BlackBerry PlayBook Setup

By Kevin Michaluk on 28 Mar 2011 01:22 pm

BlackBerry PlayBook 101: Setting up the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet

When your BlackBerry PlayBook arrives, the first thing you need to do is set it up. Knowing is half the battle, so in this tutorial we'll walk through the basics of getting your new BlackBerry PlayBook up and running. The setup wizard is very straight forward and easy to use, and as you might imagine covers the basics of setting up your date and time, connecting to a WiFi network, connecting to a BlackBerry via the BlackBerry Bridge (assuming you own a BlackBerry Smartphone, not that you need one to buy the PlayBook) and more. Keep reading for the full tutorial!

BlackBerry PlayBook Setup

Turning on the BlackBerry PlayBook for the First time

When you turn on the BlackBerry® PlayBookTM tablet for the first time, you must complete the setup process. To navigate during the setup process, complete the following:

To continue to the next screen, swipe right to left on the screen.
To return to a previous screen, tap Back.
To skip an optional screen, tap Skip.

1. Welcome Screen

BlackBerry PlayBook Setup

Plug the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet into a power outlet to ensure that you have enough power to complete the setup process (odds are you should be safe without doing that, but better safe and plugged in!).

2. Connect to Wi-Fi

BlackBerry PlayBook Wi-Fi Setup

Connect to a Wi-Fi network using one of the following methods:

Manually Connect to a Network
Wi-Fi Protected Setup

Note: You can also connect to available Wi-Fi networks that are displayed on the screen.

3. Set Date And Time

BlackBery PlayBook Setup - Date and Time

Easy to do, you'll want to update the date and time next.

4. BlackBerry End User Terms

BlackBerry PlayBook End User Terms

The next step is to accept the BlackBerry End User Agreement. Once you accept the license agreement you can continue the setup process.

Note: If you do not accept the license agreement, the tablet turns off!!! So be sure to accept.

5. Login to BlackBerry ID or Create Your Account

BlackBerry PlayBook Setup - BlackBerry ID

Create or sign in with a BlackBerry® ID to use a single email address and password to log in to any BlackBerry product that supports BlackBerry ID. To sign in to your BlackBerry ID account, type your BlackBerry ID login information. To create a BlackBerry ID account, tap Create a BlackBerry ID.

6. BlackBerry PlayBook Setup - Software Updates

BlackBerry PlayBook Setup - Software Updates

To ensure your PlayBook is running the latest software available, during the setup process it will check for updates. If newer software is available than what shipped on your device, you can download it here to use the latest software available.

7. BlackBerry Bridge Setup

BlackBerry Bridge Setup

You do not need a BlackBerry Smartphone to use a BlackBerry PlayBook, but if you own a BlackBerry you can connect it to your PlayBook tablet via the BlackBerry Bridge. Connect your tablet to your BlackBerry smartphone to access email, calendars, BlackBerry Messenger files, and other data directly from your tablet. To set up BlackBerry Bridge, tap Setup.

8. BlackBerry PlayBook Basics

BlackBerry PlayBook Basics

Learn how to navigate the BlackBerry Tablet OS. To view tutorials, tap Learn about the home screen and Learn how to access Menus. The PlayBook makes use of gestures, so you'll want to be sure to learn these to get the full experience of the device and operating system.

9. Congratulations - You're Ready to Play!

BlackBerry PlayBook Setup Complete!

That's it! Your BlackBerry PlayBook setup is now complete. To learn more, you can follow the additional tutorials displayed on the screenfor Desktop Manager, BlackBerry Bridge, Wi-Fi, Language and also an Interactive Tutorial.

Topics: BlackBerry Playbook BlackBerry Playbook 101 News & Rumors

Kevin Michaluk 3684 (articles) 3023 (forum posts)

40 comments

mkye86 Mar 28, 2011 at 1:25 pm

Sweet Where did this come from?

TABpilot32 Mar 28, 2011 at 1:25 pm

Looks like Kevin got his PlayBook...

BBA Mar 28, 2011 at 1:26 pm

Kevin, did you get your Playbook?

Brazen9000 Mar 28, 2011 at 1:27 pm

Look, I don't mean to be gross or anything, but I think I just came a little.

luqman24 Mar 28, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Over a piece of technology?? I hope ur joking there and if you're not, you my friend need to get laid.

kyhung Mar 29, 2011 at 12:07 pm

LOL

TaZ52083 Mar 28, 2011 at 1:27 pm

Sweet set up Kevin.

xDAKx Mar 28, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Looks like someone got their PlayBook early!

livejam Mar 28, 2011 at 1:28 pm

I think I heard a loud "AWWWWWWWW YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH" coming from Winnepeg!

Gelzz Mar 28, 2011 at 1:29 pm

Dam y ou Kevin lol DAM YOU LOL

Frank i need to clean lol :P jkjkjkj

Nesquik Mar 28, 2011 at 1:29 pm

now that looks like pre-production set up screen -- mighty ugly haha. they'll def have a polished up version for the masses!

Machzy Mar 28, 2011 at 1:30 pm

Kevin def got his PB.

Ya jerk! =)

mkye86 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Did yall see the "BBM Video" Icon over on BlackBerryOS?! How exciting!!!!!

http://www.blackberryos.com/forums/new-blackberry-playbook/21139-bbm-vid...

