How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Mac OS X)
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Note: If you have a Microsoft Windows (XP / Vista / whatever) machine you should take a look to How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Microsoft Windows).
Synchronizing your BlackBerry with your desktop computer is a must! It just works incredibly fine and is easy going to set up. This article is meant to help you to get this working. If you have already set it up and you think it is fine you can just skip this article. But if you are not sure your setting is correct - but it is working actually - you should keep reading and check whether you have set it up right.
We wil cover the following parts of your BlackBerry and desktop application for synchronization:
- Address Book
- Calendar
- MemoPad
- Tasks
Please keep in mind that we are not covering the synchronization of E-Mails in this article. We will do so later I guess. The setup that is used for this presention is as followed:
- BlackBerry Pearl (BlackBerry OS 4.2 from HKCSL)
- PocketMac 1.0.9
- Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger powered MacBook
- iCal, Address Book, StickiesNotes
You can use this procedure for your setup as well. E.g. you are using another BlackBerry model (71xx, 72xx, 75xx, 77xx, 87xx, 88xx or Curve) the setup is the nearly the same. To get your Mac’s data synchronized with your BlackBerry and vice versa proceed as followed:
- Be sure you have PocketMac installed on your Mac already. If not you can get it for free here.
- Connect your BlackBerry to your Mac (PocketMac currently only supports USB and serial port).
- Start PocketMac by clicking the icon.
- Click on BlackBerry.
You should see your device name an PIN on that page. If not, make sure you connected your BlackBerry to your Mac already and restart PocketMac. Unlike the “BlackBerry Desktop Manager” for Windows PocketMac does not recognize devices that are attached during its runtime.
- Click on the Contacts button to open the contacts tab.
Activate the “Sync Contacts [...]“ checkbox to enable contact data synchronization in general. Below you find a list of supported contact management programs. As I am using Apple’s Address Book, I checked that one. You should check the appropriate checkbox according to the program you are using. You can also tweak the setting for the specific program you want to synchronize with at “Advanced Preferences…”. That’s it, we are done for contacts.
- Click on the Calendar button to open the calendar tab.
In here we also check the “Sync Calendar [...]“ checkbox to enable calendar item synchronization. As my configuration uses iCal for calendar items I selected “iCalCalendar”. That’s it, we are done for calendar items.
- Click on the Tasks button to open the tasks tab.
In here we also check the “Sync Tasks [...]“ checkbox to enable task synchronization. As my configuration uses iCal for task items as well I selected “iCalCalendar”. That’s it, we are done for tasks. (Hint: The program on the right - NextAction! - is compatible with PocketMac and therefor with all applications PocketMac can synchronize your BlackBerry with. It is world’s best GTD application for BlackBerry® Wireless Handhelds!)
- Click on the Notes button to open the notes tab.
In here we also check the “Sync Notes [...]“ checkbox to enable notes synchronization. As my configuration uses StickiesNotes for notes on my Mac I selected “StickiesNotes”. That’s it, we are done for notes.
- Click on the Bookmarks button to open the bookmarks tab.
As I am not using Safari for desktop browsing I don’t synchronize that. But those of you who like to use Safari can synchronize your Safari’s bookmarks to your BlackBerry. To do that, just activate the “Push Bookmarks [...]“ checkbox. That’s it, we are done for bookmarks.
- Now you can press the “Sync” button in the top right corner of PocketMac to synchronize your BlackBerry with your Mac and its programs.
Follow the instructions. If there are any conflicts between your device’s and desktop’s databases you will be notified. You should check all notification carefully as they might contain important information.
