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Throughout last year we regularly released BlackBerry® Device Software (a.k.a. Firmware or OS) updates, including a major one back in the fall. But it seems that actually getting these updates onto your device is still a bit of a mystery to some people. Well, it's simpler than you think, and well worth it. Here are a couple reasons why:
- Your smartphone will work even better than it does today (bug fixes)
- With major updates you get plenty new features - like video recording in version 4.5 software for BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphone (feel free to check out the complete list of new features available in 4.5 software update)
Step 1 - Check for updates: If you're on a company smartphone, your IT department may already have plans for getting your device software up-to-date. If you'd like to take the initiative into your own hands, make sure to get the nod of approval from your IT department, and skip to Step 3 below. Otherwise, read on.
For those of you who have already downloaded and installed the latest version, checking if there's a device software update available is as easy as pie.
- Start BlackBerry Desktop Software
- Connect your device and you'll be prompted to update if there's an update available
If you don't have the latest version of Desktop Software installed - no worries.
- Visit http://www.blackberry.com/updates
- Click on the "Check for Updates" button (you can't miss it)
- You'll be prompted to download and install a small application (click Run twice) and in the end, you should see something that looks like the screenshot on the right
- Connect your device, enter the password (if you have one) and click OK
- That's it. We will now automatically check and let you know if there are any updates available
Step 2 - Updating: You should now see the "Update Summary" screen.
Tip: even though it may seem like an advanced setting, click the "Options" button to tweak your update, and clear any languages you do not plan on using. This can save lots of space you can use later for installing apps, games, etc...
Click "Next" and sign up for notifications. Next time a new update is available we'll send you an email - you'll never have to check manually for updates again. After you're done, it's just a matter of clicking "Finish" in the summary screen.
A couple notes:
- The overall process may take some time (40-60 minutes - depending on the size of the backup) - no worries, it's normal
- Do not disconnect your device until the update is complete!
- All your data, settings and applications are backed up, and then restored at the end (unless you explicitly choose not to do so)
Congratulations! You have successfully updated your smartphone and it should now be running the latest available Device Software.
Step 3 - Not really a step
If you skipped here because you're on a company smartphone or, because in Step 1:
- You got a message stating that your "BlackBerry smartphone is activated on a BlackBerry® Enterprise Server or BlackBerry® Professional Software" or;
- It appeared as if no updates were available for your smartphone, but you're confident there should be one available, here is what you can do:
- If you haven't done so already, download and install the latest Desktop Software
- Check online if there is an update available for your device from your service provider and download the new Device Software installer
- Run the Device Software installer
- Make sure you're connected to your corporate network (to continue receiving work email after the update is complete)
- Follow Steps 1 and 2
I'd love to upgrade to the newest 4.5 OS. I've attempted it a half dozen times, including doing complete wipes on my 8330 Curve. However, I have found that the GPS signal drops repeatedly on this version for my phone, whereas on 4.3 once I obtain satellite I never drop. Sprint has opened a ticket with RIM on this and others have indicted they have flaky GPS with 4.5 too, but I've seen no progress with this issue. GPS is a must have for me, although I'd love the MMS and video recording capabilities too.
Thanks for the comment Jack. It's the first time I hear about this problem and I'm looking into it.
Hey that's awesome Andrey. I'm a recent convert to the BlackBerry platform. The Curve is the best smartphone I've owned hands down, and I've had several Palm OS and Windows OS phones to compare to. If I could find resolution to this GPS thing I'd be ecstatic!
The curve is sweet!
Can't agree more. I've owned a few smartphones, and the Curve has kept me satisfied.
And I "think" I have a fix to my GPS issues. I was ready to take my Curve to Sprint for an exchange so that I could have the newer OS and run GPS as well. I even went so far as to reinstall 4.5.0.131, and decided to test it out. GPS seemed to be working fine. And it seemed to work just fine for a couple of weeks. Then the other day I plugged my BlackBerry brand car charger into my phone, and started up GPS. Within minutes I was dropping my signal, and in fact several times with about 5 minutes. I decided to disconnect my car charger, and then proceeded to use the GPS without any drops!
