Screenshot of the JBL Connect app. Showing the JBL Charge 3 needing a firmware update.

How to Run JBL Charge 3 Firmware Check

Here, we show how to run JBL Charge 3 firmware check on this speaker. To check that the firmware installed on your JBL Charge 3 is current, you’ll need a mobile device with Bluetooth, the JBL Connect app installed on that device, and of course, the speaker itself.  Checking for new firmware versions takes less than a minute.

How to Run JBL Charge 3 Firmware Check, Step by Step

Now, connect your mobile device to the internet and install the Connect app if you haven’t done so already.

Connect your JBL Charge 3 to AC power. Why? Because we don’t want its battery power bank going dead during the firmware update, should we decide to go ahead and install any new firmware.





Then, pair your mobile device with this speaker.

You are now ready to check to see if the firmware currently installed on your speaker is up to date.

Checking Firmware on JBL Charge 3

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 page, showing the JBL Connect app.
iOS home page, showing the JBL Connect app.

2. Run the JBL Connect 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 Charge 3 speaker and shows you its status screen, as pictured next.

Firmware Update Available Case

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. The presence of this symbol usually means that there is a later firmware version available for your Charge 3 than the one currently installed on the speaker.

Screenshot of the JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing the JBL Charge 3 needing a firmware update. Notification symbol for that is highlighted.
JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing the JBL Charge 3 needing a firmware update. Notification symbol for that is highlighted.
Update the Speaker’s Firmware if Later Version Available and you Wish to Update

See our post Updating Firmware on JBL Charge 3 Via JBL Connect Plus App if you wish to install the latest firmware on your JBL Charge 3 portable loudspeaker.





No Firmware Update Available, Firmware Version is Current

Note that if there are no current messages or firmware updates available for this speaker displayed in the app, then you will see no explanation point.  The Connect home screen in that case, looks as follows.

Screenshot showing that no later firmware update is currently available for the currently paired JBL Charge 3.
No later firmware update is currently available for the currently paired JBL Charge 3.

Related Posts

    1. How to Check JBL Flip 5 Firmware Version

Other Posts About the JBL Charge 3

    1. How to Tell if JBL Charge 3 is Charging
    2. JBL Charge 3 Charger Adapter Specs
    3. JBL Charge 3 Picture Gallery

References for How to Run JBL Charge 3 Firmware Check

    1. JBL Charge 3 Product Page, on JBL.com

Revision History

    • 2022-12-02: Updated links.
    • 2020-04-21: Added more tags.
    • 2019-04-02: Shortened post title and improved key phrase targeting.
    • 2018-07-29: First published.