Sonos released an app update that brings speaker controls to the iPhone lock screen using Apple's Live Activities system. Once enabled, users can see what’s playing, adjust volume and switch songs after unlocking with Face ID or a passcode. When playback stops, the live activity disappears from the lock screen after 15 minutes.

The update does not show album art on the lock screen; Sonos says it is exploring alternative ways to enhance the experience. Controls work in CarPlay and on Apple Watch, but currently only display playback info without adjustment ability. This feature previously existed in 2016 but was removed in 2023 when Sonos’s earlier lock‑screen method conflicted with Apple’s updated design framework.

After a problematic app redesign in 2024, Sonos issued several updates that restored core features such as queue management, local library reliability, and system settings. The latest update, version 80.16.32 for iOS and Android, adds zone creation, alarm snoozing, and improved system settings management, alongside the lock‑screen Live Activities integration.

Sonos described the lock‑screen control as a “much requested, anticipated and needed feature,” confirming it is responding to long‑standing user demand while continuing to fix other app shortcomings.