developer myself, I understand the threat of rejecting the app as a pretty serious move by Apple. 

I wonder if Apple have said anything specifically about the Lock Screen controls though? Or have they been removed because they seem to work so inconsistently?

My personal experience with Apple’s teams have been less than great. I’d be willing to bet they said ‘no more, we’ll block your app completely’, but of course I’m not a Sonos or Apple employee, so that is just a guess. 

My guess, something running on the lock screen could be a potential security risk, if the App running has a known or potential vulnerability. To avoid that risk, restrict thirdparty Apps running on lock screen?

I really, really liked this feature. It always worked on my devices. Please, Sonos try to find an alternate way to architect the feature according to Apple’s desires and bring back the functionality.

My imagination says they’ll have just as much success as when Apple forced the removal of ‘on this device’ playback. 

Very disappointing development...

I think the latter. If Apple is so stringent about these lock screen controls and the option to use the physical iPhone buttons to change Sonos volume, then why is it still working in the S1 app? It also has been updated recently, and still functions with the lock screen controls. I somehow have the feeling pointing blame at Apple is not the full story here; Sonos removed it because they didn’t like the lock screen failing so often. 

I am so glad that I have an old Motorola phone by the bed to control volume. Better camera than my iPhone 11, too.

It might work in reverse too, folks who want hardware controls find a device that works with Sonos, and eschew Apple’s HomePod. To me, hardware controls are more important, certainly that evaluating the HomePod as a Sonos alternative.