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Feature Request: Option to disable "Long Press to Join Group" on physical buttons

  • April 14, 2026
  • 11 replies
  • 95 views
r4un
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Hi Sonos Team,

I would like to request a feature to disable the "long-press to join group" function on the physical buttons of Sonos speakers.

This is a specific issue in households with children, particularly with models like the One, Era 100, Era 300, and SYMFONISK speakers. My children have SYMFONISK speakers in their rooms, and because they don’t have smartphones to control the music, they use the physical buttons to play/pause or skip tracks.

The problem is that they often hold the button down for too long, which triggers the "Join Group" feature. This causes their music to merge with whatever is playing in the rest of the house, which is frustrating for both the kids and the adults.

It would be a huge improvement if we could toggle this specific shortcut off in the Sonos app (under Room Settings), so the buttons only function for Play/Pause/Skip without the risk of accidental grouping.

Is this something you would consider adding to the "Touch Controls" settings?

Best regards,
A Sonos User

    11 replies

    Sotiris C.
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    • Sotiris C.
    • Sonos Staff
    • April 15, 2026

    Hello ​@r4un, welcome back!

    I can see how adding some sort of additional timer on holding the button or the ability to toggle the Join Group feature would improve your experience.

    I’ve marked this thread as a feature request and forwarded it to the appropriate teams for consideration.

    Thank you for the post and feedback, it is much appreciated.

    Leaving a like and marking Best Answer might make someone's day. Who knows, that someone might be you.
      Stanley_4
      • Stanley_4
      • Grand Maestro
      • April 15, 2026

      Maybe as an option under the disable touch controls menu?

      This one gets me once in a while as many of my Sonos are mounted high and finding the right spot requires fumbling around.

        r4un
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        • r4un
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • April 15, 2026

        Maybe as an option under the disable touch controls menu?

         

        Brilliant idea! - this is really frustrating for everybody, and my speakers around the house is also mounted high

          106rallye
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          • 106rallye
          • April 16, 2026

          You could also disable touch controls and command the speakers with IKEA Dirigera remotes (you’d need the IKEA hub too. Or try voice commands using Google Nest Mini’s.

          r4un
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          • r4un
          • Author
          • Contributor I
          • April 16, 2026

          You could also disable touch controls and command the speakers with IKEA Dirigera remotes (you’d need the IKEA hub too. Or try voice commands using Google Nest Mini’s.

          Thought about that as well, but since Sonos and Ikea stop their partnership, the control and hub has been sold out in Denmark :(

          r4un
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          • r4un
          • Author
          • Contributor I
          • April 16, 2026

          third party solutions for external controls has also been considered, but as the speakers at the kids room are wall mounted and with reach of them it seems that a feature to disable grouping on devices would be the best solution :) at least for me - my kids love the speakers and the controls for them are easy to manage :)

          melvimbe
          • melvimbe
          • April 16, 2026

          third party solutions for external controls has also been considered, but as the speakers at the kids room are wall mounted and with reach of them it seems that a feature to disable grouping on devices would be the best solution :) at least for me - my kids love the speakers and the controls for them are easy to manage :)

           

          I would not hold out hope that Sonos implements this solution any time soon.  I’m sure their list of required features is rather long, and it’s not uncommon for features to come out years after first requested, if they ever do at all.  Sure, this appears to be low hanging fruit, but I haven’t seen Sonos prioritize that too much. I get that third party solutions are not ideal for your case, but if they are better than nothing, the could very well be the right call.

          Danny
            106rallye
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            • 106rallye
            • April 16, 2026

            You could also disable touch controls and command the speakers with IKEA Dirigera remotes (you’d need the IKEA hub too. Or try voice commands using Google Nest Mini’s.

            Thought about that as well, but since Sonos and Ikea stop their partnership, the control and hub has been sold out in Denmark :(

            Maybe on eBay?

              r4un
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              • r4un
              • Author
              • Contributor I
              • April 16, 2026

              third party solutions for external controls has also been considered, but as the speakers at the kids room are wall mounted and with reach of them it seems that a feature to disable grouping on devices would be the best solution :) at least for me - my kids love the speakers and the controls for them are easy to manage :)

               

              I would not hold out hope that Sonos implements this solution any time soon.  I’m sure their list of required features is rather long, and it’s not uncommon for features to come out years after first requested, if they ever do at all.  Sure, this appears to be low hanging fruit, but I haven’t seen Sonos prioritize that too much. I get that third party solutions are not ideal for your case, but if they are better than nothing, the could very well be the right call.

              I know I know… but if I don't request it, it will never be changed :) but yes as a IT pro it seems like a small change to enable this feature :)

              and maybe yes if I get frustrated enough I will look into HA or something… but it also requires alot of time :)

              Stanley_4
              • Stanley_4
              • Grand Maestro
              • April 16, 2026

              and maybe yes if I get frustrated enough I will look into HA or something… but it also requires alot of time :)

               

              I'm really hoping someone (else) gets frustrated enough to set up a Raspberry Pi Zero as a CR-100 replacement. Slap on a screen and a few buttons (all supported by the basic Pi) and a bit of coding.

              Looking at the AI generated third party Sonos controllers, tossing one of them at this might reduce the effort.

              Maybe someone selling a Sonos App could see a path to riches and fame, or beer money, in this.

                r4un
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                • r4un
                • Author
                • Contributor I
                • April 16, 2026

                and maybe yes if I get frustrated enough I will look into HA or something… but it also requires alot of time :)

                Maybe someone selling a Sonos App could see a path to riches and fame, or beer money, in this.

                Hahaha 😂  that would be awesome.. 

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