Picture of the JBL Xtreme portable Bluetooth speaker, right front corner view.

JBL Xtreme Software Update Instructions

Here, we offer JBL Xtreme software update instructions for this awesome sounding power bank Bluetooth speaker. This update can take up to thirty minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection. Plus, you cannot easily undo it. I.e. You won’t be able to downgrade to the earlier software version once you complete this firmware upgrade. So, be sure that you truly wish to upgrade, and have considered all its likely gotchas before proceeding.





Disclaimers for JBL Xtreme Software Update

We were unable to update our JBL Xtreme firmware when we bought this speaker at the time of this writing.  Why?  Because the software there was already at the current version.  So, we borrowed some pictures below from the firmware updates we did on our JBL Charge 3 speaker.  We used pictures of the Xtreme speaker where we could though.

The software update processes are similar for both speakers, and if or when we receive an actual software update notification for our Xtreme, we’ll update these photos to show the actual update in progress.

Prepare for JBL Xtreme 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 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 into Reliable AC or Auto Power

Connect your Xtreme to AC power. Why? Because we don’t want the battery inside going dead during the software update. This mishap could leave corrupted firmware in the unit’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 Xtreme JBL speaker.

You are now ready to begin the software updating process on that JBL Bluetooth speaker.





JBL Xtreme Software Update Instructions, Step by Step

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.

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

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 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 you to read and act upon.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect app on iOS. Showing similar screen to the JBL Xtreme speaker, needing a software update. Notification symbol for that is highlighted.
Similar to JBL Connect app on iOS. Showing the speaker, needing a software update. Notification symbol for that is highlighted.

Note that if there are no current messages or software updates available for this particular JBL speaker, then you will see no explanation point.  Also note that the above picture, while it applies to the Charge 3 speaker, is like what you’d see with the JBL Xtreme.

3. Tap the Orange Circled Explanation Point (!)

Tapping the Important Messages (!) circle brings up the first IMPORTANT NOTICE screen about the available software upgrade, as shown next.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect app on iOS. Connected to a Charge 3 speaker. Displaying first important notice about upgrading the software on this connected Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Connect app on iOS. Displaying first important notice about upgrading the software on this connected Bluetooth speaker.

This screen gives details about the available software update. In this case, it tells us that we need this upgrade to enable JBL Connect+ functionality on our Xtreme 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 JBL Xtreme Software Update

Screenshot of the JBL Connect app on iOS. Displaying the 2nd important notice, warning about this firmware update being permanent and thus, not reversible.
JBL Connect app on iOS, similar to what it would look like when paired with an Xtreme speaker. Displaying the 2nd important notice, warning about this firmware update being permanent and thus, not reversible.

This page warns us that this particular speaker software cannot be undone, and that once done, this upgrade is permanent in the JBL Xtreme. It also says that after this upgrade, the speaker will no longer be able to connect with other Xtreme Bluetooth speakers that are running older versions of the firmware. You will also lose connectivity with older speakers such as the JBL Flip 3, JBL Pulse 2, JBL Xtreme, 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 software upgrade confirmation prompt screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect app on iOS, prompting for software update confirmation. You must tap the Install button to go ahead with the software installation.
JBL Connect app on iOS, similar to how it would look when paired with a JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker. Prompting for firmware update confirmation. You must tap the Install button to go ahead with the software installation.

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 firmware or to cancel this operation. 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.

Screenshot of the app, prompting to plug in the speaker to AC power to update its software.
The app, connected with a JBL Xtreme speaker. Prompting to plug in the speaker to AC power to update its software.

This page tells us to connect our Xtreme 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 to AC Power if Not Done Already to Continue with JBL Xtreme Software Update

We connected our Xtreme to an AC outlet in the preliminary update steps above, via the included power adapter and cable, as shown in the next picture.

Picture of the speaker plugged in and charging from AC power.
The speaker plugged in and charging from 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 JBL Xtreme software update then starts, with the download of the firmware upgrade file from the internet, through your mobile device, to the speaker via the Bluetooth connection, as shown in the next screenshots.

Screenshot of the app, displaying the -Transferring Software Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the speaker.
The app, connected with a JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker. Displaying the -Transferring Software Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the speaker.

8a. The JBL Xtreme Software Update Process Begins

Copying the upgrade file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the firmware upgrade process. But as shown in these screenshots, the JBL Connect app shows you a progress pie-chart picture, that gradually becomes more orange as the software file transfer continues.

