Jbl xtreme 2 firmware update review

Here, we offer JBL Xtreme 2 firmware update instructions for this revised version of the Xtreme series portable Bluetooth speaker. This update can take up to thirty minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection. 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.

Disclaimers for JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Update

We were unable to update our JBL Xtreme 2 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 JBL Xtreme 2 speaker where we could however. 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.

Prepare for JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Update

Get Connected 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 Reliable AC or Car Power

Connect your JBL Xtreme 2 to AC power. Why? Because we don’t want its internal battery going dead during the firmware update. This mishap could leave corrupted firmware in the speaker’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 speaker.

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

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.

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 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.

Similar to JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Showing the JBL Xtreme 2 speaker, needing a firmware update. Notification symbol for that is highlighted.

Note that if there are no current messages or firmware updates available for this particular wireless speaker, then you will see no explanation point. Also note that the above picture, while it applies to the Charge 3 speaker, is similar to 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.

JBL Connect Plus app on iOS. Displaying first important notice about upgrading the firmware on this connected Bluetooth speaker.

This screen gives details about the available firmware update. In our case here, it tells us that we need this upgrade to enable JBL Connect+ functionality on our JB Xtreme 2 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 2 Firmware Update

JBL Connect app on iOS, similar to what it would look like when paired with a JBL Xtreme 2 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 firmware cannot be undone, and that once done, this software upgrade is permanent in the JBL Xtreme 2. It also says that after this upgrade, the speaker will no longer be able to connect with other JBL Xtreme 2 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 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.

JBL Connect Plus app on iOS, similar to how it would look when paired with a JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speaker. Prompting for firmware update 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 once this upgrade finishes. It then asks us to decide 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.

JBL Connect Plus app on iOS, connected with a JBL speaker. Prompting to plug in the speaker to AC power to update its firmware.

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 JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Update

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

Top view of the JBL Xtreme 2 speaker, connected to power, and 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 update then begins, with the download of the software upgrade file from the internet, through your mobile device, to the speaker via the Bluetooth connection, as shown in the next screenshots.

JBL Connect app on iOS, connected with a JBL Bluetooth speaker. 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 2 Firmware Update Process Begins

Copying the 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 firmware file transfer proceeds.

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

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

JBL Connect app on iOS, paired with a JBL speaker. Transferring update firmware file to that speaker, 40 percent done.

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

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

JBL Connect app on iOS, linked via Bluetooth with a JBL speaker. Transferring new firmware file, 65 percent complete.

8d. Firmware Upgrade 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.

Transferring new firmware update file to a JBL speaker, 100 percent done.

8e. The Upgrade Successful Screen Appears

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

However, note that the JBL Xtreme 2 is still upgrading 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 the new firmware. It then asks us not to unplug the speaker while it’s running the update process.

The app, showing the new firmware update to the speaker is successful. Done button highlighted.

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

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

Top view of the JBL Xtreme 2 power bank speaker, showing the -Power- button highlighted and 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 JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speaker, showing the -Power- button highlighted and dark (OFF).

The JBL Xtreme 2 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 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 with your tablet or phone, as shown next.

Top view of the JBL Xtreme 2 power bank speaker, showing the -Power- button highlighted and glowing blue, meaning that the speaker is ON and paired.

11. 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. However, this time, note that 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.

JBL Connect app on iOS, showing a JBL Bluetooth speaker Home screen.

12. Done with JBL Xtreme 2 Firmware Update !

You’re now successfully updated the firmware to the current version in your JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speaker. Enjoy the new multi speaker connectivity features.

How long does a JBL Xtreme 2 last?

JBL Xtreme 2 is the ultimate portable Bluetooth speaker that effortlessly delivers dynamic and immersive stereo sound. The speaker is armed with four drivers, two JBL Bass Radiators, a rechargeable 10,000mAh Li-ion battery supporting up to 15 hours of playtime.

How do I know my JBL firmware version?

To show the current firmware version on your JBL TUNER device, go through the following steps..

Turn on the JBL TUNER..

Press and hold this three-button combination: DAB/FM+ Volume+ and Preset 5, simultaneously for 3-4 seconds..

In the display, you will see a combination of letters and numbers..