Combine Alexa and Sonos: Getting Started

An Internet connection with Wi-Fi router. Sonos system running the latest update. An Alexa enabled device, such as an Echo.

Set up Your Sonos Speaker

If you already have your Sonos speaker(s) set up, move to the next section on Alexa. If you have a new Sonos “player” or system, here is how to get started:

Follow additional steps to set up your specific Sonos player(s) or speaker(s), such as those shown in the above photo.

Once you have your Sonos system up and running, here are the steps to link it to Alexa and Echo.

Alexa Features Not Supported by Sonos One or Sonos Beam

Using voice commands to group rooms or move the music to another room. Using voice commands to access your local music libraries, such as music stored on a PC or media server. Calling, drop-in, and messaging. Playing eBooks. Receiving Notifications. Change the Sonos One or Sonos Beam wake word.

Extra Commands Available for Sonos Beam

If the Sonos Beam is connected to a TV that has HDMI-ARC, you can use Alexa to turn the tv on and off. Beam also follows commands such as “Turn it up” and “Mute,” applying them to the TV volume.

Once you have determined your Sonos player(s) have been discovered, you can start using Alexa to control your Sonos speakers.

To use Sonos to access streaming music services that Alexa can control, the services must be added to both the Alexa and Sonos Apps. Follow any additional steps that may be prompted.

Here are your choices:

SpotifyTuneIn RadioDeezerPandora (Not available in the UK, Canada, or Australia)iHeartRadio (Not available in the UK or Canada)SiriusXM (Not available in the UK, Canada, or Australia)

Alexa Playback Commands via Echo

Here are examples of the types of Alexa commands you can use to control Sonos speakers (precede each command with the wake word “Alexa”).

Pause/stop/resume or resume music in the (room)Skip/next in the (room)Play the next/previous song/track in the (room)PauseResume on (room)Next song/trackPrevious song/trackStopSkipSkip song/trackWhat’s playing in (room)?

Turn it up/down or louder/quieter/softer in the (room) Set the volume to 3 (or percentage change) in the (room). Adjust the volume level (between 0 and 10)Mute/unmute the (room)

It is important to note that non-musical commands (weather, news, shopping, etc…) will only play through your Echo device, not through your Sonos speakers. The only exception to this is with the Sonos One or Sonos Beam, as they combine Echo and Sonos Speaker functions within the same unit.

Alexa With Sonos One and Sonos Beam

With Sonos One and Sonos Beam, an external Echo device is not required to use Alexa voice control, as it is built-in. However, you still need to perform some steps to activate Alexa after you have performed the Sonos part of the setup.

To get started, make sure the Sonos One and Beam are connected to your Wi-Fi router and go through the Sonos portion of the setup just as you would with other Sonos products. Once done, proceed to add Alexa.

The Sonos Beam can also be linked to the Alexa-enabled Fire TV media streamer or Fire Edition TV. Once linked, you can control access to compatible streaming services with Sonos Beam by saying:

Play Netflix. Switch to ESPN. Tune to a channel by number. Play shows by name on select services, such as Netflix.

Removing Alexa From Sonos

If you choose to remove Alexa voice control from Sonos, you can disable the Alexa Sonos skill. On the Sonos One or Beam, you can remove Alexa by going into the Sonos app and performing the following steps:

Tap Settings. Tap Voice Services. Tap Disable Alexa.