How to Pair Bluetooth Devices to JBL Charge 3

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

By pairing your JBL Charge 3 with a Bluetooth enabled device, you will be able to play audio wirelessly from your mobile device, computer, or other Bluetooth media player.

JBL Charge 3 Speaker

Bluetooth Technology

In order to use Bluetooth, the device you're playing music from must have Bluetooth on it. This is common for most mobile devices, but a lot of computers do not have Bluetooth without purchasing a separate adapter.

2. Charge

First, make sure your speaker is adequately charged before powering on.

  1. Lift the rubber flap to expose the audio, charging, and USB ports of your speaker.
  2. Always remember to firmly replace the rubber flap on your Charge 3 when the ports beneath are not in use. This flap is part of what allows your Charge 3 to achieve its IPX7 water resistance rating.
Robber flap
  1. Connect the included plug into the charging port of your speaker.
  2. Depending on the method being used to charge your speaker, charging times will vary. Charging your speaker to full takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Charge port

3. Pairing Mode

  1. Ensure your speaker is turned on.
  2. To place the JBL Charge 3 in pairing mode press the Bluetooth button. The Power button will start flashing blue and you will hear an audible noise.
Bluetooth button
  1. You are now ready to pair the speaker to your Bluetooth device.

4. Pair Bluetooth Device

On The Bluetooth Device

Set the Bluetooth device in pairing/discovery mode.

This process varies depending on the type of device you have. Some devices require a PIN or a passkey to be entered to be able to pair them. Refer to your device's documentation for these details.

On The Android Device

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

  1. From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
Android main screen with Apps icon highlighted.
  1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
Android Apps screen with Settings highlighted.
  1. Then go to Bluetooth.
Android Settings screen with Bluetooth highlighted.
  1. Make sure the Bluetooth feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the Bluetooth device to show up in the list.
Bluetooth device selection screen on Android.
  1. Tap on the Bluetooth device in the list to pair with it.

5. Pair Bluetooth Device

On The Bluetooth Device

Set the Bluetooth device in pairing/discovery mode.

This process varies depending on the type of device you have. Some devices require a PIN or a passkey to be entered to be able to pair them. Refer to your device's documentation for these details.

On The iOS Device

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

  1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
iOS main screen with Settings icon highlighted.
  1. After that go to Bluetooth.
iOS Settings screen with Bluetooth option highlighted.
  1. Make sure that the Bluetooth feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the green position then wait for the Bluetooth device to show up in the list.
Bluetooth devices selection screen with toggle switch highlighted.
  1. Tap on the Bluetooth device in the list to pair with it.

6. Pair Bluetooth Device

Some Bluetooth devices are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its information manual. Check your Bluetooth device documentation for the correct PIN or passkey.

  1. Set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
    This process will vary depending on what kind of device you have. Refer to your device's documentation for specifics on how to accomplish this.
  2. Click the Action Center icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Action Center icon highlighted in Windows system tray.
  1. Tap on the All Settings tile after that.
All Settings option highlighted in Action Center panel.
  1. Then go to Devices.
Devices option highlighted in Windows settings.
  1. Select Bluetooth from the left-hand column and ensure the Bluetooth switch is in the On position to the right. Your Windows 10 device will become discoverable and start searching for devices.
Bluetooth switch highlighted in Windows devices settings.
  1. Once you see the device you want to pair the system with, select it then tap on Pair.
Pair option highlighted for discovered Bluetooth device.
  1. If asked to compare the passcode showing up on both devices, do so.
screenshot of a message asking to compair PINs and choose if they match.
  1. After the pairing was successful the device will show the Paired status under its name.
Paired status pointed out for Bluetooth device.

7. Choose Playback Device

To set your default playback device:

  1. Right click on your speaker icon in the Notification Area and then click on Playback devices.
Screenshot of notification area with speaker icon highlighted and then context menu with Playback devices highlighted.
  1. Click on your device you wish to set as the default audio device and click Set Default.
Screenshot of Playback tab in sound control panel with audio device highlighted and then set default highlighted.
  1. Click OK to save the changes.
Screenshot of Playback tab in sound control panel with OK highlighted.

To set your default recording device:

  1. Right click on your speaker icon in the Notification Area and then click on Recording devices.
Screenshot of notification area with speaker icon highlighted and then context menu with Recording devices highlighted.
  1. Click on your device you wish to set as the default audio device and click Set Default.
Screenshot of Recording tab in sound control panel with audio device highlighted and then set default highlighted.
  1. Click OK to save the changes.
Screenshot of Recording tab in sound control panel with OK highlighted.

8. Pair Bluetooth Device

  1. Set your device to pairing mode. The way you do this may be differ from device to device.
    In many cases, you can place your device in pairing mode by having the device off, then pressing and holding the power button to start it up. Usually, after a few moments, it will indicate it is in paring mode (flashing its indicator light, for example), and you can release the power button.
  2. On the menu bar, click the Apple menu (1), then System Preferences (2).
Screenshot of the Apple menu, with System Preferences selected.
  1. Select Bluetooth.
System Preferences with Bluetooth highlighted.
  1. Ensure that it says Bluetooth: On. Turn it on with the button if it isn't.
Screenshot of the Bluetooth properties box. Annotation that shows how to turn the Bluetooth radio on.
  1. Your computer will search for any Bluetooth devices in range.
  2. Once your device is located, click Pair.
Bluetooth properties box with directions to click the Pair button next to the device you wish to connect to.
  1. Once the pairing process is complete, your Mac will automatically connect to the device whenever it is in range.

9. Choose Playback Device

To set your default audio playback device:

  1. Click on the speaker icon and click on the device you wish to be your default playback device.
Screenshot of speaker menu selected with output device highlighted.

To set your default audio recording device:

  1. Click on the speaker icon and click on Sound Preferences.
Screenshot of speaker menu selected with Sound Preferences highlighted.
  1. Click on the Input tab and then select the device you wish to be your default recording device.
Screenshot of Sound Preferences window and input tab is selected and then input device is highlighted.