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#3778 Ariel on June 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm

Thanks a lot! This is the most complete guide i’ve found on this subject.

#6923 alex on July 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

di all of the above. in the and after choosing ” download” I’ve gtoa message ” download failed” , when prompted for details got a message ” invalid 907 JAR code”
Do I have to unlock my BBerry or what was that ?

#7468 Calculating on October 1st, 2008 at 6:42 pm

My blackberry 7520 doesn’t have a flash card reader. The desktop software only allows me to select alx software, but nearly every application out there uses the .jad descriptor file, even the stuff that says its for blackberry 7520. My blackberry wap browser and sms are not supported by my provider. All I want to do is install standard .jad/.jar j2me applications, which supposedly the blackberry is compatible with… How do I do it?

#7470 Cooper on October 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 am

Calculating – in the post above click on the first link below “Installing OTA Files via BlackBerry Desktop Manager” and read that forum post very carefully. There are a number of links to software and instructions on how to convert your jd/jar files to the cod format required to load applications onto your device.

#7471 Cooper on October 2nd, 2008 at 7:46 am

Eric – it looks like you have a jar file that has not been formatted correctly. I would notify whoever you are trying to download the application from and ask if they have had any other complaints. They may not know their file is broken.

#7618 Becky on October 16th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

I love the Desktop to MicroSD card method. Thanks for making this information available. The Desktop Manager from BlackBerry seems to be useless. How would your method work if the software I want to download only has .alx and .cod files?

#7625 Cooper on October 17th, 2008 at 7:51 am

Becky: Glad you found the post informative. Thanks for reading BBGeeks.

If you only have the .alx and .cod files, simply save them to a folder on your desktop and then use the Application Loader in the desktop manager to load the files onto your BlackBerry.

This method is described above under:
Installing Third Party Software Via BlackBerry Desktop Manager

let us know if you have any trouble loading your apps =)

#7631 Becky on October 17th, 2008 at 10:57 am

Thanks Cooper.
I cannot get the Application Loader to work. That is why I used the last option provided by bbgeeks.com.

I have determined that I have the lastest device software offered by ATT – v4.3.0.93. And my Desktop Manager is v4.3. So is there a need for me to upgrade either of these?

Do I need to use the sync function in DM? I am not sure how to use this if I am not using an organizer.

What am I missing or doing wrong??

#7633 Cooper on October 17th, 2008 at 11:30 am

Becky: does the desktop manager recognize your BlackBerry as connected? If so then I would suggest upgrading the desktop manager software you can find it here (have to sign up as a member) http://tinyurl.com/bu5z4

Get the English language with media player.

If your BlackBerry is not being recognized as connected do a hard battery pull WHILE IT IS CONNECTED THROUGH USB. When it comes back online the desktop manager should see it.

#7636 Becky on October 17th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Cooper,
Desktop Manager does recognize my Blackberry as connected. Which version of desktop manager should I choose from this website? – 4.3 since that is what my device software is???

I did not have to sign in as a member for http://tinyurl.com/bu5z4.

Thanks very much for your help,
Becky

#7637 Cooper on October 17th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

I would suggest either 4.6 (I am using it now with no issues) or dropping back down to Desktop Manager 4.2 as there are lots of reports of 4.3 being buggy.

If you do opt to go back down to 4.2 then be sure to get the Service Pack 2 upgrade as well for the best results.

#7645 Becky on October 18th, 2008 at 10:28 am

Cooper, thanks very much for the help!! I upgraded to 4.6 and installed my application very easily.
Thanks so much!!

#7763 What does OTA mean and how does it work? | BB Geeks on October 29th, 2008 at 11:06 am

[...] advantage of downloading OTA is that it’s one process. Instead of using multiple devices and taking multiple steps to [...]

