JBL Charge 4

You cannot download the JBL Portable App on a PC. This app is only available on mobile devices.

This unit is IPX7 rated, which means that you can submerge the unit in water as deep as 3 feet (1 meter) for up to 30 minutes.

In order to reset the Charge 4, with the unit on, press “Volume+” and “Bluetooth” at the same time for 3-4 seconds until you hear the audible chime.

If the buttons on your portable speaker are not working properly or are unresponsive while plugged into a power source, please try running the speaker on battery. If the buttons perform correctly while running on battery, this means your power supply is not providing enough current/amps. Be sure to use a power supply that has a rating equal to or greater than the amperage rating indicated in your product specs.

There can be differences in the internal hardware that also implies different firmwares. These products feature the same specifications and performance expectations. If the app does not inform you of any new updates, the firmware is current and the product is performing as designed.

You will need to dry the charging port completely before plugging in power for charging.
 

If there are drop out or connection issues when using PartyBoost or Connect+, it could be one of three things.

1.      Units are too far apart (move units closer together) 

2.      Interference from other 2.4gHz wireless units in the area.

3.     Unit is no longer working as designed

Here are some steps to isolate the issue:

 Try taking the units out of the house and test it outside with no interference to see if you still experience connectivity issues. If you still experience connectivity issues, please try steps below:

Whatever unit drops off, remove that from the chain. Test the rest of the speakers and keep doing it until you find the speaker that is causing the drop outs.  If all speakers begin to drop off, please try a different order and repeat. Repeat this process with each unit being the “main speaker”. 

 Make sure to turn off all WiFi/RF devices. (Router, laptop, baby monitor, Nest cams, IP cams, WiFi switches, WiFi outlets, WiFi lights, cordless phones, etc.) 

You should be able to identify the issue/speaker by following these steps. 

1. In order to change the name of the speaker, you must first connect your speaker via Bluetooth and then download the JBL Connect app.
2. Once the app is downloaded choose app and wait for it to recognize your device.
3. Now that your speaker is highlighted, choose the gear located either below or to the right of the speaker image.
4. Once you choose the gear you will have the option to edit the name by clicking on the small pencil icon.
5. After you change the name, you will see a notification stating to "Reconnect to  Apply New Name"
6. Go to your Bluetooth settings select "Forget This Device" and then reconnect to establish the new speaker name.

This product does not feature speakerphone or voice assistant functionality as it does not have a microphone.

• Always have clear line of sight between your Bluetooth device (speaker, headphones etc.) and source device (Smartphone/tablet/PC etc). Be aware of obstacles in front of your devices.

• Try to shutdown other products that have Bluetooth, but are not being used. They are often the reason for interference even though they are not being used.

• Do not stand too close to your Wi-Fi router since a Wi-Fi signal is stronger and in many cases will "overlap" the connection.

• Be aware of walls around you. Concrete and brick walls will often interrupt the signal, as it cannot pass through such thick walls.

• Bluetooth signals cannot travel through water, which includes the human body. Make sure with wireless headphones to keep your source device and the receiver on the same side of your body.

• Open spaces such as parks can cause issues for your devices, as open air is "bad" for any Bluetooth signal if it cannot reflect from objects around you.

Software updates for your speaker can be done using the JBL Portable app.
Download it from the Apple App store and Google Play store.
If there is an available update, look for the small red dot above the gear icon and follow the download instructions (see image below).
If you have an issue with your device it is always worth checking if there is a Software update available and performing the installation if there is.

If you experience any sound distortion after immersing your speaker in water, simply shake the speaker to get rid of any excess moisture and allow the speaker to completely dry. Once dry, the sound quality should return to normal.

The JBL Connect app will be renamed as JBL Portable on the App Store and Google Play store in January 2021, it will still be possible to find the app in each store by searching for either JBL Connect or JBL Portable.

There might be several reasons that our Portable app may not be working correctly on your Android device. First, your Android device must have 5.0 OS (Operating system) or higher to support JBL Connect app. Devices under 5.0 OS will not be supported. If you are having trouble viewing your JBL Portable device in the app, please disable Bluetooth, and then turn it back on again. Now you should be able to see your device in the JBL Portable app.

Harman continuously strives to improve the performance of our speakers through software updates in the JBL Portable App. To optimize battery life and performance for your speaker, please perform a software update:
First download the JBL Portable App from the App store or Google Play store to your mobile device.
Then connect to the speaker by Bluetooth.
Open the JBL Portable App and select settings to check and install the new Software version.
The red dot indicates the presence of an update (see image below).

The new PartyBoost does not support the previous Connect and Connect+ features. For example: You will not be able to successfully connect the new PartyBoost enabled Flip 5 with a Connect+ enabled speaker like the Pulse 3 or Flip 4. You will not be able to connect the Boombox 2 to the original Boombox speaker.

Our newest products, such has JBL Pulse 4 and JBL Flip 5, feature a new technology called Partyboost .

Partyboost technology

• Improved Bluetooth connection between speakers.
• A more powerful Bluetooth transmitter means that the speakers can be farther apart.
• Partyboost can only connect to other Partyboost speakers.

All newer Portable products from JBL will have Partyboost integrated.
Unfortunately, this feature is not backwards compatible with  previous models that have JBL Connect or Connect+.
 

If you are having trouble with distortion or drop outs, try the following suggestions:

Move the audio source closer to the speakers

Move the speakers closer to each other

Make sure the streaming speaker (host) only connects to one audio source, disconnect the Bluetooth connection between the streaming speaker (host) and other audio source

Make sure the audio source only connects with one streaming speaker (host), disconnect the Bluetooth connection between the audio source and other speakers

Restart both your speakers and the audio source

Make sure speakers are away from other sources of wireless signal – you could be experiencing interference

Re-pair the audio source with your speaker

If you’re streaming audio content from the internet, the issue could be with the internet connection and not your speaker