Help me get back to grips with the Sonos app
Sonos redesigned the app mid-last year, and although there are times when it’s missing some features that might pause before updating, you’ll notice a whole new look if you update it.
Its new look brings a bit of a learning curve as some basic features move around.
Since you’re wondering how to shuffle around the home screen, rather than the five tabs at the bottom of the screen, the most important thing for you is at the top or create a preset group of speakers (our personal favorites). Here are 15 tips.
How to set alarms in the new Sonos app
This was one of the features Sonos first excluded from the new app, but thankfully it added the ability to set alarms again.
Tap the Settings cog in the top right and then “Manage” next to System Settings. After that, you will need to tap “Alarm” to “Add Alarm”.
You can then choose the time, speakers you want to play alarms, what you want to play in terms of music, and how often you want to repeat the alarm and alarm volume. You can also select a period. This is useful, for example, if you want to set an alarm to play your pet’s music when you’re not at home.
How to add to queue with the new Sonos app
It will now allow another feature that was not available in the new Sonos app, which has been added to the queue. You can add it to the end of the queue or exchange the entire queue.
To add songs, albums, playlists, or anything you want to have in your Sonos Queue, search the bar in the Sonos app, or use your favorites to play recently or join individual music services.
Tap playlists, tracks, albums, and more to increase track/album artwork and track information. Tap the three dots along with the play and shuffle icon. Select Play Now, then play, add an end or exchange cue.
How to delete or reorder queues in the new Sonos app
Until very recently, when the new Sonos app received an update in September, queue removal and reordering was not possible.
To view and delete the queue or reorder songs inside it, open the current training card at the bottom of the Sonos app. Then press the three lines and the arrows in the circle at the bottom left.
Press the garbage/bin icon in the top right to remove the entire queue, or reorder the song in the queue, then press and hold the song to move it where you want to play it.
How to group Sonos speakers in the new Sonos app
One of the best things about the Sonos system is that multiple Sonos speakers can play the same audio simultaneously in different rooms in your home. After all, it’s like the overall point of a multi-room audio system. Thankfully, the new app makes it easier to group and group Sonos speakers.
On the Mini Mini Plays card at the bottom of the screen, tap the speaker icon. Check the speakers you want to group – yellow when included – Press “Apply” when done.
How to search in the new Sonos app
Searching is easy with the new Sonos app, but it’s different. The old Sonos app requires you to swipe through playlists, stations, songs, albums, for example, but the new search feature brings it all together.
The search bar is located at the bottom of the app and above the Mini Now player card. Tap to display a new screen where you can enter what you’re looking for. At the top of the results screen, you can tap on a service you want to filter, such as Apple Music, then scroll through the playlist, artist, song, album, and station sections to see all the top three results. Tap All to get all the results within that service.
If you do not filter by service at the top of the results screen, results are categorized by service and tap the “More” button next to it, and the service automatically filters the results.
How to edit your home screen with the new Sonos app
The new Sonos app organizes your home screen and thinks you might prefer it, but you don’t need to keep it in the same order. For example, you might need a “service” or “source” at the top.
To edit the home screen of the new Sonos app, scroll down and tap Edit Home. You can then use the three rows to the right of each section to sort them into what you like. Make sure to press “Done” at the bottom when the order is what you want.
How to add Alexa or Google Assistant to a new Sonos app
Some Sonos speakers support Alexa, some support Alexa and Google Assistant, and when you’re in a group with Sonos speakers, they don’t support either, but there are some support too. To add Alexa or Google Assistant (depending on your speaker), tap the Settings cog in the top right corner.
From here, select the speaker to which you want to add an audio assistant to and scroll down the menu. Eventually, you will see “Add voice assistant.” Tap it, select the voice assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant, or Sonos Voice Control) you want to add, and follow the instructions.
How to adjust your EQ settings in the new Sonos app
Like the tip above, each Sonos speaker’s EQ settings are in the individual speaker settings. You can adjust the bass, treble and balance and turn “Loudness” on or off.
Go to the Settings Cog in the top right corner and tap the speaker for which you want to adjust your EQ. Scroll down until you see the EQ and then adjust to your preference.
How to change your preferred service with the new Sonos app
Sonos supports over 100 music streaming services, among the lesser known options, from Apple Music to Spotify, Tidal and Deezer.
Signing to all the music services you have an account is a good idea to get a better experience, but there are probably some that you would like to use as your default or preferred service.
To set up a service as a priority service in the new Sonos app, tap Manage to the right of the Services section, then tap Preferred Services at the top.
Make a clicking sound, select Priority Services, then swipe to return to the home screen.
How to adjust individual speaker settings in the new Sonos app
For example, we recommend accessing individual speaker settings to set up surround, perform Trueplay turn, set volume limits, adjust status lights, and turn off touch controls.
Go to the Settings Cog in the top right corner of the new Sonos app and select the Sonos speaker you want to adjust your settings from the list below. You will then see a list of all that can be related to that particular speaker.
How to save songs/playlists/albums to Sonos’ Favorites
Sonos Favorites have their own sections within the new homepage, so if you have your favorite albums, playlists, artists, or songs, adding them to Sonos Favorites is a great idea.
Open the playlist, song, album, artist, or radio station you want to add as “Sonos Favorites” and tap the three dots under album art. From there, hit your heart and you’ll see it in your favorite section of Sonos.
How to turn spatial audio on or off in the new Sonos app
Some of the Sonos speakers support Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. It’s ERA300, Arc or Arc Ultra and Beam (Gen 2). But you may not always want that.
If you want to turn it on or off, go to the Settings cog on the top right of the Sonos app and tap on the compatible speaker.
Under the Sound section, “Spatial Music” will appear, and you can turn it on or off depending on your preference.
Create a preset group for your speakers
Perhaps one of our favorite tricks is that this saves the best to the end. Creating a preset group for speakers makes everything a little easier if you have a specific favorite group. For example, you’d love to have garden parties and would like to have outdoor Sonos speakers linked to your dining room or kitchen speakers.
To set up a preset group for your Sonos speaker, head to the Settings cog in the top right corner of the Sonos app and tap “Manage” to the right side with “Groups” written “System”.
After that, you will need to tap “Create Group.” You can then name the group and select the speakers you want to include. Don’t forget to press “Save.”
How to adjust parent controls in the new Sonos app
Do you need to have kids at home and make sure that all vows of your favorite music are excluded? Go to the Settings cog in the top right corner and tap “Management” on the right that says “System” and then “Parent Controls.”
Then, switch “Filter Exposure Content” to prevent the F word from ringing from the Sonos Era 300.
How to Schedule System Updates in the New Sonos App
Given that the Sonos app is currently constantly updating, it is worth checking to update whenever a new version is available. It’s also worth checking that your Sonos system is updated and you can choose to do it automatically or schedule an update.
Open the Sonos app and tap the Settings cog in the top right corner. From here, tap “Management.” You will then need to scroll down to “System Updates” and tap “Schedule”.
You can choose between morning, afternoon, evening or overnight.