#8314 Niblick on December 6th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

This may be a technical issue or maybe it’s just PEBCAK. I have a new BB Bold and I’m on the Rogers Wireless network in Canada. I’ve downloaded the Gmail app successfully and I can use the Google search box within the app, however, mail and maps (the only things I’m truly interested in) won’t install and won’t tell me why. I click to install GMail…I get a progress bar that never moves and the install falls back to the search screen after a few seconds. The only error message I get is in the gmail app it tells me “Could not download Gmail”. This is the same result whether I am using the 3G or Wifi. Any ideas?

#8406 Laner on December 10th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

I have downloaded and installed a couple of 3rd party applications on my Storm: Opera Mini and DynoPlex EFile. I can see them in the Applications area under Options: Advanced Settings, but they don’t appear anywhere in the Applications from the Home screen. I can see Maps, Word to Go, etc., but none of the new applications. How do I access them?

#8707 I_know_how on December 25th, 2008 at 1:46 am

I only have one issue with the above instructions, one key point to remember is that you have to add be sure to add the install files together. you have to add the .alx AND the .cod file at the same time….so highlight the files or clicking one and holding down CTRL and clicking all the files, and click open.
MY COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW:

I have been hearing about all your problems with the error message “no additional applications designed for your device were found” and people just having just general error messages while trying to download 3rd party software.
Heres the steps that worked for me:

After you have downloaded the zip file onto your desktop, open it (either automatically or using winzip or a zipping program) make a new folder on your desktop and place all the files in it except any instruction manuals, or .doc or .txt files. Those are just for you to read or know seperate from sending to the phone.

with your phone plugged in to the computer

On your desktop manager, open the application loader.

Depending on your version and model either click add or browse

a box will appear asking where the file is…. this is the tricky part….go to the new folder you created on your desktop…. you have to add the .alx AND the .cod file at the same time….so highlight the files or clicking one and holding down CTRL and clicking all the files, and click open. when you do this, you will notice the name of your application you want to download in the list now. Check the box for that application, click next or save, and then it will be in your downloads folder. For example I downloaded the mylocation application in my zip folder were 3 files .alx, .cod, and a .jad file. I highlighted all of them and it worked great.
I have the latest desktop software and I have the new Blackberry Storm, but it should be the same for most models.
Hope that helped!

#8913 Confused on January 8th, 2009 at 2:34 am

I have a BB Pearl 8100. Followed the instruction to copy .jar files to memory card in BB. When clicked on and to open . Then select . Located all the .jar files. But when clicked on the .jar file. Message appeared
“Unable to display file/Media Card/filename.jar
Pls advise on how to solve this problem. Many thanks.

#8921 Cooper on January 8th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

@Confused – You may have a corrupted OS or Desktop Manager. It seems that there were a whole batch of Pearls sent out with flawed software.

I suggest upgrading to the latest version of both your carrier OS and the Desktop Manager Software.

If this does not fix your problem report back and I will try and sort it out.

#9078 Milk on January 19th, 2009 at 12:32 am

I have the same problem as him with it saying
“unable to display file/media card/filename.jad

I have no problems installing alx files through the desktop manager.

#9246 Henry on January 29th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

I have a .jar file and a .jad file but no .alx file. I’ve never downloaded a third party application. I there a way to unzip these files to download the applicatin?

#9296 Kelly on February 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 pm

I have a 3rd party download it is eagleeys(j2me new version) on blackberry storm but when I go to log in it stays at the sys login screen. I can’t figure out how to get it to run. And I can’t find anyone who can help me figure it out either. Any ideas would be greatful. I printed the info and hope hubby can figure it out. Thanks

#9317 Marty on February 5th, 2009 at 10:28 am

Hi
I have a company blackberry but when i try to download any games i get an error message stating “your it policy does not allow you to download 3rd party applications”… is there anyway to get around this ?
Thanks
Marty

#9318 Cooper on February 5th, 2009 at 11:35 am

@Milk – not sure what is happening there – it could very well be a corrupted jad file you are trying to install.

@Henry You should load the jad and jar files onto your memory card. Navigate to them in the media section of your BlackBerry and click to begin the install. You can not install jad or jar files from the desktop – only OTA or via the memory card (side loading).

@Kelly I would contact the developer of that game/app to see if they can trouble shoot the issue.

