Sonos makes smart speakers that can be linked to your home network for easier control. When correctly set up, you can connect your audio ecosystem to other devices in your home, like the TV and your phone.
Like me, most people had problems connecting the speakers to their iPhones for the first time. Below is all the information you need to connect any Sonos speaker to your iPhone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Key Takeaways
- Sonos speakers connect to your iPhone through a Wi-Fi network. Therefore, your phone should already be connected to the same Wi-Fi you want to connect the speaker to.
- If you have a portable Sonos speaker with Bluetooth, like the Sonos Roam or Move, you have to set it up via Wi-Fi before you can connect via Bluetooth.
- You will have to download the Sonos S2 app from the Appstore to facilitate a connection between the speaker and your iPhone.
- If the Sonos product is a legacy product, you can use the Sonos S1 app to connect it to your iPhone.
- If the Sonos speaker is compatible with the S2 app, use the app to connect it to your iPhone.
- You will encounter some challenges if you use an iPhone running iOS 14.2 with the S1 app on a Sonos speaker that is compatible with the S2 app.
- You should also grant the Sonos app the following permissions; local network, location services, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication, and Microphone access.
Connecting a Sonos Speaker to an iPhone
The Sonos app is necessary when connecting a Sonos speaker to your iPhone or a Wi-Fi network.
Even the Sonos portable speakers like the Roam SL and Move that have Bluetooth need to be set up through the app before you can connect them to a Bluetooth source device like an iPhone.
Before downloading the app, power on your Sonos speaker and check that the LED is flashing white and then green to indicate the speaker is ready to be connected to a source device.
The light on the SONOS speaker should start flashing green
If the speaker is not blinking green a while after turning or during the setup process, reset it first before progressing with the setup process.
Resetting a SONOS Speaker
Ensure your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, then download the Sonos app from the Appstore. If you have a legacy Sonos device only compatible with the S1 app, you can also download it from the Appstore.
The SONOS S2 app is required for the initial setup
Once you have downloaded the app, launch it, then swipe left until you get to the terms of service page and agree to the terms of service.
The app will ask whether you want to set up a new system or join an existing system; select the Set up a new system option.
The app will then ask you to enter an email you use for your Sonos account, and if you do not have one, enter an email you would like to use to create an account and tap Continue.
After creating an account, the app will direct you to check your email inbox for a verification email with a link you should click, and the browser app will open.
Go back to the Sonos app and tap Continue, then grant the app all permissions it will request to make it easy for your phone and speaker to find each other.
The app will then find your Sonos speaker; assuming the speaker is turned on, tap Add, and it will guide you through the rest of the setup steps, including connecting the speaker to a Wi-Fi network.
You will know the speaker is connected to Wi-Fi through your phone when you see the LED light solid white.
SONOS Speaker – Initial Setup
During the setup process, the app will also help you set up Trueplay, a feature that uses your phone’s microphone to fine-tune the speakers’ audio output no matter where they are placed.
Trueplay
However, if you had already set up other Sonos speakers and you want to connect an additional speaker to the already existing system via your iPhone, follow the steps below:
- Launch the app, tap the Settings tab, and assuming the speaker is turned on, a pop-up will appear on the iPhone with the name of the Sonos speaker.
- Tap Add and follow the prompts to complete adding the speaker to your existing Sonos system.
- Alternatively, you can open the app, navigate to the Settings tab > System > Add Product, and follow the on-screen prompts.
Adding a SONOS Speaker to the Existing System
Once you have connected the speaker to your iPhone, use the Sonos app user guide to understand the different settings and operations it is capable of.
Confirm that your Wi-Fi network is compatible with Sonos speakers for a smooth setup procedure. If you have a mesh network system, disable the puck and allow only the main puck to broadcast Wi-Fi.
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Also, if your router broadcasts in multiple bands, ensure the speaker and the iPhone connect to the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz. Remember that some Sonos speakers do not support the 5GHz band.
Connect Sonos Speakers to iPhone via Bluetooth
Once you have set up the speakers using the Sonos app, you can connect some models to your iPhone via Bluetooth. Only portable speakers like the Move, Roam, and Roam SL can connect via Bluetooth.
SONOS Bluetooth-Enabled Portable Speakers
The process of connecting via Bluetooth is listed below.
Roam/Roam SL
- Enable Bluetooth on the iPhone through the settings or the quick settings menu.
- Then press the power button on the back of the speaker and hold for two seconds.
- You will hear two chimes, and the speaker’s LED will start flashing Blue.
- Go to the iPhone and select the Roam speaker from the list of available Bluetooth devices.
- You will know the connection was successful if the LED lights solid Blue.
How to Connect SONOS Roam/Roam SL to Your Phone Via Bluetooth
Sonos Move
- Enable Bluetooth on the iPhone.
- Press the Bluetooth button on the back of the Sonos speaker between the power and join buttons.
- The speaker will go into pairing mode, and you will see the LED light Blue and hear a chime from the speaker.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button until you hear another chime and the LED starts flashing. A flashing blue light indicates the speaker is in pairing mode.
- Go to your iPhone and select the Move speaker from the list of available Bluetooth devices to complete the connection.
How to Connect Sonos Move to Your Phone Via Bluetooth
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Why won’t my Sonos connect to my iPhone?
- Answer: Various reasons could be stopping your Sonos speaker from connecting to your iPhone; they include:
- A problem with the Wi-Fi network. As a solution, try a different network or confirm that your current network is compatible with the Sonos system.
- Ensure the speaker is compatible with the Sonos app you are using.
- All Sonos speakers manufactured between 2015 and 2020 are compatible with the Sonos S1 and S2 apps. Older models are only compatible with the S1 app, while models manufactured after 2020 are only compatible with the S2 app.
- The speaker could be far from the router; therefore, consider moving it closer.
- A system malfunction could be affecting the pairing process; in such an instance, consider restarting the speaker, your phone, and the router. If that does not help, reset the speaker and try connecting them again.
- Question: Can I connect to Sonos via Bluetooth?
- Answer: Yes, you can connect to some Sonos speakers via Bluetooth. But since Bluetooth is not the connection protocol used by Sonos systems, you can only use Bluetooth on Sonos portable speakers, i.e., Move, Roam, and the Roam SL.
- Question: How do I put my Sonos speaker in Bluetooth mode?
- Answer: To put the Sonos Roam and Roam SL in pairing mode, press and hold the power button for two seconds. You will hear a chime, and the LED on the speaker will start flashing blue.
- To enable pairing mode on the Sonos Move, press the Bluetooth button once to go to the Bluetooth input. Then press and hold the Bluetooth button until the LED starts flashing Blue and you hear a chime. The Bluetooth button on the Sonos Move is between the power and join buttons on the back of the speaker.
Conclusion
Connecting a Sonos speaker to an iPhone is easy because the Sonos app guides you through every step with visual aids in images and videos. Once you connect the speaker to your iPhone and enable Trueplay if supported by the speaker, you should have an easy-to-operate speaker.
If you encounter problems like the speaker refusing to pair, contact Sonos or download the user manual and troubleshoot your devices.
