- New Sonos app update lets you disable SonosNet mesh networking
- The feature may cause conflicts with “more complex” home networks
- Available on iOS and Android, but not everyone will get it at the same time
Sonos has released an update to its app for both iOS and Android that may resolve a strange network issue for some users. The update, rolling out starting today, adds an option for SonosNet that allows you to disable the feature.
According to Sonos’ Liz, who posted details of the update on the r/sonos subreddit, disabling SonosNet can “help resolve connectivity issues in more complex home network setups.”
This is a relatively small update: the last one from mid-May included multiple changes, including additional music library grouping options, layout improvements on iOS and for US users, changes to advertising personalization. But if you’ve been having strange Wi-Fi issues, it might be just what you’ve been waiting for.
What is SonosNet and why should you fear it?
SonosNet is designed to connect your Sonos speakers together and was created when home Wi-Fi wasn’t always up to the task of seamlessly streaming to your Sonos gear.
Sonos’ solution was to create a Sonos-specific private Wi-Fi mesh network (before mesh routers were common) that its speakers would share, with an Ethernet-wired Sonos device acting as a hub for everything else.
That’s a good thing, but as Sonos’ Liz explains: “For most modern high-speed routers, disabling SonosNet can help things run smoother. Newer routers use Wi-Fi technology that can sometimes conflict with SonosNet mesh, so disabling it allows your system to rely entirely on your home network.”
Sonos also added the ability to see what’s connected via SonosNet, which could again help diagnose specific speaker quirks.
However, it is worth noting that this technology is enabled by default for a reason: this option could be exactly which a lot of people need, but I wouldn’t try it until you’ve investigated other possible causes if you’re having connection issues with Sonos.
The update is rolling, meaning not all devices will receive it at once, so even if the new software is available today, your app may not show the option yet.
Once it is available to you, you can turn off SonosNet by going to System Settings > Networks > Turn off SonosNet. Of course, if you don’t have network problems, you don’t need to do this; and if you haven’t already, it’s worth trying a different SonosNet channel first to see if that solves your problem without having to disconnect SonosNet.
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