Looking for the best apps to enhance your Sonos experience on iPhone? This guide covers six top choices, from official Sonos control to third-party solutions for music discovery and advanced management, ensuring seamless audio enjoyment.
Hey there, iPhone music lovers! Mahima Khan here, your friendly guide to making the most of your tech. If you’ve invested in a Sonos speaker system, you know how amazing it is to fill your home with rich, immersive sound. But to truly unlock its potential on your iPhone, you need the right apps. Navigating the app store can feel a bit overwhelming, right? That’s where I come in! I’ve done the digging to bring you the 6 best apps for Sonos on your iPhone, breaking down exactly what makes each one a winner. Get ready to discover how to control, customize, and amplify your Sonos experience like never before!
Our Top Tested Picks
Individual Product Reviews
1. Sonos S2
The official gateway to your entire Sonos system. It’s your central command for everything from setup to music playback across all your connected speakers.
Price: Free
The Sonos S2 app is, without a doubt, the most essential tool for any Sonos owner. It’s the direct line to your speakers, allowing you to control volume, group or ungroup rooms, switch between music services, and manage your entire system. Whether you’re setting up a new speaker or simply want to change the track in your living room from your couch, the S2 app is indispensable. It’s designed by Sonos themselves, so you’re guaranteed compatibility and access to the latest features and updates as they roll out.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Essential for system setup and control, seamless integration with all Sonos products, regular updates with new features, supports a vast array of music services.
- Cons: Can sometimes be a bit slow to load, interface can feel slightly dated to some users.
Why We Picked It
This is the foundation. Without the Sonos S2 app, your Sonos speakers are just pretty boxes. It provides the core functionality needed to actually use your system, making it a non-negotiable download for every Sonos user. Its ability to manage multiple rooms and integrate with numerous streaming services makes it the most comprehensive control center available.
Who It’s For
Anyone who owns a Sonos speaker system. New users will rely on it for setup, while experienced users will use it daily for music playback and system management.
Specs & Configurations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later |
| Developer | Sonos, Inc. |
| Category | Music |
| Cost | Free |
2. Spotify
The king of streaming music, Spotify integrates directly with Sonos, allowing you to control your playlists, albums, and podcasts straight from the Sonos app or Spotify’s own interface.
Price: Free / Premium
For many of us, Spotify is our go-to for music. The beauty of Sonos is its deep integration with services like Spotify. This means you can browse your entire Spotify library, discover new music, and play it directly through your Sonos speakers, all managed either through the Sonos app or the Spotify app itself. The convenience of controlling your music from the app you’re already familiar with, sending it to your high-quality Sonos speakers, is a huge plus. While the free version has ads and shuffle-only playback on mobile, a Spotify Premium subscription unlocks on-demand listening and offline downloads, making it even more powerful with Sonos.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Massive music library, excellent discovery features, seamless control via Sonos app and Spotify app, offline playback with Premium.
- Cons: Free version has limitations (ads, shuffle), requires a Premium subscription for full functionality.
Why We Picked It
Spotify is a dominant force in music streaming, and its integration with Sonos is one of the most popular ways people enjoy their music. The ability to control Spotify playback directly from the Sonos app, or to “cast” to your Sonos system from the Spotify app, offers a flexible and user-friendly experience.
Who It’s For
Anyone with a Spotify account who wants to play their favorite music, podcasts, and curated playlists on their Sonos system. It’s particularly great for users who already heavily rely on Spotify for their daily listening.
Specs & Configurations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later |
| Developer | Spotify Ltd. |
| Category | Music |
| Cost | Free / Premium ($9.99/month typically) |
3. Pandora
A fantastic option for personalized radio stations and curated music discovery. Pandora offers a familiar, station-based listening experience that works beautifully with Sonos.
Price: Free / Plus / Premium
Pandora has been a staple for music lovers who enjoy a “radio” style of listening, creating stations based on artists, songs, or genres. Sonos offers direct integration, allowing you to control your Pandora stations, skip tracks (depending on your subscription level), and give thumbs up or down to refine your stations directly through the Sonos app. It’s a great way to discover new music that aligns with your tastes. The different subscription tiers – Pandora Free, Pandora Plus, and Pandora Premium – offer varying levels of control and ad-free listening, all of which can be utilized with your Sonos setup.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Excellent personalized radio station creation, good for music discovery, integrates well with Sonos app, offers ad-free listening and more skips with paid tiers.
