Sonos speakers work differently with Bluetooth than most wireless speakers
Most Sonos speakers do not have Bluetooth built in. Instead, they connect to your home network using Wi-Fi, which lets you control them from anywhere in your house and play music from apps like Spotify, Apple Music, or your phone's music library. If your Sonos speaker has a model number ending in "1" (like the Arc 1 or Beam 1), it does not support Bluetooth at all.
However, some newer Sonos models — the Arc, Beam, Move, and Roam — do include Bluetooth as a secondary connection method. Even on these speakers, Bluetooth is not the primary way to use them. You turn on Bluetooth only when you want to play audio from a device that cannot connect to your Wi-Fi network, like a guest's phone or a device in another room.
If you own an older Sonos speaker without Bluetooth, you cannot add it later. The hardware does not support it. Your only option is to use the Wi-Fi connection or replace the speaker with a newer model that includes Bluetooth.
Key Takeaways
- Only Sonos Arc, Beam, Move, and Roam speakers have Bluetooth; older models do not support it at all.
- Bluetooth on Sonos speakers is a backup connection method, not the main way to use them — Wi-Fi is faster and more reliable.
- To turn on Bluetooth, hold the Bluetooth button on the speaker itself for three seconds until you hear a tone.
- Once Bluetooth is on, search for the speaker by name on your phone or device and pair it like you would any other Bluetooth speaker.
- Bluetooth mode disconnects the speaker from your Wi-Fi network, so you cannot use the Sonos app or multi-room audio while connected this way.
Check which Sonos speaker you own
Look at the back or bottom of your speaker for a model number. It will be printed on a sticker and usually starts with "Sonos" followed by the product name. Write down the exact model name — for example, "Sonos Arc", "Sonos Beam Gen 2", or "Sonos Move".
Only these models have Bluetooth: Arc, Beam (any generation), Move, and Roam. If your speaker is a Play:1, Play:3, Play:5, Playbar, Boost, or Connect, it does not have Bluetooth. You will need to use Wi-Fi instead.
Turn on Bluetooth mode on your Sonos speaker
Locate the Bluetooth button on your speaker. On the Arc and Beam, it is a small button on the back. On the Move and Roam, it is on the top. The button is usually marked with a Bluetooth symbol (two triangles pointing at each other).
Press and hold the Bluetooth button for three seconds. You will hear a tone or see a light flash, which means Bluetooth mode is now active. The speaker will stay in Bluetooth mode for about five minutes while it waits for a device to connect. If no device pairs during that time, Bluetooth mode turns off automatically.
Important: When Bluetooth is on, your Sonos speaker disconnects from Wi-Fi. This means you cannot use the Sonos app, play music from streaming services, or use multi-room audio. Bluetooth mode is only for playing audio directly from a phone or tablet that is in the same room.
Pair your phone or device to the speaker
On your phone or tablet, open the Bluetooth settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth. On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth (the exact path varies by phone model).
Turn Bluetooth on if it is not already on. Your phone will scan for nearby Bluetooth devices. Look for your Sonos speaker in the list — it will appear by its model name, such as "Sonos Arc" or "Sonos Move".
Tap the speaker name to pair. Your phone will connect to the speaker. Once paired, you will see "Connected" next to the speaker name in your Bluetooth settings. You can now play audio from your phone through the Sonos speaker.
Switch back to Wi-Fi mode
To return to normal Sonos operation and reconnect to Wi-Fi, press the Bluetooth button again for three seconds. You will hear another tone. The speaker will reconnect to your home network within a few seconds.
Once Wi-Fi is reconnected, open the Sonos app on your phone. The speaker should appear in your room list and be ready to use. You can now play music from the Sonos app, Spotify, or any other streaming service again.
Troubleshooting Bluetooth connection problems
If your phone does not see the Sonos speaker in the Bluetooth list, make sure you held the Bluetooth button for a full three seconds. A short press will not set up Bluetooth mode. Try again and listen for the confirmation tone.
If the speaker appears in the list but will not pair, try "forgetting" the speaker from your phone's Bluetooth settings and pairing again. On iPhone, tap the "i" icon next to the speaker name and choose "Forget This Device". On Android, tap the settings icon next to the speaker name and choose "Unpair". Then hold the Bluetooth button on the speaker again and pair from scratch.
If you are still having trouble, restart your phone and try pairing again. If the speaker still will not connect, restart the speaker by unplugging it for 10 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up before attempting to pair.
When to use Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi
Use Bluetooth only in specific situations. The main reason is when a guest wants to play music from their phone but does not have your Wi-Fi password. Bluetooth lets them connect without needing network access.
Another reason is if your Wi-Fi network is down or your speaker loses connection. Bluetooth is a backup way to get audio playing while you troubleshoot the network.
For everyday listening, Wi-Fi is better. It is faster, more stable, and lets you use the full Sonos app with all your music services. Bluetooth is slower to connect and only works when your phone is in the same room as the speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at the same time?
No. When Bluetooth is on, the speaker disconnects from Wi-Fi. You must choose one or the other. To switch, press the Bluetooth button again to turn Bluetooth off and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Why does my Sonos speaker keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?
Bluetooth mode turns off automatically after five minutes if no audio is playing. This is by design to save power. Press the Bluetooth button again to reactivate it. Also check that your phone is within 30 feet of the speaker, as Bluetooth has a limited range.
Can I pair multiple phones to one Sonos speaker at the same time?
Only one device can play audio through the speaker at a time, but you can pair multiple phones to the same speaker. Once paired, any of those phones can connect without pairing again. However, only one can be actively playing.
Does Bluetooth work with the Sonos app?
No. When Bluetooth is active, the Sonos app will not control the speaker. The app only works when the speaker is connected to Wi-Fi. You must use your phone's standard music player or streaming app to control audio over Bluetooth.
What if my Sonos speaker is too old to have Bluetooth?
Older Sonos models cannot be updated to support Bluetooth — it is a hardware feature that cannot be added later. Your options are to use Wi-Fi only or upgrade to a newer model like the Arc, Beam, Move, or Roam.