How to: Back up third-party applications on your BlackBerry

By on Dec 21, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Software December 21, 2008

Since the first OS upgrade for the Storm came out and OS 4.5 was formally announced by AT&T, a lot of people have been asking if there is a chance that they could lose all of their third-party applications in the upgrade process. While the answer is unfortunately yes, there is a simple back up that can be done to save yourself from going through a stress of losing and replacing all of your apps. Being the kind folks that we are, we thought we’d share it with you. Also, this method works if you want to transfer your applications to a new device as well.

Well, what are you waiting for? Hit up the break and get started!

Step One

To start the application back up process you’ll need to open up the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. Plug in your BlackBerry and enter any necessary passwords. Then click on Device Switch Wizard icon which is located on the top-right hand corner of the Desktop Manager home screen.

Step Two

Once in the Device Switch Wizard, click Start for Switch BlackBerry devices

Step Three

On the right-hand side you will see a check box for “Device and Data Options.” Ensure that it is unchecked and that “Third-party applications” is left checked. Now click “Next”.

Step Four

The Device Switch Wizard is will now backing up your third-party applications. Once it is finished do not click “Cancel” or “Next.”

Step Five

On your computer’s desktop go to Start > Search and search your hard-drive for your device’s PIN number. If you don’t know your PIN, it will be listed at the bottom of Desktop Manager as “Device connected (PIN). Alternatively, you can find it by going to Options > Status on your device. Ensure that you search hidden files and folders. You will find a folder with the same name as your PIN as well as a .alx file. Drag both of these files onto your desktop. On your desktop move the .alx file into the folder and store it somewhere safe. Go back into Desktop Manager and cancel the Device Switch Wizard.

That’s it! You’re done backing up your third-party apps. Should disaster strike and you end up losing all of your apps, restoring them is a simple three-step process.

Step One

Open Desktop Manager, plug in your BlackBerry, enter any necessary passwords and select the Application Loader icon on the top-left hand corner of the Desktop Manager home screen.

Step Two

In Application Loader, click “Start” under Add / Remove Applications.

Step Three

After the Application Loader scans your device, click on “Browse” and locate the folder named after your PIN that contains your application back-ups.

Highlight the .alx file and click “Open”. Then click “Next” and all of your applications will start to be loaded onto your BlackBerry.

 

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49 Comments

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  • Jonathan R.

    Any way to do this using the BES version of Desktop Manager 4.7? i.e. I don’t have the “Switch Device Wizard” icon?

    Thanks!

  • Paul

    @moosc:

    Yeah in all those 7+ years there are LESS than 700 apps for all the various BB models and in only 6 months there are 13,215 iPhone Apps! OMG!!!! HAHA The App Store opened and beat BB apps in the first week!

    I have a big dick to and if you don’t like that you are a dick!

  • Pratik

    I too do not have the ‘switch device’ icon via DM.

  • Return to Subject

    Will a moderator PLEASE block Paul from this discussion? He is not helping this board at all.

  • Paul

    @ moosc:

    Now now, are we upset? I didn’t know you were such a baby.

  • David

    I have updated two AT&T 8310 devices. One was at factory defaults right out of the box. The other was already loaded with a handful of apps. The used device actually finished the upgrade quicker than the new one with nothing on it! Yes, I was using DM 4.7 Using the Application Loader option in DM 4.7, gives you the Device Software Options to cherry pick all 3rd party apps identified on the device. Best Practice = Backup entire device before performing any upgrade/installation. Good Luck!

  • Juicer

    Paul, you are a typical example of a bed-wetting iPhone fanboy. No one cares about your pretty little play-toy for tots.

    It’s funny to me that your posts here and your phone are both so useless and unproductive. Total fail.

  • http://www.k5live.com Likeabite

    Oh Paul so when you did it, it was cool huh? When you responded to every single post after I deaded our last convo back like over a month ago it was cool but I do it and you want to cry huh. I’m not making this personal…I never did…you’re the one who wanted to be my little puppy and follow me everywhere and now you’re crying because I returned the favor…without even saying your name, lmao…grow up man.

    And I’m not the only one who has extended this personal invite to you homie so if you want to do it you already have the contact info for my facebook and personal accounts (since you love me so much that you took time out to do research on me). The last time you rejected the offer from Maliek and myself and now you want to talk big because you’re upset. You already have my info son, hit me up…PLEASE DO…you’re a tech geek and you really don’t want it with me, you’re not built for the life I’ve lived my man. I’ll personally post our fight on my site that you want to get shut down and send the link to BGR. Let’s do it. Hit me up right now. Why wait??

