Since this is my first blog post about a BlackBerry (BB), I might as well give a little background into my entry to the BB world.
When I made-up my mind to give BlackBerry smartphones a try, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 was the hottest BB device in the market (July 2010) and so I went for it, although I knew a new BlackBerry (Torch 9800) was imminent. The BlackBerry 9800 was soon launched, and with it, a new and shiny operating system. It is popularly referred to as BB OS 6. It is the 6th major edition of the software that drives all modern BlackBerry devices. The BlackBerry 9800 reviews I read already raised my expectations to dizzying heights for they placed the BlackBerry 9800 at par with the sexy iPhone and battalion of Android smartphones.
A screenshot of the BB OS 6 running on BlackBerry Bold 9700
As tempting as the BlackBerry Torch 9800 is, I am not eager to buy one; not when I am yet to maximize my investment in this Bold 9700. You can thus imagine my joy, when I learned that an OS 6 upgrade would be available for the Bold 9700.
Exactly two weeks ago today, I got a hint from crackberry.com that a BB OS 6 for 9700 had been leaked on the internet. I hurriedly downloaded the leak to my laptop and read all the instructions that came with the announcements.
I started by backing-up the entire content of my Bold 9700 to my computer, and then installed the new OS 6 from my computer to the BB device. During set-up, I deliberately selected “South Africa” hoping that would grant me access to the coveted BlackBerry App World, but it did not! (BlackBerry users in Ghana do not have access to the app store). In less than 30 minutes, my 9700 was rebooting to the new OS 6. Surprisingly, the booting period was significantly shorter than what I was used to on OS 5. After the reboot, a new introductory video played, highlighting the new features that came with the OS 6.
I had thought the OS 6 upgrade would get rid of MTN’s yellow branding from the BB, but it did not.
Installing BB OS 6 on BlackBerry Bold 9700
After the reboot, I restored the backup from my computer but left out the third-party apps, due to compatibility issues. Everything appeared to work fine but I soon realized to my horror, that BlackBerry browser wouldn’t work. I realized that in my hurry, I had failed to follow all the recommended upgrade steps carefully. The BB browser worked on my wi-fi networks but wouldn’t work on the cellular network. I thought I could live with the inconvenience but on the 3rd day, I downgraded back to the latest version of OS 5 and restored my latest backup. The downgrade was a stark contrast to the gracious OS 6. Again, I upgraded back to OS 6 and this time, followed all the recommended steps meticulously. All the standard apps worked fine this time.
Compared to the older BB OS versions, the OS 6 is pure bliss. I would highlight a few of impressive new features and some of the little annoyances, in my next blog post.
Its worth adding that this entire blog post was written, edited and published from my BlackBerry.
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Twitter Updates
Interesting adventure.
I am particularly interested in how the new browser performs. Perhaps you could also add a video demo of that in your next post?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a video camera. The video recorded using my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic was poor; probably because the BB was too close to the lens of the 5800.
Unfortunately, I fell into the same problems after my upgrade. My browser is not working on the cellular network.
The annoying thing was I was quite careful to look out for an upgrade guideline online but I stumbled on a wrong one which was not detailed enough about backing up the service books.
ALl I did was Device>Backup… to backup my stuff.
Whats your recommended forward plan? Can I salvage the servicebooks using the backup I made OR do you advise I downgrade? And whats the recommended approach for a downgrade to OS5.
Thanks…
BTW, OS6 is really cool and I can’t wait to have it working perfectly…
Sorry about the headache. I had no choice than to downgrade back to OS 5. I then carefully backed-up ALL the servicebooks. After re-upgrading to OS 6, I simply restored ALL the servicebooks and all has been working fine.
Its worth the trouble.
Thanks…
Whats the best way to downgrade to OS5
Connect to your BB device to your computer and then load your BlackBerry Desktop Software. I use version 6. Under “Device”, choose “Update my device…”
You should find the option to downgrade to OS 5, on the next window.
i cant findthe downgrade option
From the Desktop Manager, just choose a lower OS version under the software update.
hey niyi would love to have the new OS 6 on my bb 9700 to how can i get you to do it for me. all the stated process are just too much for me
I’m sorry I can’t help you in this matter.
Please, can you provide a link to the website where I can download the OS 6 for 9700?
Hi David,
I have a 9700, I have d OS 6 file, my only concern is how do I transfer the Service Books?
Do well to backup EVERYTHING on your BlackBerry, before the upgrade. If anything goes wrong, you can always restore the servicebooks from your back-up.
Thanks for responding already did dis, responding from d fone, running OS6.0.0.424, should point out that there is a need to backup legacy servicebooks on some nigerian networks. Anyway thanks again
Sorry you had to go thru all these just for this upgrade. You make the processes sound like one hugh task. First you forgot to use the app loader which is located in RIM Folder in Common files in windows program files. Poor you!!!
i have nokia n8 i cant send multimedial message and the broswer is slow and i cant watch any tv pls help me out
go thru all these just for this upgrade. You make the processes sound like one hugh task. First you forgot to