BlackBerry Device Advanced Selective Restore Backup
In BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) environment, one of the things I notice is when you try to selectively restore BlackBerry device database into new device, most of the databases in the device databases box is greyed out. As you notice further it also states that “Databases that are unavailable in the list have been configured for wireless synchronization or wireless backup and are read-only. You cannot restore or clear them.” Right… so what’s the point of selective restore when you are not allowed to?
In turns out that as mentioned at the bottom of the dialog box it is already wirelessly backed up by BES. This gives us (BES Administrator) a very convenient way to restore everything back to, say, a replacement unit of a lost device. However, what if I wanted to override certain database with different one? What if I wanted to transfer my ringtones that I once deleted sometime ago.
Here is the workaround, locate the BlackBerry user under BlackBerry Manager, right click user and select Edit Properties, click on PIM Sync and set Automatic Wireless Backup Enabled to False. Hit Apply and OK.
Depending on your network, almost instantaneously you will notice there is an hour glass on the BlackBerry device and voila! Those databases are no longer greyed out and you should be able to selectively restore database that you once not able to.
If it is still greyed out, remember to close the Advance Backup / Restore dialog box and re-firing up the Desktop Manager will usually do the trick.
Alternatively, there is another way if you do not have access to BES directly. This is typically useful when asking for help from your company IT dept. who is almost impossible to reach or it’s just too much of a hassle. Here’s what you can do:
- On you BlackBerry device, go to Options > Advance Options > Service Book > Desktop [SYNC]
- Bring up the context menu (depending on model, by clicking the BlackBerry logo button) and click Delete.
- Connect your BlackBerry device back to computer and restore using Advanced Backup / Restore from Desktop Manager.
- Once done, disconnect the device from computer and go back to Service Book screen.
- Bring up the context menu and click Undelete.
Useful Links
- KB11101: The BlackBerry device databases that are not wirelessly backed up by the BlackBerry Enterprise Server
- KB03974: Databases functions and descriptions on the BlackBerry wireless device
- A much simpler version of my article from BerryReview by Ronen Halevy – FAQ
Note: If link is broken, let me know or Google for KB number. If you think this article is useful, please bookmark it or rate it!
Chee
[...] I have moved! Go to updated version of article. [...]
[...] Another good example would be Phone Call Logs, instead of doing over-the-air (OTA) sync and restore (which might take long time), you can restore it from your backup. (For instructions and guide how to do this refer to my previous post titled: BlackBerry Device Advanced Selective Restore Backup) [...]
Hi there, I was looking around for a while searching for wireless audit and I happened upon this site and your post regarding rry Device Advanced Selective Restore Backup | Get to the Point, I will definitely this to my wireless audit bookmarks!
Thanks for dropping by. hope it helps out. CL
[...] thought I was up a proverbial creek until I ran across some great instructions by Lamlamz on how to get around this restriction. Turns out there are two solutions. One requires cooperation from your BES admin and one you can [...]
Very useful article, can allow manually select what to restore.
Thanks Ames, hopefully it helps.
Thank you! Worked like magic
and did not have to contact BES Admin.
Hey Lambda, great that it solves your issue!
Good info. Allowed me to restore everything *but* Calendar entries after a wipe. I have no idea why, but the two calendar entries in the list remain grayed out and no matter what I do, they won't enable me to restore. I'd appreciate anyone running across this that has the answer to add a response. Thanks in advance!
Hi there. I'm having this same issue and cannot restore my address book to a new device… the new device doesn't contain any service books to delete, nor can i disable the wireless sync option in address book options because it doesn't exist.
I don't have access to the BES admin and need to do this manually. Of course, the carrier and RIM are of no help unless I pay an insane amount.
Any help is greatly appreciated! Desperately needing my contacts pulled from this recovery file!
Thanks
Quinn, I believe you are in BIS instead of BES. If you are i nBIS, then chances are you can resend your service book from the carrier page, typically carrier.blackberry.com. If you are on BES then you either need to reactivate your device or ask your administrator to push service book back to you.
Good luck.