Sonos Brings Speaker Controls Back to iPhone Lock Screen
Sonos has released an app update that restores lock screen controls on the iPhone using Apple's Live Activities system. The integration allows users to monitor playback, adjust volume, and change tracks after unlocking their device.
Audio equipment manufacturer Sonos has officially released a brand new software update for its mobile application, bringing back long-awaited speaker controls directly to the iPhone lock screen. The newly introduced functionality utilizes Apple's Live Activities notifications system to integrate seamlessly with iOS devices, giving users immediate access to their audio playback.
With this latest software integration, the lock screen controls allow users to keep a close eye on what audio is currently playing across their Sonos system. In addition to monitoring playback status, the feature enables listeners to adjust the overall volume and easily switch songs directly from their device, though these actions require the phone to be unlocked via Face ID or a passcode for security purposes.
While the update introduces convenient new interaction options, the current implementation does include a few specific limitations. Most notably, the integration currently does not allow the Sonos application to display album artwork on the iPhone lock screen while music is actively playing. Furthermore, the software is designed so that when playback eventually stops entirely, the live activity automatically disappears from the lock screen after a duration of 15 minutes.
The return of lock screen capabilities marks a notable shift for the audio company, which previously featured similar controls that were originally introduced back in 2016. Those earlier capabilities were eventually removed in 2023, leaving many Apple-using customers without direct lock screen access to their home audio setups for a significant period of time.
This latest enhancement arrives following a turbulent period for the company's software development. Sonos previously rolled out a major redesign of its mobile application in 2024, an update that notably was missing several crucial features upon release. That controversial overhaul led directly to subsequent software updates and patches designed to address ongoing user concerns and restore essential functionality.
