2) Lock and Load: Insert New microSD Card Into Your BlackBerry

Most 8xxx series BlackBerry smartphones require you to remove the rear battery cover to access the microSD card slot, except for the Pearl 8110, 8120 and 8130 devices, which have external slots on their left sides. RIM's Curve 83xx smartphones have microSD slots beneath their batteries, so it's necessary to power down your device every time you want to insert, remove or exchange cards. The 88xx devices have expandable memory slots inside their rear-side covers, but you don't need to remove the battery to access them.

BlackBerry Pearl 8130 with microSD Card

Users of Pearl or Bold devices with external microSD slots need only pry open the plastic flap on their left sides and make sure both the tiny sections of metal on the underside of the memory card and the device itself are face up. The narrow end of the card should be closest to the BlackBerry. Then carefully slide the card in until it clicks. Don't force it, but you may need to push it in firmly. When the memory card is in place, a dialogue box will appear on screen that reads "Media Card Inserted."

To insert a microSD card into a BlackBerry Curve or 88xx series device, you must first remove the rear battery door. These devices employ tiny metal hinges to secure microSD cards. Engraved on those hinges are the words "Lock" and "Unlock" next to corresponding arrows. Slide the hinge in the Unlock direction and open it so it stands at a 90 degree angle to the device. When opened, the hinge features small flaps to hold the microSD card in place. Hold the memory card upright so its metal sections are on its bottom half and facing you. (The metal sections should mesh with the metal prongs on the device, inside the hinge.) Next drop the hinge back down and slide it in the Lock direction until it's securely in place. If you're using an 88xx smartphone, you'll see a "Media Card Inserted" message. You'll need to replace the battery and restart if you're using a Curve.

3) Get Up and Running: Format microSD Card Via BlackBerry

Some new memory cards can be used right out of the box, but it's always a good idea to format a microSD card before loading it up with personal files. The formatting process is short and sweet, and we strongly advise walking through the following steps to avoid future issues. You may also need to reformat your memory card in the future if it stops functioning properly, and this process can be used for reformatting as well.

First, click the Options icon on your BlackBerry icon screen--the icon looks like a wrench in most default BlackBerry themes. Inside Options, scroll to Media Card and click the trackball. Next, while on the Media Card screen hit your BlackBerry Menu key--to the left of the trackball--choose Format and select "Yes" when the prompt asks if you're sure you want to format the card. After about 10 seconds, you'll see another prompt that tells you your card has been reformatted.

To check the amount of available memory at any point, simply return to the Media Card screen and compare the Total Space value to Free Space.