Picture of the top front of the JBL Flip 6 speaker.

JBL Flip 6 Software Update Instructions

Gives the JBL Flip 6 software update instructions. This 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 software version.  So, be sure that you indeed want the update before proceeding.

JBL Flip 6 Software Update Instructions: First Steps

You’ll need the following…

    1. An internet connection.
    2. A Bluetooth mobile device.
    3. The JBL Portable app.
    4. 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.

Picture of The JBL Flip 6 while recharging.
The JBL Flip 6 as it charges.

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

Picture of the iPadOS Bluetooth Settings page, showing the JBL Flip 6 as Connected.
The iPadOS Bluetooth Settings page, showing the JBL Flip 6 as Connected.

You are now ready to begin the software update process.

JBL Flip 6 Software Update Instructions: 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.

Screenshot of the -JBL Portable- app icon.
The -JBL Portable- app icon.

2. Run the JBL Portable App

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

Screenshot of the JBL Portable app, displaying its -Searching for Product- page.
The JBL Portable app, displaying its -Searching for Product- screen.

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 software update is available.  But if no newer software version is out, then this button does not appear.

Screenshot of the firmware update available link for the JBL Flip 6.
The firmware update available link for the JBL Flip 6.

3. Tap the Software Update Available Bar

Touching this link brings up an information page about the available software update. It describes what’s new in the latest version.

Screenshot of the -Update- button on the -Software 0.6.4.0 Update- page .
The -Update- button on the -Software 0.6.4.0 Update- page .

Now this screen gives details about the available 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 Software Update Instructions 

If your speaker battery has enough charge, and / or you connected the charger, then the software 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 Software 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 Software Then Downloads to your Mobile Device

Your mobile device downloads the new software to its memory first.

Screenshot of the -Software Update... Transferring- page showing 0 percent.
The -Software Update… Transferring- page showing 0 percent.

5b. Software Update Progress, at Thirty-One Percent Complete

Once download to your device finishes, the app then verifies and uploads the software image to the speaker.

Screenshot of the -Software Update... Transferring- page showing 31 percent complete.
The -Software Update… Transferring- page showing 31 percent complete.

5c. Software Update Progress at Fifty-Nine Percent Complete

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

Screenshot of the -Software Update-Transferring- page, at 59 percent complete.
The -Software Update-Transferring- page, at 59 percent complete.

5d. Software Update Progress at Ninety-Nine Percent Complete

Screenshot of the -Software Update-Transferring- page, at 99 percent complete.
The -Software Update-Transferring- page, at 99 percent complete.

5e. Software Update File Transfer Now Complete

Once the app copies the upgrade file to the Flip 6, you get the  Updating screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the -Software Update--Updating- page.
The -Software Update–Updating- page.

At this point, the speaker is installing the new software 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.

Picture of the glowing -Power- button on the JBL Flip 6.
The glowing -Power- button on the JBL Flip 6.

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.

Picture of The -Bluetooth- button glowing steady white.
The -Bluetooth- button glowing steady white.

Then meanwhile, back in the Portable App, the Update Successful appears. This happens when it gets confirmation from the speaker that the software upgrade completes.

Screenshot of the app displaying the -Software Update-Upgrade Successful- page. Showing the -Let's Party- button.
The app displaying the -Software Update-Upgrade Successful- page. Showing the -Let’s Party- button.

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.

Screenshot of the -JBL Flip 6 Home- page. No update available now.
The -JBL Flip 6 Home- page. No update available now.

So this means that the software update succeeded and that the speaker is now running the current software version.

9. Done with JBL Flip 6 Software Update Instructions !

Finally, you’ve now updated the software to the current version in your JBL Flip 6.

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 6

    1. Button Functions Explained
    2. JBL Flip 6 Specs
    3. Power Button Not Working Fix
    4. JBL Flip 6 Blinking Red Light, How to Fix
    5. How to Charge

References for JBL Flip 6 Software Update Instructions

    1. JBL Flip 6 Official Product Page
    2. Where to Buy the JBL Flip 6

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