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PocketMac for BlackBerry supports the following devices: BlackBerry 6210, BlackBerry 6230, BlackBerry 6280, BlackBerry 6510, BlackBerry 7100 Series, BlackBerry 7105t, BlackBerry 7130c, BlackBerry 7130e, BlackBerry 7130g, BlackBerry 7130v, BlackBerry 7210, BlackBerry 7230, BlackBerry 7250, BlackBerry 7270, BlackBerry 7280, BlackBerry 7290, BlackBerry 7510, BlackBerry 7520, BlackBerry 7730, BlackBerry 7750, BlackBerry 7780, BlackBerry 8100 Pearl, BlackBerry 8300 Curve, BlackBerry 8703e, BlackBerry 8700c, BlackBerry 8700f, BlackBerry 8700g, BlackBerry 8700v, BlackBerry 8700r, BlackBerry 8705g, BlackBerry 8707g, BlackBerry 8707h, BlackBerry 8700v, BlackBerry 8707, BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry 8830
Looking for more howtos? Check out Category:Howtos
University Update - Microsoft Windows - How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Mac OS X) said,
July 18, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
[...] YouTube Link to Article microsoft windows How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Mac OS X) » Posted at BlackBerryInsight on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 BlackBerry Pearl Note: If you have a Microsoft Windows (XP / Vista / whatever) … (Microsoft Windows). Synchronizing your BlackBerry with your desktop computer is a must! It just works … to your Mac already and restart PocketMac. Unlike the “BlackBerry Desktop Managerâ€? for Windows PocketMac View Entire Article » [...]
BlackBerryInsight » How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Microsoft Windows) said,
July 18, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
[...] Note: If you have a Microsoft Windows (XP / Vista / whatever) machine you should take a look to How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Mac OS X). [...]
Step by step guide for synchronizing BlackBerry and Mac using PocketMac - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community said,
July 19, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
[...] Step by step guide for synchronizing BlackBerry and Mac using PocketMac - Today, 12:08 AM Hi folks, we have just finished the most complete and detailed guide on how to synchronize the BlackBerry and a Mac. It has a lot of screenshots and descriptions on every step you need to take to setup the process. The PocketMac application is freely available and therefor, everyone can synchronize their Mac and the BlackBerry. Guide: How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Mac OS X) Blog | HowTos | Deals & Free Downloads | Search | Ringtones [...]
Mandy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
I usually like to syncronize my BB online so that i can access my data anywhere since im always on the move. I am using a free online service called zyb.com
In order to sync with ZYB using a blackberry you need to download a third party client such as: http://www.nexthaus.com/blackberry.html
I find it much more convenient than desktop clients
Andrew said,
August 3, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Hello,
I’m running Windows Vista Ultimate from my Mac using Parallel. I’ve downloaded BlackBerry Desktop Manager to Vista. I can’t sync my Black Berry to my Microsoft Outlook which I’m running using Parallel.
Any suggestions? Thanks
S4BB Limited » Press Release: NextAction! 2.0 Falcon has been released said,
August 20, 2007 @ 8:15 am
[...] BlackBerry - Desktop Synchronization (Mac OS X) [...]
GTD with your BlackBerry and NextAction! said,
August 21, 2007 @ 1:06 am
[...] BlackBerry - Desktop Synchronization (Mac OS X) [...]
Kolz Blog » Blog Archive » GTD with your BlackBerry and NextAction! said,
August 26, 2007 @ 5:09 am
[...] BlackBerry - Desktop Synchronization (Mac OS X) [...]
Sara said,
September 11, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Hi - can anybody tell me how to transfer my i-tunes (OSX Mac) library to my blackberry curve? It seems I can either do it by using BB Desktop Manager - but appears to be a Windows application - or by bluetooth … any ideas please?!
Pocket Mac Issues - Address Syncing - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community said,
September 17, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
[...] Today, 01:54 AM I don’t have problems sync’ing my Pearl with my iCal. I used an howto on the internet and it worked smooth. Blog | HowTos | Deals & Free Downloads | Search | Ringtones [...]
BlackBerryInsight - Deutsch » How To: BlackBerry mit meinem Desktop Computer (Microsoft Windows) synchronisieren. said,
November 23, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
[...] Anmerkung: Wenn Sie keinen Microsoft Windows (XP / Vista / was auch immer) Rechner haben, sollten Sie einen Blick auf den Artikel How to synchronize my BlackBerry with my Desktop Computer (Mac OS X). werfen. [...]
Joe said,
December 1, 2007 @ 1:59 am
I’m having trouble syncing my iCal using pocketmac. I can back up everything apart from my iCal for some reason. The iCal remains empty even though i’ve got loads of entries.Can someone help me as it’s driving me mad!?
I’m using Mac OS 10.3.9.
