Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Whoop

2026-05-26T09:04:53Z

Zank: word

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2012
|Industry=Health, Technology
|Logo=Whoop logo.svg
|Type=Inc
|Website=https://www.whoop.com/,https://shop.whoop.com/fr/fr/,https://shop.whoop.com/gb/en/
|Description=Whoop, Inc. (stylized as WHOOP) is an American wearable technology company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
}}

'''{{Wplink|Whoop_(company)|Whoop, Inc.}}''' (stylized as '''WHOOP''') is an American wearable technology company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heater |first=Brian |date=2021-08-31 |title=Whoop raises another $200M for its athlete-focused fitness wearable |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/31/whoop-raises-another-200m-for-its-athlete-focused-fitness-wearable/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=TechCrunch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112201714/https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/31/whoop-raises-another-200m-for-its-athlete-focused-fitness-wearable/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-09 |title=Whoop Terms of Use |url=https://www.whoop.com/de/en/whoop-terms-of-use/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Whoop |at=24. CONTACT Contact Us. If you have any questions regarding the Services, please contact Membership Services via support.whoop.com or call 1-833-948-0566. Our mailing address is Whoop, Inc., One Kenmore Square #601 Boston, MA 02215. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224100650/https://www.whoop.com/us/en/whoop-terms-of-use/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> Its principal product is a health tracking wristband that measures strain, recovery, and sleep.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |date=2017-03-06 |title=MLB approves device to measure biometrics of players |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18835843/mlb-approves-field-biometric-monitoring-device |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=ESPN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260207154914/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18835843/mlb-approves-field-biometric-monitoring-device |archive-date=7 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Willgress |first=Lydia |date=2021-04-14 |title=We put Whoop's fitness tracker strap and membership experience to the test |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/sports-equipment-accessories/whoop-strap-review-band-tracker-b1830575.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=The Indepentdent |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251006230411/https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/sports-equipment-accessories/whoop-strap-review-band-tracker-b1830575.html |archive-date=6 Oct 2025}}</ref> The device is best known for its use by athletes, and requires a subscription in order to process the data it gathers from the user's body.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Michelle |date=2016-07-29 |title=Wearable apps help Olympic athletes train at their best |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/07/29/wearable-apps-whoop-olympic-athletes-train/87698488/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240703142549/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/07/29/wearable-apps-whoop-olympic-athletes-train/87698488/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2024 |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindemann |first=Hannah |date=2021-03-31 |title=Whoop Strap im Test |url=https://www.runnersworld.de/laufuhren/whoop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007143255/https://www.runnersworld.de/laufuhren/whoop/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Runner's World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hüber |first=Frank |date=2021-04-20 |title=Whoop Strap 3.0 im Test: Dauerdatenlieferant für Fitness, Schlaf und Erholung |url=https://www.computerbase.de/artikel/wearables/whoop-strap-3-0-fitness-test.76173/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250117224052/https://www.computerbase.de/artikel/wearables/whoop-strap-3-0-fitness-test.76173/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2025 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Computerbase}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlsen |first=Janina |date=2025-05-14 |title=Whoop 5.0 im Praxis-Test: Der aktuell teuerste Fitnesstracker |url=https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tests-Wearables-Whoop-5.0-Praxis-Test-Fitnesstracker-39679161.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208133831/https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tests-Wearables-Whoop-5.0-Praxis-Test-Fitnesstracker-39679161.html |archive-date=8 Dec 2025 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Computerbild}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=Memberships made for you |url=https://www.whoop.com/de/en/membership/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907171446/https://www.whoop.com/de/en/membership/ |archive-date=7 Sep 2025 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Whoop}}</ref> Whoop, Inc. also sells wearable biceps bands and various other items such as colorful straps.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=4.0 Bands |url=https://shop.whoop.com/de/en/collections/band/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Whoop}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
====Digital discontinuation bricking concerns====
No basic tracking capabilities of the Whoop wearable device are available to users without a subscription, because it will not sync the data with the app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Max |date=12 Mar 2026 |title=Can You Use Whoop Without Membership? Here’s the Truth |url=https://wearald.com/whoop-without-membership/#Can_You_Use_Whoop_Without_Membership |url-status=live |access-date=12 Mar 2026 |website=Wearald}}</ref> The device is designed to be useless when there is no active subscription, which is a form of [[self-destructive design]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randall |first=Nick |date=13 Jul 2023 |title=Whoop Without Membership: our Guide to Fitness Tracking |url=https://thewearify.com/whoop-without-membership/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Mar 2026 |website=Thewearify}}</ref>

====Forced app download====
Whoop offers a limited set of information in the web experience, while the mobile app provides "comprehensive insights including Strain, Recovery, Sleep tracking, WHOOP Coach, and other health metrics with a rich, interactive interface designed for on-the-go use." This forces the user to use the mobile app in order to get full access to the features they paid for.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benger |first=Liv |date=Oct 2025 |title=Whoop APP complete desktop web version |url=https://www.community.whoop.com/t/whoop-app-complete-desktop-web-version/9478 |access-date=12 Mar 2026 |website=WHOOP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlotterbeck |first=Noor |date=Nov 2025 |title=WHOOP coach on browser or desktop app |url=https://www.community.whoop.com/t/whoop-coach-on-browser-or-desktop-app/11211 |access-date=12 Mar 2026 |website=WHOOP}}</ref>

