Picture of the JBL Connect Plus app on iOS, showing the JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker Home screen.

Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme Speaker

Here, we demo how updating firmware on JBL Xtreme speaker works for this awesome sounding wireless speaker. This updating might take up to a half hour, depending on the speed of your internet. Plus, you cannot reverse it without a lot of effort. That is, you won’t be able to downgrade once you upgrade. So, know for sure that you really wish the update.

Disclaimers

We were unable to update our JBL Xtreme firmware when we received this speaker at the time of this writing.  Why?  Because the firmware 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 however.  The firmware updating processes are alike for both speakers.  Finally, if we see an actual firmware update notification, we’ll update these photos to show the update on that speaker.

Prepare for Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme Speaker

Connect to the Internet

You must have the following.

    1. An internet connection.
    2. A Bluetooth mobile device.
    3. The JBL Connect app.
    4. The JBL Xtreme speaker.

Install the JBL Connect App

So, log your mobile device onto the internet. Then install the Connect app.

Plug your Speaker into AC Power

Connect your Xtreme to AC power. Why? Because we don’t want its battery going dead while updating. This could result in corrupt software in the speaker’s memory, and thus, break it forever.

Connect your Xtreme with your Mobile Device

Then, pair your phone or tablet with the speaker.

You are now ready to begin the firmware updating process.





Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme Speaker: Step by Step

1. Find the JBL Connect App on your Mobile Device

We found ours on the fourth home page in our iPad Air.

Screenshot of an iOS Home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.
iOS Home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.

2. Run the JBL Connect+ (JBL Connect Plus) App

The app displays some 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 bang point inside the orange circle in the top right corner of the speaker’s picture. This shows that there are important messages about this speaker for you to act upon.

 

Screenshot of the JBL Connect app. Showing a speaker like the JBL Xtreme speaker, needing a firmware update. See the notification symbol.
The JBL Connect app. Showing a speaker like the JBL Xtreme speaker, needing a firmware update. See the notification symbol.

 

Note that if there are no current messages for this speaker. Thus there would be no explanation point.  Also note that the last picture applies to the Charge 3. But this is nonetheless similar to what you’d see with the JBL Xtreme speaker.





3. Tap the Orange Bang Point (!)

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

Screenshot of the app displaying the first important notice about upgrading the firmware on this connected Bluetooth speaker.
The app displaying the first important notice about upgrading the firmware on this connected Bluetooth speaker.

This screen gives details about the available firmware update. It says that we get Connect+ functionality. This means that we’ll be able to join our speaker to a group of up to a hundred speakers. Then, they will all play the same content. You would do this when you want to fill a large area with music for dancing.

4. Flick to the Left to See the Next IMPORTANT NOTICE Page to Continue with Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme Speaker

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 updating being permanent and thus, not reversible.

This page warns us that we cannot undo the speaker firmware updating. It says that  once done, this update is permanent. It also says that afterwards, the speaker will no longer connect with other speakers running older firmware. You will also lose connectivity with older speakers. These include 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 updating firmware confirmation prompt screen.

Screenshot of the app prompting for firmware update confirmation. You must tap the Install button to go ahead with the firmware installation.
The app prompting for firmware updating confirmation. You must tap the Install button to go ahead with the firmware installation.

This prompt again warns us 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 cancel. But we’re going ahead.





6. Tap the INSTALL Button

Touching the INSTALL button brings up the Upgrade Speaker screen.

Screenshot of the prompt to plug in the speaker to AC power to update its firmware.
The prompt to plug in the speaker to AC power while updating its firmware.

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

7. Connect the Speaker to AC Power

Picture of the JBL Xtreme speaker plugged in and charging from AC power.
JBL Xtreme 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 firmware updating on the JBL Xtreme then starts.  It begins by downloading the software update file from the internet.  This file moves through your mobile device, to the speaker via the Bluetooth connection.

Screenshot of the Connect app displaying the -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the speaker.
The Connect app, displaying the -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the speaker.

8a. The JBL Xtreme Speaker Updating Firmware Process Starts

Copying the file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the firmware updating process. But the JBL Connect app displays a progress pie-chart. This fills in with more orange as the firmware file transfer proceeds.





8b. Updating Firmware at Forty Percent Complete

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

Screenshot of the app transferring update firmware file to that speaker, 40 percent complete.
The app transferring update firmware file to that speaker, 40 percent complete.

8c. Firmware Updating at 65.7 Percent Done

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

Screenshot of the transfer now at 65 percent complete.
The transfer now at 65 percent complete.

8d. Firmware Upgrade File Transfer 100 Percent Complete

Then the next screen shows that the firmware file transfer is complete (100 percent). So the pie chart is fully orange now.

Screenshot of the transfer now at 100 percent complete.
The transfer now at 100 percent complete.

8e. The Upgrade Successful Screen Appears

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

But the speaker is still updating for nearly a minute after you first see this screen. Thus, the app warns that our speaker will restart by itself after it installs the new firmware.  So it asks not to unplug the speaker during this time.

Screenshot of app telling us that the firmware update was successful. Showing the -Done- button.
The firmware update was successful. Showing the -Done- button.

 

9. Wait for the JBL Xtreme to Shut Off to Continue with Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme Speaker

Watch the power light on the speaker.

Picture of the JBL Xtreme speaker powered on and paired. Showing its blue glowing -Power-button.
The JBL Xtreme speaker powered on and paired. Showing its blue glowing -Power-button.

Eventually the lamp goes dark.

Picture of the speaker powered OFF, showing its dark -Power- button.
The speaker powered OFF, showing its dark -Power- button.

The Xtreme may or may not turn itself back on again after the updating. Ours did not though. 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 Speaker

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 Plus app. The Power button turns solid blue with your speaker has successfully paired again with your tablet or phone.

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

11. Press the Done Button

With your speaker successfully pairing to the JBL Connect app again, press the green Done button in the app.

The app then shows the JBL Xtreme speaker status screen again. But this time, we no longer see the orange circled bang point (!), as shown next. This means that updating the firmware worked, and thus, the speaker is now running the current firmware version.

Screenshot of the app showing the JBL Xtreme speaker Home page.
Back to the app showing the JBL Xtreme speaker Home screen.

12. Done with Updating Firmware on the JBL Xtreme Speaker !

You have now updated the firmware to the current version in your JBL Xtreme Bluetooth speaker. Enjoy all the new features.

Other Posts About the JBL Xtreme Speaker

    1. JBL Xtreme Speaker Watts
    2. Charger Details
    3. How to Reset
    4. How to Charge JBL Xtreme Speaker

References for Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme Speaker

    1. JBL Xtreme Speaker Official Product Page