@Marty You will have to get permission from your it department in order to load any 3rd party apps onto your device. They will have to do the install for you =(

#9578 mark l on February 15th, 2009 at 8:30 am

for some reason the application downloader doesn’t appear on my menu at all. I have an application folder but not an application downloader. My colleague also has a storm as has the application downloader but I don’t. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Mark

#9818 Anjee on March 2nd, 2009 at 3:28 pm

when I downloaded and installed an application OTA I got a successful message, however I don’t have an icon to launch it. The application appears in the application list but I have no way to lauch it? Any ideas? Also, I selected to ’show all’ applications.

#9830 Cooper on March 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 am

Do you have a downloads folder on your BlackBerry – When downloading OTA on the Bold all apps will go to a downloads folder and you will have to manually move them out of that folder if you want to access them from your BlackBerry desktop etc.

Not sure what model of berry you have, but this is most likely the case.

#9979 Lexieken on March 14th, 2009 at 12:42 am

I’m having the same issues mentioned by Anjee and Laner above.
I have a BlackBerry Storm and have DL several OTA apps (iSilo, WeatherBug) that do not appeear anywhere on my phone other than under the “advanced settings”. This is the second BBS that I have since the first one was having battery issues and I had hoped that it would fix all the other problems. But my new phone is doing the same thing.

My “downloads” “applications” “application center” areas are all showing zero traces of these apps being present even after I’ve pulled the battery out and rebooted.

Am I missing something? I can’t seem to find anyone else who’s having this same issue, and I’m really tired of Verizon’s non-helpfulness when it comes to 3rd party apps.

FYI, i’ve DL gmail chat & GoogleMaps and both of those work just fine.

Thanks so much for any help you can give!!

#11639 Jared on June 11th, 2009 at 11:29 am

i cannot get any alx files to ork no matter which method i have used. i have a blackberry 8330 m

#12461 Mauricio on July 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

I´m developing an application with TotalCross (old SuperWaba) to run at a BlackBerry Storm.

I´m using Netbeans 6.5 and JDK 1.2 and Black Berry JDE 5.0.0. I´m able to compile the
application with Netbeans, and I get the HelloWorld.jar file.
After that, I created a the files, like HelloWorld.alx, HelloWorld.cod, etc under the path /install/bb.
Then, I signed the application using the SignatureTool.
So, I opened the Desktop Manager, I clicked at Application Loader option, then I clicked at Start button under Add/Remove Applications option and then I pointed to HelloWorld.alx file at my desktop. I got the message:

The loading operation was successful.

My question is: where can I find HelloWorld application at my BlackBerry? I searched at
Downloads tab, but there´s nothing there.

Thanks a lot.

#12463 Cooper on July 14th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

If you can not find the application in either the downloads folder or the applications folder, try un-hiding all icons on your device. You may have a folder (sometimes messaging or others) that is hidden by default or by choice.

Your app may be in a hidden location.

#12748 Steve Caupp on July 27th, 2009 at 9:19 am

Hello,

Our company is developing an application for the Blackberry. This application requires a RIM driver (for their smart card reader) to be installed. Our sales peeps feel that the current method of installing the driver through the Desktop Manager is going to be too complex for many of our end users.

The OTA method may be helpful in this regard. Do you know if it’s possible to download BB drivers in this way? I.e. could we grab the driver and make it available through a link on our site?

The actual method I was researching when I came across your article was scripting the Desktop Manager. That is, we’d like to distribute a CD or file that included the DM exe and that ran the DM exe and used a script or command line options to install the driver and our application without the user actually clicking around in the DM. Do you have any idea if that’s possible?

Thanks so much.

#12755 Cooper on July 27th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

I believe it would be possible although the bundling of the DM exe may cause you some problems with the RIM legal team.

Your best bet here is to contact RIM directly and ask them what their policy is on this type of thing and perhaps they can steer you in the right direction regarding the driver downloads.

