You can play SoundCloud on Sonos, but the best method depends on your setup. In supported regions, you can add SoundCloud directly in the Sonos app. If your Sonos speaker supports AirPlay, you can also stream SoundCloud from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you want offline playback, broader track access, or a workaround when the native option is unavailable, you can download SoundCloud tracks and add them to your Sonos music library.
Quick answer: The native SoundCloud Sonos integration is the simplest option, AirPlay is the fastest workaround for Apple users, and local-file playback is the most flexible choice for offline listening and library control.
Part 1. Can You Play SoundCloud on Sonos?
Yes, you can play SoundCloud on Sonos. According to the official Sonos blog, Sonos supports a range of streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Audible. SoundCloud has also joined the ranks of music services compatible with Sonos.
On July 10, 2014, SoundCloud Sonos integration was officially launched. Through direct integration, you can link your SoundCloud account to Sonos within the Sonos Controller application, allowing you to enjoy a rich SoundCloud music catalog through the Sonos high fidelity sound system in any room of your home. You can freely enjoy SoundCloud's tracks, playlists, artists, podcasts, news, and more without complex settings. The Sonos application also allows you to easily search and browse SoundCloud's music library.
However, to access SoundCloud on Sonos, you should be in a geographic location supported by Sonos. More specifically, SoundCloud can only integrate with Sonos in certain regions: Australia, United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and more. To see if your region is supported, see the SoundCloud and Sonos availability list.
If you are in an unsupported region, check out Method 3 for a proven way to get your entire SoundCloud library on Sonos.
Part 2. How to Play SoundCloud on Sonos [3 Ways]
Before we jump into the three methods, let's quickly check them out so you can pick the one that suits you best.
| Method | Best for | Works Offline | Difficulty | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos App Integration | Supported regions & standard streaming | No | Easy | Regional & service availability |
| AirPlay to Sonos | Apple users who want a fast setup | No | Easy | Requires AirPlay-compatible Sonos hardware |
| Local Files (ViWizard) | Offline playback & total control | Yes | Medium | Requires downloading/importing tracks |
Method 1: Play SoundCloud on Sonos via the Sonos App
With the Sonos Controller app, obtaining SoundCloud on Sonos is very simple and direct. The application is compatible with iOS, Android, and computers (Windows and macOS).
How to Add SoundCloud to Sonos on Phone:
First, you'll need to connect SoundCloud to Sonos, simply select SoundCloud from the list of available music services on the Sonos application and verify with a SoundCloud account. Here, we will provide you with tutorials on how to operate on mobile phones and computers:
01 Download, install, and launch the Sonos Controller app on your Android phone or iPhone.
02 Go to Settings and tap the 'Service & Voice' bar.
03 Under the 'Music & Content' section, locate and touch 'Add a Service'.
04 Now tap 'SoundCloud' > 'Add to Sonos'.
05 Log into your SoundCloud account. Once done, you can use SoundCloud with Sonos.
How to Add SoundCloud to Sonos on Computer:
01 Download, install, and open the Sonos app on your computer.
02 Under the 'Select a Music Source' section, click the 'Add Music Services' button.
03 Choose 'SoundCloud' to add it to Sonos.
04 Click the 'I already have an account' to add your SoundCloud account.
05 After that, connect SoundCloud to Sonos by clicking the link given.
06 Once added, you will be taken to the success page. You can now play your favorite SoundCloud songs through the Sonos speaker.
How to Play SoundCloud on Sonos via the Sonos App:
Once you connected SoundCloud to Sonos, you can easily find the SoundCloud section in the Sonos app. Here's how to do it:
01 Open the Sonos Controller app.
02 Click the 'Browse' tab on the main screen.
03 Select 'SoundCloud'.
04
Now, you can start streaming SoundCloud music directly within the Sonos app:
- Look for categories like 'Explore' or 'Trending' to discover new music.
- Tap 'Liked Tracks,' 'Playlists,' or 'Your Library' to access your personal SoundCloud library.
