When Sonos first arrived on the audio scene, approach again in 2005, issues had been very totally different to what they’re now. The corporate virtually invented multi-room audio – or not less than raised the usual of the expertise it ought to be – and for a few years, it had little or no competitors.

Being one of many first has professionals and cons nonetheless, and one of many cons was that the expertise again then actually wasn’t what it’s now. Each Sonos speaker needed to run by a bridge for instance, and protocols like Apple’s AirPlay had been years off being launched.

Fortunately, it is now not 2005 and issues have come on considerably within the final couple of a long time. For starters, there is no want for a Sonos bridge and the Sonos S2 app that launched in 2020 delivered huge enhancements on the older S1 platform.

Then you’ve got expertise like Apple’s 2nd technology wi-fi protocol, AirPlay 2. This arrived in 2018 and supplied some wonderful further options to Sonos audio system, together with letting you stream music straight from an iOS system to your audio system.

Actually, utilizing AirPlay 2 you may circumvent the Sonos app completely and nonetheless group your audio system collectively. You may also group your Sonos audio system with Apple’s HomePod – the primary and 2nd technology fashions.

Which Sonos audio system are appropriate with AirPlay 2?

Brief reply, any Sonos system that has launched because the 2nd technology of the Sonos Play:5 in 2015 is appropriate with AirPlay 2. That features the next Sonos audio system and gadgets: One, One SL, Period 100, Period 300, 5, Roam, Transfer, Transfer 2, Beam, Ray, Arc, Playbase, Amp and Port.

Another Sonos audio system just like the older Sonos Play:1 from 2013, won’t be capable to play with AirPlay 2 straight, however that’s not the top of the story. You may also grow old Sonos audio system working with AirPlay 2.

The way to arrange AirPlay 2 on Sonos

If you have not carried out so already, you are going to want to ensure your Sonos audio system are operating the most recent software program. AirPlay 2 is not new anymore however it’s nonetheless necessary to make sure your audio system are operating the newest software program patch for the very best expertise. You additionally want to make sure the Sonos app itself is updated to ensure your Sonos audio system are gaining access to all the most recent options. As soon as you’ve got make sure the Sonos app is updated…

1. Open the Sonos app. You need to see a immediate to replace if there may be an replace, but when not, faucet on the Settings tab within the backside proper nook.
2. You may then need to scroll all the way down to System Updates and faucet on Verify for Updates. It will manually scan for any updates out there.
3. Open up AirPlay 2 in your iOS system by launching the Management Middle after which urgent the highest proper tile, which is the music widget.
4. Faucet the AirPlay icon alongside sides the play controls. You need to see your Sonos audio system seem within the checklist.
5. Choose the audio system you need to play from. Bear in mind, AirPlay 2 lets you choose a number of audio system directly.

As soon as you’ve got carried out all this, you may faucet on the music widget once more and it’ll open Apple Music the place it is possible for you to to pick out what you need to play in your Sonos audio system through AirPlay.

The way to get Siri on Sonos

Solely Alexa or the Google Assistant can be found natively on Sonos audio system, so the place does that go away Siri?

Don’t anticipate Siri to reside natively on Sonos audio system any time quickly – that is impossible to occur, particularly with HomePod round. You may nonetheless get Siri working with Sonos nonetheless. You need to do it by AirPlay 2 and you need to register your Sonos audio system throughout the Apple House app so it is a workaround somewhat than straightforward, however it may be carried out.

As soon as you’ve registered your Sonos audio system in Apple House, you’ll be capable to ask Siri to play music on these particular Sonos audio system, as long as you’re utilizing Apple Music or enjoying music out of your native Music library. We mentioned it was a workaround somewhat than a whole flawless answer!

<>Nonetheless, to set this up so you should use Siri in your Sonos audio system, observe the steps beneath:

1. Head into the AppleHouse app in your iPhone or iPad.
2. Hit the ‘+’ icon on the high proper.
3. Choose ‘Add Accessory’.
4. Faucet on ‘Extra Choices’ to deliver up a listing of gadgets which are detected close by.
5. In case your Sonos speaker is switched on and close by, it ought to seem right here. Faucet on it to assign it to a room and provides it a reputation. You may name it no matter you want.
6. You may also select whether or not you need to activate automations like pausing media while you go away residence.
7. Faucet on ‘Completed’.You’ll now be capable to say issues like, “Hey Siri, play Animal Collective on Sonos Period 300 (or no matter identify you gave your Sonos speaker in Apple House)“.