How to transfer your BlackBerry data to a new device

Have you purchased a new BlackBerry device lately? Do you plan to buy one in the future? If so, you’ll probably want to take the information from your old one and transplant it to the new. That way all of your information, applications, and settings stay consistent with your shiny new device. The process is actually pretty simple, involving mostly Desktop Manager. Today we’ll walk you through the process.

Connect to Desktop Manager on a PC

As far as I can tell, the device switch wizard does not exist on Desktop Manager for Mac. This is a shame, but it’s one of the many limitations of the Mac platform. Hopefully if you have a Mac you can find a kind friend with a PC who will let you take care of advanced BlackBerry operations. Otherwise, you can use the method described below. Once you’ve connected your device to the PC, select Device Switch Wizard, and then Switch BlackBerry devices. This should get you started on the process. You’ll see three columns. In the first, current device, you’ll want to make sure that that the PIN matches. In the third column, options, you’ll select what data you want to transfer. This can include device data, options, and third-party applications.

A note on third-party applications

The most convenient aspect of using the device switch wizard, rather than a backup and restore, is that it can transfer your third party applications. Unfortunately, this will not work with all applications. Certain applications only work with a particular operating system, so if you’re transferring applications from a device running OS 4.6 to a device running OS 5.0, you might find a few incompatible apps. Also, many newer applications are PIN-based, meaning they’ll only run on one device. Once you change PINs they will no longer work. You’ll have to download fresh copies of these apps.

Transferring to the new device

Once you’re all set in the device wizard, click next and Desktop Manager will copy all the appropriate information from your old device. Once that process is complete DM will prompt you to connect the new device. Do that and select the PIN from the drop-down menu. Hit OK and the process will begin. Your new device will be up and running in no time.

For Mac users

The best you can do, for right now, is a backup and restore. This will transfer your data, including messages and contacts, from one BlackBerry to another, but it will not move your third party applications. The process is easy, at least. Just click Backup, located in the top right corner of Desktop Manager. Then disconnect the old device, connect the new one, hit Restore, and select the backup file you just created. You’ll have to download all of your third party applications again, which can be a pain if they were paid. But you also won’t get re-registering prompts and errors, as can be the case when you transfer applications.

Transferring your SD card files

If you want to continue using the same memory card as before, just pop it out of your old device and install it in your new one. Perhaps, though, your new device came with a bigger SD card than your old one. If you want to use the new one, you can easily transfer the files. I recommend connecting your BlackBerry to a computer and using it as a portable drive. This will create a new drive icon, and you can copy the data using your computer. You can also do a transfer using Bluetooth. Go to Manage Connections and scroll down to Bluetooth Options. In that screen click the menu button and then select Options. You’ll need to change the first setting, Discoverable, to Yes and save it up. You’ll have to set your new device to Discoverable as well, of course. Then back out to the previous screen, click menu, and select Add Device. You should see your new device on the list. Select it, and you’ll pair the devices. Now you’ll have to set the devices to trust each other. Select the paired BlackBerry from the list, hit the menu key, and make sure that Trusted is set to Yes. You’ll need to do this for both devices, and might want to switch back to the old setting once you’re done. You can now go into the media player and send files. Well, first you’ll go into the media player on your new device and select Receive Using Bluetooth. On the old device you’ll find files to send, click menu, and select Send Using Bluetooth.