#13959 gabe on September 12th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

I am looking for a software I could hear the name of the contact who is calling me I would also like to hear the name of the contact as I am scrcoling the contact in my blue tooth any help would be apprciated

#14133 Nick on September 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Wrong!

There is no Add button in Application Loader!

What a waste of time.

#14357 Tamsin on September 30th, 2009 at 9:56 am

Hi there
thanks for this guide, its great.

my desktop manager says my BB is connected, and I can send photos etc via usb.
But when i follow these steps to add alx. apps, it doesnt give me the “add” option… it just shows me the things that are already installed.

i can not find the same apps in jad or anything else other than alx. and cod.

can anyone help?

#14638 Weird on October 10th, 2009 at 11:51 am

I’m trying to upload .jar files on to my blackberry bold, and it said it would not read the file name.
I’m trying to find the .alx file,
and I cannot.

#14890 palak on October 21st, 2009 at 5:33 pm

i copied a jod file to my micro sd card as instructed and tried t download the application, but am recieving an error – 907-invalid cOD, file not found. Please help me solve this problem.

#14904 Cooper on October 22nd, 2009 at 9:43 am

@palak Delete the file you downloaded and repeat the process. 907 errors mean the downloaded file is corrupted in some way.

#16055 Patrick on December 1st, 2009 at 4:11 am

I’m wondering if there is an app or process availible to install cod/alx files directly from my BB (8130).

I ask because my computer is down, making DM unavailible.

#16067 Cooper on December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Unfortunately you will need a computer in order to get those files onto your BlackBerry.

The COD and ALX files are used by Desktop Manager to load apps onto your device.

If installing OTA with no desktop manager you will need a different type of file. The Jad/Jar files you need can be created using a program described here:
http://www.berryreview.com/2009/09/21/create-a-jad-free-app-to-easily-create-blackberry-ota-installer-jad-for-cod-files/

That being said, you still need a computer in order to convert the COD to Jad =(

#16693 Bentley on December 18th, 2009 at 1:15 am

Hello cooper i downloaded an application but now i can not upload it to my bb, do i need a media card or internet on the phone to do this??
some of the files are jar, alx, cod, sis, and winzip, Pls help me
Thanks

#16718 Cooper on December 18th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

You need to upload those files to your BlackBerry using Desktop Manager. Once you open Desktop Manager you choose to add new programs – browse to the folder you saved those files in and select the COD fil. Choose next or finish and it will install the application onto your BlackBerry

#16720 Bentley on December 18th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

it says that the application is not compatible with the device
??????

#16936 Jehangir Rahujo on December 28th, 2009 at 11:40 am

I have problem,I am using Blackberry curve 8300 but there no videorecoder in it ,can I install video recorder in that smart phone? please nay one guid me i shall thankfull to him/her.

#17317 Jehangir Rahujo on January 5th, 2010 at 12:34 pm

Dear one I installed video recorder application in my BB, thanks to help.

#17478 spartan on January 8th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

i just unlock my phone and i can’t find the application centre and the browser pls how can i get it back i’m using storm

#17511 rajesh on January 10th, 2010 at 1:11 am

copper my frnd i hve 8100 perl new os 4.5,n hve used ur method of micro sd 2install a new theme,but i m not getiing it ny whr its installed in my bb but how to run it,theme name is not thr in OPTION n theme catogory pls help..

#17564 Cooper on January 11th, 2010 at 10:59 am

@rajesh That sounds like you have grabbed a theme that is not for your device. When that happens it is not unusual for the theme to be installed but not show up in your available lists.

To be sure, do a battery pull on your Pearl while it is powered on (replace after 10 seconds) and see if the theme shows up after it turns back on.

#17567 Cooper on January 11th, 2010 at 11:06 am

@spartan

read this post to get your browser icon back:
http://www.bbgeeks.com/quick-tips/what-to-do-if-you-dont-have-blackberry-internet-browser-881146/

#18679 Nitesh on February 19th, 2010 at 5:43 am

Hi Cooper,

Our company has a inhouse third party application, it works on most of the phones but it does not work on mine, when i try to open it, the home page opens fine, but when i authenticate it with my user name password, it comes up with “Network Error” try again, I have tries changing APN settings, disabling firewall, and editing permissions, but nothing seems to work. There is some thing in my phone that is stopping the application to work, so also i have uninstalled & installed it again.

