Please note that beginning September 19, 2012, BlackBerry® smartphone users will not be able to download, install and/or use and/or receive support for the AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM) for BlackBerry® smartphones.

In order to continue sending and receiving AIM instant messages on your BlackBerry smartphone, you may be interested in a new AIM service for BlackBerry smartphones – AIM for BlackBerry® built by AOL, which includes new capabilities such as staying connected with your AIM Buddies and Facebook® Chat with friends while on the go.

To view this overview, check out the following blog post: Important Update: AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry smartphones.

In order to continue sending and receiving AIM instant messages on your BlackBerry smartphone, you may be interested in a new AIM service for BlackBerry smartphones – AIM for BlackBerry® built by AOL, which includes new capabilities such as staying connected with your AIM Buddies and Facebook® Chat with friends while on the go.

To help you prepare for this change, here’s a quick two-step guide on how to identify and remove AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry smartphones, followed by installing AIM for BlackBerry built by AOL so you can have uninterrupted access to AOL Instant Messaging services.

Step 1: Identify and remove AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry Smartphones

Before we begin, you will need to know which version of the BlackBerry® Device Software you are currently using, so if you’re not sure visit our post on how to identify BlackBerry Device Software versions before proceeding further.

With that covered, let’s begin by removing AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry smartphones, followed by installing AIM for BlackBerry built by AOL.

1. On your BlackBerry smartphone, select Options
2. The next step depends on what version of BlackBerry Device Software you’re running, so complete the appropriate one:

• If your smartphone is running BlackBerry Device Software 4.1 to 4.7, go to “Options” > “Advanced Options” > “Applications”.
• If your smartphone is running BlackBerry Device Software 5.0, go to “Options > Applications > then select “Third Party”.
• If your smartphone is running BlackBerry® 6 to BlackBerry® 7.1 OS, go to “Options” > “Device” > “Application Management”.

3. Highlight the AOL Instant Messenger application, then press the Menu key and select “Delete”. If promoted to restart, select “Restart Now”.
4. AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry smartphones has been successfully removed.

Step 2: Installing AIM for BlackBerry built by AOL

Assuming you have removed AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry smartphones, follow the steps below to install AIM for BlackBerry built by AOL, which you’ll find on the BlackBerry App World™ storefront.

Note: In the event you don’t have BlackBerry App World installed, visit the BlackBerry App World website and select “Download BlackBerry App World for your smartphone”.

1. On your BlackBerry smartphone, open BlackBerry App World
2. Complete one of the following actions:
a. Press the Menu key, select “Scan a Barcode” and scan the barcode that’s listed below.

b. Perform a search for “AIM”, select “Apps” followed by selecting “AIM” from the listing.

3. Click “Download” and enter your device password if prompted.
4. If prompted, select “Restart Now” to complete the installation process.

After the installation is complete, launch the new AIL for BlackBerry built by AOL, sign in and continue chatting with friends, family, co-workers and more!

Got a question about the discontinuation of AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry smartphones? Leave a comment and let me know!

A powerful tool that I always recommend to BlackBerry® device owners is BlackBerry® Desktop Software for PC or Mac. It allows you to perform such useful tasks as updating software, backing up your personal data, and setting up Wi-Fi® music sync with your BlackBerry smartphone.

Today we’ll start at the beginning with BlackBerry Desktop Software for PC by going through the setup wizard. The wizard is a great way to get started with many of the features available in the BlackBerry Desktop Software for both BlackBerry smartphones and BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablets.

Getting started with “Add a new BlackBerry device”

If this is the first time you are connecting a BlackBerry device to the BlackBerry Desktop Software after installation, it will recognize this and prompt you with a getting started wizard.

“Do you want to use your enterprise email account with this BlackBerry device?”

The first screen asks if you would like to “Add my enterprise email account” which will activate your BlackBerry smartphone on your companies’ BlackBerry® Enterprise Server. If you do not have access to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, you can skip this step. If you are unsure, skip this step for now and contact your IT department for assistance since you can always add your enterprise email account later.