====Lengthy cancellation process====
As of March 11th 2026, the process to cancel a Whoop subscription involves navigating ~11 different pages.{{Citation needed|date=11 Mar 2026}}<ref>{{Cite web |author=noooor |date=2025-12-01 |title=How do I cancel a membership? |url=https://www.community.whoop.com/t/how-do-i-cancel-a-membership/12370 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213152531/https://www.community.whoop.com/t/how-do-i-cancel-a-membership/12370|archive-date=2026-02-13|access-date=2026-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-10-06 |title=Canceling Your Membership |url=https://support.whoop.com/s/article/Canceling-Your-Membership?language=en_US |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Whoop |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250728215100/https://support.whoop.com/s/article/Canceling-Your-Membership?language=en_US |archive-date=28 Jul 2025}}</ref> An average cancellation might take around 15 minutes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Bella |date=2 Feb 2026 |title=How To Cancel Your Whoop Subscription (2026) |url=https://www.joinchargeback.com/cancels/how-to-cancel-whoop |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=Chargeback}}</ref> This raises ethical concerns around not implementing the [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC]]'s [[click-to-cancel]] rule, which asks services to make cancellation as easy as it is to sign up.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=The FTC’s “Click to Cancel” Rule |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/NegOptions-1page-Oct2024-v2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122050657/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/NegOptions-1page-Oct2024-v2.pdf |archive-date=22 Nov 2025 |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref>

Starting from the Membership menu, the customer is required to find "Cancel your Membership" button at the bottom (Step 1). Then within a page that presents retention offers, click "Take survey to cancel" and avoid those retention offers. To complete the cancellation, a survey must be taken on why they want to cancel their subscription.<ref name=":0" />

The "Cancel my Subscription" button is at the bottom of the "memberships" page. A big "PAUSE MEMBERSHIP" button is displayed above it. This button is stylized and red. Below it there is the "Cancel my Membership" text. This text is underscored and doesn't look like a button. To access this "Cancel my Membership" text one has to scroll down and then look specifically for this text.{{Citation needed|date=11 Mar 2026}}

Once the user clicks on the "Cancel my Membership" text they will be greeted by a huge red "Remain a member" button. Below this button is an underscored "Take survey to cancel" text. This almost looks like a "get back to the previous page" text.{{Citation needed|date=11 Mar 2026}}
<gallery>
File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 1.png|Step 1 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process.
File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 2.png|Step 2 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process.
File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 3.png|Step 3 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process
</gallery>
On the next page it will tell you to pause your membership instead. It then shows you the benefits from pausing your membership. It lists the following benefits with this headline:

Headline: "take a break and use your remaining months later" & "pausing your membership will allow you to:"

#Use the remaining 352 days of your membership later
#Save your existing data until you’re ready to come back
#Pause billing and data uploads, you can unpause at any time

This time instead of the "REMAIN A MEMBER" button there is a red "PAUSE MEMBERSHIP" button in all caps. Just below is a "NO THANKS, STILL CANCEL" text which isn't highlighted in any color. If you click the "NO THANKS, STILL CANCEL" text the user will see the following: "Cancelling your WHOOP membership disables the ability to upload new data to your strap." It will ask you the following question: "What’s the primary reason you decided to cancel your WHOOP membership?".
[[File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 4.png|150px|alt=Step 4 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process|thumb|Step 4 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process]]
It lists various answers:

#I misplaced the sensor and don’t want to pay for a replacement
#Didn’t provide features I expected
#Unhappy wearing the strap (fit, comfort, durability, etc.)
#I had a life change that made it difficult to use the product (pregnancy, injury, work schedule, etc.)
#I’m not confident in the pace of innovation
#Didn’t trust the accuracy of the data
#The sensor was not working properly
#I can no longer afford the subscription
#Didn’t help me meet my personal goals
#Customer service issues
#Other

[[File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 5.png|150px|alt=Step 5 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process|thumb|Step 5 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process]]
If the user doesn't want to answer any of these questions they can click on "Other". This will show a little box where the user can enter their reason and click on "Next" afterwards. It will then show a "GIVE FEEDBACK" page with a sub-headline that states "Feedback helps WHOOP improve." It asks you "When did you decide you would not renew?" and gives four answers.

#1 WEEK BEFORE RENEWAL
#1 MONTH BEFORE RENEWAL
#3 MONTHS BEFORE RENEWAL
#OVER 3 MONTHS BEFORE RENEWAL

[[File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 6.png|150px|alt=Step 6 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process|thumb|Step 6 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process]]
The user cannot skip the questions. Once the user clicks on an answer they will be asked the following question: "Are you planning to switch to another device? If yes, which device?". It lists various competitors' devices. The user cannot skip over this question.

#Apple Watch Ultra
#Google Pixel Watch
#Ultrahuman Ring
#Fitbit
#Samsung Galaxy Watch
#Oura Ring
#Samsung Galaxy Ring
#Garmin
#Apple Watch
#I'm not switching to a new device
#Other

[[File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 7 & 8.png|150px|alt=Step 7 & 8 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process|thumb|Step 7 & 8 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process]]
The "other" button will show a box where the user can enter their reason and click on next. This takes at least two clicks to do as with the previous "Other" button. After this question the user will be asked "Which of the following best describes why you decided to switch to this device?". It offers multiple answers again.

