Sonos updates its iOS and Android app again, but some key features are still missing

New Sonos app home screen shown on an iPhone, held in a person's hand
(Image credit: Sonos)

As we reported earlier this month, Sonos responded to the fierce criticism of its revamped iOS and Android app with a pledge to deliver multiple updates that'll fix some of the missing features. There was a big update in May (following no small amount of negative customer feedback on the Sonos app update) and another in early June, and now yet another update is available.

Sonos has issued official release notes for the new update but to save you a click, the key changes are:

  • Introduced mute button on Android.
  • Added numerical values to the volume and group-volume sliders.
  • Updated the volume icon to reflect the volume level on iOS.
  • Added stereo or mono configuration for Amp/Port output on iOS.
  • Improved TalkBack screen reader support for volume sliders on Android.
  • Added support for SonosNet channel selection on iOS.
  • Expanded support for service reauthorization on Android.

Suffice to say, the response from Sonos customers so far has been mixed: the app does seem to improve a lot of things, but some concerns remain.

What the new Sonos app update does and doesn't do

The users of the r/sonos subreddit are saying that the app update does appear to deliver better performance and responsiveness than before, but some key things are still missing, such as queue management features and library search. They're also reporting crashes when trying to add or use services such as Apple Music, use Trueplay or connect some additional speakers. As one Reddit poster put it, "essentially we are the beta testers."

Sonos has previously published a roadmap for app updates, which has been updated to reflect this latest update. And some of the key features remain on the to-do list but are promised for delivery this month. The Coming Soon list currently contains the following items:

  • Continued improvements to navigation for visually-impaired customers: mid-June
  • Local music library search and playback: mid-June
  • Improved playback settings including Play Now: July
  • Create and edit local music library: July
  • Improved Autoplay settings: July
  • Improved Sub audio settings with Amp: July
  • Snooze alarms: TBD

You may also like

Carrie Marshall
Contributor

Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than a dozen books. Her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, is on sale now and her next book, about pop music, is out in 2025. She is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind.

Read more
New Sonos app home screen shown on an iPhone, held in a person's hand
Sonos may have finally fixed its app’s biggest remaining problem
New Sonos app home screen shown on an iPhone, held in a person's hand
2024: The year Sonos slipped
Sonos Arc Ultra
'Our core experience still needs significant improvement': Sonos is changing its whole structure to win back your trust, and promises to be 'scrappier and more focused'
The Sonos Arc Ultra in a living room, in front of plants and personal niknaks
Setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar was one of the worst tech experiences of my life, but damn it sounds incredible
close-up of soundbar mesh with Sonos branding
'We’ve let them down': Sonos gets a new CEO after its disastrous year, and it looks like better times are ahead
Victrola Stream Carbon turntable playing David Bowie, with the tonearm being operated
Victrola adding Bluetooth and Roon to its Sonos-only turntables is the hi-fi equivalent of ‘I think we should see other people’
Latest in Audio
iFi iDSD Valkyrie in gold, on a beige desk
iFi's iDSD Valkyrie DAC wants to guide your music to the great hall of Valhalla
AirPods Max with USB-C in every color
Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C will get lossless audio in April, but you'll need to go wired
Visual Intelligence identifying a dog
AirPods with cameras for Visual Intelligence could be one of the best personal safety features Apple has ever planned – here's why
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 on a purple background with text saying price cut.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the earbuds I love and they're down to their lowest price this year
Bose QuietComfort Headphones and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on a blue background next to TechRadar deals don't miss badge
I've loved these Bose headphones for years and they're now $100 off at Amazon
Spotify's new Concerts Near You playlist feature showing a list of songs by local touring artists
Spotify has launched a new Concerts Near You playlist, making it easier for you to see if your favorite artists are performing in your area
Latest in News
Zendesk Relate 2025
Zendesk Relate 2025 - everything you need to know as the event unfolds
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Google Gemini AI
Gemini can now see your screen and judge your tabs
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Philips Hue
Philips Hue might be working on a video doorbell, and according to a new report, we just got our first look at it
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand