Although each Blackberry phone has slight differences, these tips and tricks should work for most. For tips on specific models (such as the touch screen Storm), see the section below this. Here are the top 10 basic Blackberry tips and tricks (in no particular order)!

1. Switch between programs: Hold down the “alt” key and the escape button at the same time. Continue holding down the “alt” key and use the trackball to scroll to the program that you are switching to. Release the “alt” key to make the switch.

2. Delete multiple messages/emails: To quickly delete messages and/or emails for a specific day or days, scroll to the date in your messages. Press the menu button and select “Delete Prior.”

3. Select text: To select a word or line of text, press the Shift key and roll the trackball or trackwheel. You can then use the menu to copy or cut the selected text.

4. Exit a screen: Press the escape button to exit the program or screen you are on.

5. Change options: Whenever you have an option to select (such as “time zone”), just hold the “alt” key and make your selection.

6. Select text: An easy way to select text is to press the shift key and then roll the trackball over the desired text.

7. Move up/down a screen: You can quickly move up or down a screen for quicker viewing. To move down, simply press the space key. To move down, press the shift + space key together.

8. Insert a period: This saves a ton of time with texts or emails. Just press the space key twice at the end of your sentence and a period will be inserted automatically.

9. Insert @ or . in email: To insert @ or a period in an email address, simply press the space bar. The Blackberry will recognize when to insert the respective character.

10. Capitalize a letter: To do this, when typing hold down the letter for an extra second and it will capitalize.