#The product was certified by a scientific organization
#I liked the device form factor the most (e.g., ring, wrist-based)
#The brand resonated with me
#I followed a recommendation from a friend or family member
#I saw value after completing a free trial
#The offering was easy to understand
#I trusted a review
#The product had the best feature set
#I saw the product in-store
#The product was well-priced
#The device is the most accurate
#Other
<gallery>
File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 9 & 10.png|Step 10 & 11 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process
File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 11.png|Step 11 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process
File:Whoop subscription cancellation process 12.png|Step 12 of the Whoop subscription cancellation process
File:Whoop subscription successfully canceled.png|Screenshot of a successful Whoop subscription cancellation process
File:Whoop subscription cancellation e-mail.png|Whoop Subscription Cancellation E-Mail
</gallery>
Clicking on the "Other" button prompts you to put in a custom answer again. Then the user can click on "Next". On the next page the user is greeted by a red "CLAIM OFFER" headline and a red button that says "YES, CLAIM 10% OFF". Below that button is a non-highlighted "NO THANKS, STILL CANCEL" button. Once you click on that the new page says "CANCEL MEMBERSHIP".{{Citation needed|date=11 Mar 2026}}

====Removal of payment method====
There is no button to remove the payment method.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Benger |first=Liv |date=2025-11-01 |title=Payment card to be removed |url=https://www.community.whoop.com/t/payment-card-to-be-removed/11799 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217005607/https://www.community.whoop.com/t/payment-card-to-be-removed/11799 |archive-date=17 Dec 2025 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=WHOOP}}</ref> The user can update the payment method. Whoop will charge the payment method with 1$ to verify functionality. The user has no assurance that their payment method won't be charged if they can't remove it.{{Citation needed|date=11 Mar 2026}}

==Incidents==
- Anticompetitive lawsuit against Bevel (https://youtu.be/iAcx7kP9sog)

==See also==

*[[Dark pattern]]
*[[Planned obsolescence]]
*[[Forced app download]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Minecraft account migration

2026-05-16T14:17:30Z

Zank: minor style

{{Cleanup|Issue 1 = Format needs to better conform with [[Template:IncidentPreload]].}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Microsoft, Mojang
|StartDate=2020-10-21
|EndDate=2023-12-18
|Status=Unresolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=Minecraft Java Edition
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Forced Migration, Service Termination
|Description=Minecraft players were forced to migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts or lose access to their account.
}}
On October 21st, 2020, [[Mojang]] announced that all Minecraft Java Edition users must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts to retain access to the game. On December 18th, 2023, consumers who did not do so lost access and needed to re-purchase the game to regain it.

==Background==
[[Minecraft]] is a sandbox video game developed by Swedish developer '''Mojang Studios''' (also known as '''Mojang AB''' or simply '''Mojang'''). The original PC version of the game was created by Markus "Notch" Persson using the Java programming language, and it is known as "Minecraft Java Edition". The first public alpha version of Java Edition came out on May 17th, 2009, then fully released on November 18th, 2011. On September 15th, 2014, Mojang was acquired by '''[[Microsoft]]'''.<ref name=":1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191219131419/https://my.minecraft.net/en-us/login/ "Archived Minecraft Website from December 19, 2019 showing Mojang Accounts were the exclusive method of signing in"] - archive.org</ref> Before the acquisition and at least through the end of 2019, customers who wanted to purchase Minecraft Java Edition would do so by creating a Mojang account and buying the game under that account's name.<ref name=":1" /> Throughout Java Edition's development, players could exclusively access their purchased copy of the game through the use of a Mojang account.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-13 |title=Post-Migration Process FAQ |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919160438/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 |archive-date=2023-09-19 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Minecraft Help center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bug |first=Kiori |date=2020-10-21 |title=JAVA Account Migration: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/news/60814-java-account-migration-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022100937/https://www.minecraftforum.net/news/60814-java-account-migration-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2020-10-22 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Minecraft Forum}}</ref>

==Migration to Microsoft accounts==
On October 21st, 2020, Mojang announced that Minecraft Java Edition players must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Minecraft |first=Staff |date=2020-10-21 |title=Java Edition is Moving House |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java-edition-moving-house |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021193019/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java-edition-moving-house |archive-date=2020-10-21 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> Consumers who migrated their accounts would maintain access to their username, cosmetics, player worlds, and earn an exclusive cosmetic cape.<ref name=":4" /> Those who did not migrate their accounts by December 18th, 2023 lost their access to the game and have to re-purchase Minecraft Java Edition under a Microsoft account with a new username at full retail price.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-11 |title=Information about Mojang Accounts and Microsoft Account Migration |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220034049/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account |archive-date=2024-02-20 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Minecraft Help Center}}</ref>

