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One of the best things about owning a BlackBerry device is that once you have set up your email accounts, you never have to do it again - even if you replace or lose your device. The BlackBerry platform uses a server-side service to push email to you and to retain your settings, so configuring a new handset simply involves pushing your exisiting information to the new device. But the initial configuration must be carried out correctly for you to get the most from your BlackBerry and its email capabilities.

First Stage Configuration

In this chapter, we focus on configuring email accounts and other settings on the basis that your BlackBerry and its services are supplied by a cell phone carrier rather than your employer. When you power-up your BlackBerry, it will run an initial configuration wizard that lets you set information such as the time and date, and the basic configuration for your first email address straight from the device.

1. Select “I want to create or add an email address from the two options (we will deal with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server later). Click Next

2. The screen will explain the BlackBerry is going to open a web page to continue the configuration. Click “Next”

3. At this stage, you won’t have a BlackBerry web account, so you can go ahead with configuring an email account on the device. Select the Email Accounts link.

4. Select ‘Add an email account’ from the list of options. If you do not have an email account, you can choose ‘Create A BlackBerry Email Address’ to get a free email account linked straight to your device.

5. Enter your email address and the password you would usually use when checking your email via webmail or when you configured your desktop email client. Click ‘Next’

6. That’s it - your email account is configured.

You may find the BlackBerry service cannot auto configure your email account. This usually happens when the incoming and outgoing mail servers use odd names. If this happens to you, create a web login and follow the instructions in the next section to configure your email.

Create A Web Login

To access more advanced features, such as email filters and manual setup of addresses, you will need to access the web-based interface for your BlackBerry service. If you are a first-time BlackBerry owner, you will need to create a username and password to access your carrier’s BlackBerry web service. This is done from your device.

1. From the initial set-up wizard (if you are not doing this the first time you power-up the device, the wizard can be found in the Setup folder on your home screen), select the Email Setup option.

2. Select ‘I want to create or add an email address’ from the two options. Click ‘Next’

3. The next screen explains the BlackBerry is going to open a web page to continue the configuration. Click ‘Next’

4. Select the link marked ‘Create New Account’

5. Choose a suitable username and password. If your username is already taken, you will be prompted to choose again.

6. That’s it. You can now log in via the website. The address to use is normally sent to you via an email or a text message on completion of this step.