How to control any Sonos speaker using voice (Alexa)

**UPDATE 10/10/17: There is now a native Sonos Alexa skill – take a look at my more recent article.**

Sonos announced some time ago a partnership with Amazon to enable Alexa support. This would allow voice control of your Sonos system via an Amazon Echo or Dot.

It’s almost a year later and there is still no support. But if you’re getting tired of waiting, it’s possible to use a free third party smart home app called Yonomi, to enable basic Alexa support for any Sonos speaker, without purchasing any additional hardware.

What you’ll need

1. Any Sonos speaker;
2. An Amazon Echo or Dot in this example, but you could use any voice activated Alexa enabled device like the Fire TV, for example.

Setup process

1. Download Yonomi and the Alexa app on your smartphone;
2. Open Yonomi, create an account and then let the app discover your devices. It found my Amazon Echo and Sonos speakers straight off:
   
3. It’s best to rename your device now. Tap on Things and select your Sonos component and choose Options. Rename it to something simple – in my case Playbar;
4. Open the Alexa app and select Smart Home. Under Configure Smart Home, search for Yonomi and enable it. You’ll need your previously created login details;
5. Now under Devices, you’ll see the renamed Sonos speaker (amongst other routines as Yonomi call them):
   
6. You’re done. You can now say Alexa, turn on Playbar, or Alexa turn off Playbar to start or stop your existing music.

This is rather basic control, but still useful until Sonos enables Alexa support directly.

You can add more advanced control using Routines in the Yonomi app, to play a playlist for example.

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Amazon Dot (UK, US)
Sonos speakers (UK, US)