Updating BlackBerry Applications Via RIM Desktop Manager

Depending on when you first downloaded and installed the existing applications on your BlackBerry smartphone, or when they were installed before your device was shipped, there may be updates available.

If you're using the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager--at the time that this article was written, the latest version available on RIM's site is 4.5--the software will automatically search for updates as soon as you open the program and connect your device.

If you want to search for updates manually, simply open the Application Loader component of Desktop Manager and on the right side of the following screen, beneath the words "Update Applications," click Start. The program will then check your BlackBerry for device configuration and attempt to locate any updates. If any are available, they'll be listed on the following screen. To install the updates, click the Next box and follow the directions. The update process can take a while, so don't fret if it's been 10 minutes or so and nothing appears to be happening. (Note: Desktop Manager may not find available updates to third-party applications, so the best way to ensure that all of your apps are update is to occasionally check the software vendors' websites.)

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