Set up headphone linking

Headphone linking provides you the ability to pull audio already streaming to a compatible Sonos product to Sonos Ace Ultra via your local WiFi network. This feature is available in Early Access so you can opt in to experience this feature while also providing feedback during the early refinement of the headphone linking experience. This enhances the Sonos headphones experience to be more integrated than ever with the Sonos ecosystem.

This article goes over how to set up and use headphone linking, the feature’s requirements, and the different settings you can adjust.

Requirements

You can use the Sonos app for iOS or Android to set up headphone linking with your Sonos Ace Ultra.

Headphone linking requires a WiFi connection.

Supported Sonos headphones

• Sonos Ace Ultra

Supported Sonos products

Headphone linking allows you to use the Sonos app to play music to your Sonos Ace Ultra or to move music from speakers in your home to your headphones. You just need one of the following products connected to your Sonos system to enable the feature:

• Amp*
• Arc
• Arc SL
• Arc Ultra
• Beam (Gen 1)
• Beam (Gen 2)
• Beam Ultra
• Era 100*
• Era 100 SL*
• Era 100 Pro*
• Era 300*
• Five*
• Play*
• Ray
• Roam
• Roam SL
• Roam 2
• Move
• Move 2*

* Not being used as a rear surround for a home theater setup

Compatible content types

Headphone link sessions can utilize many types of audio content you enjoy across your Sonos system. Music service content that was initiated within the Sonos app, content that is connected your Sonos system via a line-in source, and your local music library are all compatible with headphone linking.

Set up headphone linking

To set up headphone linking, Sonos Ace Ultra must already be set up in the Sonos app, connected to your iOS or Android device, and you must have a supported product connected to your Sonos system and powered on.

1. Go to the Settings menu and select your Sonos Ace Ultra in the Headphones section.
2. Under System, select Link to your system.
   1. This process will include the setup for TV Audio Swap if a soundbar is detected.
3. Follow the in-app instructions to complete the headphone linking setup.

Selecting audio content for headphones

1. You can select content to play directly to your headphones by navigating to the System tab and selecting your Sonos Ace Ultra.
2. Once selected, navigate to the Home or Search tabs to select content.
   1. Content changes may take five or more seconds to begin playing and show within the Now Playing screen.
      

Swap audio between Sonos Ace Ultra and other Sonos products

• You can quickly move content from a compatible, actively playing Sonos product to your Sonos Ace Ultra headphones by pressing and holding the Content Key. The nearest Sonos product in the room you occupy will be targeted to pull audio from.
  • Long press to trigger the audio swap.
  • The audio swap may take up to 5 seconds.
  • Audio will stop playing on the Sonos product and begin playing through the Sonos Ace Ultra.
• You can also navigate to the active Sonos product within the Sonos app and use the output selector to select your Sonos Ace Ultra to move the music to the headphones.
  • The audio swap may take up to 5 seconds.
  • Audio will stop playing on the Sonos product and begin playing through the Sonos Ace Ultra.
• You can move audio playing on your Sonos Ace Ultra to a nearby compatible speaker, ideally within arm’s reach, by pressing and holding the Content Key.
  • Long press to trigger the audio swap.
  • The audio swap may take up to 5 seconds.
  • Audio will stop playing on the Sonos Ace Ultra’s and begin playing through the speaker.