Today we are introducing the most extensive app redesign ever, creating an unprecedented streaming experience that allows listeners to organize their favorite playlists, stations, albums and more from over 100 services on one customizable Home screen.
Home Screen
The new Home screen provides faster access to Sonos system controls with one easy swipe up, making tab to tab jumping a thing of the past. As a leader in sound experience that’s focused on creating a better way to listen, Sonos intentionally redesigned the app on a modern software platform for an easier, faster and better experience that can support more rapid innovation.
The reimagined app supports all existing S2 products and will be available globally through a software update for the S2 mobile app.
100+ streaming services, one Home screen
The redesigned Sonos app prioritizes a listening experience that’s human - allowing you to bring your true favorites front and center and giving you more control to make your streaming experience your own.
Get into your music (and off the app) faster: No need to tap between tabs —the new Home screen serves up all your favorite content and controls, all in one place. Quickly jump back into your recently played, browse libraries and recommendations from your preferred services, and fill your home with music and all the sounds you love.
Customize and curate: Enjoy unparalleled curation by designing your Home screen to reflect how you listen. Pin rows of your favorite content and services; then move, edit, or rearrange them to your liking.
Search every streaming library: Look for an artist, song, podcast, or audiobook across all your preferred streaming apps at once via an easy-to-use search bar that’s always available right on your Home screen.
Elevated system control: Swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen to seamlessly control your entire system and access a visual overview of what’s playing on each of your products, quickly group speakers, and dial in on the perfect volume from anywhere in the app.
Accessible from any modern web browser, a brand new web app allows listeners the same seamless system control as the mobile app.
The new Web App
The Web App will be available alongside the redesigned mobile app on May 7, 2024.
Want to find out more about the new Sonos App? Have a look at the Info Hub section of the community for a complete rundown of the new user interface.
Is there any way to selectively disable updates only for the Sonos app?
i.e. allow all apps to auto-update except Sonos?
Yes, on Android. At least on my device. On Play Store, search for Sonos, then select it, click on the 3-dots and disable auto update
I believe the question was how to disable automatic updates for Sonos app only, not how to enable automatic updates for one app. If you can find this option, let us know.
This is for Sonos app only. All my other apps are on auto update.
Unless I’m missing something, I don’t see an option to disable auto updates for Sonos only. The only option is to enable auto updates for Sonos (as you see in your screenshot). I’m on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I believe these settings are the same for any Android device.
furacaopr’s response was spot on.
You just have to un-set the “enable auto update” option for the Sonos app in the Play Store.
That’s the key thing - all other apps can still run auto updates but this monster won’t.
Incidentally, the apkmirror method detailed earlier works a treat. I have now rolled all my controllers back to the old S2 app. Happy days….
furacaopr’s response was spot on.
You just have to un-set the “enable auto update” option for the Sonos app in the Play Store.
That’s the key thing - all other apps can still run auto updates but this monster won’t.
Incidentally, the apkmirror method detailed earlier works a treat. I have now rolled all my controllers back to the old S2 app. Happy days….
Got it. That worked. I misunderstood the purpose of checked/unchecked box.
Sonos - it’s pretty clear that the consensus of the ENTIRE INTERNET is that you screwed the pooch on this one, rendering your own products virtually useless. How do we get our money back, now that you’ve destroyed the user interface that was a primary selling point of your product line and a main feature of your (imo) false advertising????
People just need to be a little more honest with themselves and use less outrageous language.
Just above this post there were more measured comments from Ken, and I agree with his sentiments. The user interface isn’t destroyed — I rather like it better than the previous one. There are missing elements that should have been there from day one but it has mentioned over and over and over to the point of tedium that these will be coming in updates over the next few weeks. That isn’t ideal and I’m sure the intent was they would have been there from yesterday. Did they mess up — sure. But no one has died and if my alarms are missing I can always use my phone to wake me. Along with the missing pieces bugs will be fixed. Really people — I can’t believe I’m beginning to sound like Jgatie but your howls of doom and despair are now starting to feel a little bit overblown. It’s a few weeks — not ideal but you are all adults, and I’m sure you probably have more important things going on in your lives to deal with in the meantime.
Dude, you're completely missing the point. When people have taken care of the "more important things" going on in their lives, they just want to kick back and listen to some music. I instead they now have to faff about trying to get a seriously downgraded app working in order to try (and in most cases, fail) to play their music like they once could.
@Kumar - I don’t have a massive beef with the UI redesign other than it seems to be simply for the sake of keeping the Sonos UI college placement kids busy. It’s the fundamental features that have been removed that are inexcusable simply for the sake of rushing the development cycle to meet a self imposed deadline.
