If you don't happen to be one of the lucky BlackBerry 10 owners that was issued a new software update, you aren't totally out of luck. After doing a bit of research, we found that even if you aren't on a carrier that has pushed a new OS version, you can still manually update your device software using BlackBerry Link or the BlackBerry Software updates page from the web. The process isn't 100% guaranteed to work for everyone, but it's worth a shot if you want to load up the latest OS.
There are two ways to try to force a software update on your device. This can most times be done with the SIM installed, however if you are having trouble finding any updates you may want to try removing the SIM card and then giving it a go.
Also, be sure to do a full backup of your device before you try to update the OS. Your device will restore to the factory defaults and you'll lose all of your date. You'll also need to reinstall any sideloaded Android apps you had previously after the update. Note here too that I did this with a factory unlocked device. If your device is locked to a carrier there is a good chance this process won't work for you. As always - use caution when updating your device OS. If you break anything it's not our fault :-)
Update from the web
The first method is to use the BlackBerry Software Upates page from the web. You'll need to be on a Windows PC for this one as well.
- Plug your BlackBerry 10 device into your PC, then fire up your web browser and head to the BlackBerry Software Updates page. Scroll down a bit and you'll see Updates on the web.
- Click the Check for updates box and if any new software is available to you, you can then proceed with the update. Keep in mind it may take a while for the update to complete - so go grab a snack and wait it out.
- If nothing shows, you may be out of luck but you can still try the method below instead.
Update using BlackBerry Link
- Make sure you have the latest version of BlackBerry Link installed.
- Connect your BlackBerry 10 device. Once it's recognized by BlackBerry Link, click the gear icon to access the settings page.
- From here you should see the option to reload device software. Click the button to start the process. Your device may reboot a time or two in between.
- If any new software is found, you'll see a prompt and can begin the installation. As above, make sure you backed up your device first and you have some time to kill as the update will take a while.
If neither of these options work for you, you can always try tracking down a SIM card for the carriers pushing out the updates. Rumor has it that even unprovisioned SIM cards will let you grab an OS update OTA on your device.
Read more
Get a new BlackBerry for the holidays? We're here to help!
If you just got a new BlackBerry and are looking for where to begin, we're here to help. Whether you're new to the platform or returning with a newer device, CrackBerry is here to provide help and how-to information from simple tasks on your BlackBerry device to the advanced. We can walk you through the baby steps of how to set up your e-mail, how to install applications, how to back up...
How to move Password Keeper Data to the Priv
If you are one who uses Password Keeper, on BlackBerry 10, to store your login details, you’ll be pleased to know that it is available to download from the Google Play Store for you to use on your Priv. Read on for a walkthrough on moving your Password Keeper data from BlackBerry 10 to Android.
How to move content from BlackBerry 10 to your new Priv
The BlackBerry Content Transfer app allows you to move data from your Contacts, Calendar, Pictures, Videos, Music, Text messages (SMS), Notes, Tasks, Documents, Email accounts. If you want to know how to get your data over, here's a quick walkthrough of how to do it.
Snoozing made easy!
This may not be the most exciting topic in the world, but for you folk that rely on your BlackBerry as your alarm clock, this is a jolly handy tip to keep in mind. When it comes to snoozing my alarm, I'm an expert. What I mean by this is that I could hit that snooze tab over and over - there's just a real sweet feeling knowing that you can stay snuggled up in bed for a few more minutes...