Mojang staff wrote wrote the following about the account migration: <blockquote>"Now just to be clear, migrating from Mojang to Microsoft accounts is ''mandatory''. If you don’t make the move, in several months you won’t be able to log in anymore – which means you won’t be able to play either."<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>Account migration started in waves or "batches" sometime in early 2021.<ref name=":4" />Initially, account migration was voluntary, and users with Mojang accounts could play Minecraft Java Edition without needing to migrate their accounts. On February 2, 2022, Mojang announced that on March 10, 2022 the voluntary migration period would end and that Mojang account users would be unable to play Minecraft Java Edition without migrating their account. On May 8, 2023, Mojang announced that Mojang account owners would have until September 19, 2023 to migrate to a Microsoft account or permanently lose the capacity to migrate their account. Following this September 19, 2023 deadline, Mojang gave Mojang account owners who missed the deadline a three month grace period through December 18, 2023 to migrate their account.<ref name=":2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20231210202436/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 "Post-Migration Process FAQ"] - help.minecraft.net - archived 2023-12-10</ref><ref name=":0" /> Mojang account owners who exercised their option under this three-month grace period would not have access to the cosmetics associated with their Mojang account or the certainty that they would enjoy the username associated with their Mojang account under their Microsoft account. After December 18, 2023, Mojang account owners who had purchased Minecraft Java Edition from Mojang would need to purchase Minecraft under a Microsoft account in order to play the game.

On a page titled "I Missed My Chance to Migrate. What Happens to My Account?" on the official Minecraft Help Center, Mojang explains:

"To continue playing Minecraft, you will have to buy Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition using a Microsoft account."<ref name=":3">[https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account "I Missed My Chance to Migrate. What Happens to My Account?"] - help.minecraft.net - accessed 2025-02-01 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250716045613/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account Archived])</ref><ref name=":5" />

Due to the age of Minecraft, and not needing a email to sign in, many of the email address's that were linked to old accounts had been forgotten, lost, or deleted. This left players unable to migrate their old Mojang accounts, even if they were aware of the situation. Microsoft offered little support to these players as, even during the migration period, it was not made easy to contact the people behind Minecraft. Support was not replying to questions about the migration process and issues with it.

Users who could not figure out how to migrate their accounts that they bought in the pre-release era had to re-purchase Minecraft with a different username for a post-release price (Alpha costing 9.95€, Beta costing 14.95€, and the full release being 29.99€). Additionally, even if users successfully migrated their account, in the event that their Microsoft account is compromised, there is currently no avenue for Minecraft account recovery or refunding the initial purchase, and the user is required to re-purchase Minecraft to regain access to the game<ref>https://archive.org/details/microsoft-email</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=Can i do something against this? Microsoft says that I have to repurchase the game!? |url=https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fcan-i-do-something-against-this-microsoft-says-that-i-have-v0-yjhz852gys8d1.png%3Fwidth%3D2028%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dc3fefb859c778af5218802093b645ecc21d06702 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812032340/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fcan-i-do-something-against-this-microsoft-says-that-i-have-v0-yjhz852gys8d1.png%3Fwidth%3D2028%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dc3fefb859c778af5218802093b645ecc21d06702 |archive-date=2025-08-12 |access-date=2025-08-11}}</ref>.

In https://web.archive.org/web/20210813083726/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 Notch promised in his blog that all purchasers of the Alpha version of the game would get all purchases of the game for free, even saying ''"a promise is a promise"'', as he removed it from purchases made after the release of Beta.

==Class Action Lawsuit==
On August 16th, 2025, Kian Brose announced that they have partnered with Singularity Law AB ([[Sweden]]) to file a class-action lawsuit against Mojang<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=16 Aug 2025 |title=We’re Suing Minecraft in a Class Action Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_UF_4gZclI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=w_UF_4gZclI |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> for their anti-consumer practices. Of the several types of damage groups mentioned in the announcement video, the class with the most potential participants is anyone impacted by this account migration.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:2020 incidents]]
[[Category:Sweden]]

Minecraft account migration

2026-05-16T14:12:56Z

Zank: Merged repeat info, moved 2 background sentences to bg section

{{Cleanup|Issue 1 = Format needs to better conform with [[Template:IncidentPreload]].}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Microsoft, Mojang
|StartDate=2020-10-21
|EndDate=2023-12-18
|Status=Unresolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=Minecraft Java Edition
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Forced Migration, Service Termination
|Description=Minecraft players were forced to migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts or lose access to their account.
}}
On October 21st, 2020, [[Mojang]] announced that all Minecraft Java Edition users must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts to retain access to the game. On December 18th, 2023, consumers who did not do so lost access and needed to re-purchase the game to regain it.

==Background==
[[Minecraft]] is a sandbox video game developed by Swedish developer '''Mojang Studios''' (also known as '''Mojang AB''' or simply '''Mojang'''). The original PC version of the game was created by Markus "Notch" Persson using the Java programming language, and it is known as "Minecraft Java Edition". The first public alpha version of Java Edition came out on May 17th, 2009, then fully released on November 18th, 2011. On September 15th, 2014, Mojang was acquired by '''[[Microsoft]]'''.<ref name=":1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191219131419/https://my.minecraft.net/en-us/login/ "Archived Minecraft Website from December 19, 2019 showing Mojang Accounts were the exclusive method of signing in"] - archive.org</ref> Before the acquisition and at least through the end of 2019, customers who wanted to purchase Minecraft Java Edition would do so by creating a Mojang account and buying the game under that account's name.<ref name=":1" /> Throughout Java Edition's development, players could exclusively access their purchased copy of the game through the use of a Mojang account.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-13 |title=Post-Migration Process FAQ |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919160438/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 |archive-date=2023-09-19 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Minecraft Help center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bug |first=Kiori |date=2020-10-21 |title=JAVA Account Migration: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/news/60814-java-account-migration-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022100937/https://www.minecraftforum.net/news/60814-java-account-migration-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2020-10-22 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Minecraft Forum}}</ref>

