You can play Apple TV 4K audio through Sonos in two ways: select a compatible Sonos speaker as an AirPlay output, or connect a Sonos home theater product to your TV so the TV passes Apple TV audio to it. AirPlay is a quick network option; a TV-connected Sonos setup is the better fit for regular television sound. Which route works depends on your Sonos model and, for a home theater product, your TV’s audio connections.
Choose how you want Apple TV audio to reach Sonos
| Route | Best for | What you need | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay output | Playing Apple TV 4K audio through a compatible standalone Sonos speaker over your network | Apple TV 4K and a compatible Sonos speaker on the same network | Temporary output selection resets after Apple TV sleeps; system alerts and game sounds may use a different output. See Apple’s Apple TV 4K AirPlay guide. |
| TV-connected Sonos home theater product | Making Sonos the regular sound system for the television | A Sonos home theater product and a TV audio connection supported by that Sonos model | The TV’s ports and audio-format support determine how it works; optical connections do not provide CEC or TV voice control for models that rely on HDMI ARC for those features. See Sonos TV requirements. |
Use a Sonos speaker as an Apple TV 4K AirPlay output
This route sends audio over the network rather than through the television’s audio port. Apple TV 4K and the Sonos speaker must be connected to the same network, and the Sonos model must support AirPlay.
- Check that the Sonos speaker is powered on, connected to your Sonos system, and on the same network as Apple TV 4K.
- On the Apple TV remote, press and hold the TV button to open Control Center.
- Choose Audio Controls, then select the Sonos speaker.
To use the Sonos speaker as Apple TV’s default output instead, open Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Output and select it. Apple documents different behavior for temporary and default selections: with a non-HomePod AirPlay speaker selected temporarily, system alerts and game sounds remain on the default output, and the selection returns to the default output after Apple TV sleeps. If that non-HomePod speaker is selected as the default, Apple says system alerts and game sounds play through the TV speakers.
Check Sonos AirPlay compatibility
AirPlay support depends on the speaker model. Sonos lists models including Era 100, Era 300, Five, Move, Roam, One, Beam, Arc, and Ray; consult Sonos’s current AirPlay compatibility and setup article if your speaker does not appear. Sonos speakers configured as surrounds cannot use AirPlay.
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- Dual angled tweeters and a powerful midwoofer deliver rich, balanced stereo sound with deep bass.
- The perfect start or addition to your system, Era 100 SL makes Sonos sound more accessible.
- Stream over WiFi, pair via Bluetooth, or connect a turntable and more with line in.
- Go from unboxing to incredible sound in minutes with a quick plug-in and the Sonos app
- Trueplay fine-tunes Era 100 SL for the unique acoustics of the room.
Send Apple TV audio through the TV to a Sonos home theater product
In this setup, Apple TV connects to the television by HDMI, and the television sends audio to the Sonos product. First set up the Sonos home theater product in the Sonos app; then connect it to the TV using the port and cable required for that model. For example, Sonos’s Beam setup instructions require app setup before TV audio is played and direct owners to the app for the TV connection steps.
Match the TV port to the Sonos model
- Ray, Playbar, and Playbase: Sonos requires a TV with a digital optical audio output.
- Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, Beam, and Amp: Sonos requires HDMI ARC for CEC or supported voice-assistant control. Sonos says some of these products can connect to an optical output with an adapter, but CEC and voice control over the TV will not work over that optical connection.
Confirm the exact port requirements for your TV and Sonos model in Sonos’s TV requirements before connecting equipment or buying a product. HDMI ARC and optical are not interchangeable when TV controls are important.
Rank #2
- The information below is per-pack only
- Dual angled tweeters and a powerful midwoofer deliver rich, balanced stereo sound with deep bass.
- The perfect start or addition to your system, Era 100 SL makes Sonos sound more accessible.
- Stream over WiFi, pair via Bluetooth, or connect a turntable and more with line in.
- Go from unboxing to incredible sound in minutes with a quick plug-in and the Sonos app
Check the full setup if Dolby Atmos is missing
Apple TV by itself does not guarantee Atmos. The Apple TV, content, television, connection, and Sonos product all need to support the audio path being used. Sonos identifies Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, and Beam (Gen 2) as Atmos-capable, and requires HDMI ARC or eARC for Atmos playback.
Sonos says eARC is required for lossless Dolby Atmos using Dolby TrueHD; some Dolby Atmos can pass over HDMI ARC using Dolby Digital Plus. Sonos also notes that devices such as Apple TV pass Dolby Atmos and Dolby Multichannel PCM to Sonos using Dolby MAT. If Atmos is not playing, verify the Sonos model, whether the TV connection is ARC or eARC, Apple TV audio settings, and the format supplied by the content service. See Sonos’s supported home theater audio formats and its TV connection requirements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powered by a 47% faster processor, the next-gen dual-tweeter acoustic architecture produces detailed stereo separation while a 25% larger midwoofer deepens the bass.¹
- Place this speaker anywhere and everywhere you want to listen. The compact design fits beautifully on your bookshelf, kitchen counter, desk, or nightstand.
- Stream from all your favorite services over WiFi. Pair a Bluetooth device with the press of a button. Connect a turntable or other audio source using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.²
- Go from unboxing to unbelievable sound in just a few minutes. Simply plug in the power cable, connect your phone or tablet to WiFi, and open the Sonos app.
- With a tap in the Sonos app, Trueplay tuning technology analyzes the unique acoustics of your space and optimizes the speaker’s EQ. So all your content sounds just the way it should.
Rank #4
- The new acoustic architecture replaces Move's single tweeter with two, unlocking a higher-fidelity stereo soundstage with crisp vocals and detailed instruments. With deep, dynamic bass powered by the precision-tuned woofer, you'll feel the emotional charge of a live performance.
- With automatic Trueplay tuning, Move 2 continually optimizes the sound for its surroundings. So, no matter where you are or what you play, you get the best listening experience.
- Listen twice as long as with the previous generation. All the acoustic updates work in concert for increased efficiency, giving you up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge.
- Shock absorbent materials protect against accidental drops, and the IP56 rating ensures spills, splashes, rain, dirt, and dust don't dampen your listening experience.
- Use the built-in handle to bring your music from one place to the next. When the battery needs a boost, set Move 2 on the included Wireless Charging Base, upgraded with a detachable power cable and more compact adapter. Charge on the go with any USB-PD power supply.
Rank #3
- Dual angled tweeters and a powerful midwoofer deliver rich, balanced stereo sound with deep bass.
- The perfect start or addition to your system, Era 100 SL makes Sonos sound more accessible.
- Stream over WiFi, pair via Bluetooth, or connect a turntable and more with line in.
- Go from unboxing to incredible sound in minutes with a quick plug-in and the Sonos app
- Trueplay fine-tunes Era 100 SL for the unique acoustics of the room.
Troubleshoot a Sonos speaker missing from Apple TV
- Confirm the route: AirPlay selection on Apple TV applies to Apple TV 4K; the speaker must be AirPlay-compatible.
- Check power and system connection: Sonos advises confirming the speaker is powered on and connected to the Sonos system.
- Check the network: For Apple TV AirPlay output, both devices need to be on the same network.
- Check speaker configuration: A Sonos speaker configured as a surround speaker cannot use AirPlay.
- For a TV-connected home theater product: Confirm that the Sonos is connected to the TV’s supported audio port and that the Sonos app setup is complete; it is the television, not Apple TV’s AirPlay list, that passes audio in this arrangement.
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