Sonos has released a public beta of its redesigned mobile app, aiming to address longstanding usability complaints that surfaced after a problematic overhaul in 2024. The changes focus primarily on navigation and volume controls, responding to feedback from users who found the previous interface confusing and inconsistent with standard mobile design patterns.
The update stems from comments made by Sonos chief executive Tom Conrad on Reddit in June, where he acknowledged the need for a more intuitive layout following months of criticism. Users can now opt into the improved navigation via a toggle in the settings menu of app version 87. Instead of the earlier card-based system, the app adopts a tabbed structure with dedicated Home, System, and Search sections. This shift brings it closer to conventional mobile app conventions on both iOS and Android.
Transitions now follow native platform gestures more closely, with screens sliding in from the right and a simple swipe to go back. Many owners had previously struggled with custom swipe actions and close mechanisms that felt unintuitive. The System tab adds practical sorting options, allowing users to rearrange speakers and pin favorites to the top, reducing the need to scroll through a rigid list.
Volume adjustments have also been refined. New plus and minus buttons support precise changes, while a one-tap feature synchronizes levels across grouped rooms. Drag controls offer better fidelity at the extremes. These enhancements have arrived first on iOS, with Android support expected in subsequent updates. Additional tweaks improve the Now Playing screen, playlist handling, and iPad layout, drawing from extended community testing.
The company is separately developing lock screen controls for iOS as a Live Activity, matching a feature already in beta for Android users. This measured, phased rollout reflects caution after the earlier app troubles, which disrupted playback reliability and drew significant backlash. Conrad has indicated the new navigation could become the standard by autumn, depending on beta feedback, but has avoided firm commitments.
For context, Sonos products have long been praised for their audio performance and multi-room capabilities, yet software has occasionally lagged behind hardware ambitions. The 2024 relaunch highlighted risks when companies prioritize ambitious redesigns without sufficient real-world validation, a lesson echoed across the tech industry where apps for smart home devices often become points of frustration. This beta appears to prioritize stability and familiarity over novelty, which may help rebuild trust among dedicated owners.
That said, the changes feel more like corrections than bold advances. Effective navigation should not require a public beta months after initial complaints. Still, for those managing complex speaker setups, the sorting tools and gesture consistency represent welcome practical gains. Early testers will determine whether these refinements sufficiently address the core issues.
The public beta marks a deliberate step toward smoothing out the user experience for Sonos owners navigating their audio systems through the app. While it remains to be seen if the final version fully resolves past shortcomings, the focus on standard patterns suggests a more grounded approach to future updates.
