How-To: Transfer Files Between Your Blackberry & OS X Via Bluetooth
Written on June 18, 2009 by Jenny Kortina and 13 people have commented
I recently switched from my iPhone to a BlackBerry. A few weeks after the transition, I have discovered my likes and dislikes between phones, and by far the most frustrating difference is the “syncing with computer” feature. An iPhone is literally plug and play, whereas a BlackBerry requires tons of configuration, even for the simplest tasks.
Below I have roughly outlined how to send files between your BlackBerry and computer via Bluetooth.
Pair BlackBerry to your computer
- On your BlackBerry, turn on Bluetooth.
- From your manage connections menu on your BlackBerry select “Set up Bluetooth.”
- Click the menu button and select “Options.”
- Next to discoverable, select “Yes.”
- On your Mac, launch System Preferences (Applications → System Preferences).
- Under the “Hardware” section click on the “Bluetooth” icon.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Click the “Set up New Device” icon in the middle of the Bluetooth window. (If you already have a device set up, click the plus arrow in the device column.)
- The setup wizard will pop up. Click “Continue” on the first pop-up window.
- On the “Select Device Type” window select “Mobile Phone.”
- Select your phone from the next screen and click continue.
- Your computer will prompt you with a PIN to enter into your BlackBerry. Enter the PIN into the BlackBerry device.
- If you entered the PIN correctly, your devices will be paired.
- Uncheck the “Access the Internet with your phone’s data connection” box.
- Your phone is now paired with your computer.
Turn on Bluetooth file-sharing on your Mac
- Launch System Preferences (Applications → System Preferences).
- Under the “Internet & Network” section, click on the “Sharing” icon.
- In the “Services” column, select the checkbox next to “Bluetooth Sharing.”
- Leave everything as default. (You can change the preferences if you want, but I just left as the default.)
- Close System Preferences.
Send a file from your BlackBerry to your Mac
- Browse your BlackBerry’s media and find the file that you want to transfer.
- With the file selected, pull up your BlackBerry menu and select “Sending Using Bluetooth” from the BlackBerry menu.
- A pop-up will come up on your BlackBerry asking you to select a device. Select the paired computer you want to transfer the file to.
- A pop-up window will appear on your computer asking what you want to do. Accept the transfer, and the file will start transferring.
Send a file from your Mac to your BlackBerry
- Pull up your BlackBerry media browser on your device.
- Open the menu and select “Receive Using Bluetooth.”
- On your Mac, find the file you want to transfer and right-click on it.
- From the pop-up menu, select “More → Send [...] to Bluetooth Device” and select your phone from the pop out menu.
- Make sure you BlackBerry isn’t asleep. If you make a successful connection, you will get a pop-up on your BlackBerry asking what to do with the file. Select the location you want the file to save and and click “Save.” The file will begin to transfer. NOTE: I’ve had this fail a few times, but when I hit send again from my Mac computer it works; seems like second time is the charm. Making sure your BlackBerry is not asleep is also crucial.
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E L Walters on June 18th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Really easy to do with a PC. All I had to do was load the software and plug my phone in. Glad I don’t have a MAC.
ncus on June 18th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Oh k-mon!
Don’t talk if you haven’t use Mac.
Elliott on October 1st, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Plug your phone in? That wouldn’t be using Bluetooth then smart-ass! That would be using a cable. Unlike most PC’s, Mac are the simplest of computers ever made without degrading the whole system. Try sending files with a PC to a flash drive or, here is a big one, try not catching viruses without an Anti-virus software program on your computer. A Mac doesn’t need that crap!! PC is crap, Mac is all that!
Adam on June 18th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Thanks man, just getting to know my mac, and your post has helped.
Gib Wallis on June 18th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
The steps were very clearly laid out.
Well done!
Now, if only backing up my auto-text entries and syncing address book / calendar / tasks / memo pad entries were through Blue Tooth to Mac were as easily done!
Cindy on June 20th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I have been trying to use PocketMac to sync my address book to my Blackberry and it works the first time, but then when I try to sync it again, it freezes…any suggestions???
Elliott on October 1st, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Try re-installing PocketSync. I had the same problem and that is how I fixed it.
Francisco on September 29th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Thank you so much, i was getting frustrated that i couldn’t transfer a file from my blackberry to my mac, and all i had to do was check the bluetooth sharing box! Thanks again your steps are very clear!
Diana on November 13th, 2009 at 10:27 am
For Syncing ith a Mac, use the BlackBerry Desktop manager through BlackBerry’s website. Works fabulously and with no freezing. You can even sync music with it.