
Getting Started with Blackberry PRIV
PRIV combines everything you’ve come to expect from BlackBerry with the full ecosystem of Android and its apps.
To help you get up and running with your new PRIV smartphone, we’ve put together the below guide. Check it out!
Step 1 – Insert your SIM card and optional media card
The first thing you’ll want to do after unboxing your PRIV is insert your nano SIM and (optional) media card. Provided you have the right SIM card, complete the following steps to insert these items into your new device.
WARNING: Do not use a larger SIM card that was cut to a smaller size. Your device might not recognize the SIM card, or the SIM card might get stuck because it is thicker than a nano SIM card.
- Position your PRIV so you can see the back cover and top of the device
- Release the SIM card tray by pushing the tip of the tool (provided in the box) into the hole.
- Pull out the tray
- Hold the SIM card so that the metal contacts are facing down and the notch is aligned with the notch in the tray
- Place the SIM card in the tray and push the tray into your device
- Repeat these steps if you need to insert a media card
Step 2 – Complete the Setup Wizard
When PRIV starts for the first time the Setup Wizard will appear. This wizard will help you set your device’s region and language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, sign into a Google Account and allow you to transfer data to your new device using the BlackBerry Content Transfer app, or via Tap N Go.
Tip: For a detailed overview, check out PRIV by BlackBerry Setup Wizard
If you don’t have your previous device with you while setting up your PRIV for the first time you can skip the Content Transfer and complete it later (see step 3).
Tip: To learn more about Tap N Go which can help you switch from another Android device to PRIV using NFC, click here.
Step 3 – Transfer data from your previous device
- On your PRIV, open the Content Transfer app
- Tap This is my new device
- By default, Google™ Drive is used to help transfer data, but you can use a media card or Wi-Fi connection instead. To learn more about using the latter two options click here.
- Tap Next
- Tap on your Google account
- On your previous device, go to http://blackberry.com/transfer
- Install the BlackBerry Content Transfer app on your previous device
- Open the Content Transfer app and follow the prompts, selecting Google™ Drive
- When finished, open the Content Transfer app on your PRIV and enter the password you set to encrypt your data when using the Content Transfer app on your previous device

Step 4 – Get to know your new device
- To go back to the previous screen, tap
- To go to your home screen, tap
- To see your recently opened apps and screens, tap
These icons will be hidden depending on the app or screen you are viewing. To show these icons if they are hidden, depending on your device’s orientation, swipe in from the bottom of your screen and they will appear.
To wake up your device, press the power button along the left hand side, or tap twice on your screen.
To check your notifications, swipe down from the top of your screen using one finger. Tap a notification to open it, or swipe the notifications to the left, or right to dismiss the notification.
To access quick settings which allows you to turn on and off commonly used features such as Bluetooth, or Airplane mode, swipe down from the top of your display using two fingers. This gesture works when you are using an app as well!
To access the BlackBerry Hub, Google Search, or Device Search, swipe up from the bottom of your display and release your finger on one of these apps. You can change which apps appear when using this gesture by going to Settings > Swipe Shortcuts
And finally, to access applications and games installed on your PRIV, tap while viewing your home screen.
Tip: To learn more about your device check out the BlackBerry Help app, or review the PRIV user guide which can found at http://help.blackberry.com.
Step 5 – Secure your device and turn on Android Device Protection
Your accounts and data from your previous device should be setup and accessible on your PRIV at this point.
All that’s left do from a setup perspective now is ensure your device is secure!
Secure your device with a screen lock and setup a lock screen message
The first step is securing your device is turning on the screen lock feature. To do this, go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock and select your desired screen lock from the listing below;
- Swipe – A single swipe will unlock the device. Be advised, this option does not provide any security.
- Pattern – Draw a pattern on a grid to unlock the device.
- Picture – Move a number that you choose to specific location on a picture to unlock the device
- PIN – Enter a four digit PIN
- Password – Enter a password that can use letters, numbers & symbols
After setting a screen lock, consider adding your contact details to your lock screen message so someone can contact you if they find your device. To do this, go to Settings > Security > Owner info.
Within this screen, review your lock settings as well – for example, you can set your device to lock automatically after a set period of time, or to lock instantly if the power button is pressed.
Understand Android Device Protection (aka Factory reset protection)
PRIV by BlackBerry uses Android 5.1, so when you add a Google account, Android Device Protection is enabled. This feature will allow you to remotely ring, lock, or erase your PRIV in the event you misplaced it using the Android Device Manager app.
Android Device Protection also prevents someone from using your device as their own in the event you lost it. As a result of this, should you decide to give your PRIV to someone else you MUST remove your Google account first BEFORE performing a factory reset.
If you do not do this, the next person that tries to setup your device will be unable to complete the Setup Wizard as they will be prompted to enter the previous owner’s Google account credentials in order to ‘unlock’ the device.
To learn more about Android Device Protection click here.
Identifying your device’s security status using DTEK by BlackBerry
The final step to ensuring your device is secure is opening the DTEK by BlackBerry app.
Within this app you’ll be able to see your device’s security status at a glance, which should be Excellent provided you followed the steps above.
Step 6 – Where to learn more and find help
All that’s left to do now is learn more about this incredibly powerful device, and what to do if you need some help!
On Device Help
- PRIV by BlackBerry includes a virtual copy of the user guide within the BlackBerry Help app
User Guide
- View an online copy, or save a PDF version of the PRIV user guide by going to http://help.blackberry.com.
- Smartphone interface
- BlackBerry Hub
- Keyboard and typing
- Using the Calendar app
- Using DTEK by BlackBerry
- Taking Pictures
- BlackBerry Smart Flip Case
Got a question? Leave a comment and let me know!
To learn about PRIV by BlackBerry or troubleshoot an issue, there are several great options available to help. Visit http://blackberry.com/privsupport for access to product documentation, how-to demos, tips and tricks, YouTube videos, support forums, knowledge base articles, Twitter support, and contact information for your region.
All credits to Ty Williams
About Ty Williams
Community Content Manager & Blogger @ BlackBerry