Skip to main content

Sonos can now be the default speaker for Nest Hub, other Assistant devices

Before Sonos sued Google in January, the two companies worked closely to bring Assistant to Sonos speakers. Despite that lawsuit, the integration continues to get new features, including the highly desired ability to set Sonos as the default speaker on the Nest Hub, Google Home, and other Assistant devices.

Assistant devices have long had the ability to “choose a default speaker for music.” For example, all song requests that you give a Home Mini could automatically play on louder Chromecast-connected or Bluetooth-paired speakers, as well as groups.

When Assistant on Sonos launched last May, the Sonos One or Beam sound bar could not be set as the default speaker. That is no longer the case. To set-up, select an Assistant device in the Google Home app and visit “Device settings” by tapping the gear icon in the upper-right corner. Scroll down to “Default music speaker” and select your Sonos device.

After a command is issued, Assistant will provide verbal confirmation that music is starting on another speaker, while controls appear on Smart Displays.

While Sonos has Assistant, hotword/voice recognition is widely panned compared to first-party Google devices. With this new default speaker capability, you can continue issuing commands to a Nest Hub (thus taking advantage of the screen) or Google Home, but listen to music on Sonos — be sure to turn off the microphone to avoid double pickup.

The ability to set Sonos as the default speaker on Assistant devices emerged for some beta users late last year. In recent weeks (via Reddit), it has widely rolled out, though there are some reports of device restarts being needed. Make sure your Sonos and Assistant speakers are running the latest firmware to take advantage.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com