Want Sonos controls on your iPhone lock screen? They've finally returned to iOS here's how to get them

Date:
Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:49:10 +0000

Description:
The Sonos app now uses Live Activities to put controls on your lock screen. It's off by default but easy to enable.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The Sonos app on iOS now works with Live Activities and Dynamic Island Controls remain on screen for 15 minutes after playback stops Album art and full Watch/CarPlay support will arrive soon Sonos has updated its iPhone app to support Live Activities and the Dynamic Island. Posting on the r/sonos subreddit , Liz from Sonos says that "Were excited to finally bring back Sonos control from the iOS lock screen, but in an all-new way with iOS Live Activities. We know this is a
much requested, anticipated, and needed feature, and we cant wait for you to try it out."

The feature is off by default but you can enable it in the latest version of the app by going into Account > App Preferences > Live Activity. Once you've enabled the feature, simply start playback and close the app. The Live Activity will show the current speaker group or room you last played audio
on, and it gives you volume and transport controls. Those controls will be visible when your phone is locked, but you'll need to use Face ID, Touch ID
or a passcode to unlock the device to change playback. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

To make the Live Activity go away, just swipe it off the screen. What's missing from the Sonos Live Activities support This is what you'll see when you tap on the Sonos interface in your phone's Dynamic Island (Image credit: Sonos) Some features haven't been implemented yet. Sonos' app doesn't yet support album art in the Live Activity, although Liz says that "alternative ways to enhance the lock screen experience are being explored." You may like Sonos is finally rolling out its long-awaited app redesign with new
navigation The Sonos app is finally getting its long-awaited upgrades to make it easier to use The Sonos app for iPhone and iPad has mysteriously disappeared from the App Store

Live Activities are also used by the Apple Watch and with CarPlay, but Sonos hasn't implemented the feature for those platforms yet. That means the Live Activity will appear on your Apple Watch or on your Car's displays, but the on-screen controls won't do anything.

If you'd rather not use the Sonos app to control your audio, for example because you use Direct Control from a compatible service, AirPlay or Bluetooth) Sonos says that "you can still use the local playback controls
that appear on screen or the Live Activity. You can choose which you prefer
to use." Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Live Activities were introduced in iOS 16.2, and Sonos's version is rolling out just weeks before the next version of iOS, i OS 27 , drops. The feature will work just as well in the next iOS, and Sonos says that while there's no news to share right now "the teams have been exploring the new capabilities [iOS 27] has in Beta." Thinking of buying a new TV? Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/televisions/want-sonos-controls-on-your-iphone-lock- screen-theyve-finally-returned-to-ios-heres-how-to-get-them


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)