- Cons: Less on-demand song selection compared to Spotify or Apple Music, requires subscription for advanced features.
Why We Picked It
Pandora’s strength lies in its intelligent station-based algorithms, making it a powerful tool for discovering new music that fits your preferences. Its integration with Sonos allows users to enjoy this personalized radio experience seamlessly throughout their home.
Who It’s For
Listeners who enjoy creating and listening to personalized radio stations and appreciate a curated music discovery experience. It’s a strong choice for those who like the “radio” feel rather than building specific playlists.
Specs & Configurations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later |
| Developer | Pandora Media, Inc. |
| Category | Music |
| Cost | Free / Plus (~$4.99/month) / Premium (~$9.99/month) |
4. Amazon Music
Whether you’re an Amazon Prime member or subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited, this app offers a vast library of songs and podcasts that can be streamed directly to your Sonos speakers.
Price: Free / Prime / Unlimited
Amazon Music is a strong contender, especially for those already in the Amazon ecosystem. Prime members get access to a curated catalog of millions of songs in shuffle mode, with the option to download playlists for offline listening. For a more robust experience, Amazon Music Unlimited offers on-demand access to over 100 million songs, plus curated playlists and personalized stations. Sonos integrates seamlessly with both tiers, allowing you to browse your library, play songs, albums, and playlists, and control playback directly from the Sonos app. It’s a convenient way to access a massive music library for your home audio system.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Huge music library with Amazon Music Unlimited, integrated with Amazon Prime, offers podcasts, good for users already invested in Amazon services.
- Cons: The free/Prime tier has limitations (shuffle mode for a large catalog), interface can sometimes feel less intuitive than competitors.
Why We Picked It
Amazon Music is a significant player in the streaming world, and its integration with Sonos makes it a compelling choice for millions of users. The access to a vast catalog, especially with an Unlimited subscription, makes it a powerful option for enjoying music throughout the home.
Who It’s For
Amazon Prime members who want to leverage their subscription for music streaming on Sonos, or users who subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited for its extensive on-demand library. It’s a natural fit for those already using Amazon’s services.
Specs & Configurations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later |
| Developer | Amazon.com, Inc. |
| Category | Music |
| Cost | Free / Prime (included) / Unlimited (~$10.99/month or $9.99/month for Prime) |
5. Tidal
For audiophiles, Tidal offers a premium listening experience with its high-fidelity (HiFi) and Master Quality Audio (MQA) options, delivering unparalleled sound quality through your Sonos speakers.
Price: Premium / HiFi
If sound quality is your absolute priority, Tidal is the app for you. It’s renowned for offering music in lossless audio formats, including FLAC (HiFi) and MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), which provide a listening experience significantly closer to what the artist intended. Sonos systems, particularly the higher-end models, can truly shine when playing Tidal’s high-resolution audio. The Sonos app allows you to browse your Tidal library, create playlists, and control playback. While it requires a subscription, the elevated audio quality is a game-changer for discerning listeners who want the best possible sound from their Sonos setup.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Exceptional audio quality (HiFi and MQA), extensive catalog of high-resolution music, curated content, integrates well with Sonos for audiophile listening.
- Cons: Higher subscription cost, requires higher-quality Sonos speakers to fully appreciate the audio difference, MQA support might be debated by some audiophiles.
Why We Picked It
Tidal stands out for its commitment to audio fidelity. For Sonos users who have invested in speakers capable of reproducing high-resolution audio, Tidal provides the perfect platform to experience music as the artist intended, making it a top choice for sound quality enthusiasts.
Who It’s For
Music enthusiasts who prioritize superior audio quality and are willing to pay a premium for lossless and high-resolution music. It’s ideal for those with higher-end Sonos speakers who want to experience the full potential of their system.
