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Yesterday, in celebration of the leaked BlackBerry Messenger 5.0, we discussed how to install BlackBerry Messenger. Within the article we linked to sources where you can download the application, both over the air and to your desktop. We also warned that you could encounter troubles. Practicing what I preach, I downloaded the 83xx version for OS 4.5 over the air. After a hefty file download, installation, and reboot, I saw that my BBM was gone completely. It seems to be a Verizon problem for those with OS 4.5.0.77. Even so, some people might not like the leaked messenger. After the jump we’ll go over what to do if you want to downgrade.
Now that you’ve backed up your Messenger contacts, it’s time to say bye-bye to the application. Head into Options, Advanced Options, Applications, find BBM 5.0, and delete that sucker (see: how to delete BlackBerry applications). Now it’s time to reload.
If you have BlackBerry Desktop Software, you can use the Application Loader to reinstall BlackBerry Messenger. Once you’re done with that, you can go to the Restore function and bring back your contacts. That should have you back up and running with the old software.
For those who don’t have Desktop Software, you can download BBM over the air. Just head to http://yourcbcfamily.org/bb/curvebbm/ from your BlackBerry browser. Click the link, and you’ll be able to download and install the file. That’s what I did, and voila, BBM back and running — though with no contacts (so add me!).
The caveat with the link, though, is that it’s designed for 4.5.0.77, so I’m not sure if it will work on other OSs. You can give it a try, of course, but remember that it might mess up your BlackBerry even more.
I hope this helps. I was damn glad to find it after I spent a good while trying to figure out why BBM was not working on my Berry.
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55 Comments ↓
The new 5.0 is only for O/S’s 4.5.131 and higher. I have the Sprint Tour(on it as I type)and it works GREAT on mine glad I downloaded it!
Worked like a dream!
OMG thank you I have been to other sites and have not been able to fix until this site!Thank you so much
I was able to install BBM5.0 on my g/f’s Verizon curve 8330, but I had to install 4.5.0.160 from Telus first. Unfortunately, (i think) because of Verizon’s GPS crippling, the location doesn’t work nor does the proximity alarm. Everything else seems to be working fine.
Thank you sooooo much!! I had tried EVERYTHING! I even went in to the verizon store and they couldn’t get it running… =D
please help i deleted the applcation blackberry because i realy didnt like the 5.0 messenger and now i dont know how to download the old one please help me i couldnt find the applacation to download it
BBGeeks, you are a Life Saver! Thank you for posting this article and having attached the correct links. I have successfully downloaded the BBM. Woot! Now if only I can find that magic wand to bring all my PINs back… =]
Link doesn’t work for me!
@ Laura Blumberg Which link was that?
@mohammed read this post for the solution
http://www.bbgeeks.com/quick-tips/how-to-re-install-blackberry-messenger-881849/
are you SURE that if i backup my blackberry messenger contacts when i downgrade the version ill recover them?
That is what the backup is for. Noone has reported that they have lost any data when backing up previous to testing the new BBM.
is that the new one doesn’t appear in main screen, after all this process i want to get back my 326 bb messneger contatcs on the old version, thats possible?
thanks so much!!! i couldnt figure out wut ta do i did lose all my contacts but at least i got bbm back!! ur site is great =]
the link did not work for me, i restarted my phone multiple times and it is still not there
Is there a way to preview the pictures you get, instead of saving then???
Morole – do you mean pictures sent to you via email?
It’s downloaded with JAD, what’s that, how do i open it?
Thanks for the link! I searched for hours to find it! You are the only one to give out a correct bbm link.
I can’t recover my bbm.. when I go to the device software on my pc blackberry messenger doesn’t show up in the window for me to add and I can’t figure out how to get it back. Any help????
i downloaded bbm 5.0 on my curve 8900, but i’m not receiving pics nor voice notes. i get the msg asking me to accept or decline and when i accept it never downloads….what can i do?
when i went to the application loader only the msn live application was available, there was no choice to upload any type of black berry messenger
aww ure th best ! thanks ! :D
Hi I love the new 5.0 instant msg , but only I can c my photo after I have uploaded and saved it . My other contacts have the new msger but I am only able to c 2 photos out ov 5 people who have this .. Helppppppp
I have been looking for hours trying to find how to go back to my old version of messenger. Thank you sooooo much for posting this! It worked like a charm!!! :)
Okay so no one has answered the mystery about why, when some people plug their bb into their computer, and then go to the App loader, BBmessenger does not show up! I am trying to get it back, and there is no option for me to check (or uncheck), and I’d really like my messenger back!
