How to Use ecobee Switch+ to Play Music with Sonos

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

  • Use Alexa through your Ecobee Switch+ to play music on your Sonos Speaker system.

Before We Begin:

  • Have your Ecobee Switch+ setup and working properly.
  • Have your Sonos Speaker system setup and working properly.
  • Have your Sonos Speaker system connected to your Amazon account.
Ecobee Sonos

2. Setup Check

In order to continue, your Ecobee Switch+ must be installed and functioning properly with the Ecobee app.

Ecobee

3. Setup Check

In order to continue, your Sonos speaker must be installed and functioning properly with the Sonos app.

Sonos

4. App Setup Check

In order to continue, the Amazon Alexa app must be installed and functioning properly on your smartphone or tablet.

Amazon Alexa

5. Connected to Amazon Account Check

In order to control your Sonos speaker using your other Amazon-connected devices, you will need to connect your Sonos speaker to Amazon Alexa.

Amazon Alexa

Heavy Plus Sign

Sonos

6. Add Music Services to Amazon Alexa

In order to use your various music services, both Amazon Alexa and Sonos need to know about the music services. You need to link your music service to both Alexa, and to Sonos.

Amazon Alexa

Heavy Plus Sign

Sonos

Heavy Plus Sign

 

Musical Notes

7. Example Music Commands

Your Amazon Alexa device responds to your voice, and can perform a variety of actions to play music for you.

Example Music Commands

Simply say these commands near your Alexa device.

  • "Alexa, play some music."
  • Your Alexa device will use your previous play history, as well as various charts, to choose some music for you and play it.
  • "Alexa, play [song] on my [other device]."
  • If you have multiple Alexa-enabled devices, Alexa will accept the command from wherever it hears you, and then play music using the other speaker system.
  • If you want Alexa to play on a certain device, rather than the Alexa device itself, specify it like this each time.
  • "Alexa, play music by [artist]."
  • Your Alexa device will try to find music by the artist you say.
  • While playing "Alexa, next."
  • Skip the song currently playing, and move on to the next.
  • "Alexa, Restart."
  • Your Alexa device will restart the song you're currently listening to.
  • "Alexa, play [station] on [service]."
  • Alexa will use the service you mention, and try to play the station you mention.

Alexa understands a huge number of different commands. If you're not sure, simply try saying what you want, and it will try to help.

8. Add Music Service

Adding music services on the Sonos system is similar across all devices. This guide will show you how to do it on smartphones and cover briefly the differences on how to do it on computers as well.

  1. Open Sonos.
Sonos
  1. Open up the menu from the top left corner of the screen.
Placement of menu symbol in Sonos Controller for mobile devices
  1. Select Add Music Services.
Menu in Sonos Controller for mobile devices

  1. If you're using the Sonos Controller for computers, you can find the same option in the source browser on the right side of the screen.
Music source selection  in Sonos Controller for computers
  1. Search for the music service you want to add and tap on it.
List of music services that can be added to the Sonos Controller
  1. Tap on Add Account.
Adding music service in Sonos Controller for mobile devices
  1. Create a new account for the music service or login with an existing one.
Adding account for music service
  1. Login with your music service credentials.
Logging into music service account
  1. Once your account is verified you'll get to the setup completion screen. Then set a nickname for this account.
Setting account name
  1. Once set up you can add another account for the same music service or tap on Done.
Finishing up or adding another account for music service
  1. The music service will now show up in your Sonos Controller across all devices.
Music service showing up in source selection list in Sonos Controller for mobile devices
  1. If you added another account you can select which one to use by tapping on the nickname you set earlier. Another way to add another account is by following the same steps from the beginning to add the same music service but with the other account.
Placement of account switching option for music service
  1. Select the account you want to use from the Change Account menu at the bottom.
Account switching screen for music service

9. Link a Music Service to Alexa

  • Go to the menu and select Settings.
Amazon Alexa app menu with settings highlighted

  • Select Music & Media, and then select the music service you want to add.
Amazon Alexa app menu with settings selected and music and media highlighted


  • Select Link account to Alexa. A sign-in page then appears in the app.
Amazon Alexa app settings showing music services


  • Sign in by entering your account information for the service.

10. Add Music Service

Adding music services on the Sonos system is similar across all devices. This guide will show you how to do it on smartphones and cover briefly the differences on how to do it on computers as well.

