How To Add Sonos To Homekit? – Step-by-Step Guide

How to add Sonos to HomeKit? Most Sonos speakers and soundbars are readily compatible with HomeKit.

Only a few older models are not. We will check how to connect them in any situation.

If you’d like more features, adding Sonos to HomeKit requires only a few clicks on the Home App and a few on the Sonos app. If you have an older model that is not HomeKit-enabled, you must create a HomeBridge server.

Sonos devices are very easy to manage, which is also true when connecting to HomeKit.

The guide below will provide all the information you need to get started.

How To Add Sonos To HomeKit? 

Sonos owners researching how to add Sonos Beam to HomeKit will be happy with the good news.

Recent models are seamlessly compatible with Apple’s smart home architecture. That is also valid if you are looking for how to add Sonos Arc to HomeKit.

If you own an older model, it might not be readily compatible with the HomeKit framework. However, there is still a workaround you can try. 

Preparation Steps

Every time you want to connect a device to HomeKit, you must ensure two things:

• Your iPhone and your device must be connected to the same 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network;
• All devices and apps involved are up to date.

Switch iPhone From 5GHz to 2.4GHz

Most smart devices only work with 2.4GHz because that frequency covers a bigger distance than 5GHz.

Thus, if your iPhone is connected to 5GHz, you must switch to the other frequency.

It is very simple:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Wi-Fi settings
2. Disconnect from the current network
3. Locate the 2.4GHz network generated by your router
4. Connect to it

Update Your iPhone 

When your phone interacts with a new device, its software must be the most recent.

Do the following on your iPhone:

1. Navigate to Settings
2. Click on General
3. Tap on Software Update

Install any available update. If none is, simply ignore the procedure.

Update The Sonos Firmware

It is also important to ensure your Sonos devices are up to date.

Updating a Sonos device’s software goes like this:

1. Power up the device and connect it to Wi-FI
2. Open the Sonos app 
3. Choose “More” 
4. Select “Settings”
5. Tap “System Updates”
6. Tap “Download and Install” (if available)

Remember that such action is necessary for each Sonos device you have at home.

In addition, we recommend you always keep up with new firmware releases.

Methods To Add Sonos To Homekit

There are a few varying methods to connect Sonos to Homekit. Since Sonos is a brand of speakers and soundbars, they can also enjoy Apple AirPlay2.

Although AirPlay 2 and HomeKit are different, AirPlay2 can integrate into the framework, offering a richer experience.

We will look at how you can add AirPlay2 but will also teach the simpler methods if you don’t care for AirPlay2’s advantages.

Method #1: Connect Sonos Devices Via Home App

The first method we are teaching you is the simplest one you can find. It will provide a seamless connection between your Sonos device and HomeKit.

Again, ensure your Sonos speaker/sound bar’s firmware is updated.

If everything is correct, do the following:

1. Open the Apple Home app
2. Tap the “+” button
3. Choose “Add Accessory“
4. Click on “I Don’t Have a Code or Cannot Scan.”
5. Tap the Sonos device you want to connect
6. Pick the same room name used in the Sonos app

A few users have a certain issue with this method: the phone failing to find the device.

When that happens, you must reboot your iPhone, which will work like a charm. 

Reboot The iPhone If It Can’t Find Sonos

Don’t you remember how to reboot an iPhone? Here is how on iPhone 8 and older:

1. Hold the side button
2. Drag the on-screen slider to turn off
3. Hold that same button again until the Apple logo shows up

On iPhone X and later:

1. Hold the side button and either volume button
2. Drag the on-screen slider to turn off
3. Hold that same button again until the Apple logo shows up

After your phone has restarted, go back to the Home app and try connecting the Sonos device again.

Method #2: Include AirPlay 2 Functionalities 

You already know HomeKit is Apple’s framework to control a wide range of smart devices you can acquire for your household.

On the other hand, AirPlay is Apple’s framework for controlling audio devices.

Both frameworks can integrate easily to produce magical effects on your house’s operation.

The Advantages Of AirPlay 2 + HomeKit

Suppose you want to get the most out of your Sonos device while inside the Apple ecosystem.

You want to use both AirPlay 2 and HomeKit together.

