Sonos Fixes Bug Causing Battery Drain on iPhone and iPad

[MacRumors]

Sonos today rolled out a fix for a bug with the Sonos app that has been causing it to drain a significant amount of battery on the iPhone and iPad. If you've been having battery life issues and are a Sonos user, you may want to install the update ASAP.

Sonos community manager Keith Nieves confirmed the bug fix on Reddit (via The Verge), stating that the latest version of the app addresses an unspecified issue that was causing excessive battery use on some Apple devices. There have been several complaints about the app's battery usage over the course of the last week, with the Sonos app running constantly in the background.

Unfortunately, several Reddit users have since said they're having issues with the update, which seems to be causing a "No System Found" error message. This is a bug that existed previously, but the update seems to have increased the frequency of the error. Other users have had to re-add their speakers to the Sonos app.

Sonos has committed to providing bi-weekly updates for its iOS app in an effort to fix an ill-received design overhaul. Back in May, Sonos introduced a redesigned iPhone and iPad app that was meant to provide a more personalized and customizable experience, but it brought several bugs and also removed key features that Sonos customers rely on.

Sonos users have been unhappy with the app, and last week, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence penned an apology and outlined the updates that Sonos will introduce over the next few months. Music Library configuration is set to return in August, while user interface improvements and system stability will be addressed in September.

Alarm consistency will improve in September as well, and in October, Sonos will reintroduce edit mode for playlists and queues.

Article Link: Sonos Fixes Bug Causing Battery Drain on iPhone and iPad

 

[icanhazmac]

Sonos devs be like...

 

[Reason077]

I just stream to my Sonos speakers directly from Spotify and other apps. Rarely ever open the Sonos app unless something goes wrong and you need to set them up again?

 

[CarAnalogy]

I don’t care how much people love them and how good their speakers are. After this I will never, ever trust them. This wasn’t just a mistake, this was a decision and it shows a complete contempt for the user experience. This is the perfect example of software development today. User experience and stability comes absolute last, corporate goals come first.

No one has explained what the actual benefit of this rushed redesign was, not even Sonos. Not using anything but corporate vagaries and euphemisms, anyway.

And yeah, I started off by saying I won’t use them, I don’t use them, but this affects me because I’m afraid this mentality has infected companies that I do use. What if I get an automatic update that breaks my Hue lights that I rely on to get up in the morning? And I had to slog through winter waking up in the dark because “alarm reliability will improve in the coming months”

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I just stream to my Sonos speakers directly from Spotify and other apps. Rarely ever open the Sonos app unless something goes wrong and you need to set them up again?

...which works just as well from Apple devices & apps too, including Music and anything via Airplay... as well as all of the other music services not native on HPs. Sonos can also work with the Home App so that one can use Siri with them (via other Apple tech like your phone, tablet, AppleTV or Mac)- I do this all the time.

I am mostly an Apple guy myself and think Sonos is a great mix of audio tech to use with Apple setups... superior in many ways- IMO- to HPs... such as already having whole home theater speaker offerings and the underlying software all worked out and ready to use now (and for years before now).

I've helped many friends build home theater setups around AppleTV to a variety of TVs to- via HDMI Arc- Sonos Arc with Sonos Sub and 300s as surrounds. For typical-sized rooms, that all sounds really great together... surprisingly great from someone who would swear by the classic Receiver plus "dumb" speakers setup (that I have myself in my main theater room). I'd still argue for the latter for most situations but for those who want the "smart speaker" thing and/or a soundbar-based setup, I think that one is an exceptional-sounding one that "just works" fine with Apple tech.

That shared, I do sometimes use the Sonos app instead of Apple apps, etc to enjoy Sonos own streaming stations and/or other services without leaning on something (Apple) for an Airplay (stream) connection. So this reads like if I have the issue too, I'll have to wait a little while until another app update comes out to address this bug... not exactly unusual with select Apple app updates either. OR- universally easier in the meantime- use the MAC Sonos app, which works fine too.

Edit: updated the app, tried it repeatedly and it found my Sonos setup as usual. Perhaps this Reddit sourcing is as accurate as the Apple deleted photos resurrecting Reddit sourcing from a few months ago? Or perhaps I'm just luckier than others with this issue? If this is an actual issue, perhaps Sonos should release the Apple classic: "affecting only a small number of people" which seems to go over just fine when the favorite brand has their software bugs & issues?

