Customer Reviews (140)

90404mike • 2025-03-10T08:18:25-07:00

I don’t know when this came out but it is better than the broke Sonos app when that came out but it’s not better now after they have been fixing the app. That said if you don’t like the new app this is worth a try.

KS SKIBUM • 2025-03-07T19:52:17-07:00

I don’t know how this app just worked right out of the box, but it did. My wife and I were ready to throw her new phone out the window after trying to get the S1 app to recognize our system, which is all legacy Sonos products. After literally hours of frustration, we purchased this app, and WITHIN 5 seconds of opening, it found our devices AND recognized all our preferences. Even device groupings. It’s rare I am blown away by an app, but I am. Literally best $4 I’ve ever spent in my life. Thank you! Peace in the household again.

bigbosoxfan • 2025-03-07T07:45:03-07:00

After day 1, Apple Music won’t connect, there’s lag. Same experience as Sonos app

Summary of Key Insights

  • SonoPhone for Sonos is generally well-received, especially as an alternative to the official Sonos app, which many users find buggy, slow, and frustrating, particularly after updates. The app's strength lies in its speed, reliability, and ease of use. However, some users report issues with connectivity and a lack of certain features found in the official app. Overall sentiment is positive, with many users expressing relief and satisfaction after switching to SonoPhone.
  • Strengths: Speed, responsiveness, ease of use, ability to control both S1 and S2 devices, reliable connection (compared to the official app).
  • Weaknesses: Basic UI, missing features (sleep timer, alarms, EQ settings, surround sound control), occasional connectivity issues, lack of support for YouTube Music.
  • Overall Sentiment: Positive. Many users express strong appreciation and relief.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Overall Rating: High (skewed towards 5 stars)
    • Score Distribution: 1-star (12.1%), 2-star (2.1%), 3-star (3.6%), 4-star (10.7%), 5-star (71.4%)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 140 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews span a considerable period, with a concentration of recent reviews (late 2024 and early 2025) likely due to issues with the official Sonos app.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review of each review to identify key themes, sentiment, pain points, and feature requests. Keyword extraction was used to identify frequently mentioned terms.

Key User Pain Points

  • Unreliable Official Sonos App: The most prominent pain point is the poor performance of the official Sonos app. Users complain about slowness, bugs, connection issues, and a frustrating user interface. Many reviews explicitly state that SonoPhone is a necessary alternative due to the unreliability of the official app.
  • Missing Features: Several users mention the lack of certain features in SonoPhone, such as a sleep timer, alarms, EQ settings (bass/treble adjustment), surround sound control, and the ability to play music stored directly on the iPhone.
  • Connectivity Issues: A small subset of users report connectivity problems with SonoPhone, mirroring the issues they experience with the official app.
  • Basic UI: Some users find the user interface to be basic or outdated.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Sleep Timer: The most frequently requested feature.
  • EQ Settings (Bass/Treble Adjustment): Many users want the ability to adjust sound settings within the app.
  • Alarms: A few users specifically request alarm functionality.
  • Improved UI/Dark Mode: Some users suggest a more modern or visually appealing user interface, including a dark mode option.
  • Surround Sound Control: Users with home theater setups want the ability to toggle surround sound and subwoofers on/off.
  • Shortcuts/Customization: Users want the ability to create shortcuts or customize the main menu for frequently accessed functions.
  • Lock Screen Controls: Being able to control the app from the lock screen.
  • Widgets: A widget for quick access to controls.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Speed and Responsiveness: Users consistently praise SonoPhone for its speed and responsiveness, especially compared to the laggy official app.
  • Ease of Use: Many users find SonoPhone to be more intuitive and easier to use than the official app.
  • Reliability: SonoPhone is often described as more reliable than the official app, with fewer connection issues.
  • S1 and S2 Compatibility: The ability to control both older (S1) and newer (S2) Sonos devices in a single app is a significant advantage.
  • Volume Control: Users appreciate the volume control features and the numerical display of volume levels.
  • NAS Support: The app's continued support for playing music from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device is highly valued by users who maintain local music libraries.
  • Simple and Functional: Many users appreciate the app's focus on essential functions without unnecessary features.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Implement Sleep Timer: This is the most requested feature and would significantly improve user satisfaction.
  • Address Connectivity Issues: Investigate and resolve reported connectivity problems to ensure a stable and reliable user experience.
  • Implement EQ Settings (Bass/Treble Adjustment): Providing basic EQ controls would address a common user need and enhance sound customization.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve UI/Add Dark Mode: A more modern or visually appealing user interface, including a dark mode option, would improve the overall user experience.
  • Add Surround Sound Control: Implementing surround sound control would cater to users with home theater setups.
  • Add Shortcuts/Customization Options: Allowing users to customize the main menu or create shortcuts would improve efficiency.
  • Implement Lock Screen Controls: Add controls to the lock screen for easier control.

Low Priority:

  • Support for YouTube Music: While some users may desire YouTube Music support, it is not as frequently requested as other features.
  • Implement Alarms: Adding alarm functionality would cater to a smaller subset of users.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Sonos App Repair Service: Given the widespread dissatisfaction with the official Sonos app, a startup could offer a service to "repair" or optimize Sonos systems, including installing and configuring SonoPhone or other alternative controllers.
  • Smart Home Audio Optimization: A startup could focus on providing comprehensive audio solutions for smart homes, including hardware and software integration, custom controller apps, and network optimization for seamless streaming.
  • Privacy-Focused Sonos Alternative: A hardware and software system that mirrors the Sonos functionality, but built from the ground up with user privacy as a core principle.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Towards Sonos: There is a clear trend of negative sentiment towards Sonos, particularly related to the official app and its updates.
  • Increased Adoption Due to Sonos Issues: Many users specifically mention switching to SonoPhone after experiencing problems with the official Sonos app.
  • Value of Simplicity: Users appreciate the simplicity and focus on essential functions in SonoPhone, contrasting with the perceived complexity and bloat of the official app.
  • Importance of Local Music Library Support: The continued support for NAS devices and local music libraries is a key differentiator and a valuable feature for many users.

Conclusion

SonoPhone for Sonos fills a critical gap in the market by providing a reliable and user-friendly alternative to the often-problematic official Sonos app. The app's strengths lie in its speed, ease of use, and compatibility with both S1 and S2 devices. By addressing key user pain points, such as the lack of a sleep timer and EQ settings, and by continuing to prioritize simplicity and reliability, SonoPhone can further solidify its position as the preferred Sonos controller for many users. The overall recommendation is to continue development and prioritize the implementation of frequently requested features.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sonophone-for-sonos/id815251931?uo=2