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Starting with the 8800 series, the BlackBerry started transitioning to a hybrid corporate/consumer device. New to the series was media capabilities, which meant the ability to expand the device’s internal memory with a microSD card. After all, that 64 MB of internal memory isn’t going to hold a whole lot, especially if you’re loaded up with applications. A microSD card is also essential for storing e-books, and a number of other multimedia functions. In this Geek Guide, we’ll go over how to drop one into your BlackBerry.

Under the battery?

In some BlackBerry models, including the Curve, the microSD slot is under the battery, so you’ll have to remove it in order to install one. On others, like the 8800 series, the card slot sits right next to the battery, so you can continue operating as normal during this process.

The setup

Once you find your memory slot, you’ll notice that it has instructions printed right on it. Sliding it up locks it in place, and sliding it down allows you to swing it out. So, to get started, click the metal cover down into the unlocked position and swing open the door. It should look a little like this:

Placing the card in the slot

It is a common mistake for users to now place the microSD card into the phone, and shut the door on top of it. Do not do this! You could wind up breaking your memory card. Instead, you’ll place the memory card into the metal door. Do this with the gold data cells facing up and towards the bottom. By design, this mechanism will not let you place the card upside down — the door simply won’t shut.

Finishing up

Once you place the card in the door, you can close it up. Just flip the door down, and click it back up into the locked position. If you don’t lock the card in place, it will stay ajar, and that can do damage to your memory card and/or your data port.

Snap your battery back in place, if applicable, and put the battery cover back on. If you have an 8800 series model, you’ll see a brief prompt saying “media card inserted.” You might miss it, though, since it only flashes for a second. Otherwise, reboot, and you should be ready to go.

If you would like check out the installation process in action, see the Youtube video below.

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