Sonos announced its own voice assistant in May 2022 called Sonos Voice Control. The voice assistant is designed to offer users another easy way to control their Sonos speakers, rather than just the Sonos app and it offers specific functions too.

While the Sonos Voice Control assistant won't be able to turn off your smart lights or turn up your smart thermostat, it will be able to do things like group your Sonos speakers together.

You can read eveything you need to know about Sonos Voice Control in our separate feature, including where it is available, what speakers it works on, and some examples of what you can ask, but here we are focusing on how to setup Sonos Voice Control and how you use it on your Sonos speakers. 

How to setup Sonos Voice Control

Setting up Sonos Voice Control is super easy. Follow the steps below to set Sonos Voice Control up on your compatible Sonos speakers. You'll need to have at least one speaker with a built-in microphone, such as the Sonos One or Sonos Roam.

It's also worth noting that Sonos Voice Control is only available officially in the US at the moment, though UK accounts should still have access - it just might not be flawless as it is currently focused on US English.

  1. Open the Sonos app
  2. Tap on the Settings tab
  3. Tap on Add a Voice Assistant at the top
  4. Alternatively, tap on 'Services & Voice' and select 'Add a Voice Assistant'
  5. Choose Sonos Voice Control from the options
  6. Tap on 'Get Started'
  7. Accept the term of use and tap on continue
  8. Choose the speaker you want to add Sonos Voice Control to 
  9. Update your speaker if required
  10. Tap on 'Continue'
  11. Try it out, or skip 
  12. Tap on 'Done' or tap 'Add to another room' to add to more compatible Sonos speakers

The Sonos Voice Control processes everything locally on the speaker itself so privacy is paramount.

How to use Sonos Voice Control on your speaker

Once you have added Sonos Voice Control to your smart Sonos speakers, all you have to do is say "Hey Sonos", followed by your request. The speaker will make a noise to acknowledge it has heard you. You can also follow up similar requests quickly afterwards without having to say "Hey Sonos" again.

It's also worth remembering that Sonos Voice Control can control other speakers in your Sonos System through a smart speaker. For example, you could ask Sonos Voice Control on your Sonos One in the kitchen to play George Ezra on your Sonos Five in your living room. Keep in mind that while you can use Sonos Voice Control alongside Amazon Alexa, you can't use it alongside Google Assistant.

Here are a few things you can do with Sonos Voice Control:

  • Hey Sonos, what's playing?
  • Hey Sonos, volume up
  • Hey Sonos, volume down
  • Hey Sonos, volume up in the bedroom
  • Hey Sonos, group living room and bedroom 
  • Hey Sonos, turn on Speech Enhancement in the TV room
  • Hey Sonos, what's my battery level
  • Hey Sonos, play Cocktail Hour on the Move
  • Hey Sonos, play something I like
  • Hey Sonos, play Apple Music 1 radio
  • Hey Sonos, skip
  • Hey Sonos, louder…louder
  • Hey Sonos, fast forward
  • Hey Sonos, play a little quieter
  • Hey Sonos, play here instead
  • Hey Sonos, turn the TV on
  • Hey Sonos, volume up in the bedroom only
  • Hey Sonos, play Ed Sheeran very quietly 
  • Hey Sonos, stop playing in the kitchen and start playing in the living room instead
  • Hey Sonos, what can you do?