How-To: Sync iTunes Playlists With a BlackBerry
Written on June 23, 2009 by Jenny Kortina and 11 people have commented
I recently switched from an iPhone to a BlackBerry. As I mentioned before, one of my BlackBerry dislikes is that it simply does not sync as nicely as the iPhone. Until recently, I thought I could only drag certain songs onto my BlackBerry and that there was no way to sync playlists. Turns out I was wrong, and the solution is provided by BlackBerry itself.
Below I have outlined how to transfer your iTunes playlists to your BlackBerry. This method also allows you to easily send podcasts to your phone, and the software described even has the “Automatically fill free space” option that was originally seen on the iPod shuffle.
- Download and Install BlackBerry Media Sync for Mac
- Fire up BlackBerry Media Sync
- Select the playlists you would like on your BlackBerry
- Click “Sync Device”
Tweet This (14)
Mark on June 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
So…why doesn’t Palm do something like this?
Instead of a hack that misidentifies the Pre as an actual iPod?
Quirilio Vilorio III on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Why did you trade your iPhone?
Staff Comment Jenny Kortina, TheAppleBlog on June 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
@Quirilio Vilorio III I switched to a Blackberry because it handles email much better and has a keyboard. I use my phone for work not play so Blackberry was the clear choice.
Terry on June 23rd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
What does handles e-mail much better mean? I’ve used Blackberries from the beginning and now use an iPhone at work and think its better than a BB at e-mail. So do the other IT people I work with who have also had BB or Windows Mobile for years. I’m an Enterprise Architect with 18 years in IT and I work for a very large, very well know technology company.
I would really like to know because I can’t imagine what you mean.
Also the work not play comment and BB is the clear choice for work is odd. The iPhone gives me dramatically more options when accessing servers, network devices, maintaining and storing documentation etc. You CAN do those things with a BB but not nearly as well and its a hassle dealing with their ancient UI and small screen.
Really strange comments coming from an Apple blog especially with no rationale.
Daren McDougal on June 25th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I have to agree with her about blackberry handeling email better. its instant and its push. Yes Iphone has push with yahoo and me.com. But if you use your work email address its not you have to set it send and receive to often and it runs your battery down.
Terry on June 23rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
BTW there are many ways of syncing Blackberries with Macs and iTunes in particular. The fact you don’t know this as well as just found out about BlackBerry Media Sync is again, odd.
Mark on June 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Dude, Terry, WTF?
Kortina made a person decision and chose something that works best for her. The role of an Apple blogger doesn’t limit one’s personal freedom nor does it require that one use solely Apple products.
It’s enriching to the Apple community to have folks be familiar with other tech. It’s great to see how well and easily OS X can work with BB.
It’s a blog post about one syncing option, I’m sure there are other methods as well—but this post was only about one of them.
It’s meaningless how long you’ve been in IT or how many of your colleges and friends love the iPhone. It’s not for everyone, and other people are allowed to have preferences—even if they’re not your own.
I find it very odd indeed that you’re so defensive about someone not choosing the same toy you did.
BK on June 24th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I pretty sure this BlackBerry software conflicts with iTunes. I’ve tried it in the past and I usually have to do a restore after syncing with the BB app.
Tillman on July 9th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Had wanted the ability to sync my BB with Itunes and this app works great. “BK”, no conflicts.
“Mark” have to agree with you on your post. Looks like some are taking offense to Jenny switching to another platform. I have both BB and IPhone and both have their strengths and weaknesses. ….to each their own.
JP on October 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The sync worked for me until you get a message about Digital Rights Management. Then no file get copied. Somebody has a solution?
zac on November 15th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I just got the blackberry storm V2 yesterday & Iv been trying too sync my itunes music too it, but with little success. I love apple, & OSX; it’s simply more user friendly. I downloaded the BlackBerry Desktop Manager from the blackberry website (used to sync music from your itunes playlists) but after running the installer and getting all the way too the “install” portion of the installer, I get an “install failed” : The flowing install step failed: run postinstall script for BlackBerrVSP. Contact software man…for ass…” Can anyone help? Or have suggestions ..