Picture of the top of the JBL Xtreme 3 speaker, showing the buttons panel.

JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions

Gives the JBL Xtreme 3 firmware update instructions. This update can take up to fifteen minutes. This depends on the speed of your internet connection and source device. Plus, you cannot easily back it out. That is, you won’t be able to downgrade to the earlier firmware version once you complete this upgrade. So, be sure that you truly wish the upgrade.

JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions: Disclaimer

We were unable to update our JBL Xtreme 3 firmware when we received this speaker. Why? Because the speaker already had the current version.  So, we borrowed some pictures below from the firmware updates we did on our JBL Charge 3.  We used JBL Xtreme 3 pictures where we could though. Indeed the firmware update processes are similar for both speakers.  Finally, at some point we may receive a firmware update notification for our JBL Xtreme 3. If that happens, we’ll update these photos to show the actual update in progress.

JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions: Preparation Steps

Get on the Internet

You’ll need the following to complete this update…

    1. An internet connection.
    2. A Bluetooth mobile or desktop computer device.
    3. The JBL Connect  app.
    4. And the JBL Xtreme 3 itself.

Install the Connect App

So, log your mobile device into the internet and install the Connect app if you haven’t already.

Plug your JBL Xtreme 3 into AC Power

Connect your speaker to AC power. Why? Because we don’t want its battery going dead during the firmware update. This accident could leave corrupted firmware in the speaker’s memory with no way to refresh it. Thus this would render the speaker 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 firmware updating process on that JBL Bluetooth speaker.

JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions: Step by Step

1. Find the JBL Connect App on your Mobile Device

Firstly, we find ours on the fourth home page in our Apple iPad Air.

Screenshot of the iOS home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.
iOS home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.

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 3 speaker and shows you its status screen.

Note the explanation point inside the orange circle in the top right corner of the speaker’s picture. This means that there are important messages about this speaker pending for your act on.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect app displaying the JBL Charge 3 speaker, needing a firmware update. Showing the notification symbol for that.
JBL Connect app displaying the JBL Charge 3 speaker, needing a firmware update. Showing the notification symbol for that.

 

Note that there may be no current messages or firmware updates available for this speaker. If not, then you will see no explanation point.  Also note that the above picture is for the Charge 3. But this is about the same as what you’d see with the JBL Xtreme 3. The processes are indeed the same.





3. Tap the Orange Explanation Point (!)

Tapping the Important Messages (!) circle brings up the first IMPORTANT NOTICE screen about the available firmware upgrade.

Screenshot of the first important notice about the firmware update.
The first important notice about the firmware update.

This screen gives details about the available firmware update.

4. Flick to the Left to See the Next IMPORTANT NOTICE Page to Continue with JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions

Screenshot of the 2nd important notice, warning about this firmware update being permanent and thus, not reversible.
The 2nd important notice, warning about this firmware update being permanent and thus, not reversible.

This page warns us we cannot undo the update. So once complete, this software update is permanent.

5. Flick Once More to the Left to See the Next IMPORTANT NOTICE Page

Another left flick brings up the JBL Xtreme 3 firmware upgrade confirmation prompt screen.

Screenshot of the app prompting for firmware update confirmation.
The app prompting for firmware update confirmation.

This prompt again warns that we won’t be able to fall back to the old firmware version. It then asks us to decide whether to install the new firmware or to cancel. But we’re going ahead, in the next step.





6. Tap the INSTALL Button

Touching the INSTALL button brings up the Upgrade Speaker screen.

Screenshot of the app prompting to plug in the JBL Xtreme 3 to AC power to update its firmware.
The app prompting to plug in the JBL Xtreme 3 to AC power to update its firmware.

This page tells us to connect our speaker to AC power if we’ve not done so already.

7. Connect the Speaker to AC Power to Continue with JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions

We connected our JBL to an AC outlet in the preliminary firmware update steps above.

Picture of the charger cable inserted into the back of the JBL Xtreme 3.
The charger cable inserted into the back of the JBL Xtreme 3.

 

Picture of the JBL Xtreme 3 on AC power.
The JBL Xtreme 3 on AC power.

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 update process then starts. That involves downloading the firmware file from the internet to the app. Then from the app it passes through to the speaker.

Screenshot of the -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file copies from the mobile device to the speaker.
The -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file copies from the mobile device to the speaker.

8a. The Update Process Begins

Copying the file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the firmware upgrade process. And the app shows a progress pie-chart that gradually becomes more orange as the transfer proceeds.





8b. The Firmware Update at Forty Percent Complete

Screenshot of transferring firmware update file to the speaker, 40 percent complete.
Transferring firmware update file to the speaker, 40 percent complete.

8c. The Firmware Update at 65.7 Percent Done

The next screenshot shows the upgrade file transfer at 65.7 percent complete.

The app transferring new firmware file, 65 percent complete.
The app transferring new firmware file, 65 percent complete.

8d. Firmware Update File Transfer 100 Percent Complete

The next screen shows that the firmware file transfer to the speaker has finished (100 percent done). The pie chart is completely orange now.

Screenshot of transferring new firmware update file to the JBL Xtreme 3, 100 percent complete.
Transferring new firmware update file to the JBL Xtreme 3, 100 percent complete.

8e. The Update Successful Screen Appears

Once the app copies the upgrade file to the JBL Xtreme 3 speaker, you get the Upgrade Successful screen.

Screenshot of the app displaying the new firmware update to the speaker is successful. Showing the -Done- button.
The app displaying the new firmware update to the speaker is successful. Showing the -Done- button.

9. Wait for the Speaker to Shut Off to Continue with JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions

Then watch the power light on the speaker.

Picture of the top of the JBL Xtreme 3, showing the -Power- button glowing.
The JBL Xtreme 3 -Power- button glowing.

Eventually it will go dark.

Picture of all button lights dark.
All button lamps are dark.

The JBL Xtreme 3 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 3

Press the dark Power button to turn the speaker on again. Then it should again pair with your mobile device where you’re running the JBL Connect app. The Bluetooth button turns solid white when your speaker has successfully paired again with your tablet or phone.

Picture of the -Bluetooth- button glowing on the JBL Xtreme 3.
The -Bluetooth- button glowing on the JBL Xtreme 3.

11. Press the Done Button in the App

Then with your JBL Xtreme 3 successfully connecting to the JBL Connect app again, press the green Done button.

The app then displays the JBL Xtreme 3 speaker status screen once again. However, this time, note that there’s not any upgrade button. So this means that the firmware update succeeded. Thus the speaker now runs the current firmware version.

Screenshot of the JBL Xtreme 3 home page in the JBL Portable app on iPadOS.
The JBL Xtreme 3 home page in the JBL Portable app on iPadOS.

12. Done with JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions !

Other Posts About the JBL Xtreme 3

    1. JBL Xtreme 3 PartyBoost Button Explained
    2. Ths Power Button Does Not Work
    3. How to Tell if This Speaker is Charging
    4. The Charger Power Supply Details
    5. How to Put in Pairing Mode

References for JBL Xtreme 3 Firmware Update Instructions

    1. JBL Xtreme 3 Official Product Page