“When I connect my device”

These options allow you to automate some important features that you will want to use in the BlackBerry Desktop Software.

• Backup my Device – Check this box and then choose from the drop down if you want a backup preformed daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
• Organizer data (Smartphone only) – Check this box if you will be synchronizing your smartphone contacts, calendar, tasks and memos with a supported client such as Microsoft® Outlook®. To view other supported organizers, view the BlackBerry Desktop Software system requirements.
• Media Files – Check this box if you would like to sync media such as music and videos from a supported source to your BlackBerry device.
• My computer’s data and time with my device (Smartphone only) – This feature ensures that your computer data and time matches the BlackBerry smartphone’s date and time so that the calendar and task apps date and time settings are not altered when synchronized.

“Media Settings”

• Music source: Choose your respective media source from the drop down
• Store media on: Choose to sync your media to the device’s internal storage or an inserted microSD media card (smartphone only)

Note: Not sure if your BlackBerry smartphone has internal storage? To find out read the user guide for your BlackBerry device.

After clicking “Finish”, the Getting Started wizard will close and you will be shown the BlackBerry Desktop Software main interface. If you selected to automate the backup feature then one will be performed at this stage. Also, if you chose Organizer data then you will be prompted to configure this feature as well — you may cancel this step and complete it at a later date if desired.

The BlackBerry Desktop Software

Now that the setup wizard is complete and you have set up your BlackBerry smartphone, visit the BlackBerry Desktop Software for PC website to learn more about the various features offered by BlackBerry Desktop Software.

Have a question about becoming familiar with the BlackBerry Desktop Software for PC? Leave one below!

Updating software can seem like an intimidating task if you are unfamiliar with the process, but nothing could be further from the truth if you are BlackBerry® smartphone user. We provide multiple options for updating your smartphone, each with easy-to-follow prompts that get you on your worry-free way.

For today’s Five Tip Friday, I’d like to provide you with the different methods for updating your BlackBerry smartphone and apps. I’ll also explain how to update your BlackBerry® Desktop Software, which is an important tool in your BlackBerry device toolbox.

There are a few things to consider before we begin: First, updating your BlackBerry smartphone software takes some time. My suggestion: Complete the update while you are busy doing something else; after all, you are a BlackBerry smartphone user so multitasking is something you are very familiar with!

(Shameless plug: While you are performing the update, check out some other blog posts here on the Inside BlackBerry Help Blog, log in and chat with other BlackBerry smartphone users on the BlackBerry Community Support Forums, or watch some videos on the BlackBerry Help YouTube® Channel.)

Multitasking leads me into the next consideration: During a full OS update, your device will be disconnected from the mobile network and you will not be able to access any of your data on the device until the update process is complete.

With that out of the way, let’s get started…

1. Checking for updates on your device

You can update your software over the air or “OTA” as we call it. You can check for and run any available update right from your BlackBerry smartphone. In order to use this feature, you must have an active data plan with your wireless provider.

BlackBerry® 6 & BlackBerry® 7 OS

1. From the Home screen or from a folder select “Options”
2. Select “Device” and then “Software Updates”
3. The device will check for updates.

If an update is available, follow the prompts until the process is completed.

Tip: Schedule this process to run at a different time – while you sleep, for example – by using the “Schedule Update” option.

BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and below

1. From the Home screen or from a folder, select “Options”
2. Select “Advanced Options” and then “Wireless Update”
3. Select “Next” from the Introduction screen
4. Select “Check for Updates” and wait for it to search.

If there is an update available, select update and follow the prompts.

2. Use BlackBerry Desktop Software

If you have a PC or a Mac computer, you can update your BlackBerry smartphone using BlackBerry Desktop Software. If you need to install BlackBerry Desktop Software, click on one of the links below to download the version for your computer:

• BlackBerry Desktop Software for PC
• BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac

Updating using BlackBerry Desktop Software for PC

1. Connect your device to the PC using your USB cable
2. If an update is available (see screenshot below), click “Update…”

3. Click “Get Update”
4. Select the applicable check boxes and then click “Install Update”.

Updating using BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac

1. Connect your device to the PC using your USB cable
2. If new software is available, a prompt will appear. Select “View Details” to continue
3. After reviewing the details, select “Start”.

