The BlackBerry comes in many models and they all work with the BlackBerry Desktop Software.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images
A BlackBerry can go everywhere. Like any mobile device, however, it can be damaged by a drop or accidental bump while you are on the go. Likewise, a program glitch or a simple mistake could delete important information from your BlackBerry. Since your smart phone can store dozens of important contacts, backing up the data to a personal computer ensures an extra copy of your contacts will exist if you ever need it. The "BlackBerry Desktop Software" application included with your device can be used for performing backup tasks.
Step 1
Download the "BlackBerry Desktop Software" application from the BlackBerry website (see Resources). The software runs on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and newer versions of the Windows operating system. A version is also available for Apple's Mac OS X. Install the downloaded application on your computer.
Step 2
Open the BlackBerry Desktop Software and connect your BlackBerry to your computer through the USB charging cable included with the phone. Wait for the device to be recognized. Then, click "Get started with this device."
Step 3
Enter a name for your BlackBerry and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the device. If you want to enable automatic backups of all the data on the BlackBerry when you connect to your computer in the future, you can do so using the "Back up my device" check box. Click "Finish" to exit the setup wizard.
Step 4
Click on the "Device" menu and choose "Back up" from the list. Click the "Custom" radio button. Scroll down and place a check mark next to the "Address Book -- All" selection to back up all contacts on the BlackBerry. Choose a different address book option to save only a portion of the contacts. Place check marks next to other options if you want to include data other than contacts in the backup.
Step 5
Enter a name for the backup in the "File name" box. Click the "Change folder" button and navigate to the desired destination folder on your computer's hard drive. If you do not specify a new location, the software will create a folder in the current user's documents folder.
Step 6
Click "Back up" and wait for the transfer to finish. You may then close the program and disconnect the BlackBerry from the computer.
Step 7
Restore your contacts by connecting the BlackBerry to the computer and launching the BlackBerry Desktop Software. Click the "Device" menu and select "Restore." Select the backup file and click the "Restore" button.
Tip
- If you want to make a backup of other critical information on your BlackBerry in addition to your contacts, select "Full" rather than "Custom" from the "Backup Options" window to save all the data on the device. Select "Quick" to save all the data except emails.
References
Resources
Photo Credits
- Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images