Cheers,
Joe
suesmac said,
January 6, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
I just got a macbookpro 15 leopard. I have synchronized my BB and Pocketmac. The calendar and contacts are fine. However, the Tasks NEVER complete synchronization. I have scoured the web on information concerning this. Please help. I don’t want to pay for anymore software.
naresh sethi said,
January 19, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Dear sir,
I am using bberry 8820, but that is not compatible with windows vista, because there is no software which i can download and start working in windows vista.
thnx
Kevin said,
January 23, 2008 @ 3:56 am
Hello,
I downloaded Pocketmaster, and when i connect my 8800 to my Macbook Pro (Mac OSX 10.4.11), the pocketmaster does not recognize my blackberry.
Tony said,
January 29, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Hello,
I cannot set-up my Blackberry 8830 with my Windows Calendar or Contacts, using the Vista OS…I am also using the latest Blackberry 4.3 Desktop Manager…and it does not recognize Windows Calendar, Contacts or Mail…
I’m not as interested in Mail, but the contacts and calendar are crucial…Boy, I wish it was Mozilla-friendly…
Any suggestions? HELP!
Nhia said,
February 7, 2008 @ 8:44 am
Help.. I have downloaded pocket mac for my pearl, but i need to get desktop manager.. So I can print my pictures from my pearl.
k said,
February 7, 2008 @ 11:56 am
Just copy the pictures from your blackberry to your mac, open them with Preview and print them. No need for a “Desktop Manager”.
Will said,
March 9, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Just got Pocket mac Sync to get my blackberry connected to GTD. In syncing it through Entourage, I can only sync categories,…not projects…so it turns all my projects to new categories. These all go into Next Action as Contexts instead of Contexts and Projects…which I need to keep separate.
Anything I can do?
Will said,
March 9, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Actually, through a bit of playing, I figured it out:
If you want to sync Entourage with Next Action…you just need to put a “p:” before the title of your project and it will go to the projects section of Next Action, rather than a context.
Tyrone said,
March 16, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Hiya
please explain exactly in detail how one can get pictures off the blackberry pearl using pocketmac. I dont see anything for accessing files like pics for getting off the phone or even putting stuff like video or music on the phone?
Do u need a memory card?
If u dont have one, can u not just somehow get the picks off the phone?
I have also tried the bluetooth option and my bb sees my mac but the mac doesnt see it, any ideas there?
Much appreciate a solutions
Thanks!
Mike said,
March 24, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
simple ask…when I download pocket mac and connect via usb my PIN is not registered (as I have read it will not recognize nore register) How do I manually input as the “add device” is greyed out?
Thank you
Mike said,
March 24, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
simple ask…when I download pocket mac and connect via usb my PIN is not registered (as I have read it will not recognize nore register) How do I manually input as the “add device” is greyed out?
Thank you
BlackBerryInsight - Deutsch » BlackBerry als Modem auf Mac OS X said,
April 7, 2008 @ 9:59 am
[...] How-To: BlackBerry mit dem Desktop Computer synchronisieren (Mac OS X). [...]
Esther said,
April 12, 2008 @ 4:24 am
When I print the monthly calendar from iCal, the times on the entries from my Blackberry don’t show up. Does anyone know why and what I should do?
Julie said,
April 24, 2008 @ 4:09 am
I have just downloaded pocketmac for blackberry and the sync takes forever and never seems to complete. It gets stuck at tasks. Contacts and calendar have downloaded fine but I have to cancel sync every time as it never goes further. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Brett Schulte said,
May 1, 2008 @ 4:29 am
I have to say that Pocket Mac has never been a very stable product. Try Missing Sync instead.
k said,
May 1, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
MissingSync is probably better, but it is not free
Ed F said,
May 7, 2008 @ 4:35 am
I have the Blackberry Pearl from Verizon (two of them) and I can’t get either of them to be recognized by my macbood pro running leopard. I have spent hours trying. Can anyone help?
CW said,
May 11, 2008 @ 5:52 am
10:39:35.166] Unable to connect to BlackBerry (error 1); skipping
Having problems in connecting and new Blackberry to a mac, error message shows, can you advise?
Geraldo said,
May 17, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
Esta é a mensagem de erro que aparece em minha sincronização, alguém tem experiência sobre como resolver o problema abaixo mencionado ?
