# JBL BAR Setup — user reviews > 162 indexed App Store user reviews of JBL BAR Setup by Harman International Industries, rated 1.70/5 from 149 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jbl-bar-setup/id1531061891/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jbl-bar-setup/id1531061891.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 15 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 8 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 115 ## What do users think of JBL BAR Setup? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - ✅ Works reliably once properly configured - 🎵 Enables Spotify playback via AirPlay - 🔧 Allows WiFi connectivity setup for soundbars - ⚡ Fast connection when functioning correctly **Cons** - 🐛 Extremely unreliable WiFi pairing process - ❌ App frequently fails to detect connected devices - 🔌 Requires complex manual reset procedures to function - 📱 Limited functionality beyond initial setup - ⚙️ No sound customization or EQ settings available - 🔄 Breaks after firmware updates requiring full reconnection - 📍 Requires location services permission unnecessarily - 🎚️ Cannot adjust tone, volume settings, or rename devices - 🚫 No remote control functionality - 😤 Confusing with multiple competing JBL apps - 🔐 Cannot disable WiFi/Bluetooth for security - ⏱️ Setup process takes excessive time (10+ minutes) - 📖 Poor or missing troubleshooting documentation - 🎯 Incompatible with certain soundbar models (Bar 2.1) - 💥 Reports of bricking soundbars during setup **Commonly reported bugs** - WiFi pairing fails consistently across multiple devices - App cannot detect soundbar despite device being in setup mode - Connection drops after firmware updates - App displays failure message but update continues silently - Bluetooth setup conflicts with WiFi pairing - Amazon Alexa sign-in screen freezes - App stuck searching for device indefinitely - Soundbar firmware version mismatch prevents app recognition - Subwoofer fails to connect through app - iPhone compatibility issues - Power surge causes permanent connection loss - App requires manual reset cycle after each firmware update **Most requested features** - Add equalizer and sound customization controls - Implement proper remote control functionality - Add ability to rename devices - Include WiFi/Bluetooth toggle option for security - Improve device detection and connection reliability - Add HomeKit/Apple Home Pod support - Support for older soundbar models (2.0, 2.1) - Disable auto-standby feature after 15 minutes - Consolidate multiple JBL apps into single unified app - Add comprehensive troubleshooting guides ## Newest reviews (19 of 162) ### 1/5 — Useless *2026-02-14* The app is useless ### 1/5 — Stellt keine Verbindung her *2026-02-09* Leider stellt die App keine Verbindung zur Sound Bar her Alles mehrfach versucht App neu installiert WLAN reset und alles x mal neu Keine Verbindung ### 1/5 — Does not pair with 7.1 800 *2026-01-31* This app does not connect at all. Just a waste of time. I’m using the other app that comes up in the Apple Store and it works perfectly, connects straight away ### 1/5 — Verbindungsprobleme *2026-01-18* Hat eigentlich mal ganz gut funktioniert. Aber die Verbindung zwischen App und Bar verliert andauernd ihre Verbindung. Bitte um Update ### 1/5 — 何？ *2025-11-14* ただ繋がっただけで何も機能がなく何もできない⤵︎ ### 1/5 — Cannot Connect *2025-10-19, version 1.0.9431* The app will not connect to my JBL 5.1 sound bar ### 1/5 — one star is too much *2025-10-11* No rating as it doesn’t work if I could ### 1/5 — app doesn't do anything *2025-10-01, version 1.0.9431* Why create the app. Cant do anything. no manuals no troubleshooting, nothing here. Just connect to Bluetooth to play music. That's it. Terrible ### 1/5 — App is waste of space *2025-09-25, version 1.0.9431* This apps only function is to connect via Alexa. You can’t configure or customize your sound settings. Waste of space! ### 1/5 — Pas fonctionnel *2025-09-24* L’application ne fonctionne tout simplement pas. Parfaitement inutile. ### 1/5 — Don’t waste your time!!! *2025-09-14, version 1.0.9431* It will connect but that it and it won’t do anything else even after I sign in. ### 1/5 — Delete please *2025-08-04* Delete this app so people won’t waste their time trying to connect it (and once connected it does absolutely nothing) please delete Please delete ### 1/5 — why this app? *2025-07-08* i dont understand why do they made it! ### 1/5 — 繋がったけど *2025-06-01* このアプリで何ができるのか？いや、何がしたいのか意図がわからない。そもそもスピーカーをWi-Fiに繋いだところで何ができるのであろうか？別にイコライザを調整できるわけでもないし、スマホがただWi-Fi設定のためのコンソールとなったに過ぎない。ホント無駄なアプリだと思う。 ### 1/5 — Never works *2025-05-23, version 1.0.9431* This app never works and never connect to the bar ### 1/5 — Connect to wifi *2025-04-26* Waste of time ### 1/5 — Garbage *2025-04-12, version 1.0.9431* What the title said. ### 1/5 — 0 star *2025-04-02* Just wasting time….this app doesn’t work ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work for JBL bar 9.1 *2025-03-22* Despite several attempts not to luck connecting wifi ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Jbl bar multybeam 5.0 *2026-07-31* Can not connect dat soundbar ( ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-06-25* Have tried to get this app to work had Alexis contacted than nothing just rubbish ### 1/5 — Not working with jbl bar 5.1 mk2 *2026-05-08* Not working with jbl bar 5.1 mk2, i am unable to pair with alexa ### 1/5 — Trash *2026-05-08, version 1.0.9431* Garbage app ### 1/5 — Power botton *2026-04-19, version 1.0.9431* Where is the power botton on top of sound bar ? I have volume up and down and side arrow circled ### 1/5 — Horrible. *2026-04-18* It’s not working. Impossible to connect the bar to this app… ### 1/5 — Frozen app. Not working *2026-03-14* In order to proceed with app you have the choice of signing into Amazon. I chose not to as I don’t have one. If you press “not now” it freezes at a white screen. JBL BAR 5.1 Now I don’t have access to any sound setting or mode. How is this surround sound if you can’t change settings based on the size of the room? It’s a shame the app ruins a possibly good soundbar and the JBL name. ### 1/5 — Useless *2026-03-14* Completely useless… only to connect your bar to internet that’s it. Not able to set bass or else. App completely useless. ### 1/5 — Keine Verbindung herstellbar *2026-03-04* Ich hab mehrfach kläglich versucht die soundbar mit der App zu verbinden Sie wird weder angezeigt noch hilf die „Hilfe“ und der App Hab bereits einiges versucht vielleicht kann mir wer helfen ### 1/5 — Horrível *2026-02-28* Serve pra perder tempo só ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Cannot find the 1300X *2023-08-18* It turned out there’s another application called JBL One for newer sound bars. ### 5/5 — Саундбар подключил к WiFi *2023-06-07* Получилось подключить JBL Soundbar 5.1 Surround к WiFi. Приложение сложное, но работает и доступно в отличии от Google Home. ### 5/5 — Bar de son Jbl 9.1 *2023-03-22* Super son vraiment suis ravi au top…. ### 5/5 — Works for me *2022-08-31* Just like the title says it worked for me. Very easy to use and fast. ### 5/5 — Jbl Soundbar 9.1 *2022-01-27* Diese App ist nur für die Soundbar 5.1! Ihr müsst die Soundbar 9.1 ganz einfach mit Google Home oder AirPlay verbinden.. ### 5/5 — Jbl 5.1 got updated with this app *2021-09-21* It’s very much working with 5.1 jbl sound bar and connected with Alexa... Thanks ### 5/5 — All works *2021-01-06* Connection was easy. Just power off sound bar for a minute. Completely unplug it from power. Then turn it back on, wait for load. Then after it shows standby turn it on. If you see Wi fi setup on sound bar, continue with app instructions. It is for bars that never was connected before. If it was setup before. Just turn it of. After you see standby on sound bar. Press and hold on sound bar power button till you see resetting. Then follow steps above. All is working. You just need to or patient and read manual. Good luck. ### 5/5 — Super! *2021-01-05* Hallo, Heute habe ich im AppStore diese App gefunden und dachte mir: „Geil jetzt kann ich die Soundbar endlich mit meiner Alexa verbinden“ auch wenn auf der Beschreibung und so nur Google Chromecast drauf stand ging die Einrichtung mit Alexa total einfach und super schnell! Eigentlich dachte ich das dann eine Alexa in der Soundbar integriert ist, weil es so aussieht als ob meine Soundbar ein Micro hat aber ich finde es schon ausreichend das ich sie mit einem Sprachbefehl mit meiner Alexa koppeln kann da ich ja auch eine Alexa im Raum mit der Soundbar zu stehen habe. ### 4/5 — UPDATE - trop d’application tue ! *2025-07-30* Je mets à jour mon commentaire initial qui se résumait à : « Impossible de détecter la barre de son… » Commentaire qui semblait en rejoindre pas mal sur cette appli. >> JBL propose trop d’appli! sans donner clairement la compatibilité de chacune. Grace à l’essai de la barre réalisé par le site « les numériques », j’ai identifié l’application adéquate et comme par magie (…) ça fonctionne. (>JBL One) Quelques éclaircissements sont peut être à prévoir donc du côté de l’éditeur ;) Je ne pense pas être plus bête que la moyenne, pas moins non plus, et le contenu JBL ne m’a pas suffit pour trouver la solution. ### 4/5 — Works good but needs wifi off option *2025-01-02* I read a number of poor reviews for this app, but really didn’t experience any of issues mentioned. The app worked well at least for me. One request I would make is that being the victim of a hacker neighbor it would be great to turn off wifi and bluetooth on the soundbar. Since most people are not lucky enough to live in homes far enough away from others to be out if wireless range, or live in apartments, broadcasting wifi or bluetooth without a password is now dangerous, and listening to others brag how they get into neighbors networks and networks of people they rent to through open wireless is scary. Would be great to offer an option in the app to turn off wireless when not needed, unless it already exists and I am missing how to do it. Thanks! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*