Just recently, I have been receiving emails and messages from users inquiring about upgrading their BlackBerry OS’s, say, from OS version 5 to version 6. Although the process itself is quite easy, upgrading your handsets’ operating system does require you to have a Mac or a PC. Below is a quick procedure on how you can bring your smartphone up to date with the operating system.

Pre-checks before going through the update:

1. Make sure you have the BlackBerry Desktop Manager downloaded in either your Mac or the PC. BlackBerry does include a tiny CD in the box for the desktop manager, but hey, who use CDs these days?

Here’s where to download the Desktop Manager for:

A Mac: http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/desktop/desktop_mac.jsp

A PC: http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/desktop/desktop_pc.jsp

2. Once you have downloaded the Desktop Manager, now you have to download the specific OS version you want for your device and save it to you computer. You can download these OS versions from particular carriers, which are available online.

Here’s the site where you can download them:

http://us.blackberry.com/support/downloads/download_sites.jsp

NOTE: Make sure you choose the right OS for your specific region; say, for the Philippines, choose Asia Pacific, and then you can select Globe Telecoms or Smart Communications.

3. Finally, make sure you have your data/USB at hand for the upgrade to be completed.

Once you have accomplished all the pre-checks, now its time to bring your BlackBerry up-to-date with the operating system.

Updating the BlackBerry OS Version:

Before we go into the details, I would like to make it clear that updating the OS will reset the settings and most applications to the default state. Make sure you make a back up of these apps/ settings should you want to go back to them.

1. Plug in your handset via the data cable or USB.

2. Run the software you have downloaded earlier from the carrier and follow the Install Wizard instructions. Towards the end, it will ask you to launch the BlackBerry Desktop Manager–

3. Launch BlackBerry Desktop Manager that you have installed previously. Go to Device (at the top of the screen) and choose Update My Device. Make sure you know what OS version you have as it will confirm which version you’d like to install.

4. Select the OS version you have downloaded and the Desktop Manager will go through the update. Please note that this will take at least an hour to complete, so never interrupt the device while updating.

Once it’s done, the device will reboot on its own, and voila! BlackBerry is updated.

(Photo from Google. No copyright infringement is intended in the use of the image)