Obrigado
09:41:46.271] Unable to connect to BlackBerry
(error 1); skipping.
mac osx 10 5 put music files on blackberry 8100 said,
May 22, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
[...] my i-tunes OSX Mac library to my blackberry curve? … connect my 8800 to my Macbook Pro Mac osx …http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2007/07/18/how-to-synchronize-my-blackberry-with-my-desktop-compute…Apple - Support - Discussions - Does iSync work with Blackberry? …Jan 31, 2008 … I have a [...]
ALEJANDRO G said,
June 3, 2008 @ 12:20 am
hello every one i have a curve from verizon i use this phone as thether with my laptob
works perfectly but what i try to due is conect to my laptop a video phone from ACN wish works with internet connecting to a ether net port
for some reason my phone wont work if i use my blackberry
the phone will work if i use my wirless card just normal
dos any one now what i need to due to bridge or how to conect this so i can use my video phone thru my laptob thethering with my black berry
thanks
alejandro
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June 4, 2008 @ 9:41 am
[...] with my Desktop Computer Mac OS X … &8230 blackberry - Desktop Synchronization Mac OS X &8230 …http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2007/07/18/how-to-synchronize-my-blackberry-with-my-desktop-compute…RIM Blackberry 8700c - Make 0.01This device is thinner and lighter, however, and the screen is [...]
Trevi said,
June 14, 2008 @ 4:08 am
Hi
I’ve download Pocket Mac for my Blackberry curve but I can’t get my Powerbook to see the blackberry device to syncrnize. It s plugged into one of the USB ports with the cable provided but it just appera as n Icon or in the pocket mac program. any thoughts?
Thanks Trevi
Trevi said,
June 14, 2008 @ 4:08 am
Hi
I’ve download Pocket Mac for my Blackberry curve but I can’t get my Powerbook to see the blackberry device to synchronize. It s plugged into one of the USB ports with the cable provided but it just appear as n Icon or in the pocket mac program. any thoughts?
Thanks Trevi
kit said,
June 18, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
God damn. Apple insists on their ugly little marriage to AT&T, and I have to choose between the less of two evils–a smart phone that won’t sync with my mac or a mac phone that won’t work on the only livable mobile carrier.
I hate everyone.
Kurt said,
June 22, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Trevi, I have the same problem. Powerbook G4 running 10.4.11 will not recognize my BB Curve 8330. Can anyone help us with this? Thanks.
Bike Mike said,
June 24, 2008 @ 1:55 am
Pocketmac got my contacts from BB into Apple Address Book before a BB Security Wipe needed before BB Enterprise Activation. Pocketmac appears to sync contacts back to BB but the BB address book is empty.
Help?
Shelagh said,
July 3, 2008 @ 11:46 pm
If the device is not available:
Make sure BlackBerry password is entered in the Connection tab of SyncManager if your BlackBerry is password protected.
Make sure that the BlackBerry does not have Mass Storage Mode (under Advanced options, Media card on my 8100) turned on.
Amber said,
July 4, 2008 @ 3:31 am
I can not get my 8330 Curve to sync with my MacBook Pro! I’ve uninstalled, reinstalled PocketMac, turned off Mass Storage Mode….still nothing. Is there ANYTHING I can do about this?
Jason said,
July 24, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
I have an 8703e (software vers. 4.1) and a Mac (PPC/OS X 10.4.11) w/ PocketMac installed. Is there a way to install the new BB OS software upgrade (vers. 4.2) to my handheld using my Mac? All the research I’ve found so far is using Desktop Manager on a PC but I don’t have an Intel Mac so I can’t run Windows. Any suggestions?
Elisa said,
August 8, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
I downloaded a number of these pocketmac files using the link provided. They are all .exe files and the mac uses dmg generally so I can’t open them with any known application. any hints on how to overcome this? otherwise i guess i’ll just never be able to sync.
Albert Rios said,
August 20, 2008 @ 7:52 am
I did everything above but there is no PIN where it says Device. Every time I sync it says unable to connect to blackberry (error 1) skipping. Can anyone help me? Thanks.
Myrna Golden said,
August 26, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
Hi
I tried using Pocket Mac but I get the error message “skipping”. Any suggestions?
My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » GTD with your BlackBerry and NextAction! [Ian's Messy Desk] said,
September 26, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
[...] BlackBerry - Desktop Synchronization (Mac OS X) [...]