How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X)

By k | July 25th, 2007 | 26 Comments »
How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X)

Note: If you have a Microsoft Windows PC please refer to Installing 3rd Party Applications (Microsoft Windows).

To install a 3rd party application on your BlackBerry you can choose different ways.

  1. Get an OTA-Download link for the [APPLICATION].jad file and point your BlackBerry browser to it. The installation will start.
  2. Use your desktop computer; connect your BlackBerry device to it and install the application to your BlackBerry

1. OTA Installation
This procedure of installing software on your BlackBerry is very easy. The only thing you need is a so called OTA link. This link points to a .JAD file (which actually is a description file for your BlackBerry application). As of an example we will use the free application from BerryQuery.com to demonstrate this procedure. You just need to use the link below and point your BlackBerry browser to it. The installation process will start automatically. The program will be installed to your BlackBerry if you follow the instructions.

OTA Download for BerryQuery: http://www.berryquery.com/berryquery.jad

Unfortunately, a lot of vendors do not provide OTA download links for their applications. If this is the case you should try the following.

2. Installation via desktop computer (Mac OS X)
PocketMac for BlackBerry - Icon
To install a 3rd party application using your Mac OS X desktop you need to have a BlackBerry desktop application installed. The “official” application is called PocketMac for BlackBerry. You can download that one directly at RIM: http://www.discoverblackberry.com/discover/mac_solutions.jsp.

Once you have installed it you will see an icon on your desktop. Before clicking this icon please connect your BlackBerry to your Mac. After starting the PocketMac application you will see the main coming up:


PocketMac for BlackBerry - Status

If you are installing BlackBerry applications using your desktop computer you mostly get a .zip file (e.g. “nextaction.zip“) from the software vendor. On Mac OS X you just double click onto that .zip file and its contents will be extracted to a subdirectory (e.g. “nextaction unpacked”) of your current directory.

Now you choose “Utilities » Install Software to Device” and select the appropriate .alx (e.g. “nextaction.alx”) file that has been extracted.


How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X) - PocketMac

The program will be installed to your BlackBerry automatically. After the process is finished you will find a new icon and name below on your BlackBerry’s desktop. By clicking the icon you start the newly installed application. That’s it. Easy right? :)

Exclusive EMail Service

Get our articles sent to your mailbox for free:
 Software for BlackBerry®

Exclusive software offers for your BlackBerry – 20% below market rates!

BlackBerryInsight Software Store
Professional Discussion Forums

BlackBerry professionals discuss software issues here: BBInsight Forums.

Register now and get a $50 shopping voucher.

Related Tags: , , , , , ,


  • http://www.universityupdate.com/Technology/Microsoft_Windows/4109673.aspx University Update – Microsoft Windows – How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X)

    [...] YouTube Link to Article microsoft windows How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X) » Wednesday, July 25, 2007 Note: If you have a Microsoft Windows PC please refer to Installing 3rd Party Applications (Microsoft Windows). To install a 3rd party application on your BlackBerry you can choose different ways View Entire Article » [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2007/08/16/free-download-berrydialer-use-multiple-calling-cards-on-your-blackberry/ BlackBerryInsight » Free Download: BerryDialer – Use Multiple Calling Cards on your BlackBerry

    [...] We do also have a good guide on “How to install 3rd party applications” for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. [...]

  • lak

    I am using Pocketmac just as you list above… but after it asks if I want to install ‘x’ and I select ‘yes’… my screen blinks and nothing happens….. any ideas?

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/02/21/free-download-habitmaster-productivity-tool-for-blackberryc2ae-24-hours-only/ BlackBerryInsight » Free Download: HabitMaster Productivity Tool for BlackBerry® – 24 hours only!

    [...] We do also have a good guide on “How to install 3rd party applications” for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2007/11/13/free-download-cia-world-factbook-for-blackberry-wireless-handhelds/ BlackBerryInsight » Free Download: CIA World Factbook for BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds

    [...] We do also have a good guide on “How to install 3rd party applications” for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/03/28/blackberry-as-a-modem-on-mac-os-x/ BlackBerryInsight » BlackBerry as a modem on Mac OS X

    [...] How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X) [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/04/20/free-download-mobiletracker-for-blackberry-gps-kmlkmzgpx-tracklog-tool-24-hours-only/ BlackBerryInsight » Free Download: MobileTracker for BlackBerry (GPS KML/KMZ/GPX Tracklog Tool) – 24 hours only!

