Selecting this will launch the Application Switcher. Within an App, Within the Options Menu: Within an application, you can typically hit the menu key, scroll down a bit, and you will find an option for Switch Application.

There's less of a need to do this now, but if you're using an older device that doesn't have the long-press menu function built in, then you may want to do this. Set a Convenience Key: Before the invention of the method above, many BlackBerry users set one of their convenience keys to launch the Application Switcher (including myself). the Application Switcher contains a bunch of apps - it's all good!

It's not totally intuitive, but it makes sense. This will launch the Application Switcher. Instead of just tapping the menu key to bring up the options menu, hold down on it for an extra moment. Hold Down on the Menu Key: This feature debuted on the BlackBerry Storm and has now made it's way into newer versions of OS 4.6 and 4.7. If you hold down the alt key and then hit the back button (to the right of the trackball/trackpad) the Application Switcher will launch. There are four basic ways to launch the Application Switcher:Īlt + Escape (back key): This is the least intuitive way to launch the Application Switcher, but it's a shortcut that RIM has had built into the operating system for a long time. Within the Application Switcher, you can scroll between your open apps and select any one you want to jump to. Launching the Application Switcher places a ribbon of icons on the middle of your display (screen capture at the top of this article), layered on top of whatever other app you may have open. You can often get to it quicker by evoking the Application Switcher.

If theĪpp you are going to is already open, there's no need to relaunch it. Key) then click/tap the icon of the next app they want to go to. Many BlackBerry users tend to exit to the homescreen (hit the red end The Application Switcher allows you to jump between your open applications. Closing apps when you're finished with them and taking advantage of the Application Switcher on a regular basis will greatly enhance your BlackBerry efficiency. One of the critical things to getting the most out of the BlackBerry experience that I find most new users I bump into are not aware of is the built-in Application Switcher and the fact that hitting the end key (red hang-up call phone button) does not close apps, but rather puts them in the background and brings you back to your homescreen. As you start to learn BlackBerry shortcuts, arrange your homescreen icons and dial in your device settings (set convenience keys, tweak your trackball/trackpad/screen sensitivity) you go from simply using your BlackBerry to using it effectively.ĭo you actively use the Application Switcher on your BlackBerry smartphone? ( online surveys) Scroll (or tap) to where you want to go, hit the menu key (the one with the little dots/seeds) for options and you're on your way - within a few minutes you're sending emails, browsing websites, setting your alarm clock, playing songs, booking appointments, adding contacts, and before you know it you're installing third party apps so you can facebook, twitter, stream music, play games and whatever else you want to do. It's pretty easy to pick up a BlackBerry for the first time and start using it. This is article is for all the new BlackBerry owners out there.

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