8b. JBL Xtreme Software Update at Forty Percent Complete

This was probably around fourteen minutes into the update at this point in the process.

Screenshot of transferring update software file to the speaker, 40 percent done.
Transferring update software file to the speaker, 40 percent done.

8c. JBL Xtreme Software Update at 65.7 Percent Done

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

Screenshot of transferring the new software file, at 65.7 percent complete.
Transferring the new software file, at 65.7 percent complete.

8d. Software Upgrade File Transfer 100 Percent Complete

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

Screenshot of transferring the new software update file to the speaker, at 100 percent done.
Transferring new software update file to the speaker, at 100 percent done.

8e. The Upgrade Successful Screen Appears

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





But note that the speaker is still upgrading to the new software for nearly a minute after you first see this green and white screen. Thus, this screen warns that our speaker will restart automatically after it installs the upgrade.  It then asks us not to unplug the speaker while it runs the software update process.

Screenshot of the app showing that the new software update to the speaker is successful. Done button highlighted.
The new software update to the speaker is successful. Done button highlighted.

9. Wait for the JBL Xtreme to Shut Off to Continue with JBL Xtreme Software Update

Watch the power light on the speaker, as shown next.

Picture of the JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker powered on and paired, with its blue glowing -Power- button highlighted.
JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker powered on and paired, with its blue glowing -Power- button highlighted.

Eventually it will go dark, as shown next, pointed at by the green arrow.

Picture of the dark -Power- button highlighted.
The dark -Power- button highlighted.

The speaker may or may not turn itself back on again after the upgrade. Ours did not. So if, like ours, yours did not, then go ahead with the next step (Step 10). But if yours did come back online though, then skip ahead to Step 11.

10. Power On the JBL Xtreme

Press the dark Power button to turn the 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.

Picture of the speaker powered on and paired, with its blue glowing -Power- button highlighted.
The speaker powered on and paired, with its blue glowing -Power- button highlighted.

11. Press the Done Button

With your Xtreme successfully paired to the JBL Connect app again, press the green Done button as shown in the last screenshot above.





The app then displays the JBL Xtreme 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 was successful, and that the speaker is now running the current software version.

Picture of the app, showing the JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker Home screen.
The app, showing the JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker Home screen.

12. Done with JBL Xtreme Software Update !

You’re now successfully updated the software to the current version in your JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker. Enjoy the enhancements !

JBL Xtreme Software Update Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I Apply JBL Xtreme Software Update 2017, 2018? 

How to Update JBL Xtreme Software?

The upgrades for 2018 and beyond are installed as described in this post.

How do you Install the JBL Xtreme Connect+ Update? 

The Connect+ update refers to a version of the JBL speaker software released in the 2017-2018 timeframe, that enables Connect+ functions on later model JBL Bluetooth speakers. This software enables connecting multiple speakers together so that they all play the same program, like the multi-room music feature on the Alexa and Google Home smart speakers. You install this software just as you do any other firmware version, as described earlier in this post.

How to Get the JBL Xtreme Software Update Download?

When you update a JBL speaker via the Connect app, the app automatically downloads the latest software to your mobile device.  Then, it transfers it to the speaker. So you needn’t download the upgrade file yourself.

How do you Run a JBL Xtreme Software Check?

Each time you run the Connect app on a mobile device to which a JBL speaker is paired, the app automatically checks to see if the connected speaker has the latest software available.  If it does not, it will prompt you to perform the update, just as we did in this post.

How to Update JBL Xtreme to Connect Plus?

How do I Perform a JBL Xtreme Upgrade to Connect Plus? 

Current and later versions of JBL Bluetooth speaker software support Connect Plus functionality.  So, updating your speaker to the latest software, as discussed above, automatically enables the Connect+ feature if your speaker is compatible.  Thus, to get Connect+ on speakers for which it has been released, just follow our procedure above for firmware upgrading.





Other Posts About the JBL Xtreme Power Bank Speaker

  1. JBL Xtreme Charging Instructions, Recharging Time
  2. How to Factory Reset JBL Xtreme Bluetooth Speaker
  3. JBL Xtreme Speaker Specs, Specifications
  4. Finding JBL Xtreme Firmware Version Instructions
  5. JBL Xtreme Reset Instructions to Fix Some Problems

Related Posts to JBL Xtreme Software Update Instructions

  1. JBL Charge 3 Software Update Instructions

References

  1. JBL Xtreme Splashproof Bluetooth Speaker Official Product Page at JBL.com

Revision History

  • 2020-12-04: First published.