3. Update using a PC web browser

If you are using a PC, you can navigate to www.blackberry.com/update and update your device using a PC web browser. Provided you have a USB cable, you can do this using the following steps.

1. Navigate to www.blackberry.com/update from a supported web browser
2. Click “Update your Software”.

Note: Depending on your web browser, an add-on might be required, which you will be prompted to install. Please contact your system administrator if you have issues installing the required browser add-ons that are required when updating BlackBerry software using a web browser.

3. Click “Get Update”
4. Select the applicable check boxes and then click “Install Update”.

4. Update your apps!

Just like your BlackBerry Device Software, some of your apps will have updates available from time to time. You may be notified on the notification bar of your Home screen, or you can check for updates in the My World section of BlackBerry App World.

1. Select BlackBerry App World from the Home Screen or from a folder
2. Select the “My World” icon
3. From the drop down menu at the top select “Upgrades”
4. Select the app you would like to upgrade.

5. Update your BlackBerry Desktop Software

Updating your BlackBerry Desktop Software is a quick and easy task (keep in mind that your device backups and synchronization settings will be saved during this process). A tip I always provide a friend or family member who is about to upgrade their BlackBerry smartphone is to update their BlackBerry Desktop Software before they get the new device. This ensures that the desktop software will recognize the new device when it’s connected to the computer for the first time.

BlackBerry Desktop Software for PC

1. Open BlackBerry Desktop Software
2. Click the question mark in the top right corner
3. Click “Check for Updates”
4. If an update is available, follow the prompts until completed.

BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac

1. Open the BlackBerry Desktop Software
2. Click the “BlackBerry Desktop Software” drop down menu (just to the left of the apple in the top left coroner of your screen)
3. Click “Check for Updates…”
4. If an update is available, follow the prompts to complete the update.

Got a question about updating your BlackBerry smartphone or BlackBerry apps? Leave a comment and let me know.

One of the things you should know if you own a BlackBerry® smartphone – or plan on purchasing a BlackBerry smartphone – is which version of BlackBerry® Device Software it is using. This is important information, as certain applications and services require you to be using a minimum version of the software.

Today I’ll show you how you can quickly identify which version of BlackBerry Device Software you are currently using, and where you can go to see if updated BlackBerry Device Software is available for your particular BlackBerry smartphone.

In order to determine which version of BlackBerry Device Software you are using, complete the steps below. The first set of instructions are intended for BlackBerry smartphones using BlackBerry® 6 and BlackBerry® 7 OS. If this doesn’t apply to you, complete the second set of instructions.

BlackBerry 6 and BlackBerry 7 OS

1. Select Options on the home screen (this may appear within a Settings folder depending on your current theme).
2. Select Device.
3. Select About Device Versions.
4. The BlackBerry Device Software version will be the first set of numbers on the third line, as per the screenshot below.

BlackBerry Device Software Version 4.0 to 5.0

1. Select Options on the home screen (this may appear within a Settings folder depending on your current theme).
2. Select About.
3. The BlackBerry Device Software version will be the first set of numbers on the third line as per the screenshot below.

At this point, you will be able to identify which version of BlackBerry Device Software you are currently using, so now you might be wondering how you can update it in case you need to meet the minimum requirements for an app (like Facebook® for BlackBerry smartphones version 2.0, which requires BlackBerry Device Software version 5.0 or later).

You can easily find out if a new version of BlackBerry Device Software or an incremental update is available for you by visiting the Update Your BlackBerry Software webpage. On this website, you’ll be able to review the various methods used to see if updates for your particular BlackBerry smartphone are available.

Don’t forget to stop by the BlackBerry Support Community Forums and say hello to our @BlackBerryHelp Twitter® account, as these are two great resources for getting additional assistance in case you have a question about the update process.

