JBL Flip 5 Firmware Update, Explained

Here’s our JBL Flip 5 firmware update directions. Now this procedure can take up to thirty minutes, depending on the speed of your WiFi connection.  Plus, you can’t reverse once complete.  That is, you won’t be able to return to any prior firmware version once you complete this speaker update.  So, be sure that you indeed want the update before going ahead with it.

JBL Flip 5 Firmware Update: Preparation Steps

You’ll need the following:

1. 1. And internet connection.
   2. A Bluetooth mobile or desktop computer device.
   3. The JBL Connect app.
   4. The JBL Flip 5 speaker.

So, connect your mobile device to the internet and install the JBL Connect app if you haven’t already.

Then connect your speaker to household power, because we don’t want its battery going dead during the update.  A dying battery could corrupt the speaker’s memory. So this would possibly brick the speaker, leaving it useless.

So, to be safe, plug the speaker into AC power, using the included USB cable.

Finally, connect the other end of the USB-C cord into an AC power adapter. Then plug that adapter into a working outlet.

Then, pair your mobile device with the speaker

You are now ready to begin the firmware update process.

JBL Flip 5 Firmware Update: Step by Step

1. Find the JBL Connect App on your Mobile Device

We found ours on the fourth home page in the Apple iPad Air.

2. Run the JBL Connect App

The app takes a few seconds to show you some pretty animations when you first start it.

But then it finds your paired JBL Flip 5 BT speaker and shows you its status screen, as pictured next.

Note the presence of the Update button near the bottom left of the speaker’s home page. This means that a firmware update is available.  But if no newer firmware came out since you last updated the speaker, this button does not appear.

3. Tap the Update Button

Touching the Update button brings up an information page about the available firmware update, as shown next.  It describes what’s new in the latest firmware version.

Now this screen gives details about the available firmware update.  In our case here, it suggests the Flip 5 upgrade to firmware version 4.0.0.0.

4. Tap the Orange Upgrade Button to Continue with these JBL Flip 5 Firmware Update

If your speaker battery has enough charge, then the update starts. But if your battery is low and you’ve not yet connected to power, the app ask you to do so. So if it does ask, plug in the speaker. Then follow any screen prompts to begin the update.

5. The Firmware Update Process on JBL Flip 5 Begins

The update then starts.  So the Connect app displays a progress screen to tell how far along the update is.

5a. The Latest Firmware Then Downloads to your Mobile Device

Your mobile device downloads the new firmware to its memory first, as shown next.

5b. Firmware Update Progress, at Twenty-Five Percent Complete

Once the download to your mobile device finishes, the Connect app then verifies the update.  Then it uploads the firmware image to your speaker.

5c. Progress at Fifty Percent Complete

We’re several minutes into the update at this point in the process.

5d. Firmware Update Progress at Seventy-Five Percent Complete

5e. Firmware Update Progress, at Ninety-Nine Percent Complete

5f. Firmware Update File Transfer 100 Percent Complete

Once the app copies the upgrade file to the Flip 5, you get the  Restarting  screen, as shown next.

But note that the speaker is still installing the new firmware. This can take  several minutes from when the Restarting screen appears.

This screen warns us that our speaker will restart automatically. Plus, it asks us not to unplug the speaker during the update. Throughout all this, keep your speaker close to the mobile device running the app.

6. Wait for the Speaker to Shut Off to Continue with JBL Flip 5 Firmware Update

Watch the Power light on the speaker, as shown next.  That lamp will soon go dark, as shown next, as pointed out by the green arrow.

The speaker may or may not turn itself back on again.  Ours did come back on by itself for this update.  If yours did not, 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 5

Next, press the dark Power button to turn the speaker ON again.  The unit should again pair with your mobile device where you’re running the JBL Connect app.  The Power button glows solid white as your speaker successfully pairs again with your tablet or phone, as shown next.

Then meanwhile, back in the Connect App, the Upgrade Successful appears. This occurs when it gets confirmation from the speaker that the firmware update completed successfully.

8. Press the Let’s Party Button

With your speaker successfully pairing to the JBL Connect app again, press the orange Let’s Party button.

The app then displays the JBL Flip 5 status screen once again.  But now, notice that the Update button disappeared. So this means that the firmware update succeeded. Thus, the speaker is now running the latest firmware version.

9. Done with JBL Flip 5 Firmware Update !

Finally, you’ve now successfully updated the firmware to the current version in your JBL Flip 5 portable party speaker.  So enjoy the more reliable music play !

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 5

1. 1. How to Tell if My JBL Flip 5 is Charging
   2. Charge Time
   3. A Complete List of the Controls
   4. Explaining Bass Boost on the JBL Flip 5
   5. The Hard Reset Procedure

References

1. 1. JBL Flip 5 Official Product Page
   2. Where to Buy the JBL Flip 5