Sonos has quietly brought back Android media playback controls in its mobile app, correcting one of the most criticized changes introduced in the major app redesign in 2024.

The redesign aimed to make the Sonos app faster, easier, and better, but it also removed several features that users relied on. One of the most notable omissions was the removal of Android's native media and audio control support, which allowed users to manage sound from the notification panel or lock screen.

After nearly two years of complaints, this feature is finally returning.

Android Playback Controls Are Back in the Sonos App

With the latest update, the Sonos app has resumed support for Android's MediaSession system and has made standard playback controls directly available in the system interface. Users can now play, pause, skip tracks, and manage volume from the notification panel and lock screen without opening the Sonos app.

This feature works seamlessly with the platform's native media control system, just like other popular music and podcast applications on Android.

How the Fix for Android Media Playback Controls Was Discovered

The return of this feature was first noticed by Reddit user u/edfosho1, who shared a screenshot showing Sonos playback controls appearing in the notification panel. Shortly after, a Sonos employee confirmed in the same thread that the company had started rolling out the update to all users.

Sonos has not released any release notes or official announcements regarding this change.

How to Access the Update

Open the Google Play Store and update the Sonos app to the latest version. If the update is not visible yet, the rollout is still in progress and is expected to reach remaining users within a few days.