How to Pair JBL Speakers: Step-by-Step Guide

Bryn De Kocks | June 3, 2025

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Want to know how to pair your JBL speaker? Whether you’re trying to connect it to your phone, laptop, TV, or link multiple JBL speakers together for a bigger sound, this guide has you covered. We’ll walk you through the pairing process with step-by-step instructions and give you access to our free compatibility checker tool.

Table of Contents

How To Pair a JBL Speaker To A Phone, Laptop, or TV

For Apple, Android, Windows and Linux Users

Pairing JBLs Speakers

Before you can use a Bluetooth speaker, you first have to connect it to a source device. A source device is what you’ll be streaming your audio from, and may be a phone, laptop, tablet, or even your television. How you pair them will depend on the device and the operating system installed on it. Here’s how to connect to your JBL speaker:

All modern JBL speakers pair easily with iPhones and iPads via Bluetooth, with no need for additional apps. Once paired, your JBL speaker will reconnect automatically whenever it’s powered on and near your device.

iPhone & iPad

Step 1. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. Ensure that it’s turned on.

Step 2. Turn on your JBL speaker and press the Bluetooth button until it enters pairing mode (LED blinks).

Step 3. On the same Bluetooth page within the settings, look for your JBL speaker under the “Other devices” area. This may take a few seconds.

Step 4. Tap the name of your speaker model in the “Other devices” area, and it will be connected and ready to use.

Next time, the speaker should auto-connect when powered on nearby.

MacBook & iMac

Step 1. Click the Apple Menu in the top-left corner and go to System Settings (macOS Ventura+) or System Preferences (older macOS).

Step 2. Open the Bluetooth panel and make sure that Bluetooth is turned on. Keep this section open.

Step 3. Turn on your JBL speaker and press the Bluetooth button until it enters pairing mode (LED blinks).

Step 4. Your Apple device should then pick up the speaker, displaying its name in the Bluetooth devices list. Click on it to establish the pairing.

If sound doesn’t play automatically through the speaker:

Go to System Settings -> Sound -> Output (or System Preferences -> Sound on older macOS).

macOS will usually auto-reconnect next time the speaker is on and in range.

JBL speakers pair seamlessly with most Android devices with Bluetooth 4.0 or newer. Once paired, they’ll auto-connect next time you power them on. Here’s how to get started:

Android Phones & Tablets

Step 1. Within your settings, navigate to: Go to Connected devices -> Connection preferences -> Bluetooth. Ensure the Bluetooth setting is turned on.

(Exact path may vary slightly by brand, e.g., Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel, etc.)

Step 2. Turn on your JBL speaker and press the Bluetooth button until it enters pairing mode (LED blinks).

Step 3. On your Android device, tap “Pair new device” (or “Scan”, depending on version).

Step 4. Wait for your JBL speaker name to appear, then tap it to pair the speaker. It should notify you of a successful connection, and you’ll be able to begin jamming.

Your speaker will auto-connect next time it’s powered on and within range.

JBL speakers are fully compatible with Windows laptops and desktops that have Bluetooth built in or use a USB Bluetooth dongle. Always ensure Bluetooth is turned on in your system settings. Once paired, your JBL speaker should reconnect automatically when in range and powered on. Here’s how to get connected using Windows Settings:

Step 1. On your Windows device, go to:
Settings -> Devices -> Bluetooth & other devices. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled.

Step 2. Turn on your JBL speaker and press the Bluetooth button until it enters pairing mode (LED blinks).

Step 3. On the same page, click “Add Bluetooth or other device” and select “Bluetooth” from the pop-up.

Step 4. Your speaker model should appear, which you can then connect to and begin using your speaker.

You may need to set it as your default playback device. To do this, right-click the sound icon in the taskbar -> sounds -> playback tab and set your JBL speaker as the default.

JBL speakers can be paired with most modern Linux distributions using built-in Bluetooth tools like blueman or the GNOME/KDE Bluetooth settings. Since Linux can vary depending on your desktop environment, we’ve outlined the most common methods below. Please note that you may need to install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth or restart PulseAudio if sound doesn’t route correctly after pairing.

Step 1. Open your system’s Bluetooth settings:

Or use Blueman (install with sudo apt install blueman)

For Ubuntu (GNOME): Go to Settings -> Bluetooth

For KDE: Go to System Settings -> Bluetooth

Step 2. Turn on your JBL speaker and press the Bluetooth button until it enters pairing mode (LED blinks).

Step 3. On your Linux device’s Bluetooth settings (as specified above), make sure Bluetooth is enabled and scanning.

Step 4. Wait for your speaker to appear in the list and then click ‘pair’ to connect.

Step 5. Wait for your speaker to appear in the list and then click ‘pair’ to connect.

Step 6. Now route sound through the speaker:

Go to “sound settings” and set the JBL speaker as the output device.

Step 7. If no sound plays, you may need to restart PulseAudio. Use (bash): pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio –start

Tip: Linux audio can be finicky. If needed, install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth

Multispeaker Pairing Compatibility Checker

Before we look at how to pair two JBL Bluetooth speakers together wirelessly, you need to know the pairing type your speaker supports. Older JBL speakers make use of Connect, Connect+, and PartyBoost, while the new JBL releases use Auracast. If you already know which one your speaker uses, you can jump to our pairing section below. Otherwise, use the following tool to see which technology your speaker uses.

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JBL Connectivity Compatibility Checker

How To Pair Multiple JBL Speakers Together

Includes Connect, Connect+, PartyBoost and Auracast

How To Pair JBL Speakers Using Auracast

Step 1. Ensure your phone and speaker are connected (as described further up).

