Here, we offer JBL Xtreme 2 software update instructions for this revised version of the Xtreme series portable Bluetooth speaker. This update can take up to thirty minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection. Plus, you cannot quickly reverse it. You won’t be able to downgrade to the earlier firmware version once you complete this software upgrade. So, be certain that you truly wish the upgrade, considering all its potential problems before proceeding.
Disclaimers for these JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update Instructions
We were unable to update our JBL Xtreme 2 software when we received this speaker. Why? Because the firmware on the unit was already at the current version. So, we borrowed some pictures below from the updates we did on our JBL Charge 3 speaker. We used pictures of the JBL Xtreme 2 speaker where we could though. Indeed, the software update processes are similar for both speakers. Now if or when we receive an actual software update notification for the JBL Xtreme 2, we’ll replace these photos to show the actual update in progress.
Prepare for JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update
Get Connected to the Internet
You’ll need and internet connection, a Bluetooth enabled mobile or desktop computer device, and the JBL Connect app, as well as the JBL Xtreme 2 speaker itself.
Install the Connect App
So, get your mobile device connected to the internet and install the Connect app if you haven’t already.
Plug your JBL Xtreme 2 into Reliable AC or Auto Power
Connect your JBL Xtreme 2 to AC power, because we don’t want its internal battery going dead during the software update. This mishap could leave corrupted the programs in the speaker’s memory, and thus, render it useless and not repairable.
Pair your Speaker with your Internet Connected Mobile Device
Then, pair your phone or tablet with the speaker.
You are now ready to begin the software updating process on that JBL Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update Instructions
1. 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.
2. Run the JBL Connect App
The app takes a few seconds to show you some nifty animations when you first start it. But then it finds your paired JBL Xtreme 2 speaker and shows you its status screen, as shown next.
Note the explanation point inside the orange circle in the top right corner of the speaker’s picture, as pointed at by the dark green 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. Also note again that the above picture, while it applies to the Charge 3 JBL speaker, is similar to what you’d see with the JBL Xtreme 2.
3. Tap the Orange Circled Explanation Point (!)
Tapping the Important Messages (!) circle brings up the first IMPORTANT NOTICE screen about the available firmware upgrade, as shown next.
This screen gives details about the available software update. In our case here, it tells us that we need this upgrade to enable JBL Connect+ functionality on our JB Xtreme 2 speaker. Specifically, this software upgrade enhances the speaker operation by allowing it to connect into a group of up to a hundred JBL Connect+ compatible wireless speakers, such that they all stream the same content. You would do this when you wish to blanket a large area with music for dancing for example.
4. Flick to the Left to See the Next IMPORTANT NOTICE Page to Continue with the JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update
This page warns us that the software update cannot be undone, and that once done, the upgrade is permanent. It also says that after this update, the speaker will no longer connect with other JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speakers that are running older software versions. You will also lose connectivity with older speakers such as the JBL Flip 3, JBL Pulse 2, JBL Boost, and Cinema 5B450.
5. Flick Once More to the Left to See the Next IMPORTANT NOTICE Page
Another left flick brings up the JBL Xtreme 2 software upgrade confirmation prompt screen, as shown next.
This prompt again warns us that we won’t be able to fall back to the old software version once this upgrade finishes. It then asks us to decide whether to install the new software or to cancel the process. We’re going ahead, in the next step.
6. Tap the INSTALL Button
Touching the INSTALL button brings up the Upgrade Speaker screen as shown next.
This page tells us to connect our JBL Xtreme 2 speaker to AC power if we’ve not done so already (You would have already done this if you were following the instructions in the preliminaries section above).
7. Connect the JBL Xtreme 2 to AC Power if Not Done Already to Continue with JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update
We connected our JBL to an AC outlet in the preliminary update steps above, via the included power supply and cable, as shown in the next picture.
8. Tap the OK Button on the Upgrade Speaker Screen
Next, go back to the JBL Connect app running on your mobile device, and tap the OK button. See this button in the last screenshot picture above.
The JBL Xtreme 2 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.
8a. The JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update Process Begins
Copying the file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the process. But as shown in these screenshots, the JBL Connect app shows you a progress pie-chart picture, that slowly becomes more orange as the upgrade file transfer proceeds.
8b. JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update at Forty Percent Complete
The next picture was taken at around fourteen minutes into the update.
8c. JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update at 65.7 Percent Done
The next screenshot shows the upgrade file transfer at 65.7 percent complete.
8d. Software Update File Transfer 100 Percent Complete
The next screen shows that the upgrade file transfer to the speaker has finished (100 percent done). The pie chart is completely orange now.
8e. The Upgrade Successful Screen Appears
Once the app copies the upgrade file to the JBL Xtreme 2 speaker, you get the Upgrade Successful screen, as shown next.
However, note that the JBL Xtreme 2 is still updating to the new software for nearly a minute after you first see this green and white screen. Thus, that page warns that our speaker will restart automatically after it installs the upgrade. It then asks us not to unplug the speaker while this is happening.
9. Wait for the Speaker to Shut Off to Continue with the JBL Xtreme Software Update
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 JBL Xtreme 2 may or may not turn itself back on again after the upgrade. Ours did not. So if, like ours, yours did not come back up, then go ahead with the next step (Step 10). But if yours did come back online though, then skip Step 10 and pick up with Step 11.
10. Power On the JBL Xtreme 2
Press the dark Power button to turn this Bluetooth speaker on again. It should again pair with your mobile device where you’re running the JBL Connect app. The Power button turns solid blue with your speaker has successfully paired again with your tablet or phone, as shown next.
11. Press the Done Button
With your JBL Xtreme 2 successfully paired to the JBL Connect app again, press the green Done button in the Connect app, as shown in the last screenshot above.
The app then displays the JBL Xtreme 2 speaker status screen once again. However, 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.
12. Done with JBL Xtreme 2 Software Update !
You’ve now successfully updated the software to the current version in your JBL Xtreme 2 speaker. Enjoy!
Other Posts About the JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth Speaker
- Xtreme 2 JBL Speaker Factory Reset Instructions
- JBL Xtreme 2 Reset Instructions to Fix Pairing Problems
- JBL Xtreme 2 Low Frequency Mode, Switch ON and OFF
- Xtreme 2 JBL Hard Reset Instructions
- JBL Xtreme 2 Battery Life, How Long Battery Should Last
Related Posts to JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Update
- JBL Flip 4 Software Update Instructions
- JBL Flip 3 Software Update Instructions
- Charge 4 JBL Software Update Instructions
- JBL Xtreme Software Update Instructions
- JBL Charge 3 Software Update Instructions
References for JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Update
Revision History
- 2020-12-06: First published.