  • paul

    Unemployment will look so well on you Kwaldo! You can fit in with the rest of your friends and family then! You all can hang out at Mickey Dees!

  • paul

    Your illegal site will soon be fined and gone!

  • http://www.k5live.com Likeabite

    Can’t wait sir…patiently waiting!!

  • Jon

    Can anyone tell me the full link to where the files should be on my computer instead of having to do a search.

  • Javier

    I tried the back up procedure but when I attempted to test the Appl Loader, the system stated that there were no applications available for my device. I am using a Curve 8310 and Desktop Manager 4.2 and 4.3. I reverted back to 4.3 from the latest as synch was taking way too long.
    Does anyone have another solution for backing up 3rd party apps on the Curve 8310?

  • Crunch

    Paul IS a dick. No need to make a miserable person even more miserable.

    This is one awesome guide! Worked flawlessly for me. I’d hate to have to contact each 3rd party vendor for permission to re-download the apps.

  • john

    ok, i can not find the file on my computer when it tells you to search for your pin, or search %temp%

  • Casey & Dewey

    Thanx a ton for the info!!! I actually combined the instructions above with Nathan’s %temp% tip…. and it worked! Not to mention it saved a full weekend of downloading apps ALL OVER AGAIN!! A MILLION THANX!!

  • BB-iPOS

    BB STORM RULES! iPHONE SUX BALLZ!

  • Thomas

    I have tried your procedure for backing up my third party apps but I am having problems with my Windows Search finding the alx file. Can you give me the directories where they should be, so I can save them. Thank you, Thomas

  • Rcih

    Can the Iphone get pic messages yet? haha i dont think so. I love my Storm.

  • iphone users are tools

    Gee this is no problem at all with an iPhone as it is backed up in seconds with iTunes before the update without the user doing anything! There are also 13,133 iPhone apps to chose from.

    STFU. 13,133 apps? Do you really log onto whatever homo “app store” site everyday and check the updated number of useless apps??

    The iphone is a TOY. The blackberry is a business device, that also offers some functionality as a media player, internet browser and other great features. So your iphone has an “app” that makes it look like a full mug of beer. Ooooh. If there was ever an app that showed off the iphone’s great technology. Or lack thereof. My BlackBerry has nothing nearly as “cool” (according to every iphone fan boy on the planet) but everything pwns the iphone in terms of functionality and usefulness.

    Maybe your iphone backs up and updates and whatever fairly quickly…and poses as a great mug of beer….but Blackberry actually offers some real usefulness. Will the next iphone (probably later this month) be called the 3GS2? I feel sorry for the douche iphone users that had to wait for Crapple to come out with an entirely new device to get copy & paste. I bet you losers have netbooks and use twitter every 3 seconds too. Go to hell.

  • Storm Chaser

    I do have to agree,,,,
    at first it was the motorola Razr.. everyone who wanted to meet the status Quo, got the Razr… and it was a piece of %%$#, bluetooth problems, sub lcd screen wouldnt turn off at times, main screen quit on a lot of them,, etc, etc…

    then here comes the Iphone.. and all the retarded ass Razr heads got the Iphone.. because the Iphone is what you would consider a Semi-Smartphone,, it adds some “and I use the term some loosely” some of the features of a smartphone, but is more tailored for the fun flashy little things that 14 year old girls and 20 year old college dudes like to do…

    Whereas I am perfectly content with my storm,
    I have 16gigs of storage with my SDHC card which I can take out and get a bigger one later,,”Iphone cant” I can mms Iphone Cant..
    I can replace my battery if it gets old.. Iphone cant,
    I enjoy watching full movies on my phone.
    I enjoy playing music on my phone,
    I enjoy being able to update my phone at any given time.
    Oh and by the way,,, I have a bubble level app on my phone too.. stupid.. lol
    Fuck Iphone,

  • Steve

    This process works sometimes. Other times it backs up only a few apps. I have exchanged my phone and had an update or two to the BB Desktop software.

    This did a battery pull this morning and booted my PC. Only backed up a few apps. Is there something I need to do so Device Switch backs up apps? I have had many problems with “Reload Software 552″ errors and I do not want to add any new apps until I can get a good backup. My Tour from Verizon is working well right now. I have the latest updates available via Verizon.

    Thanks for your help.

  • prophate

    I get a message that says this app is not compatible with this device. Won’t let me reload apps.

  • Desireewapstra

    Nice, thnxx for the info!!!

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