Sonos Users Stuck with Unpopular iOS App: No Rollback Possible, Says CEO

Sonos users have been expressing frustration with the company's updated app, which introduced several missing features and functionality. Despite apologies from Sonos CEO Patrick Spence, the company has ruled out the possibility of reverting to the previous version of the app.

Sonos App Update Frustrates Many Users

The latest Sonos app update has left many users dissatisfied. Since its release, frequent complaints have surfaced regarding the loss of beloved features and the overall decrease in functionality.

Spence has publicly apologized for the inconvenience caused by the app's redesign, but the reality is that the older version of the app, known as S2, cannot be reinstated, according to The Verge.

Why Sonos Can't Bring Back the S2 App

During a recent "Office Hours" Q&A session on Reddit, Spence addressed the ongoing concerns about the app. He acknowledged the frustration among users and expressed regret that rolling back to the S2 version is simply not feasible. The reason lies in the extensive updates made to the software that operates not just on the app, but also on the speakers and in the cloud.

"The challenge is that Sonos is more than just a mobile app. It's software that runs on your speakers and in the cloud too. In the months since the new mobile app launched, we've been updating the software to the point where S2 is now less reliable and stable than what users remember," Spence said.

The tech businessman noted that after extensive testing, it became clear that re-releasing the S2 app would exacerbate the problems rather than resolve them. The old system has become incompatible with the current ecosystem, making a rollback impossible without causing further issues.

The Path Forward: Improving the Current App

While the inability to revert to the older app is disappointing for many, Sonos is committed to enhancing the current app experience.

As per Apple Insider, Spence assured users that the company is now fully focused on optimizing the new software to meet consumer expectations.

As part of this commitment, Sonos is working on several key improvements. One of the main priorities is making the setup process for new products more reliable, ensuring that users face fewer issues during installation. Additionally, the company is striving to reduce the frequency of the dreaded "something went wrong" errors that have plagued the new app since its release.

What's Next for Sonos Users?

Although there's no going back to the previous app, Sonos users can look forward to a series of updates aimed at refining the current experience. The company has taken user feedback seriously and is working hard to address the most pressing concerns.

For now, Sonos users will need to continue using the current iOS app, but with the promise of ongoing improvements, there's hope that the experience will soon align more closely with what customers have come to expect from the brand.

While Sonos is working to restore its reputation, the focus will remain on delivering a more stable, reliable app that meets the needs of its loyal user base.