Sonos adds Live Activities playback controls to iPhone lock screen

Sonos has rolled out a fresh version of its mobile app that finally embraces iOS Live Activities, the feature Apple introduced with iOS 16 to surface dynamic information on the iPhone lock screen. With the update, iPhone owners can now see basic playback details and tap simple controls for any Sonos‑connected speaker or soundbar directly from the lock screen, eliminating the need to open the Sonos app or pull down the Control Center.

The move was highlighted in a Reddit post that the company shared earlier today, which 9to5Mac reported. In the post, Sonos described the addition as a “much requested, anticipated, and needed feature,” underscoring the demand from long‑time users who have been watching other music services add similar lock‑screen widgets for months.

While the new Live Activity shows the track title, artist name and a play‑pause button, it does not yet display album artwork or offer more granular controls such as track skipping. The limited view is still a step forward for Sonos, whose iOS app previously offered only standard notification‑center controls. Users listening to music or podcasts through any Sonos system—including multi‑room setups—will now see the activity whenever the phone is locked, and a simple tap can pause or resume playback.

The feature aligns Sonos with a broader trend among streaming apps to surface real‑time information on the lock screen, a convenience that many Android users have enjoyed for years via widgets. Analysts note that adding Live Activities could help Sonos retain users who favor quick, glanceable controls, especially as the company pushes deeper integration with smart home ecosystems.

Future updates are expected to bring richer visuals, such as album art, and possibly expanded actions like next‑track or volume adjustments. For now, the introduction of Live Activities marks the most significant iOS‑specific usability upgrade Sonos has delivered in recent months.

Original reporting: The Verge.