  1. Open Sonos.
Sonos
  1. Open up the menu from the top left corner of the screen.
Placement of menu symbol in Sonos Controller for mobile devices
  1. Select Add Music Services.
Menu in Sonos Controller for mobile devices

  1. If you're using the Sonos Controller for computers, you can find the same option in the source browser on the right side of the screen.
Music source selection  in Sonos Controller for computers
  1. Search for the music service you want to add and tap on it.
List of music services that can be added to the Sonos Controller
  1. Tap on Add Account.
Adding music service in Sonos Controller for mobile devices
  1. Create a new account for the music service or login with an existing one.
Adding account for music service
  1. Login with your music service credentials.
Logging into music service account
  1. Once your account is verified you'll get to the setup completion screen. Then set a nickname for this account.
Setting account name
  1. Once set up you can add another account for the same music service or tap on Done.
Finishing up or adding another account for music service
  1. The music service will now show up in your Sonos Controller across all devices.
Music service showing up in source selection list in Sonos Controller for mobile devices
  1. If you added another account you can select which one to use by tapping on the nickname you set earlier. Another way to add another account is by following the same steps from the beginning to add the same music service but with the other account.
Placement of account switching option for music service
  1. Select the account you want to use from the Change Account menu at the bottom.
Account switching screen for music service

11. Add Device to Amazon Alexa

There are multiple ways to add a new Smart Home device to the Alexa service.

You may need to switch to another method if one does not work. Some devices need more information to be recognized.

Using Voice Commands

  1. Activate Alexa (usually, you can say "Hey Alexa").
  2. Say "Discover My Devices".
  3. The Alexa system will attempt to find any available smart home devices and prompt you through setting them up.
  4. Listen carefully to what Alexa says and respond with the information for your device.

Using The Smartphone App

  1. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device.
Alexa
  1. Select Smart Home Devices.
Smart Home Devices
  1. Select Add.
Add Device
  1. Select Add Device.
  2. Select Speaker.
Speaker
  1. Select Sonos.
  2. You will be reminded the Sonos speakers need to be setup in the Sonos app first. Select Continue.
Speaker setup reminder with Continue highlighted.
  1. Select Enable to Use for the Sonos skill.
Sonos Alexa Skill with Enable to Use highlighted.
  1. You'll be asked to make sure your Sonos system is up-to-date, and to have your Sonos account information at hand. Select Continue.
Account information reminder with Continue highlighted.
  1. Enter your Sonos Username and Password, then select Sign in.
Sonos account log in with Username Password and Sign in button highlighted.
  1. You'll be asked to allow Alexa to control your Sonos system, select Okay.
Control request with Okay highlighted.
  1. You may be asked to re-sign in to your Amazon account. Enter your Amazon account Email address and Password, and select Sign in.
Amazon account sign-in with Email Password and Sign In button highlighted.
  1. Alexa now has access to your Sonos system. Close this window by selecting Done.
Account linked with Done highlighted.
  1. Alexa will ask to discover your Sonos devices. Select Discover Devices.
Discover devices with Discover Devices button highlighted.
  1. Your Sonos speakers are now connected to your Alexa account, and can be controlled by speaking to your Alexa device.

Using Your Computer

This option only works if you already have an Alexa speaker setup with your Amazon account.

  1. Open your preferred web browser.
Main Desktop Browsers.
  1. In the address bar, type alexa.amazon.com, and press enter or return.
Browser with address typed in and highlighted.
  1. Enter your Amazon account Email and Password, then select Sign In.
Alexa sign in with Email Password and Sign In button highlighted.
  1. Follow the instructions on screen to connect your Sonos speaker to Alexa services.

12. Install the Amazon Alexa App

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

13. Basic Setup for your Sonos Speaker

Sonos produces a range of speakers. Please select your model to get help setting up your specific device.

Sonos One

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos One

Sonos PLAY:1

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos PLAY:1

-->

Sonos PLAY:3

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

Sonos PLAY:3

Sonos Beam

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos Beam

-->

Sonos Playbar

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

Sonos Playbar

Sonos Playbase

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos Playbase

Sonos Sub

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos Sub

Sonos Connect:Amp

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos Connect:Amp

Sonos PLAY:5

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos PLAY:5

Sonos Amp

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos Amp

Sonos Connect

On Roadmap - No JIRA Story Yet

Sonos Connect

-->

14. What's next?

15. Basic Setup for your Ecobee Switch+

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.