Some benefits of such integration include the following:

• Use music streaming to set up a multi-room audio system by simultaneously sending the same audio signal to numerous AirPlay 2 compatible speakers.
• Label your AirPlay 2 devices and connect them to rooms and scenarios
• Thanks to AirPlay 2, you can be certain that your wireless connection is taking full advantage of Apple Music features like lossless audio quality.
• HomeKit + AirPlay 2 allows the creation of cutting-edge automation, such as the automated activation of a TV and speaker setup when a movie begins playing.

How To Add Sonos To AirPlay 2 And HomeKit

1. Ensure your Sonos device is on and connected
2. Open the Sonos app 
3. Go to the “More” tab 
4. Select “Settings“
5. Click on “AirPlay & Bluetooth“
6. Put “AirPlay” to “on“

The Sonos device will now appear as an AirPlay speaker in the AirPlay menu.

Later integration with HomeKit goes as follows:

1. Open the Apple Home app
2. Tap the “+” button
3. Choose “Add Accessory“
4. Click on “I Don’t Have a Code or Cannot Scan.”
5. Tap the Sonos device you want to connect

Method #3: Use Homebridge For Older Sonos Models

Suppose you simply cannot connect your Sonos device to HomeKit because it is an old model. 

However, a range of older Sonos devices can still integrate into HomeKit via unofficial methods.

As long as your Sonos speaker can be controlled through the Sonos app, it can benefit from Homebridge.

There are two methods to use HomeBridge: either set your MacBook as a server or buy a HOOBS HUB.

How To Set Up A Homebridge Server

Homebridge is a software with the power to allow plenty of devices to connect to Apple HomeKit.

Here is what you will have to do on your MacBook:

1. Open Terminal 
2. Type “npm install -g homebridge” to install Homebridge:
3. Type “npm install -g homebridge-sonos” to install the Sonos plugin
4. Type “nano ~/.homebridge/config.json” to open the Homebridge config.json file
5. Add the Sonos platform to your config.json file. It should look like this:

"platforms": [
    {
        "platform": "Sonos",
        "name": "Sonos Speaker",
        "host": "IP_ADDRESS_OF_YOUR_TV",
        "mac": "MAC_ADDRESS_OF_YOUR_TV"
    }
]

Remember to replace “host” and “mac” values with the appropriate IP and MAC addresses.

Now you can do the following:

1. Save the config.json file.
2. Type “homebridge” to start the software
3. Open the Home app on your MacBook
4. Click to add an accessory
5. Add your Sonos speaker or soundbar 

After it’s added, you should be able to control your Sonos speaker using HomeKit.

Method #4: Use A HOOBS Hub

HOOBS is Homebridge Out Of The Box, a smart hub that will act as a dedicated server.

That is a great alternative instead of keeping your MacBook doing that. 

1. Connect the hub to an ethernet cable from your main router
2. Plug it into a power source

Next:

1. Head to the HOOBS browser interface at https://hoobs.local 
2. Create an account.
3. A QR code will show up.
4. Scan it with your iPhone to access the service right away.

Find The Sonos Plugin

Now you must get the Sonos plugin:

1. Find the Homebridge section of the menu 
2. Choose “Plugins” 
3. type “Sonos” into the search bar

The system will ask you to update your configuration file after installation.

1. Choose a name for the Sonos device
2. Enter your IP address
3. Enter the MAC address

It is common to have multiple Sonos speakers, so choose a name that will make it easy to identify the specific device.

The configuration file will look like this:

"devices": [
            {
                "name": "Room Speaker",
                "ip": "10.20.30.40",
                "mac": "A0:B1:C2:D3:E4:F5"
            }
        ]

Connect To HomeKit

Once the HOOBS is already running a server and recognizing your Sonos device, do the following:

1. Open the Home App
2. Click on Add Accessory
3. Choose “Don’t Have A Code Or Can’t Scan?“
4. The app will search nearby devices
5. Your Sonos should now be available
6. Choose it

Sometimes a PIN is required. It is available on the HOOBS dashboard.

What We Learned

How to add Sonos to HomeKit? The integration of Sonos with HomeKit is very straightforward if you have one of Sonos’ latest models.

However, if you have a very old model, it can still be possible as long as you are down to managing some code lines.