Hey guys i was wondering why i cannot see other peoples profile pictures….and why they cant see mine
hey is this link work only for BB curve? i’m using BB Bold/9000. will the link work? I hate BBM 5.0 cause it’s really troublesome for me to swap pictures since it has to be downloaded first. How’s that for improvement? thanks anyway
I have the new 5.0 Messngr on my bb but the only issue I have so far as when I accept pictures from my contacts they do not download or save. My contacts say the same when I sent to them…how can we fix this issue?
Hi Andrew
I had the same problem that I could not see people’s profile pictures on Blackberry Messenger. What I did was I turned the phone off, removed the battery, replaced it, then turned it back on. When I opened up BBM, at first the pictures weren’t there but then a couple seconds later they appeared.
Hope this works for you!
I got the new 5.0 messenger and when i try to add new contacts even after they accept it says pending and in parenthesis waiting for authorization how can i get it to go through?
please help me!!!
I cannot open/ access my bb messenger 5,,
I already take off the baterai, reboot, download it again for so many times, but it didn’t work at all,
There’s just the icon of bb messenger n I cannt open it/ delete it at all,,
please help me restore my bb messenger like bfore,,
Anyway I use blackberry bold,
Thank you :)
Hey I was wondering if someone can help me. I can’t see anyones pics and noone can see mine I put up a display pic but only I can see it anyone help?! Email Me thanks
hi. i have blackberry curve 8900 and i’ve been using the new messenger 5.0 for a while with no problems. 2 days ago the ‘recent updates’ stopped showing any updates for profile picture however it still shows changes in name and status. i even tried changing my profile pic and it wouldn’t update in other people’s messenger. i tried turning off my phone and taking out the sim and battery several times but nothing changed.
your prompt reply is highly appreciated.. many thanks in advance xoxo
I don’t want to see anyone’s picture in my blackberry messenger 5.0 contact list. anyway i can remove the dispayed pictures i just want names no pictures…can anyone help me?
Thank you!!!
It worked flawlessly. I’m relieved to have the old messenger back.
Hi. I have the curve 8330 and it will not let me download blackberry messenger 5.0..can you help me fix this?
@hannah
The first step you need to take is upgrading your OS to a minimum of 4.5
http://www.bbgeeks.com/blackberry-guides/step-by-step-guide-to-upgrading-your-blackberry-os-88196/
Then you can head over to http://blackberry.com/messenger to get the latest BBM.
Hi i accidently clicked on ‘clear all’ on my recent updates on my Blackberry messenger. Now the recent updates wont show on the blackberry messenger home screen, how do i get it to show?
@Anton Once you clear them they are gone sorry =(
hello,
i have the same problem. will the links above work to fix a blackberry storm from vorizon as well?
@Ronia – yes they should work for you
@creem, i am having the same problem like you posted in November where my stauts updates etc are showing but not my profile picture…did you get yours sorted? if so please help and advise as to what i need to do….i also have version 5.0 and bb8900 curve….thanks
How do I get the old version of blackberry messenger back? I have been searching all morning and can’t figure it out. I do not like the new version. If you know please help!
I have the curve 8900 and the new BBM came installed on my phone. For some reason my contacts cannot see my profile picture, although I can see it. Any suggestions?
Im having real trouble with BBM. I have a Bold 9700 on the Vodafone UK network and it worked fine at first. Then about 2 weeks ago my messages were getting delayed and eventually not going through at all! I removed BBM, reinstalled it and I have had to re-request my contacts. Now they are all saying ‘Pending- Waiting For Authorisation’ and I have spoken to these people directly and they said they have not received my invite.
Can anyone help? Its driving me mad. I have tried reinstall and removing the battery etc….
Thanks
Hi,
I noticed that nobody from my bbm contact list can see my status! I’ve tried reinstalling it, deleting and installing it again and of course restarting the phone .. can anyone tell me how i can solve this problem?
@Imran this is not a unique problem. Many people are describing the same thing and it appears to be a bug in BBM related to the number of contacts you have. I have not found a clear resolution to this issue yet but I will keep my eyes open and post it when I find it.
@sasha Your best bet here is to delete them all and ensure they have deleted you. Then add them back one by one and test. It is a pain I know =(
@Ralph this is a common issue and usually clears itself up over time. It is important to note that if your friends are on the older BBm they will not be able to see pictures.
Can anyone help me please….Why do my contacts status’ not change to “busy” if they don’t read their BB Messenger messages or PINGS after one minute? This worked fine in the old version…I am using the 9700 with BBM Version 5.0
bbm keeps sayin waitin for authorization….i hav re-installed….added a mllion times but still nt workin….one person i added through email add…but that person can only recieve my messages…but i cant recieve theirs….any help?
@ Cooper the friends that I talk to all have the same version that I do. I just dont know what else to do. Just did a reinstall to no avail. Any other suggestions?
Some of my bbm display pics don’t show and the names are not there only shows pin#’s can u help
Thanks so much for this it was really helpful. I work in a phone store so it’s going to help my customers so much!
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