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craigskiAnswer
Local Superstar
July 26, 2023

https://support.sonos.com/en-gb/article/release-notes-for-sonos-s2

  • We’ve removed the ability to control the Sonos app for iOS using lock screen controls and device hardware buttons. The way these features were architected do not meet Apple’s experience guidelines for developers and no longer offer a reliable control experience.
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Airgetlam
Airgetlam
July 31, 2023

There is a difference between a ‘player’ on iOS, and a ‘remote control, which tells something else to play’, unfortunately. 

Bruce
    Moon79
    Lyricist I
    August 2, 2023

    Disappointing. Missing the simplicity of hardware control since the update.
    The onscreen volume is nowhere near precise enough to be a substitute. 

    Simply pointing at Apple does not solve the problem Sonos. It needs an intuitive solution.

    Improve the in-App Volume control to allow higher fidelity interaction and subtle volume modulation. 

      jgatie
      jgatie
      August 2, 2023

       

      Improve the in-App Volume control to allow higher fidelity interaction and subtle volume modulation. 

       

      It has this.  Tapping on either side of the slider increments/decrements the volume one click. 

        Moon79
        Lyricist I
        August 2, 2023

         

        Improve the in-App Volume control to allow higher fidelity interaction and subtle volume modulation. 

         

        It has this.  Tapping on either side of the slider increments/decrements the volume one click. 

        True.. good tip. 
        Still miss the hardware option though. 

        Gymowner10
        Lyricist II
        August 2, 2023

        You could go for the IKEA remote, see https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/symfonisk-dirigera-sound-remote-with-hub-kit-gen-2-smart-white-s79536918/

        Will definitely check it out

        One23
        Contributor I
        August 3, 2023

        Just a thought, possibly future iOS devices wont have ‘hard’ volume buttons, just a virtual slider, future planning by Apple to ensure Apps are ready for the new devices?

        They’ll think that through and ‘not do that’ ..actually you’re probably right, anyone that wants a compatible phone case would need to buy the official apple product for a 1/3rd of the value of their handset🤣

        One23
        Contributor I
        August 3, 2023

        What a joke. I’ve not read the IOS developer rules, is there a way that Sonos can implement a way to toggle on or off volume control via the phone hardware? I did find on google that ‘app settings’ had this as an option on a previous version (maybe 15.5🤣) like ‘when sonos is in use, phone hardware controls Sonos’ same for Lock Screen? It’s almost like.. functional design

         

        I’m guessing if you’ve a HomePod you can control that from the side buttons of your handset and the Lock Screen still?

         

        Dear Sonos, I’d like an official ‘basic remote control’ if poss please 🎁 

        volume

        play/pause

        Back/skip

        Ken_Griffiths
        Ken_Griffiths
        August 3, 2023

        What a joke. I’ve not read the IOS developer rules, is there a way that Sonos can implement a way to toggle on or off volume control via the phone hardware? I did find on google that ‘app settings’ had this as an option on a previous version (maybe 15.5🤣) like ‘when sonos is in use, phone hardware controls Sonos’ same for Lock Screen? It’s almost like.. functional design

         

        I’m guessing if you’ve a HomePod you can control that from the side buttons of your handset and the Lock Screen still?

         

        Dear Sonos, I’d like an official ‘basic remote control’ if poss please 🎁 

        volume

        play/pause

        Back/skip

        As mentioned earlier if you play audio to a Sonos speaker in the same way you play music to a HomePod (ie using Airplay and any iOS music player), then you can control the volume/play/pause etc; from the Lock Screen and the mobile volume buttons. The reason the Sonos App no longer has this option is it is not a ‘player’ the App is a ‘remote’ control only and everything (including playback) happens direct on the Sonos speaker(s), so the phone can no longer control that from the Lock Screen. You can use the controls in the Sonos App or a 3rd-Party ‘widget’ instead (see attached) when playback is started via the Sonos App remote.

          craigski
          Local Superstar
          August 3, 2023

          I don’t know why you wouldn’t use a native App if its available vs using the equivalent Sonos Music Service.

          To me, using the Apple Music Sonos service is similar to talking to a friend over the phone in a record shop, you can ask him what’s available, but its not the same as being there.

          Using the Apple Music native App and Airplay to Sonos is like being at the record shop in person, a better experience, and your hard buttons still work 😀

          dkccmu
          Lyricist II
          August 3, 2023

          If the side buttons work on Android why not on iPhone iOS? Also, the side buttons work for volume when I use Spotify and Pandora separate from Sonos. This is a serious downgrade of the app. Solve it Sonos.

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