Specs & Configurations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later |
| Developer | TIDAL |
| Category | Music |
| Cost | Premium (~$9.99/month) / HiFi (~$19.99/month) |
6. My Sound
While not a music streaming service, My Sound is a useful utility app for Sonos users. It allows you to easily access and play local music files stored on your iPhone or other devices.
Price: Free
Sometimes, your favorite music isn’t on a streaming service. Perhaps you have a cherished collection of MP3s, or maybe you’ve ripped CDs to your device. The My Sound app bridges that gap, allowing you to play these local audio files directly through your Sonos speakers. It acts as a local music player that can connect to your Sonos system. This is especially handy if you have specific audio files you want to listen to that aren’t available on streaming platforms. It’s a simple, effective tool for accessing your personal music library on your Sonos.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Plays local music files from your iPhone, easy to use interface, free of charge, complements streaming services.
- Cons: Limited functionality compared to full streaming apps, relies on you having music files stored locally.
Why We Picked It
For users who maintain a personal music library on their devices, the My Sound app is an invaluable utility. It fills a crucial need by enabling access to local music files that might otherwise be inaccessible on a Sonos system, offering a complete music playback solution.
Who It’s For
iPhone users who have a collection of music files stored locally on their device and want a straightforward way to play them through their Sonos system. It’s perfect for those who value their personal music library.
Specs & Configurations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later |
| Developer | Sonos, Inc. |
| Category | Music |
| Cost | Free |
Additional Must-Haves
To get the most out of your Sonos experience on your iPhone, consider these resources:
- Sonos and Apple Devices Support – Official guidance from Sonos on using their products with Apple devices.
- About iOS – Learn about the latest features and updates on your iPhone that might enhance your app experiences.
- Explore Sonos Speakers – See the full range of Sonos products and their capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need the Sonos app to control my Sonos speakers?
Yes, the official Sonos app (Sonos S2) is essential for setting up your speakers, connecting them to Wi-Fi, and managing your entire system. While some music apps can control playback directly, the Sonos app is the central hub for overall system control.
Q2: Can I use multiple music streaming services with Sonos?
Absolutely! The Sonos app allows you to add and manage multiple music streaming services, so you can easily switch between Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and many others all from one place.
Q3: How do I play music from my iPhone directly onto Sonos without streaming services?
You can use apps like “My Sound” which allow you to play local music files stored on your iPhone. Some music player apps might also have casting capabilities that can send audio to your Sonos system, but dedicated local playback apps are often the most reliable for this.
Q4: Is it better to control music from the streaming app or the Sonos app?
It often depends on your preference and what you’re doing. If you’re just playing a playlist you already know, controlling it from your preferred streaming app (like Spotify) and sending it to Sonos can be very convenient. If you’re managing rooms, grouping speakers, or switching between different music services, the Sonos app is usually more efficient.
Q5: Can I control different Sonos speakers in different rooms with my iPhone?
Yes, that’s one of the biggest advantages of Sonos! Using the Sonos app on your iPhone, you can group or ungroup speakers, play the same music in multiple rooms, or play different music in different rooms simultaneously.
Q6: What happens if my Wi-Fi goes down? Can I still use my Sonos speakers?
Your Sonos system relies on Wi-Fi to connect to your music services and to communicate between speakers. If your Wi-Fi goes down, you won’t be able to stream music or control your speakers through the apps. Some newer Sonos devices might have Bluetooth capabilities, but the core functionality is Wi-Fi dependent.
So there you have it – your essential guide to the best apps for controlling and enjoying your Sonos system with your iPhone. From the indispensable Sonos S2 app that acts as your system’s brain, to streaming giants like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, and the audiophile’s dream, Tidal, there’s an app to suit every listening preference and need. And for those with personal music libraries, My Sound ensures your local tunes get the soundstage they deserve.
Choosing the right app often comes down to your preferred music service and how you like to listen. The beauty of Sonos is its flexibility, allowing you to seamlessly integrate all these options into your home audio experience. By leveraging these apps, you can transform your Sonos speakers into a truly dynamic and personalized sound system, all controlled from the convenience of your iPhone. Happy listening!
