Getting Started with Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v2.1: Multi-account support and more!

Last week Twitter® for BlackBerry® smartphones v2.1 was released, which includes a feature I am using all the time now — multi-account support. This feature allows you to switch back and forth between up to five Twitter accounts without having to sign out each time. All of my Twitter accounts are now integrated with Social Feeds, and the enhanced BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) sharing capabilities make chatting about relevant news and information quick and easy.

Here’s a brief overview on how to use the multi-account support feature in Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v2.1 as well some other things you should know about this new version.

Before we begin, if you don’t have Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones installed – or if you are a using an older version – scan the bar code below which can be found in the BlackBerry App World™ storefront (Menu > Scan a Barcode) or click here to install it. Note: Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v2.1 requires BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and up.

Adding and switching accounts

After logging into Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v2.1, you can add additional accounts by completing these steps:

1. Press the Menu key and select “Switch Account” (or use keyboard shortcut Alt+Space)
2. Select “Manage Accounts” followed by “Add Account”
3. Enter the Twitter user name(s) and password(s).

When you are logged into multiple accounts, the current user name will appear in the header bar and the account picture will appear in the “My Profile” icon located on the nav bar. To switch between accounts:

1. Click “My Profile” or use keyboard shortcut Alt+Space
2. Click the Switch Account icon
3. Click a Twitter account.

Sign out of accounts

To sign out of a Twitter account, use the following steps:

1. Press the Menu key and select “Options”
2. Click the “Manage Accounts” button.
3. Highlight the account you’d like to sign out of
4. Press the Menu key and select “Sign Out”.

Editing account profiles

If you use one or multiple accounts in Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v2.1, you can now edit your profile(s) right from “My Profile”. Select the account you’d like to edit and complete the following steps:

1. Click “My Profile”
2. Click “Edit Profile” and enter your new details
3. Click “Update”.

Social Feeds Integration (for BlackBerry® 6 OS and later)

Second to BBM, I use the Social Feeds app the most on my BlackBerry smartphone, since I can see all of my Twitter accounts as well as Facebook® and RSS feeds. To view a specific Twitter account while using Social Feeds, just tap on the Social bar and select the account you’d like to view. You can also post to one or more Twitter accounts simultaneously within Social Feeds. To post a Tweet, just press the Menu key, select “New Post”, compose your post and select the Twitter accounts you’d like to post it from.

If you come across a Tweet you want to reply to or Retweet while using Social Feeds, complete the following steps:

1. Highlight the Tweet
2. Press the Menu key (or tap and hold the screen) and select “Reply or Retweet”
3. Select the account you’d like to send the Tweet from (highlighted in blue above).

BBM Integration

The next time you see a Tweet you’d like to share with your BBM friends, just highlight it and select “Share with BBM Contact or BBM Group” from the Menu. Don’t forget to check out the “Share” option for more ways to share Tweets!

What do you think about Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v2.1? Leave a comment and let me know!