No, my question for Andrey, would be this: does my Curve have an issue with it since I seemingly cannot plug the car charger in and use GPS simultaneously, or is my RIM/BlackBerry labeled car charger defective? It does charge the phone just fine and doesn't interfere with phone conversations. Weird!
I've been downloading all the Beat OS's for the Storm 9530 and its such a fun and educational process. I still cant wait for VZW to finally come out with an Official OS. And how nice will it be to finally get to DM 5.0. Come on with it!!
Same here, been downloading all of the leaked OS's need the official one to come out for verizon. hopefully it would be OS 5.0! come on RIM i believe in you.
yomonk1, I have a question for you. I recently became the proud owner of a shiny new Storm and I'm currently awaiting an email from my provider with the updated OS 4.7 version. What are all of these trinkets and gadgets that you speak of? You make it sound as good as new shoes or cheese cake! Could break it down into English for the newbies like me? :)
I agree with you yomonk1, i have been doing the same with the OS's. Hopefully we can get something soon!!!
Can we get any confirmation that an official os update for the storm from vzw is coming any time soon?
This would be very helpful for Verizon Storm users, but ohh yea, we haven't gotten an official update in MONTHS!!!
Although to make up for this I just use the "leaked" software along with everyone else trying to get updates.
"(feel free to check out the complete list of new features available in 4.5 software update)"
Why isn't a list of new features and significant bug fixes released with each update? Every other hardware & software developer I've worked with does this, and it's an excellent marketing opportunity.
Adding features then "hoping" we stumble across them is not good marketing. It is, however, very frustrating for users.
- R.
with my storm i have noticed some very concerning issues wile playing sudio through the headphone jack.
heres the short story. when u play a song with base in it (basicly any song) when the base hits the volume gets really quiet.
here is what its not: headphones
audio file
headphone jack
third party apps.
I have tested everything out to make sure what it was not. heres what really bothers me. when in safe mode the phone has no problem playing songs the way there ment to be herd! so you would think its a thrid party app right? well guess what i got an email and my speaker on my phone made the alert noise. after that guess what the audio quality is back to crap!
this is my second storm. and i know now its not the phone. its the OS. i am running .122 from bell. however the issue was presant with .86 .89 .90 .109 .122 so if RIM does not know about this problem by now i fear i am out of luck. hopefully they read this post and attend to this matter but i doubt it.
as a workaround i have been forced to turn all alerts to VIB and i have had to silence all my alarms! (not happy about that)
Just wondering...
1.why DM is so slow? 4.3 - 4.5 - 4.6 - 4.7 - 5.0 (beta)
2.would there be a better solution for media other than roxio?
3.by any chance after DM 5.0 would be a better solution for BIS users? (DM is not that good, for contacts syncs...import/export, among other things)
4.why im unable to sync BB msn contacts with my agenda, other than copy and paste?
5.when is 5.0 coming out finally?
Just wanted to make note. If you're on ATT's network, please ensure you have blackberry desktop manager v4.6 (if not sure, go to help-->about desktop manager). You can download this at www.att.com/bbdownloads. Make sure to perform a backup before upgrading to 4.5 OS. You can also download 4.5 OS from www.att.com/bbdownloads.
I'm on my 3rd bold as of last week. The device is decent when it's
Performing. Some of the problems I have
learned could be corrected or minimized with an os update. Great!
Well maybe not so great for mac owners! I mean, I
have to leave my home to go to someone else's home or buy a used pc
in order to update & back up my bold!?! REALLY!?! Personally I think it's a
sin & a shame that there's isn't a desktop manager for mac!
Aside from the fact that the bold should be able to do a backup
directly on the device, it's ultra frustrating!
So now I have to return this fine device because I can't utilize its full potential!
Rim needs to make a dm for mac or att needs to offer ota os
updates! I understand there's competition and such, but apple's os in only on 1 phone;
Windows mobile is on quite a few phones. So why not mac? Charge
for it if you have to!
