Bose SoundTouch Speakers Lose Smart Features on Feb. 18
▼ Summary
– Bose will discontinue support for its SoundTouch Wi-Fi speakers and soundbars on February 18, 2026, disabling cloud-based features and the companion app.
– The SoundTouch app enabled integration with music services like Spotify and multi-room audio synchronization, which will no longer function after the shutdown.
– Users will lose access to saved presets and security updates, but the devices will still work via AUX, HDMI, or Bluetooth connections with increased latency.
– Affected customers can trade in their SoundTouch product for a credit of up to $200 as part of Bose’s response to the discontinuation.
– Bose cited evolving technology and an inability to sustain the cloud infrastructure for the older products, despite previous commitments to long-term support.
A significant change is coming for owners of Bose SoundTouch Wi-Fi speakers and soundbars. Bose has officially notified customers that on February 18, 2026, it will discontinue all support for these devices, rendering their cloud-based functionalities inoperable. This means the dedicated SoundTouch companion app will cease to work entirely.
That app was the central hub for many of the system’s most valued features. It allowed for direct integration with popular music services such as Spotify and TuneIn. Furthermore, it gave users the ability to program multiple speakers located in different rooms to play synchronized audio, creating a whole-home sound experience.
The shutdown will have additional consequences. Bose has stated that many saved presets will become unusable, and once the app is gone, there will be no way to alter or reprogram these settings. The company will also halt all security updates for the SoundTouch product line, leaving them potentially vulnerable over time.
It’s important to note that the core audio hardware will still function. The speakers will continue to play sound from devices connected via AUX or HDMI cables. Wireless playback through Bluetooth will also remain an option, though users should be aware that Bluetooth connections typically introduce more audio delay, or latency, compared to Wi-Fi.
For affected customers, Bose is offering a trade-in program. Individuals can exchange their SoundTouch product for a credit valued at up to $200 toward a new purchase.
In its customer communication, Bose provided a brief rationale for ending support for its premium SoundTouch lineup. The company explained that the systems first entered the market in 2013. With technology having advanced considerably since then, Bose says it can no longer justify maintaining the cloud infrastructure that powers this older generation of products. The notice reiterated a commitment to developing new listening experiences based on modern technologies.
The announcement has been met with frustration from some long-time users. One customer described feeling “really disgusted” by the decision.
Bose initially launched the SoundTouch series with three speakers priced between $399 and $699. The system was marketed as a premium wireless audio solution that used Wi-Fi to deliver high-fidelity sound throughout a home. The lineup expanded in 2015 with more speakers and the introduction of soundbars and home theater systems that reached up to $1,500.
However, by 2020, Bose had already begun to phase out SoundTouch. At that time, the company confirmed it was discontinuing sales of some products but assured customers it remained committed to supporting the app and software “for the foreseeable future.” It appears that foresight did not extend beyond the next several years.
(Source: Ars Technica)
