How to Upgrade BlackBerry OS 7.0 to OS 7.1

If you have BlackBerry OS 7.0 powered device such as BlackBerry Bold 9900 Dakota, Bold 9790 Bellagio or Curve 9360 Apollo you may want to upgrade the BlackBerry device software to OS 7.1.

BlackBerry OS 7.1 is a major update for BlackBerry devices which comes with new features such as Mobile Hotspot, BlackBerry Tag, Wifi Calling, FM Radio and Auto Suggest. You can read further about the BlackBerry 7.1 OS at here.

In this post I want to show you how to update BlackBerry 7.0 OS powered device to BlackBerry 7.1 OS. This should be applicable for all BlackBerry models running OS 7.0 such as Bold 9900/9930/9790 and Curve 9350/9360/9370 and Torch 9810/9850/9860. I used my BlackBerry Curve 9360 Apollo for example and leaked BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.258. You can download the leaked BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.258 from here.

UPDATE1: Official BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.336 is now available for Curve 9360 and Bold 9790 from Telenor Norway and for Curve 9380 from Trigcom.

UPDATE2: Official BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.342 is now available for Bold 9900 from Cellcom Wireless Israel.

Let’s go to the updating process:

1. Download and install the latest BlackBerry Desktop Software (BDS). At the time of this writing the latest version is BDS 7.0 B44. If you have the previous version installed, just check the update to download and install it.

2. Install the BlackBerry 7.1 OS.

3. Run the BlackBerry Desktop Software and connect your device to the computer via USB cable. You should be prompted that a new software update is available. Click Get update button.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 OS 7.1

4. In the next step, it is recommended to back up your data and applications before updating. Then click Install update to start updating.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 OS 7

5. Your device is now updating. During this step, don’t disconnect or interrupt your device. It can take up to an hour while updating the software. Please be patient.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 OS 7

6. After waiting for around 30 minutes or more, your device should be completely updated.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 OS 7

Now you can disconnect your device from the computer and enjoying the new experience of BlackBerry 7.1 OS such as Mobile Hotspot, WiFi Calling and FM Radio.

Screenshots of BlackBerry Curve 9360 running OS 7.1

BlackBerry Curve 9360 running OS 7.1

Mobile Hotspot feature available in BlackBerry 7.1 OS

Mobile Hotspot in BlackBerry 7.1 OS