Same here. For me, the new UI is fine - I actually hated the old one. But it’s changes around playlists and the missing Sleep Timer that I find surprising. Sonos will fix it in time, I’m sure, it’s just surprising that they are missing on launch day.
furacaopr’s response was spot on.
You just have to un-set the “enable auto update” option for the Sonos app in the Play Store.
That’s the key thing - all other apps can still run auto updates but this monster won’t.
Incidentally, the apkmirror method detailed earlier works a treat. I have now rolled all my controllers back to the old S2 app. Happy days….
Got it. That worked. I misunderstood the purpose of checked/unchecked box.
Yes! Thanks!
I had rolled back to the previous S2 app yesterday, disable auto updates in the Sonos app. Imagine my dismay when I woke this morning to only have the app updated to the current trainwreck (again)!
They dont care!
Believe me, they dont care about anything written here, because all the people they just f***** with this update already spent their money on Sonos.
I am really p***ed and no one of my family will ever spend a dollar on Sonos again. But 'so what’ nobody cares.
They want new customers. Whoever buys a Sonos sytem today wont know anything about this list and just be happy with whatever works in the app.
Its so frustrating financing people like this.
I mean it would be so easy: listen to the customers, do what they want and test what you do.
The Sonos way: let the product manager and his/hers third class developpers do what they want an roll it out so the customers can test it.
But what’s the alternative? Does anyone else make a wifi-based multi-room system?
I have been using Roon for several years on my audiophile systems and it is 100% incredible. it is the endgame for zoned home audio. So far there is not much in the way of podcast support but I’ve seen some workarounds on the Roon forums if that’s your thing. Highly superior and I do mean - SUPERIOR - Roon radio. You can listen to stations all around the world (with no added commercials). You can also access your local files and your NAS and tons of other things. It works with Sonos (and many other brands of wireless equipment) gear and you can set up your speakers and Sonos equipment in the Roon app zone by zone via Airplay however you see fit.
They even have a mobile app for your phone so you can play all of your music library in your car via Bluetooth. Pretty incredible.
If you have specific questions, the Roon forums are a wealth of information, and so far, they haven’t pulled out the rug after the fact to render all of your investment unusable for months at a time. If you click around on their website they have an option for a 30 day trial that is free. I have the lifetime subscription if you dig around you will see a link for that. https://roon.app
I don’t think there has been any confirmation that search for network files and local libraries will be implemented at some point has there? Not in the same way we’ve been told queue editing is on the way, for example.
I don’t think there has been any confirmation that search for network files and local libraries will be implemented at some point has there? Not in the same way we’ve been told queue editing is on the way, for example.
You are correct. Sonos directed me to Plex when I asked about library. Probably not coming back imo.
I don’t think there has been any confirmation that search for network files and local libraries will be implemented at some point has there? Not in the same way we’ve been told queue editing is on the way, for example.
You are correct. Sonos directed me to Plex when I asked about library. Probably not coming back imo.
Amongst all the anger about waiting for features to reappear, which I understand, this is the real concern for me, as it may signal a permanent decline in functionality for some of us.
They dont care!
Believe me, they dont care about anything written here, because all the people they just f***** with this update already spent their money on Sonos.
I am really p***ed and no one of my family will ever spend a dollar on Sonos again. But 'so what’ nobody cares.
They want new customers. Whoever buys a Sonos sytem today wont know anything about this list and just be happy with whatever works in the app.
Its so frustrating financing people like this.
I mean it would be so easy: listen to the customers, do what they want and test what you do.
The Sonos way: let the product manager and his/hers third class developpers do what they want an roll it out so the customers can test it.
But what’s the alternative? Does anyone else make a wifi-based multi-room system?
I have been using Roon for several years on my audiophile systems and it is 100% incredible. it is the endgame for zoned home audio. So far there is not much in the way of podcast support but I’ve seen some workarounds on the Roon forums if that’s your thing. Highly superior and I do mean - SUPERIOR - Roon radio. You can listen to stations all around the world (with no added commercials). You can also access your local files and your NAS and tons of other things. It works with Sonos (and many other brands of wireless equipment) gear and you can set up your speakers and Sonos equipment in the Roon app zone by zone via Airplay however you see fit.
They even have a mobile app for your phone so you can play all of your music library in your car via Bluetooth. Pretty incredible.
