Last updated: 22 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

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The Sonos app update saga has been one of the most dramatic stories in consumer tech over the past two years. What started as a routine redesign in May 2024 spiralled into a full-blown crisis: broken features, a tanking share price, layoffs, and ultimately the departure of CEO Patrick Spence. Fast forward to 2026 and there's a new boss, new hardware, and yet another app overhaul on the horizon. Here's the full story of what went wrong, what's been fixed, and where things stand right now.

What happened with the Sonos app?

In May 2024, Sonos rolled out a completely rebuilt version of its mobile app. The company had ambitious plans to modernise its software platform and make it easier to ship new features. Instead, the Sonos app update shipped with laggy volume controls, missing functionality, and a design that frustrated long-time users.

Features that had worked for years suddenly vanished. Alarm editing, local music library support, and queue management all disappeared. The community reaction was fierce, and the fallout was swift. Sonos had to pause all new hardware launches, and the troubled app undermined the debut of the Sonos Ace headphones, which should have been a landmark product launch.

By January 2025, CEO Patrick Spence had stepped down after eight years in the role. Tom Conrad, a former Pandora executive and long-time Sonos board member, stepped in as interim CEO. He was made permanent in July 2025, with a simple mandate: fix the app.

What's been fixed since 2024?

Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Sonos has issued a steady stream of updates to restore lost functionality and improve reliability. According to the company's official app release notes, the key restorations and improvements include:

Queue management and playlists. You can now save your queue as a playlist directly from the mobile app, a feature that was missing for over 18 months. Queue navigation has also been improved, letting you jump to the currently playing song and scroll through long queues more easily.

Local music library support. Browsing and queuing from local libraries has been rebuilt. Albums can be grouped by compilations or album artist, and folders sorted by song name, number, or file name.

EQ shortcut. The March 2026 update (version 83.00.36) added a quick-access EQ shortcut when adjusting volume, meaning you no longer have to dig through settings to tweak your sound.

Android lock screen and smartwatch controls. The February 2026 update brought back playback controls to the Android lock screen and Wear OS smartwatches. This had been a long-requested feature. iOS lock screen controls via Apple's Live Activities are reportedly in development but still months away.

Volume slider improvements. iOS users can now adjust volume from anywhere on the slider, making fine control at lower volumes much easier. Group volume sync has also been improved: hold the group volume slider at zero for one second to instantly sync all grouped players.

Sonos Voice Control expansion. Sonos Voice Control now supports managing Philips Hue smart lights and plugs directly from a Sonos speaker, adding genuine smart home utility. If you're already running Hue kit (we covered the Philips Hue Bridge Pro recently), this is a welcome bonus.

What's still missing or broken?

Despite genuine progress, the app isn't fully back to where it was. Users on the Sonos support forums still report connectivity failures, speaker disconnections, and playback dropouts. The community picture is mixed: casual Reddit threads suggest things have calmed down, but the official support channels tell a less tidy story.

iOS lock screen controls remain absent. While Android users finally got theirs back in February 2026, iPhone owners are still waiting. Sonos has indicated this will use Apple's Live Activities feature, but no date has been confirmed.

There's also the ongoing challenge of older hardware. Some legacy Sonos products now run on a distinct firmware version from newer devices. Sonos says these will continue to receive essential updates, but the gap between old and new hardware experiences is widening.

Another app overhaul is coming

Perhaps the biggest development is that Sonos is planning yet another significant app update. According to Bloomberg, new CEO Tom Conrad has previewed early versions of a revised interface at the company's California headquarters. The refresh will focus on improved navigation, easier-to-use controls, and reducing friction in common tasks like switching rooms and managing playback.

Crucially, Conrad has promised a completely different rollout approach this time. The update will remain opt-in until the company is confident it's ready, and it will be tested in tens of thousands of homes before any wider release. As Conrad put it, the company plans to do what it should have done the first time around.

A full release timeline hasn't been confirmed, but reports suggest the new version could arrive in late 2026.

New Sonos hardware in 2026

Alongside the software recovery, Sonos has started shipping new products again. March 2026 saw the launch of the Sonos Play (£299), a new portable speaker, and the Sonos Era 100 SL (£169). These are the first consumer speakers from the company since the Roam 2 in May 2024, and they signal that Sonos believes the worst is behind it.

The company also launched the Amp Multi, an 8-channel amplifier aimed at professional installers. Conrad has said more consumer hardware is coming in the second half of 2026.

If you're in the market for Sonos gear, it's worth considering Sonos Ace headphones or browsing refurbished options through Back Market to save some money.

Is the Sonos app worth using now?

The honest answer is: it depends on your expectations. If you're a new Sonos user setting up a system for the first time, the app is perfectly functional and significantly better than it was at its lowest point in mid-2024. Core features work, updates are regular, and the trajectory is clearly positive.

If you're a long-time user who remembers how polished the old S2 app was, you'll probably still notice rough edges. The good news is that Sonos under Tom Conrad appears to be taking software quality seriously in a way the company arguably never did before. Whether that translates into a genuinely great app experience remains to be seen, but the direction of travel is encouraging.

Frequently asked questions

Has the Sonos app been fixed?

Most of the missing features from the 2024 launch have been restored, including queue management, local music library support, and alarm editing. However, some users still report connectivity issues, and iOS lock screen controls have not yet been added.

Who is the Sonos CEO now?

Tom Conrad became CEO in January 2025 on an interim basis, replacing Patrick Spence. He was made permanent CEO in July 2025. Conrad previously co-founded Pandora and had served on the Sonos board for several years.

Is Sonos releasing new speakers in 2026?

Yes. Sonos launched the Sonos Play (£299) and Sonos Era 100 SL (£169) in March 2026. More consumer hardware is expected in the second half of the year.

Will Sonos bring back the old app?

No. Sonos has confirmed the old S2 app will not be returning. Instead, the company is planning another significant update to the current app, with an emphasis on opt-in rollouts and extensive testing before wide release.

Do Sonos speakers work with Alexa and Google Assistant?

Yes. Sonos speakers support both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Sonos Voice Control also now supports Philips Hue smart home devices.

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