==Migration to Microsoft accounts==
On October 21st, 2020, Mojang announced that Minecraft Java Edition players must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Minecraft |first=Staff |date=2020-10-21 |title=Java Edition is Moving House |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java-edition-moving-house |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021193019/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java-edition-moving-house |archive-date=2020-10-21 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> Those who migrated their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts would maintain access to their username, cosmetics, player worlds, and earn an exclusive cosmetic cape.<ref name=":4" /> Consumers who did not migrate their accounts by December 18th, 2023 lost their access to the game and had to re-purchase Minecraft Java Edition under a Microsoft account with a new username at full retail price if they wanted to play.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-11 |title=Information about Mojang Accounts and Microsoft Account Migration |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220034049/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account |archive-date=2024-02-20 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Minecraft Help Center}}</ref>

Mojang's staff wrote wrote the following about the account migration: <blockquote>"Now just to be clear, migrating from Mojang to Microsoft accounts is ''mandatory''. If you don’t make the move, in several months you won’t be able to log in anymore – which means you won’t be able to play either."<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>Account migration started in waves or "batches" sometime in early 2021.<ref name=":4" />Initially, account migration was voluntary, and users with Mojang accounts could play Minecraft Java Edition without needing to migrate their accounts. On February 2, 2022, Mojang announced that on March 10, 2022 the voluntary migration period would end and that Mojang account users would be unable to play Minecraft Java Edition without migrating their account. On May 8, 2023, Mojang announced that Mojang account owners would have until September 19, 2023 to migrate to a Microsoft account or permanently lose the capacity to migrate their account. Following this September 19, 2023 deadline, Mojang gave Mojang account owners who missed the deadline a three month grace period through December 18, 2023 to migrate their account.<ref name=":2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20231210202436/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 "Post-Migration Process FAQ"] - help.minecraft.net - archived 2023-12-10</ref><ref name=":0" /> Mojang account owners who exercised their option under this three-month grace period would not have access to the cosmetics associated with their Mojang account or the certainty that they would enjoy the username associated with their Mojang account under their Microsoft account. After December 18, 2023, Mojang account owners who had purchased Minecraft Java Edition from Mojang would need to purchase Minecraft under a Microsoft account in order to play the game.

On a page titled "I Missed My Chance to Migrate. What Happens to My Account?" on the official Minecraft Help Center, Mojang explains:

"To continue playing Minecraft, you will have to buy Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition using a Microsoft account."<ref name=":3">[https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account "I Missed My Chance to Migrate. What Happens to My Account?"] - help.minecraft.net - accessed 2025-02-01 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250716045613/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account Archived])</ref><ref name=":5" />

Due to the age of Minecraft, and not needing a email to sign in, many of the email address's that were linked to old accounts had been forgotten, lost, or deleted. This left players unable to migrate their old Mojang accounts, even if they were aware of the situation. Microsoft offered little support to these players as, even during the migration period, it was not made easy to contact the people behind Minecraft. Support was not replying to questions about the migration process and issues with it.

Users who could not figure out how to migrate their accounts that they bought in the pre-release era had to re-purchase Minecraft with a different username for a post-release price (Alpha costing 9.95€, Beta costing 14.95€, and the full release being 29.99€). Additionally, even if users successfully migrated their account, in the event that their Microsoft account is compromised, there is currently no avenue for Minecraft account recovery or refunding the initial purchase, and the user is required to re-purchase Minecraft to regain access to the game<ref>https://archive.org/details/microsoft-email</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=Can i do something against this? Microsoft says that I have to repurchase the game!? |url=https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fcan-i-do-something-against-this-microsoft-says-that-i-have-v0-yjhz852gys8d1.png%3Fwidth%3D2028%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dc3fefb859c778af5218802093b645ecc21d06702 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812032340/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fcan-i-do-something-against-this-microsoft-says-that-i-have-v0-yjhz852gys8d1.png%3Fwidth%3D2028%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dc3fefb859c778af5218802093b645ecc21d06702 |archive-date=2025-08-12 |access-date=2025-08-11}}</ref>.

In https://web.archive.org/web/20210813083726/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 Notch promised in his blog that all purchasers of the Alpha version of the game would get all purchases of the game for free, even saying ''"a promise is a promise"'', as he removed it from purchases made after the release of Beta.

==Class Action Lawsuit==
On August 16th, 2025, Kian Brose announced that they have partnered with Singularity Law AB ([[Sweden]]) to file a class-action lawsuit against Mojang<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=16 Aug 2025 |title=We’re Suing Minecraft in a Class Action Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_UF_4gZclI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=w_UF_4gZclI |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> for their anti-consumer practices. Of the several types of damage groups mentioned in the announcement video, the class with the most potential participants is anyone impacted by this account migration.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:2020 incidents]]
[[Category:Sweden]]

Minecraft account migration

2026-05-16T13:58:54Z

Zank: Separated first paragraph to "Background" section

{{Cleanup|Issue 1 = Format needs to better conform with [[Template:IncidentPreload]].}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Microsoft, Mojang
|StartDate=2020-10-21
|EndDate=2023-12-18
|Status=Unresolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=Minecraft Java Edition
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Forced Migration, Service Termination
|Description=Minecraft players were forced to migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts or lose access to their account.
}}
On October 21st, 2020, [[Mojang]] announced that all Minecraft Java Edition users must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts to retain access to the game. On December 18th, 2023, consumers who did not do so lost access and needed to re-purchase the game to regain it.