If you have specific questions, the Roon forums are a wealth of information, and so far, they haven’t pulled out the rug after the fact to render all of your investment unusable for months at a time. If you click around on their website they have an option for a 30 day trial that is free. I have the lifetime subscription if you dig around you will see a link for that. https://roon.app
The app just killed their competitive advantage - the Sonos ecosystem. It has rendered my 20 active Sonos products into a iPod Shuffle with Streaming Service algorithm. They should do the right thing and make the Gold S2 App available again on App Store. The trust installed in these guardians is dying, and so too will their company.
The “Sonos Favorites” and TuneIn section of the new app are a disaster. My saved stations (which the TuneIn native app calls my Library) and Sonos is calling Favorites only shows a fraction of my saved stations, and they are now in a weird random order. The desktop app better not auto-update or I’m screwed.
I don’t think there has been any confirmation that search for network files and local libraries will be implemented at some point has there? Not in the same way we’ve been told queue editing is on the way, for example.
Unfortunately, the New Search implementation last year was a clear signal that Sonos's main focus was on streaming subscription platforms and workarounds (Plex) for people that bought into their original ethos of being able to play your own music library. They're catering for the algorithm derived playlists and What's trending crowd now.
I suspect that the Sonos strategy is to simply ride out the storm. In a few more days the number of irate postings will blow itself out. There's little evidence that they sense any urgency about fixing even glaring errors. There's even the odd remark that missing or mangled features will addressed over the coming MONTHS.
Enjoy!
I don’t think there has been any confirmation that search for network files and local libraries will be implemented at some point has there? Not in the same way we’ve been told queue editing is on the way, for example.
Unfortunately, the New Search implementation last year was a clear signal that Sonos's main focus was on streaming subscription platforms and workarounds (Plex) for people that bought into their original ethos of being able to play your own music library. They're catering for the algorithm derived playlists and What's trending crowd now.
I am really worried about this. A combination of the warnings about SMB v1 in S2 and similar on my new Windows 11 laptop was making me think about replacing my aging NAS serving Sonos but now I’m wondering if it’s going to be worth it or I’m going to be resigned to using AirPlay from my phone more of the time (which is exactly the type of user experience Sonos used to mock in their ads)
The new app can access the authenticate a PLEX music source and display the content on the server. but it will not play any music. I have removed and added the service many times, and it will not work.
The new app can access the authenticate a PLEX music source and display the content on the server. but it will not play any music. I have removed and added the service many times, and it will not work.
Having issues here too. This is my Plex service in the new app, no content. Works fine in my S2 app that I have on other devices.
This is not a good update. It is barely a Minimal Viable Product.
How on earth did this get released?
@Bumper, That looks like the Plex server isn’t being seen by the controller App. Does the App or Plex just need network/authorisation. This is what I see in the new App’s Plex service, as of a few moment ago… (sorry I’ve had to put the images into my post here, as this thread won’t let me attach/pin them to it).
@Bumper, That looks like the Plex server isn’t being seen by the controller App. Does the App or Plex just need network/authorisation. This is what I see in the new App’s Plex service, as of a few moment ago… (sorry I’ve had to put the images into my post here, as this thread won’t let me attach/pin them to it)
Hi Ken, thank you for taking the time to make a helpful response. I can confirm that Plex is working fine as I can access and play music content from the Sonos desktop controller and other devices with s2.
Some feedback after about a day of use with the new app….
Positive/Neutral
* I don’t mind the change in interface from the tabbed interface to the new one. Maybe I actually like it, but will need to use a bit longer to decide on that.
Negative
* Feature removal: I echo what others have been saying about removal of features. It’s ridiculous that features like alarms, sleep timer, queue management, and local library search have been removed (even if some or all will come back in a few weeks/months). This new app should still be in beta.
* Performance: The new app seems to load pages really slowly. When I switch to a new page/view it takes a couple of seconds to load the graphics. What’s that all about? Even putting aside all the other issues this causes the app (and by extension the system) to feel low-quality rather than premium.
* Services: I can’t access Amazon Music from the app. When I browse to it in “Your services” I’m just presented with the message “No content items available”. It works fine when accessed from the Windows desktop app.
* Local library: When I first installed the app yesterday I had access to my personal music library (which I have stored on a NAS) via the “Your sources” section of the app. But when I opened the app today the “Your Sources” section seems to have disappeared from the app so I no longer have access from the app. I can still access from the Windows desktop app so there is no issue with the storage location/device.