15 posts now with almost all griping, accepting some Reddit comments like they are absolute fact, yet NOT one of us confirming we have the problem. Even the Apple "only a small number" issues usually have some posters confirm they are one of that small number.

 

[EJMiv]

Thinking I must be like the *only* person who never uses the app, so thankful to have not gone through the frustrations of everyone else who relied on it more frequently. Sonos, why not buy yourself some good PR and just roll the app back at this point, right!? I don’t get it. It’s that easy.

Fix the user experience and refocus on the re-release when it’s finished. Maybe do a public beta opt-in prior to release to get more feedback, data, suggestions - help rebuild relationships constructively AND collaboratively to win back some trust and make your customers feel like you are LISTENING TO THEM. Boom, just fixed your problem, Sonos!

Because so far, telling us how much better the new app was and initially ignoring the feedback, then finally acknowledging it but digging your heels in on keeping it around over a prolonged timeframe where we’re going to have to get continuous email updates from you is not a good strategy since it seems as if you’ll have to send one about the repairs causing more breakages soon…

 

[TechnoMonk]

Ouch! Talk about spending big on Sonos for this crap.

 

[coolfactor]

I wonder what percentage of Sonos users were blaming this battery drain on iOS and Apple, when it was an app that they voluntarily installed? 😬

 

[jvchappy]

Sonos is just ****ing up left and right. Board needs to fire the CEO/CTO and start with new leadership

 

[nono_thank you]

Thinking I must be like the *only* person who never uses the app, so thankful to have not gone through the frustrations of everyone else who relied on it more frequently.

Agree. I only use the app for system software updates and tuning. Has little value (to me) otherwise.

Ouch! Talk about spending big on Sonos for this crap.

Good point, but no regrets here. Lots of companies manufacture high quality hardware and get in their own way. *cough*

 

[Remy149]

I don’t care how much people love them and how good their speakers are. After this I will never, ever trust them. This wasn’t just a mistake, this was a decision and it shows a complete contempt for the user experience. This is the perfect example of software development today. User experience and stability comes absolute last, corporate goals come first.

No one has explained what the actual benefit of this rushed redesign was, not even Sonos. Not using anything but corporate vagaries and euphemisms, anyway.

And yeah, I started off by saying I won’t use them, I don’t use them, but this affects me because I’m afraid this mentality has infected companies that I do use. What if I get an automatic update that breaks my Hue lights that I rely on to get up in the morning? And I had to slog through winter waking up in the dark because “alarm reliability will improve in the coming months”

I never use the app outside of setting up new hardware. I use airplay for everything not a soundbar.

 

[xyz01]

I use the app, and never had the issue. My main issue with the new app has been that it's so slow when starting.... The old one was much faster.

I would also have had major issues with sleep timers if that wasn't supported via voice - if we're putting on some music to fall asleep to, voice is much better than opening an app anyway.

 

[voodoo111]

I don’t care how much people love them and how good their speakers are. After this I will never, ever trust them. This wasn’t just a mistake, this was a decision and it shows a complete contempt for the user experience. This is the perfect example of software development today. User experience and stability comes absolute last, corporate goals come first.

No one has explained what the actual benefit of this rushed redesign was, not even Sonos. Not using anything but corporate vagaries and euphemisms, anyway.

And yeah, I started off by saying I won’t use them, I don’t use them, but this affects me because I’m afraid this mentality has infected companies that I do use. What if I get an automatic update that breaks my Hue lights that I rely on to get up in the morning? And I had to slog through winter waking up in the dark because “alarm reliability will improve in the coming months”

Whilst there is a part of me that certainly does agree with you when you state "I’m afraid this mentality has infected companies that I do use" I will push back just a little on your comment "What if I get an automatic update that breaks my Hue lights that I rely on to get up in the morning?"...
Remember the update from Apple that bricked the original Homepod? What about Steve's release on Antenna-Gate saying 'You're holding it wrong' Or how about Tim needing to apologise when Maps lead people into lakes or into areas that didn't actually exist? Or how about when Apple needs to release an update to fix an issue with an update?
I'm not suggesting there isn't issues with the new Sonos App, I think we need understand Sonos aren't the only ones who have messed things up

 

[iBluetooth]

I just stream to my Sonos speakers directly from Spotify and other apps. Rarely ever open the Sonos app unless something goes wrong and you need to set them up again?

