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app vs software update

  • August 7, 2026
  • 6 replies
  • 76 views

Dogdad
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Educate me.. I’m not a tech guy.. are there two different types of updates for Sonos.. app and software.. or are they the same? What updates make the speaker lights flicker ? Tia

Best answer by jgatie

Technically, it's app and firmware.  App is the application that runs on your phone or tablet.  Firmware runs on the Sonos devices.  And they are very different from each other.  The app is a controller and not much else.  The firmware is where all the smarts reside; streaming logic, source access, service account info, local music index, voice assistants, etc. 

6 replies

  • August 7, 2026

App updates are the Sonos Controller. On your phone/tablet/computer. Those come via your app store, or via checking in the Desktop Controller (or download from Sonos).

The Sonos system updates are for the players themselves. It updates the software/firmware running in the speakers or other sonos devices. That will cause the led to change as they usually restart after they are updated.

System updates are found in Settings → General Settings → System Updates. They can happen automatically, or when called for with “Check for Updates”.


jgatie
  • Answer
  • August 7, 2026

Technically, it's app and firmware.  App is the application that runs on your phone or tablet.  Firmware runs on the Sonos devices.  And they are very different from each other.  The app is a controller and not much else.  The firmware is where all the smarts reside; streaming logic, source access, service account info, local music index, voice assistants, etc. 


buzz
  • August 7, 2026

Stanley_4
  • Grand Maestro
  • August 8, 2026

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  • Local Superstar
  • August 8, 2026

Also this link for a more readable description of updates:

https://en.community.sonos.com/product-updates

Remember, in addition to the App & System updates described above, there are feature updates, that are enabled gradually in ‘waves’ when you are on the latest version of the App. The new features are not always enabled as soon as you update the App, its dependent on some super secret logic in the Sonos deployment machine. Even if you have the new features deployed to your device(s), you may have to manually enable, as per link above.


Stanley_4
  • Grand Maestro
  • August 8, 2026

Posted to wrong topic