Picture of the Echo Dot 4 with clock alongside a JBL Flip 5 speaker.

How to Connect JBL Flip 5 to Alexa

Shows how to connect JBL Flip 5 Alexa smart speakers. Now this pairing happens between the JBL and Alexa devices directly. Thus you need not turn Bluetooth on in the mobile device you’re using to create this connection.

How to Connect JBL Flip 5 to Alexa: Step by Step

Start with your JBL Flip 5 powered OFF (status lamp is dark). Then run through this routine to connect it to your Alexa smart device. We use an iPad Air tablet to set this up.

1. Find the Alexa app on your Mobile Device

Firstly, we find the app on the iPad Air as shown in the next shot. So in this exercise, the app is on the third  Home   screen page.

Screenshot of the Alexa app icon in a folder on iPadOS.
The Alexa app icon in a folder on iPadOS.

2. Run the Alexa App

The app displays its Home screen as we display in the next screenshot.

Screenshot of the -More- option on the Alexa app home page.
The -More- option on the Alexa app home screen.

3. Tap the More Item to Continue with How to Connect JBL Flip 5 to Alexa

Then find the hamburger item in the lower right corner of the screen. We point at this with the green arrow in the last screenshot.

This brings up the Alexa app’s main menu, as shown in the next screenshot.

Screenshot of the -Settings- item on the -Main- menu.
The -Settings- item on the -Main- menu.

4. Tap the  Settings   Option on the Main Menu 

Touching this brings up the  Settings   screen, as shown in the next screenshot.

Screenshot of the -Device Settings- item on the -Settings- page.
The -Device Settings- item on the -Settings- screen.

5. Tap the  Device Settings   Option

Touching   Device Settings   brings up the  All Devices   page, as shown next.

Screenshot of an Echo Dot 4 entry on the -All Devices- page in the Alexa app.
An Echo Dot 4 entry on the -All Devices- page in the Alexa app.

From here, choose which Echo device you wish to pair with your JBL Flip 5 speaker.

6. Tap the Alexa Device you Wish to Connect

This takes you to the device-specific settings screen for the speaker you chose.

In this demo, we’re pairing from our  Thomas’s 2nd Echo Dot 4   speaker to our JBL Flip 5. Thus the device specific settings screen looks as follows.

Screenshot of the -Connect a Device- item on the Echo Dot 4 Settings page.
The -Connect a Device- item on the Echo Dot 4 Settings page.

7. Tap the  Connect a Device  Item 

Find the  Connect a Device  option pointed at by the  green  arrow in the last screenshot.

This brings up the   Setup   screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Pair Bluetooth Device Setup page.
The Pair Bluetooth Device Setup page.

At this point, your Alexa device scans for nearby Bluetooth devices that are in pairing mode. Here, we selected an Echo Dot 4  earlier. So, this speaker will be the one that scans for BT devices.

Note that our Dot speaker found no devices so far.  But it will in the next steps.

8. Power Up the JBL Flip 5

Bring the speaker close to your Alexa device to pair. Then power up the Flip 5 by pressing and releasing the Power button.

Picture of the top of the JBL Flip 5, powered OFF, showing the dark -Power- button.
Top view of the JBL Flip 5, powered OFF, showing the dark -Power- button.

9. Place the JBL Flip 5 into Pairing / Discovery Mode

Put your JBL Flip 5 into pairing mode by pressing and releasing the Pairing button.

Picture of the blinking -Pairing- button after pressing.
The flashing -Pairing- button after pressing.

10. Find the JBL Flip 5 on the Alexa App SETUP Page

When you put the speaker into discovery mode, it should then appear in the Alexa app Pair Bluetooth Device… page.

Screenshot of the -Pair Bluetooth Device- page back in the Alexa app, showing the JBL Flip 5 as discovered.
The -Pair Bluetooth Device- page back in the Alexa app, showing the JBL Flip 5 as discovered.

Note that if your speaker does not show up on this page, then try the following.

    1. Move it very close to the Alexa.
    2. Close and restart the Alexa app.
    3. Finally repeat steps 3 through 7 along with step 9 above.

Plus, we usually find that this gets the speaker to appear here as it should.

11. Find your JBL Flip 5 on the Discovered Devices List 

See the last screenshot above.  The test Flip 5 speaker is there.

12. Finally, Pair your Alexa with your JBL Flip 5

Then pair to the BT speaker by tapping the listed speaker on the  Pair Bluetooth Device…  screen, shown in the last screenshot above.

Your Alexa speaker then pairs with the JBL Flip 5.

The app then takes you back to the Thomas’s 2nd Echo Dot 4 screen, which looks something like the following.

Picture of the JBL Flip 5 connected to an Echo Dot 4 on the device specific settings page.
The JBL Flip 5 connected to an Echo Dot 4 on the device specific settings page.

Note that our Bluetooth speaker now shows as connected.  Also, the Flip 5 makes the Speaker Paired sound (the three ascending guitar notes).

This Bluetooth speaker now has a connection with your Alexa speaker. So its Bluetooth light glows solid white to signal that successful pairing is in effect.

13. Done with How to Connect JBL Flip 5 to Alexa !

At last we can now ask Alexa to play music. Then those tunes will come out of the Flip 5. Be sure though, to speak to the Alexa speaker when making requests, and not the BT speaker.  Why?  Because even though the Flip 5 now has a connection, the Alexa is still the speaker that receives voice commands.

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 5

    1. Update Firmware Instructions
    2. JBL Flip 5 Blinking Red Light
    3. The Buttons Explained
    4. The Battery Indicator Discussed
    5. How to Bass Boost

References

    1. JBL Flip 5 Official Product Page
    2. Alexa Official Home Page

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