Please help….. as i have spoken to blackberry & vodafone and I get one answer ” We donot support Third Party Application” :(

#18680 Nitesh on February 19th, 2010 at 5:58 am

Hi Cooper,

Our company has a blackberry application, that work fine however it does not work on my BB storm. It loads fine, but when i authenticate it with my username password, it turns up with “Network errors” please try again.
Till now i have tried uninstalling and installing it again, apn settings, disabled firewall, edited permissions, but nothing seems to wor.
As the application runs on other BB’s i believe the app is fine and something to do with my phone settings. I am on a vodafone contract. Please help as no one else seems to be keen on helping with third party applications.

thanks

Nitesh

#18694 Cooper on February 19th, 2010 at 10:43 am

@Nitesh have you confirmed that this app is running on other peoples Storms with the same OS as you are running?

The Storm is a tricky device to develop for and incompatibility may be due to a flaw in your dev teams design.

#18791 billy on February 23rd, 2010 at 4:55 pm

How does one download the files from the BB App world? All that site does it send links that lead back to the webpage….

#19349 vishwa on March 4th, 2010 at 12:48 am

In my black berry perl the third party j2me application is not working in second time, for first time is working fine ,when i re installing the same application its not working means its not connect to the GPRS…

#20319 Nikhil on March 10th, 2010 at 7:57 am

It is most complete and very interesting information. Thanks a lot Cooper. I am very new to mobile development. I have developed my own Java ME application and this is my first application. I developed it on netbeans IDE with MIDP 2.0 and CLDC 1.1. I didn’t use any third party API from the vendors like BB, Nokia or Samsung, because I want my application should run on any device. After compiling, it has created JAD and JAR files. How can I install my application on my BlackBerry Device [BlackBerry 8520 Curve smartphone]? It will be helpful for me if you provide me the steps. Best Regards.

#20340 Cooper on March 10th, 2010 at 9:25 am

@Nikhil – Your best bet is to use the side loading method – save the jad/jar files onto your memory card and the navigate to them from within your BlackBerry. When you click on them they should initiate the installation if they have been programmed correctly.

#20547 Nikhil on March 11th, 2010 at 12:43 am

Thanks Cooper for a very quick response and giving me some direction. I’ll get back to you after trying your direction. You said “if they have been programmed correctly” means exactly what? I mean, it is compiling and running as expected on Java Emulator that come up with NetBeans. Second, If I want to UNINSTALL the application again [for installing new version of my application], is it possible? Please also provide me the steps for uninstalling it, so that I can confidently install it. Best Regards.

#20605 Nikhil on March 11th, 2010 at 7:31 am

Thanks a lot Cooper, It worked well for me. As I mentioned above that I have not used any device specific API to achieve device independence, I was knowing that that it will not produce the good look n feel. But I found that application is looking far below the expected look n feel. So I have decided to modify the application as per the device, but of course without using the BB api. So I download the BB 8530 Simulator [hope it will be used for 8520 also]. But it requires the .COD file to simulate. So now I want to create .COD and .ALX files for my project. So Please guide me how can I create these files? Also, it would be very helpful to me if you tell me how can I club BB emulator to my NetBeans, so that development and modifications will be easy, like most of the people do by this way? Best Regards. Thanks again.

#20793 Nikhil on March 12th, 2010 at 2:39 am

Hi Cooper, I download the JDE 4.7.0, installed it on my PC and open my Java ME project in it. I just wanted to create the .ALX file and .COD file so that I can install them on my BlackBerry 8520. I am not using any RIM package. If I could compile and build the project, JDE will create .COD and .ALX file for me. But I am facing problem in building the project through JDE. In fact all the sample projects are also NOT getting compiled and built. What might be the problem? It will be great if you guide me. Thanks in advance. Regards.

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