Gives the JBL Flip 6 firmware update routine. This procedure can take five to ten minutes to finish. Factors such as WiFi connection speed and how fast your mobile device is can affect how long it takes.
Note though that you can’t reverse this once you install the update. That is, you won’t be able to return to any prior firmware version. So, be sure that you indeed want the update before proceeding.
JBL Flip 6 Firmware Update: Preparation Steps
You’ll need the following…
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- An internet connection.
- A Bluetooth mobile device.
- The JBL Portable app.
- And the JBL Flip 6 speaker itself.
So, connect your mobile device to the internet and install the JBL Portable app if you haven’t already.
As a precaution, connect your speaker to household power. Why? Because we don’t want its battery going dead during the update. In fact, a dying battery could corrupt the speaker’s memory. So, this might brick it, leaving it useless and not repairable.
So, to be safe, plug the speaker into AC power. It’s best to use the included USB cable. But if you don’t have that cable, other decent cords are available that work just as well.
Finally, connect the other end of the USB-C cord into an adapter. Then plug that adapter into an AC outlet.
Then, pair your mobile device with the speaker
You are now ready to begin the firmware update process.
JBL Flip 6 Firmware Update: Step by Step
1. Find the JBL Portable App on your Mobile Device
We have ours ours in a custom folder named Bluetooth Speakers on an Apple iPad Air.
2. Run the JBL Portable 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 6 BT speaker and shows you its status screen.
Note the presence of the Software update available link near the top of the speaker’s home page. This means that a firmware update is available. But if no newer firmware version is out, then this button does not appear.
3. Tap the Software Update Available Bar
Touching this link brings up an information page about the available firmware update. It describes what’s new in the latest version.
Now this screen gives details about the available firmware update. In our case here, it suggests the Flip 6 upgrade to firmware version 0.6.4.0.
4. Tap the Orange Update Button to Continue with the JBL Flip 6 Firmware Update
If your speaker battery has enough charge, and / or you connected the charger, then the firmware update process starts.
But if your battery is low and you’ve not connected the charger, the app asks you to do so now. If it does, then do that. Then follow any screen prompts to begin the update.
5. The Firmware Update Process on JBL Flip 6 Begins
The update then starts. So the Portable app displays a progress screen to let you know 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.
5b. Firmware Update Progress, at Thirty-One Percent Complete
Once download to your device finishes, the app then verifies and uploads the firmware image to the speaker.
5c. Firmware Update Progress at Fifty-Nine Percent Complete
We’re several minutes into the update at this point in the process.
5d. Firmware Update Progress at Ninety-Nine Percent Complete
5e. Firmware Update File Transfer Now Complete
Once the app copies the upgrade file to the Flip 6, you get the Updating screen, as shown next.
At this point, the speaker is installing the new firmware into its primary memory. This takes roughly two minutes.
The speaker will restart automatically when it finishes updating.
6. Wait for the Speaker to Shut OFF and Power ON Again
Watch the Power light on the speaker. That lamp will soon go dark.
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 6
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 Portable app. The Pairing button glows solid white.
Then meanwhile, back in the Portable App, the Update Successful appears. This happens when it gets confirmation from the speaker that the firmware upgrade completes.
8. Press the Let’s Party Button
With your speaker successfully paired to the JBL Portable app again, press the orange Let’s Party button.
The app then displays the JBL Flip 6 home screen again. But now, notice that the Software Update Available bar disappears.
So this means that the firmware update succeeded and that the speaker is now running the current firmware version.
9. Done with JBL Flip 6 Firmware Update !
Finally, you’ve now updated the firmware to the current version in your JBL Flip 6.