==Background==
[[Minecraft]] is a sandbox video game developed by Swedish developer '''Mojang Studios''' (also known as '''Mojang AB''' or simply '''Mojang'''). The original PC version of the game was created by Markus "Notch" Persson using the Java programming language, and it is known as "Minecraft Java Edition". The first public alpha version of Java Edition came out on May 17th, 2009, then fully released on November 18th, 2011. On September 15th, 2014, Mojang was acquired by '''[[Microsoft]]'''.<ref name=":1" />

== Migration to Microsoft accounts ==
Throughout Java Edition's development, players could exclusively access their purchased copy of the game through the use of a Mojang account.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-13 |title=Post-Migration Process FAQ |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919160438/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 |archive-date=2023-09-19 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Minecraft Help center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bug |first=Kiori |date=2020-10-21 |title=JAVA Account Migration: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/news/60814-java-account-migration-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022100937/https://www.minecraftforum.net/news/60814-java-account-migration-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2020-10-22 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Minecraft Forum}}</ref> However, on October 21st, 2020, Mojang announced that Minecraft Java Edition players must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Minecraft |first=Staff |date=2020-10-21 |title=Java Edition is Moving House |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java-edition-moving-house |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021193019/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java-edition-moving-house |archive-date=2020-10-21 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Minecraft}}</ref>. Consumers who did not migrate their accounts by December 18th, 2023 lost their access to the game and had to re-purchase Minecraft Java Edition under a Microsoft account with a new username at full retail price if they wanted to play.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-11 |title=Information about Mojang Accounts and Microsoft Account Migration |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220034049/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account |archive-date=2024-02-20 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=Minecraft Help Center}}</ref>

At the time of Mojang's acquisition by Microsoft, the PC version of Minecraft was known as "Minecraft Java Edition". Before the acquisition and at least through the end of 2019, customers who wanted to purchase Minecraft Java Edition would do so by creating a Mojang account and buying the game under that account's name.<ref name=":1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191219131419/https://my.minecraft.net/en-us/login/ "Archived Minecraft Website from December 19, 2019 showing Mojang Accounts were the exclusive method of signing in"] - archive.org</ref> Minecraft Java Edition owners would then play the game by signing into the game's launcher with their Mojang Account.

Mojang announced on October 21, 2020 that Minecraft Java Edition players would need to migrate their Mojang account to a Microsoft account.<ref name=":4" /> Those who migrated their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts would maintain access to their username, cosmetics, player worlds, and earn an exclusive cosmetic cape.<ref name=":4" />

Mojang's staff wrote wrote the following about the account migration: <blockquote>"Now just to be clear, migrating from Mojang to Microsoft accounts is ''mandatory''. If you don’t make the move, in several months you won’t be able to log in anymore – which means you won’t be able to play either."<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>Account migration started in waves or "batches" sometime in early 2021.<ref name=":4" />Initially, account migration was voluntary, and users with Mojang accounts could play Minecraft Java Edition without needing to migrate their accounts. On February 2, 2022, Mojang announced that on March 10, 2022 the voluntary migration period would end and that Mojang account users would be unable to play Minecraft Java Edition without migrating their account. On May 8, 2023, Mojang announced that Mojang account owners would have until September 19, 2023 to migrate to a Microsoft account or permanently lose the capacity to migrate their account. Following this September 19, 2023 deadline, Mojang gave Mojang account owners who missed the deadline a three month grace period through December 18, 2023 to migrate their account.<ref name=":2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20231210202436/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19615552270221 "Post-Migration Process FAQ"] - help.minecraft.net - archived 2023-12-10</ref><ref name=":0" /> Mojang account owners who exercised their option under this three-month grace period would not have access to the cosmetics associated with their Mojang account or the certainty that they would enjoy the username associated with their Mojang account under their Microsoft account. After December 18, 2023, Mojang account owners who had purchased Minecraft Java Edition from Mojang would need to purchase Minecraft under a Microsoft account in order to play the game.

On a page titled "I Missed My Chance to Migrate. What Happens to My Account?" on the official Minecraft Help Center, Mojang explains:

"To continue playing Minecraft, you will have to buy Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition using a Microsoft account."<ref name=":3">[https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account "I Missed My Chance to Migrate. What Happens to My Account?"] - help.minecraft.net - accessed 2025-02-01 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250716045613/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account Archived])</ref><ref name=":5" />

Due to the age of Minecraft, and not needing a email to sign in, many of the email address's that were linked to old accounts had been forgotten, lost, or deleted. This left players unable to migrate their old Mojang accounts, even if they were aware of the situation. Microsoft offered little support to these players as, even during the migration period, it was not made easy to contact the people behind Minecraft. Support was not replying to questions about the migration process and issues with it.

