Left front view of the JBL Xtreme 2 portable Bluetooth speaker.

Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2

Here, we demonstrate updating the firmware on the JBL Xtreme 2 portable Bluetooth speaker. This update can take up to half an hour depending on how fast your internet connection is. Plus, you cannot easily reverse it. You won’t be able to downgrade to the earlier firmware version once you complete this software upgrade. So, be sure that you truly wish the upgrade, considering all its potential gotchas before proceeding.

Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2: Disclaimers

We were unable to update our JBL Xtreme 2 firmware when we received this speaker when we wrote this.  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 JBL Xtreme 2 speaker where we could though.  Indeed, the firmware update processes are similar for both speakers.  Finally, if or when we receive an actual firmware update notification for our JBL Xtreme 2, we’ll update these photos to show the actual update in progress.

Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2: Preparing

Connect to the Internet

You’ll need and internet connection, a Bluetooth enabled mobile or desktop computer device, and the JBL Connect Plus (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 Working AC or Car Power

Connect your JBL Xtreme 2 to external power. Why? Because we don’t want its internal battery going dead while updating the firmware. This mishap could leave corrupted firmware inside the speaker, and thus, render it useless and not repairable.

Pair your JBL Xtreme 2 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.





Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2: 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 an iOS home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.
An iOS home screen, showing the JBL Connect app.

2. Run the JBL Connect App

The app takes a few seconds to show you some cool animations when you first run 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.

Screenshot of the app showing the JBL Xtreme 2 screen, indicating that the connected speaker needs firmware updating. The notification symbol for that is highlighted.
The app showing the JBL Xtreme 2 screen, indicating that the connected speaker needs firmware updating. The notification symbol for that is highlighted.

Note that if there are no current messages or new firmware available for this speaker, then no explanation point appears.  Also, the above picture, while it applies to the Charge 3 speaker, is very much like 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.

Showing the app connected to a JBL speaker. Displaying first important notice about upgrading the firmware on the connected JBL Xtreme 2.
The app displaying the first important notice about upgrading the firmware on this JBL Xtreme 2.

This screen gives updating firmware details. In our case here, it says that we need this updating to enable the JBL Connect+ function on our JBL  Xtreme 2 speaker. Specifically, the new firmware enhances the speaker operation by allowing it to connect into a group of up to a hundred JBL Connect+ compatible wireless speakers.  This way, they can all stream the same content. 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 Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2

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 that this firmware updating cannot be undone.  And, once done, this update is permanent in the Xtreme 2. It also tells that after this update, the speaker will no longer connect with speakers running older versions of the firmware. 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 firmware upgrade confirmation prompt screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the app prompting for updating firmware confirmation. You must tap the Install button to proceed with firmware updating of the JBL Xtreme 2.
You must tap the Install button to proceed with firmware updating of the JBL Xtreme 2.

This prompt again warns us that we won’t be able to fall back to the old firmware version once this updating finishes. It then asks us to choose whether to install the new firmware or to cancel the 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 JBL Xtreme 2 to AC power for safe firmware updating.
The app prompting to plug in the JBL Xtreme 2 to AC power for safe firmware updating.

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 Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2

We connected our JBL Xtreme 2 to an AC outlet in the preliminary firmware update steps above, via the included power adapter and cable, as shown in the next picture.

Picture of the JBL Xtreme 2 charging.
The JBL Xtreme 2 charging.

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 firmware updating then begins, with the download of the software file from the internet, through your mobile device, and finally to the speaker via the Bluetooth connection, as shown in the next screenshots.

Screenshot of the app displaying the -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the JBL Xtreme 2.
The app displaying the -Transferring Firmware Update File- page as the new firmware file is copied from the mobile device to the JBL Xtreme 2.

8a. The JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Updating Process Begins

Copying the file from the internet to the speaker is the slowest part of the firmware updating 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 firmware file transfer proceeds.





8b. JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Updating at Forty Percent Complete

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

Picture of the app transferring update firmware file to the JBL speaker, 40 percent done. Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2.
The app transferring update firmware file to the JBL speaker, 40 percent done.

8c. JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Updating at 65.7 Percent Done

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

Screenshot of the app transferring the new firmware file to the speaker, 65 percent complete.
The app transferring the new firmware file to the speaker, 65 percent complete.

8d. 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 a JBL Xtreme 2, 100 percent done.
Transferring new firmware update file to the JBL Xtreme 2, 100 percent done.

8e. The Updating Firmware Succeeded Screen Appears

Once the app copies the upgrade file to the JBL Xtreme 2, you get the Upgrade Successful screen, as shown next.

However, note that the speaker is still updating to the new firmware 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 this new firmware.  It then asks us not to unplug the speaker while it’s running the updating process.

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

9. Wait for the Speaker to Shut Off to Continue with Updating Firmware on the JBL Xtreme 2

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

Picture of the -Power- button glowing, meaning that the speaker is ON.
The -Power- button glowing, meaning that the speaker is ON.

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

Top view of the speaker, showing the -Power- button highlighted and dark (OFF).
The dark -Power- button and dark (OFF).

The JBL Xtreme 2 may or may not turn itself back on again after the updating completes. 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, then skip ahead to Step 11.





10. Power Up 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, as shown next.

Picture of the -Power- button glowing blue, meaning that the JBL Xtreme 2 is ON and paired.
The -Power- button glowing blue, meaning that the JBL Xtreme 2 is ON and paired.

11. Go Back to the Connect App and 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. But  this time, there’s no longer the orange circled explanation point (!), as shown next. This means that the firmware update succeeded and that the speaker is now running the current firmware version.

Picture of the JBL Connect app on iOS, showing the JBL Xtreme 2 Home screen.
JBL Connect app on iOS, showing the JBL Xtreme 2 Home screen.

12. Done with Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2 !

You’re now successfully updated the firmware to the current version in your JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speaker.

Other Posts About the JBL Xtreme 2

    1. Low Frequency Mode, Switch ON and OFF
    2. Hard Reset Procedure
    3. Battery Life Explained

Related Posts to Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2

    1. Updating Firmware on JBL Charge 3, How To
    2. Updating Firmware on JBL Charge 4, How To
    3. Echo Spot Updating Firmware Routine
    4. Updating Firmware on JBL Flip 3

References for Updating Firmware on JBL Xtreme 2

    1. JBL Xtreme 2  Official Product Page at JBL.com

Revision History

    • 2020-09-25: First published.