Do you have a question about your BlackBerry Device Software? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Last week, an update notification was sent out for the BlackBerry App World™ storefront v2.1.2.15. If you are running an older OS version on your BlackBerry® smartphone, specifically BlackBerry® Device Software v4.6 and v4.7, your BlackBerry App World icon may have disappeared after installing the update. We have released a fix for this and the new version, BlackBerry App World v2.1.2.19, is available for download at the link below.

Download BlackBerry App World v2.1.2.19

Note: Users who weren’t affected by the missing icon issue may also see an upgrade notification for v2.1.2.19. The only change in this version is the missing icon fix.

If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments section.

Recently, we asked you to provide us with your feedback regarding Facebook® for BlackBerry® smartphones 1.9.0.20, as we were investigating reports of missed notifications and difficulty logging into the Facebook application on your BlackBerry® smartphone. Thanks to your valuable feedback, our development team was able to determine the root cause for some of the issues being experienced.

You’ll be pleased to know that we’ve made improvements to the reliability of push notifications. We’ve also addressed some other issues that were raised, such as the photo uploading issue that was causing some devices to freeze, as well as periodic issues with the notifications and background polling settings. Please note that we are continuing to investigate the login issue being experienced by some users with Facebook.

Today, I’d like to go over the issues addressed above, as well as steps on how to upgrade to Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v1.9.0.28.

Email Notification Improvements
Previously, if you turned on email notifications using the Facebook.com website, then logged out and logged back into Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone, your email notification settings would be turned off.

Now, with Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones 1.9.0.28, email notifications are left enabled if you change email notification settings using Facebook.com, then log out and log back in to Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone.

Background Polling
Previously, if you set the background polling option to Never, then logged out and logged back into Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones, the polling setting would be set to 10 minutes instead of Never. This issue has been corrected so the background polling option will remain at the Never setting.

Photo Upload Freeze Fix
In the past, users may have seen their BlackBerry smartphone freeze when sending a photo to Facebook from the Media folder on their BlackBerry smartphone. This issue has been corrected by this maintenance release so no further freezing should occur.

Upgrading to the latest release

To upgrade to the latest release of Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone, complete the following steps:

1. Open Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone
2. Press the Menu key and select Options
3. Scroll down and select the option Check for Upgrade Now

If you currently do not have Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones and would like to install it, you can download it through BlackBerry App World on your BlackBerry smartphone.

Update (3/2/2011): It may take a few hours for the updated version of Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones to appear in both BlackBerry App World and when you initiate a ‘Check for Upgrade Now’ within Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone.  Check again in a few hours if the upgrade isn’t available to you right now.

Have you ever wondered how to update your BlackBerry® smartphone while using a Mac®? How about removing an application that you do not use anymore? The Mac version of BlackBerry® Desktop Software is the perfect solution for that!

You can download the software quickly and easily at the BlackBerry Desktop Software website. After installing the software and following these steps, you’ll be able to update your BlackBerry to the latest device software.

Updating BlackBerry Device Software

1. Connect your BlackBerry smartphone to your Mac computer via USB.
2. On your Mac computer, in the Applications folder, click BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
3. Click on Backup at the top of BlackBerry Desktop Software and follow the instructions. This will insure that all of your data is backed up prior to proceeding with the update.
4. Click the Applications icon at the top of the screen.
5. In the list of available applications, select the check box beside one or more applications.
6. Click Start.

7. If you’re enterprise-activated with a BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, you will receive the following prompt. Press Continue.

8. Then the follow screens will appear until the completion:

9. The BlackBerry Device Software update will be complete once the following prompt appears.

Updating applications:

You can update the BlackBerry Device Software and other device applications to use new features that are available in the most current version.

1. Connect your BlackBerry smartphone to your Mac computer.
2. On your Mac computer, in the Applications folder, click BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
3. Click the Applications icon at the top of the screen.
4. Click Check for Updates.
5. If updates appear in the list, select one or more applications to update.
6. Perform any of the following actions:
- To check for other versions of the selected applications, click Show other versions.

