In May 2024, Sonos rolled out a major overhaul of its mobile app for iOS and Android. Promising a faster, more customizable interface and support for future innovations, the redesigned app was one of the company’s most ambitious software updates to date. But instead of praise, Sonos app issues quickly dominated online forums, social media, and review sections. From missing features to buggy performance and unstable speaker connections, users were left confused, frustrated, and in some cases, ready to abandon the Sonos ecosystem entirely.
This deep-dive article explores what went wrong with the Sonos app update, why users revolted, how Sonos responded, and what you can do if you’re still experiencing issues. Whether you’re a long-time Sonos fan or a new user facing unexpected bugs, this guide provides clarity, context, and solutions.
The May 2024 Sonos App Overhaul: What Changed
The new Sonos app was released with the intention of modernizing the company’s software platform. Over time, Sonos’ previous app (known as the S2 app) had grown bloated, outdated in design, and difficult to maintain. The overhaul aimed to:
- Streamline user interface with cleaner design and improved navigation
- Improve speed and performance on both Android and iOS
- Lay groundwork for new features, including spatial audio support, voice assistant enhancements, and AI-driven personalization
- Unify app behavior across mobile devices for consistent experience
On paper, the update made sense. Sonos needed a future-proof app that could adapt to changing user needs. However, the initial launch revealed deep flaws.
What Went Wrong with the New Sonos App?
Missing Features at Launch
The first and most glaring problem with the new app was that essential features were missing. Longtime users discovered that core functionalities were either hidden, broken, or entirely gone. These included:
- Sleep timers
- Alarm settings
- Trueplay tuning for iOS
- Local library playback
- Playlist editing
- Crossfade
- Detailed playback info (bitrate, format, etc.)
- Drag-and-drop group control
According to user reports on Reddit and the Sonos Community Forum, even basic features like adjusting EQ settings or browsing the queue became unintuitive or nonfunctional.
“It’s as if they launched a beta version and labeled it as a stable release.” – Sonos user comment on r/sonos
Buggy Performance and Connectivity Issues
In addition to missing features, the new app introduced performance issues and connectivity problems:
- Difficulty detecting speakers on the network
- Unresponsive controls (e.g., volume sliders not working)
- Crashes when browsing music services
- Delayed or failed playback
- App freezing during setup
This degraded the experience for users with multi-room audio systems, which rely on seamless group control and syncing.
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Negative Press and Customer Backlash
The backlash was swift. Review ratings for the app on both the App Store and Google Play plummeted. Tech media outlets, including The Verge, TechCrunch, and Android Authority, published critical coverage, highlighting the missteps in UX and software deployment.
The controversy severely impacted Sonos’ reputation—especially damaging for a company whose brand relies on simplicity and user satisfaction.
The Fallout: Executive Changes and Public Apology
By January 2025, after months of dealing with customer complaints and poor press, Sonos announced that CEO Patrick Spence would step down. While the company framed the transition as a natural change in leadership, industry analysts saw it as a direct consequence of the failed app rollout and its failure to repair user trust in a timely manner.
In an open letter published in early 2025, Sonos issued a formal apology, acknowledging the mistakes:
“We understand that the recent app update did not meet your expectations or our own standards. We’re committed to rebuilding your trust by prioritizing the features you use most.”
The company also published a feature roadmap and released several incremental updates aimed at fixing issues and restoring missing tools.
Timeline of Key Sonos App Issues and Fixes
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | New Sonos app released with missing features and bugs |
| June 2024 | First patch released to address major crashes and speaker detection issues |
| August 2024 | EQ settings and sleep timer restored |
| October 2024 | Alarm function and playlist editing return |
| January 2025 | CEO Patrick Spence steps down |
| March 2025 | New roadmap published; local music library playback reinstated |
| June 2025 | Updated UI with improved navigation and queue management released |
Sonos App Issues Still Affecting Users in Late 2025
Despite progress, some Sonos app issues persist, especially for users with legacy systems or complex home networks.