Users who could not figure out how to migrate their accounts that they bought in the pre-release era had to re-purchase Minecraft with a different username for a post-release price (Alpha costing 9.95€, Beta costing 14.95€, and the full release being 29.99€). Additionally, even if users successfully migrated their account, in the event that their Microsoft account is compromised, there is currently no avenue for Minecraft account recovery or refunding the initial purchase, and the user is required to re-purchase Minecraft to regain access to the game<ref>https://archive.org/details/microsoft-email</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=Can i do something against this? Microsoft says that I have to repurchase the game!? |url=https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fcan-i-do-something-against-this-microsoft-says-that-i-have-v0-yjhz852gys8d1.png%3Fwidth%3D2028%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dc3fefb859c778af5218802093b645ecc21d06702 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812032340/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fcan-i-do-something-against-this-microsoft-says-that-i-have-v0-yjhz852gys8d1.png%3Fwidth%3D2028%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dc3fefb859c778af5218802093b645ecc21d06702 |archive-date=2025-08-12 |access-date=2025-08-11}}</ref>.

In https://web.archive.org/web/20210813083726/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 Notch promised in his blog that all purchasers of the Alpha version of the game would get all purchases of the game for free, even saying ''"a promise is a promise"'', as he removed it from purchases made after the release of Beta.

==Class Action Lawsuit==
On August 16th, 2025, Kian Brose announced that they have partnered with Singularity Law AB ([[Sweden]]) to file a class-action lawsuit against Mojang<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=16 Aug 2025 |title=We’re Suing Minecraft in a Class Action Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_UF_4gZclI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=w_UF_4gZclI |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> for their anti-consumer practices. Of the several types of damage groups mentioned in the announcement video, the class with the most potential participants is anyone impacted by this account migration.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:2020 incidents]]
[[Category:Sweden]]

Sonos

2025-02-07T14:27:27Z

Zank: amend previous edit - phrasing, I made a mistake with the quote

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Sonos
| Type = Public
| Founded = 2002
| Industry = Audio Equipment
| Official Website = https://sonos.com
| Logo = Sonos.png
}}

Founded in 2002, '''[[Wikipedia:Sonos|Sonos, Inc.]]''', is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.

==Bricking of CR-100 controllers==

In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller.<ref name=":0">https://www.techradar.com/news/sonos-finally-kills-off-cr100-controller-and-long-time-fans-arent-happy</ref> After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnfqzBF3fw</ref> Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers,<ref name=":0" /> however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220823113720/https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/save-the-cr100-6800510</ref> but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

==Recycle Mode==

In 2019, Sonos started offering customers a 30 percent discount on a new device, in exchange for allowing the company to remotely brick their existing Sonos device. Sonos calls this software lockout "Recycle Mode". It renders the device permanently inoperable, turning it into e-waste. Affected models include Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1).<ref name=":1">https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/unable-to-set-up-a-sonos-product-in-recycle-mode</ref><ref>https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-31-sonos-recycle-mode-explanation-falls-flat.html</ref>

The practice of intentionally breaking devices sparked controversy and a boycott, forcing the company to stop bricking devices as part of their trade-up program.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21166777/sonos-ending-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-sustainability</ref><ref>https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/technology/sonos-backtracks-legacy-devices-will-get-updates-after-may/</ref> However, devices that Sonos had already bricked remain unusable. Instead of unlocking affected devices, the company offers disposal as the only option.<ref name=":1" />

An open source project started in 2023 attempts to repair a Play:5 (Gen 1) speaker bricked with Recycle Mode.<ref>https://github.com/dbmaxpayne/Sonos-DSP</ref>

==Forced app download==
Sonos has been a big practitioner of the [[forced app download experience]] since at least 2017.<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315</ref> Sonos makes it nearly impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection. Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.<blockquote>"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207</ref></blockquote>In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.<blockquote>"You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)<ref>https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/</ref></blockquote>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Loudspeaker manufacturers]]

Sonos

2025-02-07T12:02:23Z

Zank: amend previous edit

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Sonos
| Type = Public
| Founded = 2002
| Industry = Audio Equipment
| Official Website = https://sonos.com
| Logo = Sonos.png
}}

Founded in 2002, '''[[Wikipedia:Sonos|Sonos, Inc.]]''', is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.

==Bricking of CR-100 controllers==

In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller.<ref name=":0">https://www.techradar.com/news/sonos-finally-kills-off-cr100-controller-and-long-time-fans-arent-happy</ref> After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnfqzBF3fw</ref> Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers,<ref name=":0" /> however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220823113720/https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/save-the-cr100-6800510</ref> but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

==Recycle Mode==

In 2019, Sonos started offering customers a 30 percent discount on a new device, in exchange for allowing the company to remotely brick their existing Sonos device. Sonos calls this "Recycle Mode". The software lockout renders a working device permanently inoperable, turning it into e-waste. Affected devices include Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1).<ref name=":1">https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/unable-to-set-up-a-sonos-product-in-recycle-mode</ref><ref>https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-31-sonos-recycle-mode-explanation-falls-flat.html</ref>

