Enthusiast I

S2 to S1 downgrade instructions July 2024

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I have just successfully downgraded the last of 4 homes from S2 back to S1, for anybody interested here is what you need to do:

You need an iOS device that can run iOS 15 / iPadOS 15 as the final version (iPhone 6s or 6s plus, iPhone 7 or 7 plus, iPhone SE (1st gen), iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 4.
Make sure it is updated to the latest version (iOS 15.8.2)
Remove the Sonos App if installed. Download it again, on a device in the list above it will only download the old gold 16.1 version since they do not support any newer versions.
Factory reset your S1 compatible player / component (for a full compatibility list see Sonos support document).
Use the S2 16.1 App to initiate the downgrade process (see Sonos support document for instructions)
On your regular controller install the Sonos S1 Controller App.
I recommend creating a new Sonos account to keep the two systems separate during the process.
Create a new system starting with the first factory reset player using the S1 App with the new Sonos account. I found some players require to be connected via LAN to the router / mesh for the registration.
Repeat with the rest of your equipment and then add your services and music library (even SMB V1 will work).
Delete the new Sonos CrApp, disable automatic firmware updates in the Sonos S1 App and disable automatic update of the S1 Controller App in the iOS App Store settings.
Now simply enjoy your music again like before and no matter if Sonos goes belly up or not you can continue to do so.

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R

Rhonny

Prodigy III

The S2 to S1 downgrade tool has been added in today’s app update.

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T

The Alster

Enthusiast I

Does this work with all devices?

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controlav

Lead Maestro

No need to disable updates for the S1 gear.

I must admit I am going to dig through my gear to see if I have a suitably old iPhone so I can run the “gold” app again.

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Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.

controlav

Lead Maestro

The S2 to S1 downgrade tool has been added in today’s app update.

Right, but in order to use the new app to do the downgrade the new app has to find all of your devices, and that remains a challenge on many systems.

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Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.

B

Bruno92

Trending Lyricist I

No need to disable updates for the S1 gear.

I must admit I am going to dig through my gear to see if I have a suitably old iPhone so I can run the “gold” app again.

Where about I can't find the option.

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L

lkreusel

Lyricist III

Hi forum, my s2 system of play 1s is really spotty, audio comes in and out, especially with Qobuz as the source. Also, volume control is weird and jumps around. Is it safe to use the latest s2 app to downgrade to S1? Is there any advantage to using an old iPhone to do the downgrade? Thank you!

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whiskylibrarian

Contributor I

Thanks for this great detailed explanation - I wish I had the time to expend doing this but do not currenlty and struggle since i requires creating another account to keep track of 🙁

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R

Rhonny

Prodigy III

Hi forum, my s2 system of play 1s is really spotty, audio comes in and out, especially with Qobuz as the source. Also, volume control is weird and jumps around. Is it safe to use the latest s2 app to downgrade to S1? Is there any advantage to using an old iPhone to do the downgrade? Thank you!

It is safe to use the latest S2 app to downgrade. Some have reported loss of Playlists as a result of the downgrade but that shouldn’t be taken as definite as different people’s systems seem to work in completely different ways...

No idea if an old iPhone would help. I don’t see why it should as the downgrade tool is an addition to the very latest S2 app and doesn’t need older phone software in order to work. (NB. the instructions at the start of this thread are from before the downgrade tool was added two weeks ago.)

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controlav

Lead Maestro

Thanks for this great detailed explanation - I wish I had the time to expend doing this but do not currenlty and struggle since i requires creating another account to keep track of 🙁

You don’t need another account. A single Sonos account (email+password) can handle multiple Sonos Households.

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Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.

L

lkreusel

Lyricist III

Hi forum, my s2 system of play 1s is really spotty, audio comes in and out, especially with Qobuz as the source. Also, volume control is weird and jumps around. Is it safe to use the latest s2 app to downgrade to S1? Is there any advantage to using an old iPhone to do the downgrade? Thank you!

It is safe to use the latest S2 app to downgrade. Some have reported loss of Playlists as a result of the downgrade but that shouldn’t be taken as definite as different people’s systems seem to work in completely different ways...

No idea if an old iPhone would help. I don’t see why it should as the downgrade tool is an addition to the very latest S2 app and doesn’t need older phone software in order to work. (NB. the instructions at the start of this thread are from before the downgrade tool was added two weeks ago.)

Thanks for the reply. I know that theoretically the downgrade should work using the latest software, however, at this point I have very little trust in Sonos's ability to properly implement anything related to software. I'm wondering if going the route of using the latest software will be yet another exercise in frustration.

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