Learn how to stream through the Sonos app and AirPlay
Sonos speakers are the best in the business when it comes to integration with music services. This includes YouTube.
Just as you can do either Apple Music, Spotify, or 100 other compatible music streaming services, you can play music directly from YouTube within the Sonos app.
From the Sonos Era 100 to the Sonos Arc, if you have a Sonos speaker or Soundbar, it means you can get a wealth of music on demand.
You can stream playlists, albums, remixes, covers and more to your smart speakers for those who pay for YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium. And you can also stream the Sonos app, as well as the Airplay, depending on the Sonos speaker you have.
Below we will follow all the steps you need to play YouTube on Sonos Arsenal. Of course, we’ll show you how to play music if you’re not a subscriber to the service.
How to play YouTube music on Sonos
We’ve explained how to stream YouTube videos a little further down from connected devices, but first we’ll cover the steps required to add YouTube music (the company’s paid music service) to your Sonos speakers. Sonos recently updated its app, so the steps are now slightly different.
The steps below refer to the latest version of the Sonos app, but if you’ve added YouTube Music and haven’t updated the Sonos app, you can click here to jump to the previous step.
What you need
- Your smartphone or tablet
- Sonos App
- YouTube Music Subscription
- YouTube account details
Short version
- Open the Sonos app.
- Swipe Your Services Rail to the “+” icon.
- Tap YouTube Music from the list.
- ChooseAdd to Sonos‘.
- Choose whether you have an account or sign up.
- Copy the code that appears on the Authorize screen.
- Tappermission“To enable Sonos to use their YouTube music accounts.
- Paste it into your code and select the Google account on which you have a YouTube music subscription.
- ChooseAllow‘.
- Return to the Sonos app and nickname your YouTube Music account.
- Press ‘end‘.
How to add YouTube music to Sonos
If you want a little more extra details than the short version above, here’s how to add YouTube music as a music streaming service with the latest Sonos app.
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Step 1.
Open the Sonos app and head to the service
The latest Sonos app has one home screen with most settings currently live, and it’s a bit faster to access some things, such as adding music services. Simply open the Sonos app and find the service rail. Swipe all the way across the + icon or tap Manage within the Service Rail.
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Step 2.
Add YouTube music
The next screen will show you the connected services – already signed. At the bottom of these services, you will have the option to “Add Content Services” if you select the “Manager” route above. You will then see that the YouTube music icon appears at the top (if you have installed the app on your smartphone or tablet, YouTube music will appear in the list and you can search using the search bar at the bottom.
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Step 3.
Approve YouTube music
You will then need to tap “Add to Sonos” to start the process of accessing your YouTube Music account to Sonos. If you don’t have an account, you will need to sign up for an account before proceeding further. If you do so, tap “I already have an account.” The important step that follows is to select “Add to Sonos” and make sure you have an account, then copy the code that appears on the screen. You must copy the code before pressing “Accept”.
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Step 4.
Enter the code and select your Google account
Once you’ve copied the code and tapped “Authorize”, you’ll need to paste the code into the box that appears on the next screen. Press and hold and then select the Google account associated with your YouTube Music Subscription.
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Step 5.
Allow connection
After selecting the appropriate Google account, you will need to tap “Allow” to allow Sonos to access your YouTube Music account. You will be taken to “success”! If everything is in place, it’s connected to the device.
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Step 6.
Return to the Sonos app
After that, you’ll want to go back to the Sonos app. I found this step works better if I close the success screen and then go back to the Sonos app individually rather than going back to Sonos from that screen. From there, you can nickname your YouTube Music account.
How to add YouTube music to an old Sonos app
These are the steps to add YouTube music to your Sonos speakers if you haven’t updated the Sonos app to the latest version on one home screen.
- Launch the Sonos app before tapping Services and voice > Add a service > YouTube music > Add to Sonos.
- From here you will need to specify whether you already have an account (you will need to specify whether you are subscribed to YouTube Music or whether you are new to the service. If so, you will need to sign up.
- Once you have approved YouTube Music as a service, it will be forwarded to your device’s web browser.
- You will then be asked to enter the code provided before tapping Continued.
- Tap the Google account you want to use for YouTube music, then Allow.
- You will then be notified that the selected account has been approved.
- When you return to the Sonos app, choose the name of YouTube Music.
Play YouTube music on Sonos
Once you’re all signed up and ready, it’s pretty easy to actually use YouTube from within the Sonos app, especially if you’re running the latest version of the app.
Open the Sonos app and head towards the Service Rail. Swipe and tap across the YouTube music icon. From here you will see your home, new releases, charts and libraries, so you can access playlists, songs, or albums in leisure.
For older versions of the Sonos app, you will need to access the YouTube Music section. This will tap the (Notes) tab at the bottom and select the category to play from Home, New Release, Chart, or Library.
How to Play Standard Free YouTube on Sonos
If you’re already in the spotlight or Apple Music, it’s unlikely that you’ve also been using YouTube Music subscriptions.
So is there a way to simply stream YouTube videos (but actually audio) to Sonos? Yes if your iPhone and Sonos are connected via AirPlay 2. If you are using an Android device, no.
Play YouTube audio on Sonos using AirPlay 2
If you have an Apple device, you can use AirPlay to pass music wirelessly to Ping music. It’s like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming, but only on the iPhone and iPad.
Many Sonos speakers including Sonos One, ERA 100, ERA 300, ARC, BEAM, 5, RAY, ROAM, MOVE (1st and 2nd generation), and 2nd generation play: 5 all support Airplay 2.
To play YouTube on Sonos through AirPlay, follow these steps:
- Make sure the Sonos speaker and connected devices are in range and run on the same network.
- Load the YouTube video you want to play.
- Open the iPhone control panel (swipe up or down depending on your iPhone model).
- Touch the Force Music Control Box, then tap the AirPlay icon. Select the Sonos speaker you want from the list. The two must be connected and the audio must be played through the speaker.
Play YouTube on Sonos using Bluetooth
If you have one of Sonos’ Bluetooth enabled speakers (such as either the Sonos Roam or the Sonos Move speakers), you can also use your Bluetooth skill to pass YouTube audio to the speaker.
ROAM is actually a “better” option here. Synchronize audio over Bluetooth allows you to group the smallest Sonos speakers into other speakers in the Sonos system.
Check out Sonos tips and Tricks Guide for more ideas about cool things you can do with your speaker setup.
