Sonos speakers work with Bluetooth, but not the way most speakers do
Most Sonos speakers do not have Bluetooth turned on by default, and some models do not support Bluetooth at all. The ones that do — including the Sonos Move, Sonos Roam, and Sonos Arc — require you to turn Bluetooth on manually through the Sonos app before your phone or laptop will see them. Once Bluetooth is active, pairing works like any other speaker: your device finds it in the Bluetooth menu and connects. The catch is that Bluetooth mode disables some Sonos features, like multi-room audio and voice control, so you are making a trade-off each time you switch.
This guide covers which Sonos models have Bluetooth, how to turn it on, how to pair your devices, and what happens to your speaker's other features when you do. If your speaker does not support Bluetooth at all, you can still stream audio to it using AirPlay (on Apple devices) or the Sonos app instead.
Key Takeaways
- Only certain Sonos models support Bluetooth: Sonos Move, Sonos Roam, Sonos Arc, and Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 have Bluetooth built in.
- Bluetooth is off by default on all Sonos speakers, so you must enable it in the Sonos app before pairing.
- When a Sonos speaker is in Bluetooth mode, it cannot join your home network or work with other Sonos speakers in the same room.
- Switching between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi mode takes about 30 seconds and requires opening the Sonos app each time.
- If your Sonos speaker does not appear in your phone's Bluetooth menu, check the Sonos app to confirm Bluetooth is turned on.
Which Sonos speakers actually have Bluetooth
Not every Sonos speaker has Bluetooth. The Sonos One, Sonos Five, Sonos Beam, and Sonos Sub do not support it at all — they work only over Wi-Fi. If you own one of these and want to play audio from your phone via Bluetooth, you will need to use AirPlay (on Apple devices) or the Sonos app instead.
The models that do have Bluetooth are the Sonos Move (a portable speaker with a battery), the Sonos Roam (smaller and lighter than the Move), the Sonos Arc (a soundbar), and the newer Sonos Era 100 and Era 300. Check your speaker's model name on the back or bottom if you are not sure which one you own. You can also open the Sonos app, tap Settings, select your speaker, and look at the device information — it will list whether Bluetooth is available.
How to turn Bluetooth on in the Sonos app
Open the Sonos app on your phone or tablet. Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear or three horizontal lines, depending on your device). Find your speaker in the list and tap it. Look for a Bluetooth toggle or switch — on most models it will say "Bluetooth" with an on/off button next to it. Tap the button to turn Bluetooth on.
The app will show you when Bluetooth is active. Some speakers display a small Bluetooth symbol on the device itself when the mode is enabled. Wait about 10 to 15 seconds for the speaker to fully enter Bluetooth mode before you try to pair. If the toggle does not seem to stick, try turning it off and on again — sometimes the app needs a moment to register the change.
Pairing your phone or laptop to the speaker
Once Bluetooth is on in the Sonos app, open your device's Bluetooth settings. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth and look for your Sonos speaker's name in the list of available devices. On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and do the same. On a Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Devices.
Tap or click your Sonos speaker's name to pair. Most speakers pair without asking for a code, though some may prompt you to confirm the pairing on both devices. Once paired, your device will remember the speaker and reconnect automatically the next time Bluetooth is on.
If your speaker does not appear in the Bluetooth list, go back to the Sonos app and double-check that Bluetooth is actually on. Sometimes the toggle does not stick — try turning it off and on again. Also make sure your phone or laptop's Bluetooth is on and set to discoverable mode. If you still cannot see it after waiting 15 seconds, restart the speaker by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.
What you lose when you use Bluetooth mode
When a Sonos speaker is connected via Bluetooth, it disconnects from your home Wi-Fi network. This means you cannot use it as part of a multi-room setup, play music to it from the Sonos app, or use voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant. You also cannot group it with other Sonos speakers in different rooms.
Bluetooth mode is best for temporary use — playing a podcast from your phone while you are in the kitchen, or streaming music from a laptop at a gathering. If you want to go back to using the speaker with your full Sonos system, you need to turn Bluetooth off in the app, which takes about 30 seconds and reconnects the speaker to Wi-Fi. Some people find it easier to leave Bluetooth off most of the time and only turn it on when they need it, while others keep a portable speaker like the Roam in Bluetooth mode permanently because they move it between rooms.
Switching back to Wi-Fi mode
Open the Sonos app, find your speaker, and toggle Bluetooth off. The speaker will reconnect to your home network automatically. You should see it reappear in the app's main screen within 30 seconds. Once it is back on Wi-Fi, you can use it with other Sonos speakers, control it from the app, and use voice commands again.
The reconnection usually happens without any action on your part. If the speaker does not reappear after a minute, try restarting it by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Once it is back online, you will see it listed in the app and can control it normally.
Troubleshooting Bluetooth connection problems
If your phone pairs with the speaker but no sound comes out, check the volume on both your device and the speaker itself. The Sonos app has its own volume control separate from your phone's volume buttons. Also confirm that your phone is actually playing audio — some apps default to playing through the phone's speaker instead of the connected device.
If the speaker keeps disconnecting, try moving closer to it. Bluetooth has a shorter range than Wi-Fi, typically 30 feet in open space and less through walls. Interference from other wireless devices like microwaves or cordless phones can also cause drops. If you are far from the speaker or in a crowded wireless environment, Wi-Fi mode (through the Sonos app) may be more reliable than Bluetooth.
If you cannot turn Bluetooth on in the app, restart the speaker by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If the problem persists, check the Sonos website to see if your speaker model actually supports Bluetooth — some older versions do not. You can also look at the device information in the Sonos app settings to confirm whether Bluetooth is listed as an available feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at the same time on a Sonos speaker?
No. A Sonos speaker is either in Bluetooth mode or Wi-Fi mode, not both. When Bluetooth is on, the speaker disconnects from your home network. You have to choose which mode you want to use.
Why does my Sonos speaker not show up in my phone's Bluetooth list?
Bluetooth is probably off in the Sonos app. Open the app, find your speaker, and look for the Bluetooth toggle. Turn it on and wait 10 to 15 seconds. If it still does not appear, restart the speaker by unplugging it for 10 seconds.
Does Bluetooth drain the battery faster on a Sonos Roam or Move?
Bluetooth uses slightly less power than Wi-Fi on battery-powered speakers, but the difference is small — usually a few hours over a full charge. Battery life depends more on volume level and how long you are playing audio.
Can I play music from two phones to the same Sonos speaker at the same time?
No. Only one device can be paired and playing at a time. If a second phone tries to play, it will pause the first one. You would need to switch which phone is connected.
What is the range of Sonos Bluetooth?
Bluetooth typically works up to 30 feet in open space, but walls and interference can reduce that to 15 to 20 feet. If you need to play audio from farther away, use Wi-Fi mode through the Sonos app instead, which has a much longer range.