About updating the BlackBerry Device Software
The duration of the update process can range from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of update, the amount of smartphone data, and the number of applications on your BlackBerry smartphone. You cannot use your smartphone or make emergency calls when the update is in progress. Do not remove the battery while the update is in progress.
Over the wireless network
You can update your BlackBerry Device Software over the wireless network if a Software Update icon appears on the home screen of your smartphone. You can also check for updates manually through the smartphone options. The available update might be a complete software update, or a partial software update only. If the available update is a complete software update, your smartphone data is backed up on your smartphone and restored during the installation process. Your wireless service provider or administrator might not allow you to update the BlackBerry Device Software over the wireless network, or might not allow you to update it when there is a greater volume of network traffic. Depending on your wireless service provider, extra fees might apply when you download the update to your smartphone.
From a website
You can update your BlackBerry Device Software by connecting your smartphone to your computer and visiting www.blackberry.com/update. If your work email account uses a BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, your administrator might not allow you to update the BlackBerry Device Software from a website.
Using the BlackBerry Desktop Software
If you have the BlackBerry Desktop Software installed on your computer, you can update your BlackBerry Device Software from your computer. For more information about updating the BlackBerry Device Software from your computer, see the Help in the BlackBerry Desktop Software.
Research In Motion recommends that you regularly create and save a backup file on your computer, especially before you update any software. Maintaining a current backup file on your computer might allow you to recover smartphone data if your smartphone is lost, stolen, or corrupted by an unforeseen issue.