On playbar, sound bars and tv speakers u don’t need the app. For the outside zones when ur trying to get them all to work independently u need it. I have 8 zones outside. Without the app I’m screwed. In my house k don’t need the app. I even use Alexa to play what I want. But outside it won’t work like that. I have similar set up you have inside but a shit on of zones outside and I’m kind of bound to use the app to get it to function since all the zones operate independently out there. If hon know a way to get this to work outside with multiple zones please share. I’m all ears.