Sonos restores Android notification tone playback controls after two years

Sonos has quietly restored Android media playback controls in its mobile application, solving one of the most criticized changes introduced in the major redesign of the application launched in 2024.

The overhaul was aimed at making the Sonos app “Faster, easier and better” but it also removed several features that users relied on. One of the most notable omissions was support for Android’s native volume and media controls, which allow users to manage audio from the notification screen or lock screen.

After almost two years of complaints, the feature is finally returning.

Android playback controls within the Sonos app are back

With the latest update, the Sonos app is supported again The Android MediaSession systemenabling standard playback controls directly in the system interface. Users can now play, pause, skip tracks, and navigate audio from both the notification screen and lock screen without opening the Sonos app.

The feature works in the same way as other popular music and podcast apps on Android that integrate with the platform’s native media control system.

How is it solved? Android media playback controls was discovered

The feature’s return was first spotted by Reddit user u/edfosho1, who shared a screenshot showing the Sonos playback controls appearing in the notification panel. Shortly after, a Sonos employee confirmed in the same thread that the company had begun rolling out the update to all users.

Sonos has not released release notes or a formal announcement of the change.

How to access the update

Open Google Play Store and update the Sonos app to the latest version. If the update is not yet visible, the rollout is still in progress and should reach remaining users within a few days.