Common Ongoing Problems
- Wi-Fi dropouts: Particularly in larger homes or with older routers
- Inconsistent speaker grouping: Grouped rooms occasionally fall out of sync
- App crashes on Android 14 devices
- Slow loading of music services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music
- Bluetooth connectivity bugs (for newer Sonos Move and Roam devices)
How to Troubleshoot Sonos App Issues
If you’re one of the many users still facing issues with the Sonos app, here are some actionable troubleshooting steps.
1. Update the App and Firmware
Ensure that both the Sonos app and all connected speakers are running the latest firmware. Outdated versions are a major cause of bugs.
To update:
- Open the Sonos app
- Go to Settings → System → System Updates
- Follow prompts to update all devices
2. Reboot Your Sonos System
Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve connectivity or sync issues.
Steps:
- Power off all Sonos speakers
- Restart your Wi-Fi router
- Reopen the Sonos app
- Power speakers back on in sequence
3. Reset Network Settings
Sonos speakers rely heavily on stable network configurations.
Tips:
- Use a dedicated 2.4GHz network if possible
- Avoid routers with aggressive power-saving or isolation settings
- Reserve IP addresses for your speakers in the router settings
4. Reinstall the App
Uninstalling and reinstalling the Sonos app can clear out corrupted cache or configuration errors.
Note: Be sure to back up any app-specific settings before doing so.
5. Use Sonos Desktop Controller (If Applicable)
While not as feature-rich, the Sonos Desktop App can provide limited control over your system when the mobile app is problematic.
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Alternatives and Workarounds
If the Sonos app continues to frustrate you, there are a few third-party workarounds:
- Voice Control: Use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for basic commands like play, pause, volume, and grouping.
- Spotify or Apple Music App: If you’re streaming from these services, you can cast directly to Sonos speakers using native casting features, bypassing the Sonos app.
- Home Automation: Users with systems like Home Assistant, Control4, or SmartThings can often integrate Sonos for basic playback and room grouping.
Looking Ahead: Will Sonos Rebuild Its Trust?
Sonos is gradually addressing its missteps. The feature roadmap released in 2025 suggests a commitment to user feedback. Some upcoming features include:
- Revamped queue management
- Improved voice assistant handoff
- Spatial audio integration
- Enhanced Android optimization
- Expanded local music library features
However, for many users, the damage is already done. With increased competition from Bose, Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo Studio, and Google Nest Audio, Sonos must act swiftly and decisively to retain its loyal user base.
Conclusion
The Sonos app issues that emerged in mid-2024 weren’t just technical glitches—they were a failure of user-first design in a product that heavily depends on seamless experience. The resulting backlash damaged the brand’s reputation, led to executive leadership changes, and forced the company to confront its missteps head-on.
While many features have been restored and bugs addressed, some issues persist, particularly for Android users and those with complex home setups. If you’re still struggling with the app, the troubleshooting strategies in this guide can help restore stability to your Sonos experience. More importantly, Sonos appears to be listening—actively releasing updates and communicating more transparently than before.
But rebuilding trust takes time. For Sonos to remain a leader in connected audio, it must put user experience back at the core of its design philosophy.
FAQs
Q: Why did Sonos redesign its app in 2024?
A: To modernize the user interface, improve performance, and support future features like spatial audio and AI-driven playback recommendations.
Q: What features were missing from the new Sonos app?
A: Alarms, sleep timers, local library access, Trueplay tuning, playlist editing, crossfade, and others were initially removed or non-functional.
Q: Can I go back to the old Sonos app?
A: No. Sonos discontinued the old app infrastructure (S2) and migrated all users to the new platform.
Q: What is the current fix for app-related connection issues?
A: Update all software, reboot your system, use reserved IPs for devices, and reinstall the app if necessary.
Q: Is Sonos planning more updates?
A: Yes. A public roadmap shows plans to restore and improve more features throughout 2025.
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