I would like dm to be available for linux as well.
looks like your paying the apple premium ;)
Hi Audrey,
I've been holding out for the official release for my Storm (9500) for almost 6 months now. I'm with Vodafone Australia and after calling them to find out why they haven't released any updates since 4.7.0.78 they tell me that RIM does not support anything beyond .78 in Australia.
I understand that RIM/Vodafone supports more recent releases in other geographies, any idea when RIM will be pushing out .79 (even better would be 4.7.0.141 or a 5.0) to Vodafone Aus?
When will I be able to OFFICIALLY upgrade my Verizon STORM OS/Software/Firmware?
(Yup here it comes... Upset VZW Storm users who are tired of a crappy release OS)
How do you plan to explain rumors of a Storm 2 coming out?
Wow – the volume of comments have been amazing! Thanks to everyone for your overwhelming support of the Blog. Many of you have sent in comments and questions about pre-released software. We appreciate these comments and they will be forwarded to our Software product team however, as I mentioned in the introduction, the purpose of Inside BlackBerry is for our product experts to provide tips and advice on getting the most out of your device. As such, we will not be engaging in discussions around pre-released products or services. We would encourage our readers to visit the RIM support forums http://supportforums.blackberry.com/rim/ if you have questions or comments about our products. Please keep tuning in for more insights into the BlackBerry solution!
Sorry for my question.
One of my frustrations with RIM is that to be the best of my knowledge RIM has not provided Mac users with a means of updating the OS on a BB. I have a Verizon 8830 and a Mac. I do not know how to update the OS. As a result I still don't have HTML email and am thinking seriously of switching to an iPhone.
I agree about the lack of support for Mac users.
I have a Storm with Verizon.
I am also extremely frustrated and disappointed with the delays in releasing new official software and am reluctant to install versions floating around the web.
It is getting close for me to dump the Storm and start looking for a different smart phone.
I initially thought the Storm on the Verizon network was the better and more stable version of the iPhone. It is not living up to that belief despite the better network that Verizon provides.
Even Verizon store support staff are frustrated when I seek their help in making my phone more responsive. They too want a new operating system to be released but are not getting any clues from BB or Verizon.
I have an 8900 Curve and have updated the device software 4 times already. I'm currently running 4.6.1.206. It runs great.
I am contemplating upgrading to 5.0.0.90 but I don't want to lose Facebook 1.5. Can anyone comment on if they have tried 5.0 and if its worth the upgrade?
Thanks.
It is so good and fresh to me!
Hopefully someone at RIM sees this and can respond. I am relatively new to BB having had Treo's for many years. I loved having a local backup. Backing up to a media card. Yes it was very necessary with Palm but it was absolutely lovely to pick up a new phone and restore all my apps and data before I left the store. I could also take a backup, try a new app and if it caused problems I could restore. No computer necessary.
Is there some reason that it can't be done on a BB.
PS I love not crashing several times a day. Thanks.
i have a mac. can you guys make a desktop manager for mac so i can update and backup etc?
This was well worth the update for my wife's Curve.
Will get it done tonight probably.
I would love to Upgrade my current device; however, I am running MAC OS and cannot install Blackberry Software to it. Please, encourage them to develop a FULL BlackBerry Desktop Client from RIM.
Thank you.
hi andrey, first of all, i'd like to say thank you for this post, i'm sure it wil be of great use for many people. unfortunately it's not very useful to me at the moment :s.
I have a macbook, and all you said in this post is only for pc owners. i'm kinda new to blackberry devices, i bought a bold 9000 a month ago, and i was wondering, is there any way to upgrade my blackberry through mac? I have the 4.6 running on my bold, and i'd love to be able to upgrade to a newer version.
I have done the above but still do not get the latest firmware. Does Verizon block antyhing they do not approve of??
Please help, not too smooth with this stuff, looking for a file manager or something to allow me to save email attachments, then transfer to laptop. Thanks, Mark