Tips and Tricks for Your Smartphone
Travel Tips
Did you realize you’ve been carrying the ultimate traveling companion around with you all along? Before your next trip (whether it be to the grocery store or further afield), get to know the functions of your BlackBerry® smartphone that can help you along the way, from Maps using GPS to Language and Time Zones. Here are some tips to get you started:
GPS Technology
You can use GPS technology on your BlackBerry smartphone to get your GPS location and to use location-based applications and location based services. Location-based applications can use your GPS location to provide you with other location-based information. For example, to provide you with driving directions.
Get your GPS location
Verify that your BlackBerry smartphone either has GPS capabilities and GPS is 'on' or it is paired with a Bluetooth® enabled GPS receiver.
- In the device options, click Advanced Options.
- Click GPS.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Refresh GPS.
The longitude and latitude coordinates for your current location appear.
BlackBerry Maps
Note: BlackBerry Maps requires BlackBerry Device Software v4.1 or higher.
Map Shortcuts:
- To zoom in to a map, press I.
- To zoom out from a map, press O.
- To view status information at the top of a map, press U. To hide status information at the top of a map, press U.
- To view tracking information at the bottom of a map, press the Space key. To hide tracking information at the bottom of a map, press the Space key.
- To move to the next direction on a route, press N.
- To move to the previous direction on a route, press P.
Map Basics:
Get directions
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Get Directions.
- Perform one of the following actions to specify a starting location:
- To specify your current location, click Where I Am.
- To specify a new location, click Enter an Address.
- To specify a saved location, click From Favorites.
- To specify a location for a contact, click From Address Book.
- Repeat step 3 to specify an ending location.
View directions as a route on a map
- When viewing text directions, click View On Map.
- To view text directions again, press the Menu key. Click View Directions.
Forward a route or a map
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Send Directions or Send Location.
- Click a message type.
View a location on a map
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Find Location.
- Perform one of the following actions:
- To view your current location, click Where I Am.
- To view a new location, click Enter Address.
- To view a saved location, click From Favorites.
- To view a location for a contact, click From Address Book.
Clear the map cache
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Options.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Clear Cache.
Tracking Your Movement
Set the GPS receiver that you use to track your movement
Use this option if you have multiple GPS receivers.
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Options.
- Change the GPS source field.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Save.
Start tracking your movement
Verify that you have set a GPS receiver to use when you track your movement.
- On a map, click the trackball or trackwheel.
- Click Start GPS (or Start GPS Navigation).
- To stop tracking your movement, click the trackball or trackwheel. Click Stop GPS Navigation
View north at the top of a map
When you are tracking your movement, the direction in which you are moving appears at the top of the map by default.
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click North Up.
- To view the direction in which you are moving at the top of the map again, press the Menu key. Click Track Up.
Hide the tracking information at the bottom of a map
- When tracking your movement on a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Hide Dashboard.
- To view the tracking information again, press the Menu key. Click Show Dashboard.
Keep backlighting on when you track your movement
By default, backlighting turns off automatically after a timeout to conserve battery power. You can change maps options so that backlighting remains on when you track your movement unless the battery power level drops below a specified percentage.
- On a map, press the Menu key.
- Click Options.
- Change the Backlight Timeout When field.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Save.
Language
Change the display language
Verify that your BlackBerry® Device Software supports multiple languages.
- In the device options, click Language.
- Change the Language field.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Save.
Add a display language
You can add a display language using the application loader tool of the BlackBerry® Desktop Manager. For more information about adding applications, including display languages, see the BlackBerry® Desktop Software Online Help.
Set the typing input language
You can set a typing input language to use when you type. The typing input language can be different from the display language. When you set a typing input language, AutoText and other typing options change to the selected language. For example, you might use your BlackBerry smartphone in French, but type messages in English.
- In the device options, click Language.
- Set the Input Language field.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Save.
Time Zone
Changing the displayed time zone
You can set the displayed time zone on your BlackBerry smartphone to keep you on track wherever you go. Change the time zone on your smartphone to reflect where you are in the world.
- In the device options, click Date/Time.
- Click time zone.
- Change the time zone to reflect your Location.
- Press the Menu key.
- Click Save.
Tethered Modem
Need to upload or download some large files while traveling? No problem. Wherever you get cellular network coverage you can use certain BlackBerry® smartphones as a wireless modem for your computer. Whether you connect it to your BlackBerry smartphone using Bluetooth® technology or using the provided USB cable, you’ve got Internet access for your computer just about anywhere you go. (Where applicable, some restrictions may have been set by your IT department.)
Click here to learn more »
Where to find help:
- The Help! Icon on your smartphone
- Your wireless service provider
- More Tips & Tricks on DiscoverBlackBerry.com
- Smartphone Support
- Latest Troubleshooting documents are posted in the BlackBerry Technical Solution Center
- BlackBerry Incident Based Support for pay-per-call service
- BlackBerry Support Community Forums @ supportforums.blackberry.com




