With the announcement in 2025 that it would discontinue cloud support for the popular SoundTouch multiroom series, Bose shot itself in the foot. The long-established US manufacturer received criticism not only from the hi-fi community, but also from business-related media. The German business magazine Handelsblatt summed up the mood with the pointed headline “Smart Bose speakers become dumb”.
What followed was a massive protest from many users – a shitstorm that Bose could hardly use at an unfavorable time. After all, the company recently underlined its ambitions in the premium segment with the acquisition of renowned high-end brands such as McIntosh and Sonus Faber, and also wants to regain a stronger foothold in the prestigious automotive audio business.
The situation is particularly explosive because SoundTouch was once positioned as a serious multiroom platform against Sonos. Many customers deliberately invested in multiple speakers for different rooms in order to control them centrally via a single app. Against this background, the announcement hits all the harder – especially since the user base is already sensitized after the recent turbulence surrounding Sonos, older device generations and mutually incompatible apps. For owners of early streaming and multiroom systems, this further undermines confidence in cloud-based audio platforms.
Answers to pressing questions about the Soundtouch shutdown
The multiroom system Bose SoundTouch was 2013 introduced and relied heavily on a cloud-based architecture. Central functions were deliberately outsourced from the speakers and via the Bose’s own cloud server as well as the proprietary SoundTouch app realized. These included in particular the Access to streaming services, the Management of the preset buttons as well as the Access to internet radio offers.
The manufacturer has not explained in detail why Bose is now shutting down the SoundTouch servers. In comparable cases, however, experts often assume that either the underlying server and cloud hardware can no longer be operated economically or securely or that necessary security and operating system updates can no longer be implemented reliably. It should be noted that these problems do not affect the local hardware of the WLAN speakers themselves – which further increases the displeasure of many users. Bose expressly excludes redeveloping or modernizing the SoundTouch cloud. The manufacturer had already officially said goodbye to the platform in 2020, only around seven years after its market launch and a few years after important product innovations. The situation is all the more problematic for buyers, as Bose SoundTouch devices are still offered as new or used goods on marketplaces such as Amazon. Server and cloud hardware can no longer be operated economically or safely is or that necessary security and operating system updates can no longer be implemented reliably. These problems affect, mind you, not the local hardware of the WLAN speakers themselves – which further increases the displeasure of many users.
A New development or modernization of the SoundTouch cloud Bose expressly excludes. The manufacturer had already officially said goodbye to the platform in 2020, only around seven years after its market launchand a few years after important product innovations. The situation is all the more problematic for buyers, as Bose SoundTouch devices on marketplaces like Amazon to this day are offered as new or used goods.
Bose SoundTouch 10
Bose SoundTouch 20 (Series III)
Bose SoundTouch 30 (Series III)
Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System (IV)
Bose SoundTouch Soundbar 300
Bose Lifestyle Series (e.g. 135, 235, 525 etc.)
Bose CineMate series (e.g. 120, 130, 220)
Bose Lifestyle SoundTouch Series
As well as all devices with Soundtouch in the name, including zone amplifiers etc.
Important to know: All wireless speakers from Bose introduced after 2020, including all of STEREO GUIDE Boses ever tested, as well as the pure Bluetooth devices, are not affected by the shutdown! This also applies to Bose Home Speaker 500, Home Speaker 300, Portable Smart Speaker, Bose Soundbar 600 and Bose Solo 5.
Already since 2020 Bose has not introduced any new products based on the SoundTouch architecture. Nevertheless, many devices continued to be used or as remaining stock sold and actively used. According to Bose, the associated Cloud servers can no longer be operated securely in the future, which is why the manufacturer has decided to shut down the Internet services.
Originally, the end of the SoundTouch cloud was scheduled for February 18, 2026 provided – without a clear regulation as to which functions would still be available afterwards. In the worst case, users would then only have Bluetooth as well as a separately selectable AUX input available.
In the meantime, Bose has specified the schedule: May 6, 2026 is the final deadline, on which all cloud-based SoundTouch services will be switched off. After this date, according to the manufacturer, a limited, purely local use of the devices via available protocols and connections will still be possible.
First of all, an important all-clear for all users who fear that their SoundTouch product could not only become “dumb” from May 2026, but also mute will be: The update announced by Bose at least leaves the central local playback options continue to. Even after the cloud services are switched off, the following protocols and connections remain usable:
• Bluetooth
• AirPlay
• Spotify Connect
• Analog AUX inputs, HDMI as well as optical Toslink, if available on the respective device
In addition, basic system functions should also be retained. These include the Setting up the WLAN connection, the Basic configuration as well as the Pairing multiple units. Likewise, simple Remote control functions such as play, pause and track skip will continue to work – comparable to classic Bluetooth or AirPlay speakers without their own streaming platform.
On the other hand, all cloud-based services within the Bose SoundTouch App. will be switched off. These include in particular direct access to Streaming services, Internet radio as well as the Management and reassignment of the preset buttons. According to Bose, these presets will be available from Permanently frozen on May 6, 2026 and can no longer be changed afterwards.
According to the manufacturer, the Bose SoundTouch App will perform a final automatic update on May 6, 2026 of app and device firmware. This update deactivates all cloud-based services and functions within the SoundTouch system and replaces the previous app with a greatly simplified control application without integrated streaming services.
After this final update to the future limited SoundTouch firmware it will no further updates, functional improvements or security patches more. Bose expressly recommends that the affected speakers then only in a closed, private network to operate, for example behind a firewall in the router.
Even after May 6, 2026, local playback paths are expected to remain permanently usable. These include Bluetooth, analog AUX inputs as well as optical Toslink or HDMI connections, provided these are available on the respective device. For AirPlay and Spotify Connect on the other hand, there is no binding commitment. If these protocols no longer meet security requirements in the future, Apple or Spotify could also shut them down.
Bose provides users with instructions on how to continue using individual services – such as Internet radio via TuneIn – from your smartphone via AirPlay or Bluetooth can be used. Further information and official information can be found on the manufacturer’s website at bose.de