Now Spotify has disabled streaming on the free version. So, many need to connect directly, but yes otherwise just use AirPlay.

 

[User 6502]

Not sure why anyone use Sonos anyway. Expensive, bad quality, closed ecosystem. It’s shocking anyone would choose to buy that crap…

 

[BarrettF77]

I stopped buying their stuff years ago because they’re not pushing the boundaries after they released a lot of the stuff when the arc came out and the new subwoofer, and the last major software update of note for me was when they added the dual sub functionality. I want discreet left and right channels and they discontinue to ignore that and instead released these stupid era speakers that sound like trash and comparison to a Sonos five just because it has Atmos and then bringing out the silly headphones that are way overpriced. And I also left out their customer support has been offshore and is equally as bad which makes it so I just turned to the web to figure things out and if I can’t, I just live with it because there people have no idea what they are doing.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

Not sure why anyone use Sonos anyway. Expensive, bad quality, closed ecosystem. It’s shocking anyone would choose to buy that crap…

Lots of people recommend it, though. I recently ordered one of the more expensive and newer models, the Era 300 and it was garbage. Bad sound just like every other connected speaker, annoying set-up, requires an account even for Bluetooth. Immediately returned that thing and never again.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Whilst there is a part of me that certainly does agree with you when you state "I’m afraid this mentality has infected companies that I do use" I will push back just a little on your comment "What if I get an automatic update that breaks my Hue lights that I rely on to get up in the morning?"...
Remember the update from Apple that bricked the original Homepod? What about Steve's release on Antenna-Gate saying 'You're holding it wrong' Or how about Tim needing to apologise when Maps lead people into lakes or into areas that didn't actually exist? Or how about when Apple needs to release an update to fix an issue with an update?
I'm not suggesting there isn't issues with the new Sonos App, I think we need understand Sonos aren't the only ones who have messed things up

I see where you’re coming from but none of those broke basic functionality simply in favor of a visual redesign. I don’t remember the HomePod bricking update but I suspect most people don’t…

Everyone makes mistakes, but this systemic issue of throwing away working software just to redesign it for more engagement is driving me crazy.

 

[kppolich]

System of 12 speakers in 5 rooms still working fine for me.
Never had an app issue.
Never had a 'System Not Available issue'

YMMV

 

[USB-Adapter]

The app is still an unusable mess.
The search doesn’t work properly.

If I search for an audiobook series, I find only a few results. There are audiobook series with 200+ episodes.
To find the one audiobook I want to play, I have to search in Spotify or in Wikipedia and then type in the exactly name of the episode. Or download and play it with the Spotify app directly.

If I listen to a radio and like a song, there is no way to open the album containing this song. There is only a possibility to search for the interpreter, and if the name is generic enough, then good luck.
And so on.
The old app could do all this.

I wanted to buy a couple of Eras and a sound bar during the prime day sale, but no, thank you Sonos.
No more new sonos speakers for me.

 

[USB-Adapter]

Not sure why anyone use Sonos anyway. Expensive, bad quality, closed ecosystem. It’s shocking anyone would choose to buy that crap…

The best and only speakers system, until they broke it.
It worked as Airplay way before AirPlay.
You could use one simple Spotify/Apple//etc subscription to play 5* different songs simultaneously. All other speakers needed a family subscription for this.

*maybe more than 5, I tested it only with 5 speakers or speaker pairs back in the day.

 

[HornOfAbraxas]

I just stream to my Sonos speakers directly from Spotify and other apps. Rarely ever open the Sonos app unless something goes wrong and you need to set them up again?

Cool man, glad this doesn't affect you

It does affect a lot of people, so it's only a good thing that they're committing to fixing their app.

 

[hlovatt]

I’m a long time Sonos user and need to use the App because some of my gear is pre AirPlay.

The App has been getting worse and worse, first the S2 was much worse than S1 and now the updated S2 has tons of problems for me. I think it’s unreasonable of them to push an update that has fewer features than previous versions, is harder to use, and totally unreliable. In my ideal world I wouldn’t have updated from S1. They should now offer option of going back.

The most annoying part is that this update appears to be solely so they can push ads on the App.