How to AirPlay Music to Sonos Speakers

Sonos is a leading brand in home audio systems, known for its high-quality speakers and seamless wireless connectivity. One of the most convenient features of Sonos is its compatibility with Apple’s AirPlay. If you’re wondering how to AirPlay to Sonos, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, AirPlay allows you to stream music, podcasts, and other audio content directly to your Sonos speakers with ease.

Prerequisites for AirPlay on Sonos

Before we dive into the steps, there are a few prerequisites you should ensure are in place:

• AirPlay 2 Compatible Sonos Speakers: Not all Sonos speakers support AirPlay. The following models are compatible:
  • Sonos One
  • Sonos Beam
  • Sonos Arc
  • Sonos Move
  • Sonos Five
  • Playbase
  • Play:5 (Gen 2)
  • Sonos One SL
  • Sonos Ray
  • Sonus faber OMNIA
• If you have an older model, you can still use AirPlay by grouping it with an AirPlay-compatible Sonos speaker.
• iOS or macOS Device: AirPlay works with iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs running the latest versions of iOS or macOS.
• Wi-Fi Network: Make sure both your Sonos speaker and your Apple device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

How to AirPlay to Sonos from iPhone or iPad

Follow these steps to stream audio from your iPhone or iPad to your Sonos speaker using AirPlay:

1. Open the Control Center:

• On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X or later), swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
• On iPhones with a Home button (iPhone 8 or earlier), swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

2. Select the AirPlay Icon:

• Look for the “Now Playing” section in the Control Center. Tap the AirPlay icon (a triangle with circles).

3. Choose Your Sonos Speaker:

• A list of available AirPlay devices will appear. Select the Sonos speaker you want to stream to.

4. Start Playing Audio:

• Once connected, play your desired audio content. The sound will now come from your Sonos speaker instead of your iPhone or iPad.

How to AirPlay to Sonos from Mac

If you’re using a Mac, you can easily AirPlay to Sonos using the following steps:

1. Open System Preferences:

• Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Settings.”

2. Select Sound:

• In the System Preferences window, click “Sound.”

3. Choose Sonos Speaker as Output:

• Under the “Output” tab, you will see a list of available devices. Choose your Sonos speaker as the audio output.

4. Play Your Audio:

• Now, any audio you play on your Mac will stream through your Sonos speaker.

Alternatively, if you are using an app like Apple Music or Spotify, you can simply look for the AirPlay icon within the app and select your speaker directly.

Multi-Room Streaming with AirPlay 2 and Sonos

One of the most exciting features of AirPlay 2 is its ability to stream audio to multiple speakers in different rooms. With AirPlay 2 and Sonos, you can create a seamless multi-room audio experience. Here’s how:

1. Group Your Speakers:

• In the Sonos app, create a group by selecting multiple Sonos speakers. This allows you to stream to multiple rooms simultaneously.

2. Use Control Center:

• Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, tap the AirPlay icon, and select all the Sonos speakers you want to include in the stream.

3. Play Audio:

• Once grouped, play any audio, and it will stream across all selected speakers in real time.

Fix Unable to AirPlay to Sonos Issue

If you’re having trouble connecting AirPlay to Sonos, here are some common troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure Devices Are on the Same Wi-Fi Network: Make sure both your Sonos speaker and Apple device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Restart Devices: Restart your Sonos speaker and Apple device to reset the connection.
3. Update Firmware and Software: Make sure your Sonos speakers and Apple devices are running the latest software updates.
4. Check AirPlay Compatibility: Ensure you’re using a speaker that supports AirPlay 2.

AirPlaying to Sonos is a simple and effective way to enhance your home audio experience, combining the best of both Sonos and Apple technologies. Whether you’re streaming music, podcasts, or any other audio, following this guide will ensure that you can easily connect your iOS or macOS device to your Sonos system.

By meeting the basic requirements and following the outlined steps, you can enjoy high-quality wireless audio throughout your home. And with AirPlay 2’s multi-room streaming capabilities, you can take your sound system to the next level.

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