Finding New BlackBerry Themes

There's certainly no shortage of BlackBerry themes available on the Internet. In fact, a quick Google search for "BlackBerry themes" turns up more than half a million results--though the themes you'll find this way are admittedly of varying quality, to say the least.

BlackBerry Scribble Theme

One of the best ways to find quality BlackBerry themes is to visit RIM's mobile site, which can be located at mobile.blackberry.com, using your BlackBerry browser. (Click the "Fun and Games" icon on the home page and then choose "Themes," to browse the current offerings.) Though the selection isn't exactly wide, RIM's site can determine the specific device you're using based on browser setting to ensure that the theme is compatible with your BlackBerry--and all the themes are free.

Note: It's extremely important that you ensure any new themes you attempt to install are compatible with your device. Installing a theme that's meant for a different device or operating system version can severely damage your BlackBerry and even render it useless. To determine whether or not a theme is compatible with your RIM smartphone, first check your OS version by simultaneously hitting ALT, Shift/NUM and the letter H. (Check out "BlackBerry Tips and Tricks: More Keyboard Shortcuts for Power Users" for more keyboard tricks.) Your OS version will be listed as "App Version." You can also find your device model and OS version by clicking your Options icon and then choosing About.

BlackBerry About Screen

Once you've determined your device model and OS version you should also make sure that the site you plan to download the theme from has specified compatibility with your BlackBerry and handheld OS. Always be sure to obtain your themes from a reputable or trusted source.

Downloading a New BlackBerry Theme

You can download and install new BlackBerry themes wirelessly (over-the-air), or using RIM's Desktop Manager Software, which ships with every new BlackBerry.

The over-the-air (OTA) download is easiest, as it doesn't require a PC or any additional processes. To download a theme OTA, visit the site from which you want to obtain a theme, and follow the directions for OTA downloads, if available. Such directions will typically call for you to enter an e-mail address associated with your BlackBerry so a message with the appropriate download link can be sent. Once you receive such a message, open it, click the link and follow the download instructions.

OTA Theme Download in Progress

In some cases, like when you download themes OTA from RIM's site, you won't need to enter in an e-mail address; rather, all you'll need to do is click a link and you'll be transported to a download page. Once said page opens, click the "Download" link and wait a minute or so for your new theme to download. When the process is complete, a dialogue box appears to let you know, and you'll then be able to access and install the theme via BlackBerry Options and the Theme menu.

Downloading new BlackBerry themes using RIM's Desktop Manger software can take a bit longer and requires an Internet-connected PC, but the process is similar to downloading OTA. First of all, you'll want to ensure you have the latest version of Desktop Manager. To determine which version you're current running, open the program, click the Help icon and choose About BlackBerry Desktop Manager. A dialogue box will appear to tell you which version you're using. Next, surf over on over to RIM's download page, verify you've got the latest version of the software and download and install it if not.

Next, download the theme file to your hard drive. Usually, the file is compressed, and you'll need to "unzip." After doing so, launch Desktop Manager, connect your BlackBerry and open the Application Loader component. When the Application Loader opens, click on the Add/Remove Application option. On the following screen, click "Browse" and then navigate to the location within your PC where the unzip theme file is stored. The file you should select will very likely end in an ".alx" extension.

With the appropriate file selected, click Open within the dialogue box and the theme will then be discoverable by the Desktop Manager software. On the Application Loader screen, scroll down until you see the name of the new theme, check the box next to it if it's not already filled, and then hit Next. The software will then confirm the file is the correct one you wish to transfer to your device. Click Finish and the file will transfer from your PC to the BlackBerry device.

When the process is complete, you'll be able to access and install the theme via BlackBerry Options and the Theme menu.