Cozmik Mar 28, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Awww man....is it April 19th YET??? :)

I want to do that, not read about it anymore!!!

Sirhill Mar 28, 2011 at 1:36 pm

I guess this means that Kevin got his Playbook. So that means that we will not hear aother word out of him until the embargo is lifted. Silence is so sweet.

pkcable Mar 28, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Can't be Kevin, he's not in the East time zone. ;)

Fr3lncr Mar 28, 2011 at 5:12 pm

Yes he is... he's outside of Toronto I think.

lebdiablo Mar 28, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Step 4

UNABLE TO LOAD END USER TERMS :)

I cant wait to get oneeeeee

R1cowl Mar 28, 2011 at 1:58 pm

"Knowing is half the battle" reminds me of those old GI JOE promotions. Go JOE! LOL. Yes I'm old. But never to old for Crackberry. Keven I hope you do have your Playbook. Mines on order. As always Thanks for the insight.

mediq91 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:05 pm

I would just like to put it out there that this morning I sent Kevin an email with 5 attatchments on them from a webinar I recently attended 1. Blackberry Playbook FAQ. 2.Setting up the BB Playbook Tablet. 3. Using Blackberry Bridge 4. Using Touch Screen on the BB Playbook Tablet and 5.See how the BB Playbook Stacks Up. Also have a image that I forgot to send of the webinar stating that Verizon Wireless will have theres on April 19 seeing how this was a Verizon Webinar.
Jordan Vail
Mediq91

mkye86 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:08 pm

That explains it. Did you see anything about BBM Video

mediq91 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:11 pm

They didnt go into BBM to much other then to say you have to have another Blackberry Device in order for it to work

mkye86 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Great Info Thanks for sharing. While I don't have to worry about not having another BB Device, if the BBM Video rumor is true. Then its kind of lame that you will only be able to use it if you have another BB Device. I hope they can find a way to work that out soon.

mediq91 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:23 pm

I do agree it is tough for me because I have my old Bold 9700 that is sitting around using WIFI only becasue I no longer work for ATT and work for Verizon now. So until RIM releases something new and better for Verizon I wont be able to using my Playbook much for the things that I want to. Until later this year when I see one of the new Blackberry's I wont be using BBM or anything like that on it. I wish it was more of a standalone device.

FMB8900 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:25 pm

Looks like a Windows 7 Setup Screen lol

q649 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Hurray for Step 6 (no carrier bottleneck for updates) !

lang007 Mar 28, 2011 at 2:34 pm

I still have to see some reviews b4 I buy one. But it does look sweet

Deathcommand Mar 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Looks like Kevin didn't read the terms of service... :P

Deathcommand Mar 28, 2011 at 3:07 pm

At least none of them say to connect to iTunes. :)

Nikeem24 Mar 28, 2011 at 3:30 pm

LMFAO

thpsrulr Mar 28, 2011 at 5:41 pm

ditto!

Ojin Mar 28, 2011 at 4:11 pm

which uses the language? English only, or you can set the other?

Jerzeydevil Mar 28, 2011 at 7:12 pm

After reading this I can't want for my PB to show up. :0)

f1mx Apr 4, 2011 at 3:15 pm

I just can't wait anymore >.<

blr1234 Apr 17, 2011 at 10:25 am

Need help. Set up my blackberry playbook by creating a new blackberry ID- and now realize I want to use my ID from my blackberry handheld- is there a way to restart the set up process and set it up again from the start? or at least reset the ID?
thanks!

yustiv Jan 11, 2012 at 10:48 am

I have a playbook, and I do a WIPE because the wireless card did not work and wanted to correct the fault. After making the WIPE get to the SETUP, but I think the wireless card is damaged and for that reason does not allow me to connect to a wireless network. The problem is not connecting wirelessly I can not run the setup and run the SETUP if not render the Playbook. Is there any way to skip the setup to use the Playbook paired with a Blackberry device.

Thank you for all the assistance you can give me.

iree Mar 4, 2012 at 4:10 pm

there is no wifi in my area. is there other ways i can setup my playbook without connecting to wifi?

devotedlily May 4, 2012 at 7:00 am

I have been trying to get my playbook running without success. It took me close to 7hrs to download the software over my office high speed wifi network. the downloading completed quite alright but installation always stops at 53%,and then i get the message 'unable to install'..retry. I have tried several times all to no avail. my playbook is 32GB so i hope it doesnt have the same problem like the 1000 that were recalled.

I need a solution to this problem...pls..pls help me...

Thankx

RoHarrington Oct 24, 2012 at 5:18 am

I have the same issue and I am at my wits end. Now my Playbook wont even boot the light flashes red and then just dies.

emam Dec 7, 2012 at 8:23 am

Hi all, I recently bought a Playbook 64gb, but I encountered a problem during the set up. Before I had to agree on the terms and policies etc, I have to select a country/language.

The major issue now is that I don't have a single country to select out of......

How is that possible and does anyone have a solution for me?

Except sending it back to the seller. Reason why I can't send it back is because I bought it on Amazon, and I live in South-America.

Need help.

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BlackBerry PlayBook Setup

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