- To back up and restore device data while updating your device applications, select the Back up and restore device data check box.
- To back up and restore third-party applications while updating device applications, select the Back up and restore third-party applications check box.

7. Click Start or Downgrade (if you are returning to a previous version of the application).
8. Complete the instructions on screen.

Deleting applications:

1. Connect your BlackBerry smartphone to your Mac computer.
2. On your Mac computer, in the Applications folder, click BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
3. Click the Applications icon at the top of the screen.
4. Clear the check box beside one or more of the applications that you want to delete.
5. Click Start.
6. Complete the instructions on screen.

Let us know what you think – and if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments and we will do our best to help!

By now, you might have read my previous post about updating your BlackBerry® Device Software wirelessly and are wondering how to update your software using BlackBerry® Desktop Software. Well, you’re in luck, because that’s what we’ll be going through today!

The first step, if you don’t already have it installed (or if you don’t have the most up-to-date version), is to download BlackBerry Desktop Software 6.0, which is available here. Once the file has been downloaded, double-click it to start the installation. Simply follow the prompts to install it and allow it to run once it has finished installing.

Now that BlackBerry Desktop Software has been installed and is running on your computer, you’ll need to plug in your BlackBerry smartphone. If you have a password set on your device, then BlackBerry Desktop Software will ask you to enter it before proceeding. It will then check what software version you have installed on your smartphone and check online to see if there are any updates. If there is an update, a message box similar to the screenshot above will be presented asking if you want to perform the update; click ‘Get Update’ to start the update process.

The next step is to confirm that you want to backup your device data and restore it after the update. Make sure the ‘Back up device data’ check box is selected if you want to make sure your email, contacts, calendar, and so on are backed up and restored after the update is complete. If you’d like to be notified by email when new updates are available, make sure to check the ‘Email me when new versions are available’ box.

Clicking ‘Install Update’ will start the update process. Please note that, depending on if you choose to backup/restore your device and how many files are on your device, this can take up to an hour to complete, and your BlackBerry smartphone will not be usable during this time. When you receive a confirmation message that the update is complete, then you can disconnect your BlackBerry smartphone.

Please leave me a comment and let me know how it goes!

In order to get the most out of your BlackBerry® smartphone experience, I highly recommend making sure your device software is up-to-date. In this post, I’ll be specifically talking about how to update the BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone, but the steps below can be used to upgrade other BlackBerry smartphones as well. Let’s get started!

The first step is to check for updates. If your carrier or BlackBerry® Enterprise Server administrator has sent you a request to update, you will see a Software Update icon on your Home Screen, which you can simply click on to launch the update. (Use caution if updating while roaming as additional roaming data charges may apply. Contact your wireless provider for more information.)

If you don’t have this icon on your Home Screen, you can easily launch the Universal Search application on the Home Screen of the BlackBerry Torch smartphone by clicking on the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner. In the search box that appears, type update. Tap Options and you should then see the Software Updates option. The latest device software for the BlackBerry Torch is 6.0 Bundle 695, so tap that option and you’ll be brought to the download page. Click the Download button and you’ll be asked to Continue or to Customize.

Selecting Customize will allow you to select which components you want to download and will allow you to select different languages or applications to load on your smartphone. After downloading the software, you will be prompted for when you want to install the software. Please note if you chose to update the software wirelessly, it could take some time and you won’t be able to use your device during this time.

Some good things to know are that this process will back up and restore all your device information including calendar, contacts, wallpaper, and any other settings made on the device.

One small caveat is that users who are activated on a BlackBerry Enterprise Server will only be able to complete a wireless update if their IT administrators have allowed access to this function, but this is allowed by default.

For information on how to perform a wireless BlackBerry Device Software update on other BlackBerry smartphones, please see: http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB15633

If you would prefer to update your BlackBerry smartphone using BlackBerry Desktop Manger you can visit www.blackberry.com/updates and download the latest software update available for your device.

I also recommend checking out this great support page, which has lots of great reference materials for questions that may come up while you are updating your device software.

And that’s it! Please leave me a comment and let me know how the update goes.