- Tap the Search icon to search for your desired audio.
- Tap the heart or like icon to add the track to your 'Liked Tracks' directly from the Sonos app.
- Tap the Info & Options button (usually shown as an "i" icon") while a track is playing to view related tracks and playlists, and add tracks to your library.
Method 2: Stream SoundCloud to Sonos with AirPlay
Looking for an alternative way to connect SoundCloud to Sonos and play it without using the Sonos app? AirPlay can do it for you. Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) can send audio to compatible speakers or devices such as Sonos speakers. However, Sonos systems only support AirPlay 2 audio streaming, which provides a more consistent and synchronized listening experience than AirPlay 1. To verify that the Sonos speaker you're using supports AirPlay 2, see the image below:
If your Sonos device is shown, please make sure that your Sonos products are powered on and connected to the Sonos system's Wi-Fi network. Next, follow these steps to stream SoundCloud content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Sonos via AirPlay:
On iPhone or iPad:
01 Open the SoundCloud app.
02 Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen (iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (iPhone 8 or earlier).
03 Find and tap the AirPlay icon in the upper right corner.
04 Tap one or more AirPlay-compatible Sonos devices from the available list.
05 Now you can play SoundCloud through Sonos simultaneously. To skip, pause, or like a track, you can do it directly in the SoundCloud app.
On Mac:
01 Open the SoundCloud desktop app or the SoundCloud web player in a browser.
02 Open the 'System Settings' or 'System Preferences' on older macOS versions.
03 Select 'Sound' from the sidebar.
04 In the 'Output' section, a list of available audio output devices will be displayed.
05 Select your Sonos device.
06 Alternative Way: If the volume icon is displayed in the upper-right corner of the Mac menu, click the icon and select the Sonos device directly from the drop-down menu.
07 Once connected via AirPlay on your Mac, start playing your SoundCloud music. The sound will play through your paired Sonos speakers.
Method 3: Download SoundCloud Tracks and Play Them on Sonos Locally
While official streaming is convenient, it requires a stable internet connection and is subject to regional restrictions. Using a tool like ViWizard SoundCloud Music Downloader allows you to preserve tracks as local audio files.
ViWizard SoundCloud Music Downloader is a desktop software that helps all SoundCloud subscribers (including free users) download songs, albums, playlists, and entire personal music libraries to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B formats, while preserving the highest audio quality and ID3 tags. By doing this, you can add the converted music files to your Sonos music library for offline playback.
you want to play downloaded SoundCloud tracks through your Sonos music library, keep offline copies for personal playback, or if SoundCloud isn't available on Sonos in your area.
Download songs, playlists, albums, and your whole music library from 10 major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud, to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, or M4B with original quality and ID3 tags for permanent offline listening.
How to Download SoundCloud Music for Sonos Playback with ViWizard
Step 1: Set Download Output Format and Quality
Download, install, and launch ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder on your computer. Click the upper right menu icon and choose 'Preferences'. In the pop-up window, go to the 'Conversion' tab to select the output format and audio quality for the downloaded SoundCloud music. Once finished, click 'OK' to save.
Step 2: Select SoundCloud
Go back to ViWizard's main interface. Click the SoundCloud icon to open the built-in SoundCloud web player. You can also click other music service logos to download music from Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more.
Step 3: Add the SoundCloud Music to Download
In the built-in SoundCloud web player, search or browse through the track, playlist, or album you want to listen to on Sonos. Log in to your SoundCloud account, click the bottom-right plus button and the 'Add to List' button in the pop-up window to add all tracks for download.
Step 4: Download Your SoundCloud Music
Click the 'Convert' button. ViWizard will start downloading and converting the selected SoundCloud music to your chosen format and quality. When the download is complete, click the folder icon next to the track title to view all converted files stored locally on your computer.
