Here, we give JBL Flip 3 software update instructions for this popular Bluetooth speaker. The process can take twenty to thirty 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 go back to the prior firmware version after you complete this upgrade. So, be sure that you indeed wish the update and have considered all of its ramifications before going ahead with installing the new software.
Prepare for JBL Flip 3 Software Update
You’ll need the following items:
- Broadband internet connection,
- Bluetooth enabled mobile or desktop computer device,
- The JBL 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 fixable. Do the same for your mobile device as well, for the same reason. So connect both device and speaker to AC power.
Be sure to unpair any other Bluetooth speakers from your mobile device during this software 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.
You are now ready to begin the software updating on that wireless speaker.
JBL Flip 3 Software Update Instructions
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 that came with this speaker. See this in the next picture.
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.
3. Run the JBL Connect App to Continue with JBL Flip 3 Software Update
The app takes some seconds to find the speaker, and during that time, it shows you some pretty animations when you first start it. But eventually, it detects your paired JBL Flip 3 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.
Note that if there are no current messages or software updates available for this speaker, then you will see no explanation point, as shown next.
4. Tap the Orange Circled Explanation Point (!)
Tapping the orange circle brings up the first Upgrade Speaker screen, as shown next.
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 software update then begins, with the download of the upgrade file from the internet, through your mobile device, to the speaker via the Bluetooth connection, as shown in the next screenshots.
5a. The Software Update Process Begins
Copying the upgrade file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the software update process. But as shown in these screenshots, the JBL Connect app shows you a progress pie-chart picture, that progressively becomes more orange as the upgrade file transfer advances.
5b. JBL Flip 3 Software Update at Forty Percent Complete
We’re probably about seven minutes into the software update at this point in the process.
5c. JBL Flip 3 Software Update File Transfer at 100 Percent Done
The next screen shows that the software file transfer to the speaker has finished (100 percent done). I.e. The pie chart is completely orange now.
Once the app copies the upgrade file to the JBL Flip 3, you get the Upgrade Successful screen, as shown next. But note that the speaker is still in the process of installing the latest software, 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.
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.
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 software process wraps up, 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 Speaker
Press the dark Power button to turn the speaker on again. It should again pair with your mobile device where you’re running the Connect app. The Power button turns solid blue with your speaker has successfully paired again with your tablet or phone, as shown next.
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 software update succeeded and that the speaker is now running the current software version.
9. Done with JBL Flip 3 Software Update Instructions !
You’re now successfully updated the software to the current version in your JBL Flip 3 Bluetooth speaker. Enjoy the new features.
Other Posts About the JBL Flip 3
- JBL Flip 3 Charging Instructions for Longest Battery Life
- Flip 3 JBL Review of this Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Flip 3 Change Name, How to Rename JBL Speaker
- Updating Firmware on JBL Flip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Flip 3 Buttons Guide, What Each Button Does
Related Posts to JBL Flip 3 Software Update Instructions
- JBL Charge 4 Software Update Instructions
- Xtreme JBL Speaker Software Update Instructions
- JBL Charge 3 Software Update Instructions
References for JBL Flip 3 Software Update Instructions
- JBL Flip 3 Speaker Official Product Page at JBL.com
- JBL Flip 3 Splash Proof Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon.com
Revision History
- 2020-12-05: First published.