The JBL Flip 5 features several controls and lamps across its top and side panels. The Power control lights solid when the 5 is ON. And the Bluetooth control glows or flashes to indicate current pairing status. Plus, an oval ring around these controls lights up during reset or changes in speaker operational mode. So here, this is how we explain the JBL Flip 5 controls. We show where they are on the Flip 5 and discuss their meanings and functions. We also give some control codes and combinations, and describe when to press them.
JBL Flip 5 Controls : The Details
The Power Control
There are two rows of controls on the Flip 5. In the first row of two controls, each one looks like a round depression.
The Bluetooth Control
Next in this row of controls, we have the Bluetooth control. Note its squiggly shape.
With the Flip 5 running, press this control to start up discovery mode. When in this mode, this control rapidly flashes white. Plus, the 5 transmits its name and other connection information. This allows nearby devices to find and connect to it.
JBL Flip 5 Controls: Volume Down and Volume Up Controls
The volume controls are near the center top, in the second row. These controls look like minus and plus symbols. And they lower and raise the output volume by lowering or raising the volume setting on the paired source device.
With the 5 paired and playing, press the Volume Down (-) control to decrease loudness. Or press the Volume Up (+) control to increase it.
Note that these loudness controls have no effect when the speaker is unpaired.
Also, the volume setting may change from device to device. That is, each paired device retains its own volume setting. So you may have to readjust the volume when you pair the Flip 5 to another device.
The Play-Pause Control
The Play / Pause control resembles a left-pointing arrow. We find it closest the left side of the Flip 5.
How to Pause and Resume Playback
Press the Play-Pause control once to pause audio play. Press again to resume play.
Note however that this is not a mute control. That is, pausing playback in this way suspends sound playback on the source device. So, you won’t miss any content when you pause the Flip 5. Why not? Because the source device remembers where the content paused. So it resumes playback at that spot.
How to Bring Up a Voice Assistant
When you pair the 5 with an Apple device, press the Play / Pause control. Hold it in until Siri speaks. Note that you must enable Siri on the source device for this feature to work.
The PartyBoost Control
Use the PartyBoost button to connect two or more compatible speakers together, in “party mode”. When paired in this way, they all play the same audio content. Similar to speakers in Amazon’s multi room music groups. So all speakers in a PartyBoost group play the same audio at the same time.
You press this button on each speaker you wish to add to the group. This button looks like an infinity symbol.
JBL Flip 5 Controls: Combinations and Codes
The All Lights On Mode
Entering the All Lights ON mode appears to power off the 5, since it makes the falling guitar sound. But all the lights on the buttons panel light up. These include the battery gauge, the Bluetooth and Power controls, and the oval ring.
To enter this mode, press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume UP controls. Then hold them in for around ten seconds. Finally, release them when the lights on the control panel all light up.
Then to exit this mode, press the Power control. Then hold it in for twelve seconds or so. Release it when all lights go dark. Note that the Flip 5 makes no power-down sound here.
The Low Frequency Mode Control Code
Many JBL models come with low frequency mode, which by default, is ON. This adds a bit of extra treble and lots of extra bass to the audio output. It’s like switching on the Loudness control on vintage stereo systems.
Turn this extreme bass mode OFF by pressing the Volume Down (-) and Bluetooth controls. Hold them in for about ten seconds. Then release them when the Power and Bluetooth buttons light white.
To turn low frequency mode back on, again, press the Volume Down and Bluetooth buttons. Hold them in until the Power and Bluetooth controls light up again. Release them when you see that. Then, when the controls return to their prior states, low frequency mode is ON once more.
The Reset Control Code
You can reset the JBL Flip 5 to default factory settings. Do that by pressing the Volume UP and Play / Pause controls together. Then hold them in until reset occurs.
The Service Mode Control Code
When in this (sometimes called ‘weird’ or ‘secret’) mode, the JBL Flip 5 does not power on without external power. And then, it powers up as soon as you connect the charger. And it does this without you pressing the Power control. Furthermore, you cannot turn it off unless you disconnect the charger. And then, it powers off without pressing the Power button.
Also, none of the controls work when the Flip 5 is in this state. E.g. You can’t activate discovery mode. So it won’t pair with any devices.
To turn on this mode, press the Pairing and Volume UP controls at the same time. Then hold these in until the 5 shuts OFF. This takes ten seconds or so. Note that you can enter this mode as long as the Flip 5 is ON. So it doesn’t matter whether it’s on the charge or not.
But once you activate Service Only, then to turn off this mode, you must connect USB power. Why? Because the Flip 5 won’t come on without outside power. Plus, you can’t change modes without the unit running.
So, with the Flip 5 Power button glowing, you press the Bluetooth and Volume UP button combination. Hold that in for ten seconds or so. Finally, release when the 5 powers off. Then normal operation returns.