Step 5: Upload Downloaded SoundCloud Music to Sonos
Open the Sonos app on your Windows or Mac computer. Navigate to 'Manage' > 'Music Library Settings' and click the 'Add' button to incorporate your converted SoundCloud music files. Once complete, you can enjoy SoundCloud music offline from the 'Music Library' in the Sonos app without limitations.
Part 3. How to Fix SoundCloud Sonos Not Working
To enjoy your beloved SoundCloud tracks effortlessly at home with Sonos, a simple account linking process is all it takes. Despite this, some users have been encountering glitches such as service disruptions. If you're encountering hiccups while trying to use SoundCloud on Sonos, the following sequence of steps may provide a remedy:
- Verify that SoundCloud is accessible on Sonos in your specific location. The service is currently accessible in regions including Australia, France, Ireland, Canada, Germany, the United States, and New Zealand. If your location is not supported, ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder offers a solution.
- Examine the operational status of Sonos. Visit the official Sonos status webpage (https://status.sonos.com/) to check for any ongoing issues concerning the SoundCloud integration.
- Ensure an active internet connection for both your Sonos speaker and the device hosting the Sonos application, ideally within the same Wi-Fi network. If you prefer offline playback, you can ask for help from ViWizard ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder.
- Attempt a reboot of both your Sonos speakers and the device running the Sonos app. This procedure can refresh the system and potentially rectify any momentary malfunctions.
- Confirm that your device has the most recent version of the Sonos application installed and that your Sonos speakers are updated with the newest firmware.
- Double-check the accuracy of your SoundCloud login credentials. If you've linked your account previously, attempt to reestablish the authorization.
- Seek Sonos support. Should the aforementioned steps fail to resolve your issue, consider reaching out to Sonos customer support for additional guidance.
- Turn off your browser's pop-up blocker in case the login verification or redirection process doesn't work properly when logging into your SoundCloud account in Sonos.
- If you're using AirPlay to play SoundCloud music on Sonos, try not to make or receive calls while it's playing or the music will cut out.
- If you're using AirPlay to connect your Sonos device but can't find your device in the list of supported devices, make sure you haven't configured your Sonos speakers as surround speakers in your home theater setup.
Part 4. FAQs about Playing SoundCloud on Sonos
Do I need a SoundCloud Go+ subscription to use Sonos?
No. You can use a free SoundCloud account on Sonos, but you will hear ads. A Go or Go+ subscription is only required if you want ad-free listening, high-quality audio, and access to the full premium track catalog.
Why are my SoundCloud playlists not showing up?
This usually happens due to a sync error or an outdated app. First, ensure you are using the latest version of the Sonos S2 app. If they still don't appear, go to Settings > Services & Voice, remove the SoundCloud service, and re-add it to force a library refresh.
Can Sonos play downloaded SoundCloud songs?
No, not directly through the Sonos app. Offline downloads are encrypted for use only within the SoundCloud mobile app. To play them on Sonos, you must use AirPlay 2 (iOS) or Bluetooth (on supported speakers like the Era or Move) to stream the audio from your phone. Or, use ViWizard SoundCloud Music Downloader to save the songs locally to your device and add them to the Sonos app for playback.
Why are some artists' tracks missing or greyed out on Sonos?
This is due to licensing restrictions. Some artists or labels restrict their music from being played on third-party devices or connected speakers. If an artist hasn't authorized external API playback for a specific track, it will be unavailable on Sonos.
Conclusion
This guide shows how to play SoundCloud on Sonos systems. If your region is supported, linking your SoundCloud account with Sonos is a straightforward process that allows you to stream music immediately. However, if your region isn't supported or you prefer an offline experience, ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder offers a solution. It enables you to download and convert SoundCloud tracks into standard audio formats, which can then be played on Sonos devices. Furthermore, ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder can assist in listening to SoundCloud content on various other smart speakers and devices.
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Matt Smith, a digital entertainment industry enthusiast at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing insightful commentary and solutions for music and media-related topics, including industry trends, analysis, and recommendations.
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