It seems like most BlackBerry guides focus on either device-centric issues, or else on issues which can only be addressed on a PC. This is fair to an extent, in that among the general population and among the BlackBerry community PC users outnumber Mac users. I always wonder what the ratio is among the geekier BlackBerry users. In any case, we’re throwing Mac users a bone today by introducing a guide on how to transfer files between your Mac and BlackBerry via Bluetooth. It’s a quick, painless method which can get many of your songs, ringtones, and even videos onto your BlackBerry without having to use sync software like PocketMac, or even to connect to your Mac with a wire.
Pair the devices
The first thing you’ll have to do is pair your BlackBerry’s Bluetooth function with your Mac. Go to Manage Connections, and then Set Up Bluetooth. A dialog box should be there to greet you, asking how you’d like to add your device. Click the option next to “Search for devices from here,” and hit OK. From there your BlackBerry will search for nearby Bluetooth transmitters — chances are, early on on in the process you’ll see “1 Found” in the status bar, which is more than likely your computer.
Once done, you’ll get another dialog box asking you to select the proper device. Select the one for your computer (if there is even more than one). Next up is a dialog box asking for the numeric passkey for the computer. What? Passkey? You don’t remember setting up no stinkin’ passkey! Chill. This is just to verify that you are in fact using both the BlackBerry and the computer. Enter in any old number. Any one you choose. Just make sure to remember it so you can enter it in on your computer. Once you click OK, a prompt will pop up on your computer asking you to repeat the passkey. Enter it, and the devices will pair.
Set up the transfer
To start a transfer go into the default Media application. From there, click in the Menu button, and then select Receive Using Bluetooth. A dialog box will pop up which says File Transfer, Waiting for connection. From there, head to your Mac, where you’ll want to open Bluetooth File Exchange. This can be found in Applications — Utilities. Open it and you should get browse file window, where you can select which one you want to send. Select it.
From there, another dialog box will pop up on your Mac asking you to select the Bluetooth device to which you want to transfer. It should find your BlackBerry device, though I’ve run into instances where I have to go through the pairing process all over again. In any case, click on the device, and then click Send. A transfer bar will pop up, which means you now have to go back and check your BlackBerry. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to accept the transfer. Click yes — you also have the ability to automatically accept transfers in the future.
The final step is to select the file destination on the BlackBerry. You can choose to save the file to your memory card, which is obviously recommended. If you’re transferring a ringtone, however, it would be advisable to click the file icon and transfer the file to ringtones folder in the device memory (Device Memory/home/user/ringtones).
I’m not sure what kind of speeds everyone else can get, but I was topping out at 27 KB/s, which seems pretty slow (and with good reason — it is). So this method isn’t optimal if you’re looking to transfer files quickly or are transferring a large number of files. When it does come in handy, I suppose, is when you don’t have a connection cord, or else don’t want a cord attached to your Mac.
Anyone else use Bluetooth transfer frequently and have a different reason? Leave ‘em in the comments.
