AirPlay is the obvious way to send audio to Sonos, right up until it isn't. Maybe you're on a Windows PC, an Android phone, or a Chromebook, none of which can AirPlay at all. Maybe AirPlay just isn't showing up on your Sonos. Either way, what you actually want is simple: get the audio you're playing onto your Sonos speakers. You don't need AirPlay to do that.
The easiest AirPlay alternative for Sonos is the free Cast to Sonos Chrome extension. Instead of relying on Apple's AirPlay protocol, it streams the audio from any browser tab straight to your Sonos system, from any device that runs Chrome.
Why AirPlay falls short for Sonos
AirPlay is great, but it comes with hard limits:
- It's Apple-only. There's no AirPlay sender on Windows, Android, Linux or ChromeOS. If you're not on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, AirPlay simply isn't an option.
- Not every Sonos speaker supports it. Only AirPlay 2 models can receive AirPlay, so older Sonos speakers are left out entirely.
- It breaks in annoying ways. "AirPlay not showing up" is one of the most common Sonos complaints, often down to network quirks, an app that doesn't support AirPlay, or a speaker that never supported it in the first place.
The alternative: cast browser audio to Sonos
Cast to Sonos takes a different approach. Rather than mirroring system audio over AirPlay, it captures the sound from a single browser tab and streams it directly to your chosen Sonos room. That means it works the same everywhere Chrome runs, and it doesn't care whether your Sonos speaker supports AirPlay 2.
If the audio you want plays in a browser, music sites, YouTube, online radio, podcasts, and more, you can send it to Sonos.
How to stream to Sonos without AirPlay
1. Install Cast to Sonos
Add the free extension from the Chrome Web Store and pin it to your toolbar.
2. Open the audio you want to play
Open any tab that plays audio, a music web player, YouTube, an online radio station, or a podcast.
3. Open the Cast to Sonos extension
Click the Cast to Sonos icon in your browser toolbar to open the casting panel.
4. Choose your Sonos room
Select the Sonos speaker or group you want to stream to.
5. Press play
Press play and the audio streams from your browser straight to your Sonos speakers, no AirPlay required.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best AirPlay alternative for Sonos?
For getting audio from a computer or phone to Sonos without AirPlay, the simplest option is the free Cast to Sonos Chrome extension. It streams the audio from any browser tab directly to your Sonos speakers, so it works on Windows, Android, Linux and ChromeOS where AirPlay isn't available at all.
Why is AirPlay not showing up on my Sonos?
AirPlay only appears when you're on an Apple device (iPhone, iPad or Mac), the app you're using supports AirPlay, and your Sonos speaker actually supports AirPlay 2. Older Sonos models don't, and non-Apple devices have no AirPlay sender at all. If AirPlay isn't showing up, Cast to Sonos is a reliable alternative that doesn't depend on AirPlay.
Can I use AirPlay to Sonos from a non-Apple device?
No. AirPlay is Apple's protocol, so there's no native way to AirPlay from Windows, Android, or a Chromebook. Cast to Sonos achieves the same result a different way by streaming browser audio directly to Sonos from any device that runs Chrome.
Does the AirPlay alternative cost anything?
No. Cast to Sonos is free to install and stream with. A paid plan unlocks higher-quality stereo streaming and multi-room groups, but the core "get my audio onto Sonos" feature works for free.