    [...] We do also have a good guide on “How to install 3rd party applications” for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryforums.com/general-8100-series-discussion-pearl/125141-blackberry-mac-download-facebook.html#post903172 BlackBerry with a Mac & download Facebook – BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

    [...] 02:18 PM I don’t believe there is a Mac app to load applications. Try PocketMac It’s buggy, not very intuitive and the there is no bluetooth sync that I am aware of. FYI: I have [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2007/09/09/free-download-sudoku-expert-porsche-edition-for-blackberry-wireless-handheld/ Free Download: Sudoku Expert – Porsche Edition for BlackBerry Wireless Handheld | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] We do also have a good guide on “How to install 3rd party applications” for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/05/19/free-download-flashlight-pro-for-blackberry%c2%ae-24-hours-only/ Free Download: Flashlight Pro for BlackBerry® – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] We do also have a good guide on “How to install 3rd party applications” for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2006/12/28/installing-3rd-party-applications-2/ Installing 3rd Party Applications | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] Note: If you have a Mac OS X / Macintosh machine you should take a look to How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X). [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/06/23/free-download-wallpaper-megaplex-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: Wallpaper Megaplex for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] No questions asked! BlackBerryInsight brings this free download to you with no requirements. Just click the download link below and download the application directly to your desktop. Unfortunately, we do not have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/07/23/free-download-emergencywipe-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: EmergencyWipe for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. Important Note: be careful using this! It is designed to protect your confidential data in case [...]

  • http://de.blackberryinsight.com/2008/07/24/kostenloser-download-emergencywipe-fur-blackberry-nur-24-stunden/ Kostenloser Download: EmergencyWipe für BlackBerry – nur 24 Stunden! | BlackBerryInsight – Deutsch

    [...] gibt es keinen OTA Download für diese Anwendung, Sie müssen den BlackBerry Desktop Manager oder PocketMac verwenden. Wichtiger Hinweis: Seien Sie vorsichtig beim Verwenden dieses Programms! Dieses Programm [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/08/25/free-download-timetracker-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: TimeTracker for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] No questions asked! BlackBerryInsight brings this free download to you with no requirements. Just click the download link below and download the application directly to your desktop. Unfortunately, we do not have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/10/24/free-download-ziplorer-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: Ziplorer for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] No questions asked! BlackBerryInsight brings this free download to you with no requirements. Just click the download link below and download the application directly to your desktop. Unfortunately, we do not have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/11/26/new-drivers-for-pocketmac-41-to-solve-blackberry-connect-issue-on-mac-os-x/ New drivers for PocketMac 4.1 to solve BlackBerry connect issue on Mac OS X | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] How to install 3rd party applications (Mac OS X) [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/12/25/free-download-video-generator-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: Video Generator for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] No questions asked! BlackBerryInsight brings this free download to you with no requirements. Just click the download link below and download the application directly to your desktop. Unfortunately, we do not have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. [...]

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2009/03/04/free-download-mp3-ringtone-generator-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: MP3 Ringtone Generator for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] No questions asked! BlackBerryInsight brings this free download to you with no requirements. Just click the download link below and download the application directly to your desktop. Unfortunately, we do not have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. [...]

  • http://www.crackberryaddicted.com/blackberryforums/cba-knowledgebase/5002-tips-tricks-hacks-pt-2-a.html#post51986 Tips, Tricks, and Hacks pt 2 – CrackBerryADDICTED.com

    [...] How to Install Third-Party Applications (Mac OS X): This guide will walk you through installing apps on your BlackBerry through Mac OS X. [...]

  • Rick

    I downloaded “Audible-Pearl8220.jad” and uded Pocketmac for installation but it did not recognize it for installation–could not see it. Anyone know, now what other than OTA which cost $ and don’t want to do?

  • http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2009/07/31/free-download-bbbatterywatch-for-blackberry-24-hours-only/ Free Download: BBBatteryWatch for BlackBerry – 24 Hours Only! | BlackBerryInsight

    [...] No questions asked! BlackBerryInsight brings this free download to you with no requirements. Just click the download link below and download the application directly to your desktop. Unfortunately, we do not have an OTA download link available for this so you need to use your BlackBerry Desktop Manager or PocketMac. [...]

  • http://twitter.com/sanyasanshine sanya1401

     Am using the Mac BB desktop software. Tried using the application button but it won’t recognise the .jad or any other files in the folder… what do i now? 

  • http://twitter.com/sanyasanshine sanya1401

     Am using the Mac BB desktop software. Tried using the application button but it won’t recognise the .jad or any other files in the folder… what do i now? 

  • http://twitter.com/sanyasanshine sanya1401

     Am using the Mac BB desktop software. Tried using the application button but it won’t recognise the .jad or any other files in the folder… what do i now? 

  • http://agardiinfotech.in/the-power-users-blackberry-guide-121-crackberry-tips-hacks-and-resources/786 The Power User’s BlackBerry Guide: 121 CrackBerry Tips, Hacks and Resources | Agardi Infotech

    [...] How to Install Third-Party Applications (Mac OS X): This guide will walk you through installing apps on your BlackBerry through Mac OS X. [...]




Back to homepage