The practice of intentionally breaking devices sparked controversy and boycotts. In a response to the controversy, Sonos CEO suggested that the customers are "confused",<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21079269/sonos-ceo-patrick-spence-apology-legacy-products-software-updates</ref> but ultimately the company gave in, and stopped bricking devices as part of their trade-up program.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21166777/sonos-ending-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-sustainability</ref> However, devices that Sonos had already bricked remain unusable. Instead of unlocking affected devices, the company offers disposal as the only option.<ref name=":1" />

An open source project started in 2023 attempts to repair a Play:5 (Gen 1) speaker bricked with Recycle Mode.<ref>https://github.com/dbmaxpayne/Sonos-DSP</ref>

==Forced app download==
Sonos has been a big practitioner of the [[forced app download experience]] since at least 2017.<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315</ref> Sonos makes it nearly impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection. Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.<blockquote>"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207</ref></blockquote>In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.<blockquote>"You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)<ref>https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/</ref></blockquote>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Loudspeaker manufacturers]]

Sonos

2025-02-07T11:55:22Z

Zank: amend previous edit

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Sonos
| Type = Public
| Founded = 2002
| Industry = Audio Equipment
| Official Website = https://sonos.com
| Logo = Sonos.png
}}

Founded in 2002, '''[[Wikipedia:Sonos|Sonos, Inc.]]''', is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.

==Bricking of CR-100 controllers==

In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller.<ref name=":0">https://www.techradar.com/news/sonos-finally-kills-off-cr100-controller-and-long-time-fans-arent-happy</ref> After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnfqzBF3fw</ref> Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers,<ref name=":0" /> however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220823113720/https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/save-the-cr100-6800510</ref> but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

==Recycle Mode==

In 2019, Sonos started offering customers a 30 percent discount on a new device, in exchange for allowing the company to remotely brick their existing Sonos device. Sonos calls this "Recycle Mode". The software lockout renders a working device permanently inoperable, turning it into e-waste. Affected devices include Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1).<ref name=":1">https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/unable-to-set-up-a-sonos-product-in-recycle-mode</ref><ref>https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-31-sonos-recycle-mode-explanation-falls-flat.html</ref>

The practice of intentionally breaking devices sparked controversy and boycotts. In a response to the controversy, Sonos CEO suggested that the customers are "confused",<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21079269/sonos-ceo-patrick-spence-apology-legacy-products-software-updates</ref> but ultimately the company gave in, and stopped bricking devices as part of their trade-up program.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21166777/sonos-ending-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-sustainability</ref> However, devices that Sonos had already bricked remain unusable, and the company recommends disposing of them.<ref name=":1" />

An open source project started in 2023 attempts to repair a Play:5 (Gen 1) speaker bricked with Recycle Mode.<ref>https://github.com/dbmaxpayne/Sonos-DSP</ref>

==Forced app download==
Sonos has been a big practitioner of the [[forced app download experience]] since at least 2017.<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315</ref> Sonos makes it nearly impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection. Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.<blockquote>"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207</ref></blockquote>In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.<blockquote>"You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)<ref>https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/</ref></blockquote>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Loudspeaker manufacturers]]

User:Zank

2025-02-07T11:39:03Z

Zank: Created page with "I like cats, I also have a cat. Thanks."

I like cats, I also have a cat. Thanks.

Sonos

2025-02-07T11:35:05Z

Zank: Rewrote "Recycle Mode" - neutral language, fixed slightly incoherent structure, added CEO blaming "confusion"

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Sonos
| Type = Public
| Founded = 2002
| Industry = Audio Equipment
| Official Website = https://sonos.com
| Logo = Sonos.png
}}

Founded in 2002, '''[[Wikipedia:Sonos|Sonos, Inc.]]''', is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.

==Bricking of CR-100 controllers==

In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller.<ref name=":0">https://www.techradar.com/news/sonos-finally-kills-off-cr100-controller-and-long-time-fans-arent-happy</ref> After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnfqzBF3fw</ref> Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers,<ref name=":0" /> however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220823113720/https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/save-the-cr100-6800510</ref> but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

==Recycle Mode==

In 2019, Sonos started offering customers a 30 percent discount on a new device, in exchange for allowing the company to remotely brick their existing Sonos device. Sonos calls this "Recycle Mode". Recycle Mode is an software lockout that renders a working device, such as Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1), permanently inoperable, turning it into e-waste.<ref>https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/unable-to-set-up-a-sonos-product-in-recycle-mode</ref><ref>https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-31-sonos-recycle-mode-explanation-falls-flat.html</ref>

The practice of intentionally breaking devices sparked controversy and boycotts. In a response, Sonos CEO suggested that the customers are "confused",<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21079269/sonos-ceo-patrick-spence-apology-legacy-products-software-updates</ref> but later the company gave in, and stopped using the lockout mode in their trade-up program.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21166777/sonos-ending-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-sustainability</ref>

An open source project started in 2023 attempts to repair a Play:5 (Gen 1) speaker bricked with Recycle Mode.<ref>https://github.com/dbmaxpayne/Sonos-DSP</ref>

==Forced app download==
Sonos has been a big practitioner of the [[forced app download experience]] since at least 2017.<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315</ref> Sonos makes it nearly impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection. Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.<blockquote>"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207</ref></blockquote>In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.<blockquote>"You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)<ref>https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/</ref></blockquote>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Loudspeaker manufacturers]]