Step 2. Press the Auracast button on your main speaker to begin the multispeaker pairing process. If your speaker doesn’t have a dedicated Auracast button, use the JBL Portable or JBL One app to pair.

Step 3. Quickly turn on your additional speakers and press the Auracast button on them as well to finish pairing.

Using Older JBL Speakers

Older JBL speakers use PartyBoost, Connect+ or Connect for their multispeaker pairing, not Auracast.

Step 1. Connect to the first speaker using your source device (Phone, tablet, etc) and begin playing music through the speaker (JBL recommends doing this for 20 seconds before proceeding).

Step 2. Press the PartyBoost button on the speaker.

Step 3. Turn on the additional speakers you want to pair.

Step 4. Press the PartyBoost button on the additional speakers, giving it some time to establish a pairing connection before moving on to pair the next speaker.

PartyBoost-Pairing

Step 1. Connect to the first speaker using your source device (Phone, tablet, etc) and begin playing music through the speaker.
Step 2. Turn on the other speakers you want to connect.

Step 3. Press the Connect button on the main speaker.

Step 4. Press the Connect button on the other speakers, you’ll have 30 seconds to pair them once you start the pairing process on the first speaker. They will then be added to the chain.

*If the speaker disconnects from the chain, press the Connect button on the disconnected speaker again.

Flip-4-Connect-Plus

Step 1. Connect to the first speaker using your source device (Phone, tablet, etc).
Step 2. Turn on the other speakers you want to connect.

Step 3. Press the Connect button on the main speaker.

Step 4. Press the Connect button on the other speakers within a few seconds to pair them once you start the pairing process on the first speaker. They will then be added to the chain.

*If the speaker disconnects from the chain, press the Connect button on the disconnected speaker again.

JBL Flip 3 Connect
wireless pairing JBL speakers

How to Stereo Pair Two JBL Speakers

Use Two of the Same Model JBL Speakers To Achieve True Wireless Stereo Sound

Models: Go 4, Clip 5, Xtreme 4, PartyBox Encore Essential 2, Partybox 120, PartyBox 320, PartyBox 520, PartyBox 1000

Connection Method: Auracast

JBL-PartyBox-320-Auracast

Step 1. Power on both speakers.

Step 2. Connect your phone or device to the primary speaker via Bluetooth.

Step 3. On the primary speaker, press the Auracast button (triangle icon).

Step 4. Within 30 seconds, press the Auracast button on the secondary speaker.

Step 5. Wait for both speakers to confirm pairing (audio cue or LED indicator).

Models: PartyBox 100, PartyBox On-The-Go, and PartyBox On-The-Go Essential

Connection Method: TWS

JBL PartyBox 100 Pairing

Step 1. Turn the left channel speaker on first (the first speaker turned on will automatically be assigned to the left channel). Then turn on the right channel speaker.

Step 2. Hold down the Bluetooth pairing button on both speakers simultaneously for between 5 and 7 seconds. The speakers will chime once the connection begins establishing.

Step 3. Wait a few seconds for the speakers to complete the TWS pairing process. They will automatically enter TWS mode at this point.

Models: PartyBox 110, PartyBox 310, PartyBox 710, and PartyBox Encore Essential

Connection Method: TWS

JBL-PartyBox-310-TWS

Step 1. Power on both speakers.

Step 2. Pair your phone to one speaker only via Bluetooth.

Step 3. Press the TWS or LINK button on the first speaker.

Step 4. Within 30 seconds, press the TWS button on the second speaker.

Step 5. Wait for a sound cue or indicator light confirming stereo pairing.

Step 6. Use the JBL PartyBox app or onboard buttons to assign Left/Right channels if needed.

Models: PartyBox 200, PartyBox 300, and PartyBox 1000

Connection Method: TWS

JBL-PartyBox-200-Pairing

Step 1. Turn both speakers on. Press and hold the Bluetooth pairing button on the first speaker for between 5 and 7 seconds until you hear the chime.

Step 2. Once the first speaker is done, hold the Bluetooth pairing button on the second speaker until you hear the second speaker chime. The pairing process will begin.

Step 3. Wait a few seconds for the speakers to complete the TWS pairing process.

*Unlike earlier TWS models, you can decide which channel to assign each speaker using the L/R TWS buttons on the back of the speaker after the pairing process is complete.

These Are What JBL’s Pairing Buttons Look Like

Did you know that you can identify the type of wireless connection a speaker has by the pairing logo? As JBL speakers have evolved, so have the logos that they use to represent multispeaker pairing.

JBL Connect Logo

Connect

JBL Connect Plus Logo

Connect+

JBL PartyBoost Logo

PartyBoost

Auracast Icon

Auracast

Frequently Asked Questions

JBL speakers are cross-compatible within their respective pairing protocols. Connect/Connect Plus-supported speakers can connect, and PartyBoost-supported speakers can connect. But PartyBoost speakers cannot connect with Connect Plus versions.

The JBL Connect or PartyBoost app isn’t necessary to establish speaker linking, however, it provides another method of doing so and offers a variety of additional features that may come in handy, especially in party-like environments.

For Android users, one must be using an operating system of 5.0 or later in order for the app to function effectively on your device.

If you have a series of JBL speakers running together, whether it be via Connect Plus or PartyBoost, there are two ways you can disconnect speakers from the network individually:

1. Press and hold the Connect button again. This will remove it from the speaker chain and allow for independent pairing if you wish. 

2. Switch the speaker off. This won’t affect the rest of the speakers in the system.

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Author: Bryn De Kocks
Outeraudio's lead editor, Bryn De Kocks, has tested dozens of Bluetooth speakers in the real world use and in standardized lab testing. He believes too many people are sold unrealistic expectations from their speakers and aims to offer useful and helpful advice on buying Bluetooth speakers.

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