* Favourites lists: This seems like a minor thing compared to all the other issues but when I browse to favourites I don’t like the new way of listing albums and stations. Previously these were listed with small icons in a single column (currently still being used for recently added section). Now they are listed in a 2-column layout with large icons. Please give us option to use single column + small icon list. Also, you have started using icons to indicate which service each favourite came from (in the subtext under favourite names). I don’t like this because these icons are very small and can be hard to see. Also some services don’t seem to provide icons, so I have a number of favourites which just say “Live Station” or “Album” with no clear indication of their source. I’d prefer it if you ditched the icons and went back to using text to indicate the source (or providing user option on this).
I’m trying to be positive about this but ooph. Agree on positives, design is alright. But I can also add to negative lists:
that trueplay no longer functions for me (and others). It gets stuck after turning 180, saying it will play test tones, the continue button doesn’t work, and the whole app becomes soft locked. Resetting phone, reinstalling app does not work. I tried removing surrounds and sub, but guess what!?
That no longer works either now. Every time I attempt to remove a sub or surround it fails due to a connection error. I am debating whether to even try resetting the speakers manually, system works ok, so I don’t want to be screwed upon resetting them and have it not work at all.
This is on top of the Era 300 issue where hanging them upside down makes trueplay not work properly anyway, which has been an issue, even though Sonos published guidance on installing them this way, but apparently isn’t officially supported yet.
Sonos, what have you done? You’re entire purpose is to have an easy to manage and set up wireless, multiroom sound system of decent sound quality with some nice tech on top to enhance it all (trueplay, etc.). From my count, a large portion of that selling point is now gone. For systems that cost 1000£+ this is pretty unacceptable. This needs to be fixed, and you need to start communicating to your costumers. This is video game industry levels bad.
I am migrating over to Bluesound. My new speakers should arrive Saturday. After years of being a loyal Sonos customer I am moving on. I will seel or give away my current Sonos speakers.
I will pay rapt attention to any legal proceedings since I believe when this whole thing unravels Sonos will be reimbursing us for ruining the equipment they sold us. They have purposely removed features which they previously advertised. That in a single word is fraud. The Sonos CEO is very litigious, which is good, because there will be a storm of litigation.
The best thing the directors and shareholders can due to mitigate this disaster is remove the CEO and his coterie and rollback the app as soon as possible. Leaving things as they are just adds to the damages to all of us!
CBC Radio no longer works since app update
The preview page on the website seems to suggest there will be no ipad app, we’ll now have to use a
Today we are introducing the most extensive app redesign ever, creating an unprecedented streaming experience that allows listeners to organize their favorite playlists, stations, albums and more from over 100 services on one customizable Home screen.
Home Screen
The new Home screen provides faster access to Sonos system controls with one easy swipe up, making tab to tab jumping a thing of the past. As a leader in sound experience that’s focused on creating a better way to listen, Sonos intentionally redesigned the app on a modern software platform for an easier, faster and better experience that can support more rapid innovation.
The reimagined app supports all existing S2 products and will be available globally through a software update for the S2 mobile app.
100+ streaming services, one Home screen
The redesigned Sonos app prioritizes a listening experience that’s human - allowing you to bring your true favorites front and center and giving you more control to make your streaming experience your own.
Get into your music (and off the app) faster: No need to tap between tabs —the new Home screen serves up all your favorite content and controls, all in one place. Quickly jump back into your recently played, browse libraries and recommendations from your preferred services, and fill your home with music and all the sounds you love.
Customize and curate: Enjoy unparalleled curation by designing your Home screen to reflect how you listen. Pin rows of your favorite content and services; then move, edit, or rearrange them to your liking.
Search every streaming library: Look for an artist, song, podcast, or audiobook across all your preferred streaming apps at once via an easy-to-use search bar that’s always available right on your Home screen.
Elevated system control: Swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen to seamlessly control your entire system and access a visual overview of what’s playing on each of your products, quickly group speakers, and dial in on the perfect volume from anywhere in the app.
Accessible from any modern web browser, a brand new web app allows listeners the same seamless system control as the mobile app.
The new Web App
The Web App will be available alongside the redesigned mobile app on May 7, 2024.
Want to find out more about the new Sonos App? Have a look at the Info Hub section of the community for a complete rundown of the new user interface.
Also, I suspect ‘c’ search will no longer be available rendering locally stored content unplayable as the new search doesn’t work with local content in your own media library.
If the above things are true this is a terrible update.
I don’t want to get all negative as none of us have played with it yet, but I hate fiddling about with a phone screen and the whole move to home automation cries out a full l-on wide tablet / iPad experience. And no I don’t want a browser experience either. Oh God, I’m reading far too much into this, but already I'm finding what I’ve read so far kinda depressing.
I'm definitely rolling back this disaster and blocking updates.
