Picture of the JBL Flip 3 wireless speaker, red version, showing its back and left end passive radiator.

JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update

Here, we give JBL Flip 3 firmware update instructions for this popular Bluetooth speaker. The process can take fifteen to twenty minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection, source device used to update the speaker, distance between speaker and that device, and so on. Plus, the update is irreversible once done. That is, you’ll be unable to return to the prior firmware version after you complete this upgrade. So, be sure that you indeed wish the upgrade and have considered all of its ramifications before going ahead with installing the new firmware.

JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update: Preparations

You’ll need the following items:

    • Broadband internet connection,
    • Bluetooth enabled mobile or desktop computer device,
    • The JBL Connect Plus (Connect+) app that runs on said mobile device,
    • the JBL Flip 3 speaker you’re upgrading.
    • Compatible USB power adapters and charge cables for your speaker and mobile device.

So, get your mobile device connected to the internet, and install the Connect+ app if you haven’t already.

Then, connect your JBL Flip 3 to AC power. Why? Because we don’t want its battery dying during the update. A fading battery could leave a corrupted version of the firmware in the speaker’s memory, and brick the speaker, rendering it useless and not repairable. Do the same for your mobile device as well, for the same reason. Connect both device and speaker to AC power.

Be sure to unpair any other Bluetooth speakers from your mobile device during this firmware updating process.

Then, power up your speaker and mobile device, if not already powered ON.

Next, pair your mobile device with the JBL Flip 3 Bluetooth speaker.

You are now ready to begin the firmware updating on that wireless speaker.





JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update, Step by Step

1. Connect the JBL Flip 3 to AC Power if Not Done Already

We connected ours to an AC outlet using the USB power adapter we received in another JBL speaker, as well as the cable we received with this speaker. See this in the next picture.

Picture of the JBL Flip 3 connected to AC power.
The JBL Flip 3 connected to AC power.

2. Find the JBL Connect App on your Mobile Device

We found ours on the fourth home page in our Apple iPad Air, as shown next.

Screenshot of iOS home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.
iOS home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.

3. Run the JBL Connect App to Continue with JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update

The app takes some seconds to find the Flip 3.  During that time, it shows you some pretty animations when you first start it. But eventually, it locates your paired JBL Flip 3 Bluetooth speaker and displays its status screen, as pictured next.





If the speaker does not appear in the app after thirty seconds or so, move it closer to your mobile device, close the Connect app, and run it again.

Note the white explanation point inside the orange circle at the top right corner of the speaker’s image, as pointed at by the blue arrow. This means that there are important messages about this speaker pending for your to read and act upon.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing the JBL Flip 3 with the -firmware update available- marker.
JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing the JBL Flip 3 with the -firmware update available- marker.

Note that if there are no current messages or firmware updates available for this  speaker, then you will see no explanation point, as shown next.

Screenshot of the app showing the speaker Home screen, with no notifications marker displayed.
The app showing the speaker Home screen, with no notifications marker displayed.

4. Tap the Orange Circled Explanation Point (!)

Tapping the orange circle brings up the first Upgrade Speaker screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the -Upgrade Speaker- screen, showing the OK link.
The -Upgrade Speaker- screen, showing the OK link.

This screen offers details about the available firmware update, via the What’s New? link.

5. Tap the OK Button

Next, tap the OK button. See this button in the last screenshot picture, pointed at by the blue arrow.

The firmware update then begins, with the download of the firmware update file from the internet, through your mobile device, to the speaker via the Bluetooth connection, as shown in the next screenshots.

Screenshot of the JBL ConnScreenshot of the -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the speaker.
The -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the speaker.

5a. Firmware Update Begins

Copying the file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the firmware upgrade process. But as shown in these screenshots, the JBL Connect app shows you a progress pie-chart picture, that gradually becomes more orange as the firmware file transfer proceeds.

Screenshot ofScreenshot of the app transferring update firmware file to that speaker, 40 percent done.
The app transferring update firmware file to that speaker, 40 percent done.

5b. JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update at Forty Percent Complete

We’re probably about seven minutes into the firmware update at this point in the process.

Screenshot of the app transferring new firmware file, 65.7 percent complete. JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update.
The app transferring new firmware file, 65.7 percent complete.

5c. JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update File Transfer at 100 Percent Done

The next screen shows that the firmware file transfer to the speaker has finished (100 percent done). The pie chart is completely orange now.

Screenshot of the app transferring new firmware update file to that speaker, 100 percent done.
The app transferring new firmware update file to that speaker, 100 percent done.

Once the app copies the upgrade file to the JBL Flip 3, you get the Upgrade Successful screen, as shown next. However, note that the speaker is still in the process of installing the latest firmware, for about half a minute after you first see this green and white screen. Thus, this screen warns us that our speaker will restart automatically, and it asks us not to unplug the speaker while it’s running the upgrade.

Screenshot of the app showing that the new firmware update to the speaker is successful. Done button highlighted.
The app showing that the new firmware update to the speaker is successful. Done button highlighted.

6. Wait for the JBL Flip 3 to Shut Off

Watch the Power light on the speaker, as shown next. Eventually it will go dark, as shown next, pointed at by the green arrow.

Picture of the dark -Power- button on the JBL Flip 3, indicating that the speaker is OFF.
The dark -Power- button on the JBL Flip 3, indicating that the speaker is OFF.

The speaker may or may not turn itself back on again. Ours did not. So if like ours, yours did not come back up after the update firmware process completes, then go ahead with the next step (Step 7). But if yours did come back online though, then skip Step 7 and pick up with Step 8.





7. Power On the JBL Flip 3

Press the dark Power button to turn this Bluetooth speaker on again. It should again pair with your mobile device where you’re running the JBL Connect app. The Power button turns solid blue with your speaker has successfully paired again with your tablet or phone, as shown next.

Picture of the -Power- button glowing blue.
The  -Power- button glowing blue.

8. Press the Green Done Button in the Connect App

With your speaker successfully paired to the JBL Connect app again, press the green Done button, as shown in the last screenshot.

The app then displays the JBL Flip 3 status screen once again. But this time, note that there’s no longer the orange circled explanation point (!), as shown next. This means that the firmware update succeeded and that the speaker is now running the current firmware version.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing its JBL Flip 3 speaker Home screen, with no notifications marker displayed.
JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing its JBL Flip 3 speaker Home screen, with no notifications marker displayed.

9. Done with JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update !

You’re now successfully updated the firmware to the current version in your JBL Flip 3 Bluetooth speaker. Enjoy the new features.

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 3

    1. How to Adjust Volume
    2. JBL Flip 3 Charging Indicator Shows How Full Battery Is
    3. Pairing JBL Flip 3 to Google Home
    4. Finding the Currently Installed Firmware Version
    5. JBL Flip 3 Charging Instructions

Related Posts to JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update

    1. UE Roll Firmware Update Procedure
    2. Amazon Echo Force Firmware Update Routine

References for JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update

    1. JBL Flip 3 Official Product Page on JBL.com

Revision History

    • 2021-08-08: Removed some extraneous links.
    • 2020-09-18: Updated the tags list.
    • 2020-05-02: First published.