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You are here: Home / Tips and Tricks / BlackBerry Storm Usability Tip: Disable Compatibility Mode

BlackBerry Storm Usability Tip: Disable Compatibility Mode

January 14, 2009 by Robb Dunewood 23 Comments

So, you’ve gotten yourself a brand new BlackBerry Storm.  You’ve updated to the latest leaked OS and have figured out how to type on the touch screen that you actually have to click an not just touch.  You like your BlackBerry Storm and plan on sticking with it.  The one thing bugging you about your BlackBerry Storm, however, is why the virtual keyboard on some BlackBerry applications is permanent.

Often times when you are running an older BlackBerry application on your BlackBerry Storm you may notice a blue border around the main application window and the SureType virtual keyboard won’t go away no matter what you do.  This is because your application is running with compatability mode enabled.  The blue boarder and the keyboard significantly decrease the size of the application window and it makes navigating and selecting fields or buttons very difficult.

Fortunately, you can disable compatibility mode by going to  options >> advanced options >> highlight the application that you want to disable compatibility mode on >> hit the menu button (the one with logo) >> select disable compatibility mode.  Once you disable compatibility mode, restart your application.   the blue border and the persistent virtual SureType keyboard should be gone.  You may be able to use the application in landscape mode as well.

Why RIM choose not to have compatibilty mode disabled as the default is beyond me.  I have yet to see an application react adversely when compatibility mode is turned off.  Developers can, using the latest development tools, chose to have this feature turned off automatically when their applications install, but, that does nothing for all the apps that have already been developed.

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Filed Under: Tips and Tricks Tagged With: BlackBerry Storm, Disable Compatibility Mode

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Comments

  1. bluehorseshoe says

    January 15, 2009 at 1:46 am

    Sad to say, but I decided to disable my ‘Storm’. I’ll sit back and wait for the updates to get it right before I hop back on the device.

    Reply
  2. pd says

    January 15, 2009 at 10:37 am

    Most programs do run better with compatibility disabled, I have seen a few programs that haven’t reacted well. Handmark Blackjack is one I can think of offhand.

    Reply
  3. Chris Mattix says

    January 15, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Robb,

    All I can say is thank you. I had Google’s Gmail and Maps working fine in landscape mode and then when I updated the Firmware everything went bad. Landscape mode stopped working. I asked everyone and no one knew what to do or why it wasn’t working. I just so happened to do a Google search for BB Storm approved applications and your blog came up and I just so happened to read through it. You solved my problem. Thank you. I’m posting a link to this solution on a BB Forum I subscribe to. Thanks again.

    Reply
  4. Thought says

    January 15, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    It’s such a shame that RIM didn’t get the software right from the start.

    The key is to give the user a smooth and responsive and enjoyable experience. In many ways the Storm software almost frustrates many users.

    Apple understood this when it released the iPhone. It appears even Palm understands this with their new device, and this is natural since Palm is now basically run by a group of former Apple execs who understand the importance of software.

    People have always remarked that one thing they like about a BB, esp. compared to Windows Mobile, is that it just works. But the Storm approaches in so many ways the level of frustration that Windows Mobile can evoke.

    With these touchscreen devices, software is esp. importance, since software totally drives the user experience. And it’s not as important that the device do everything, but that what it does it does well. RIM always understood that but with the Storm they have a ways to go.

    Reply
  5. Angélique says

    January 19, 2009 at 12:02 am

    Thanks for this advice. Now I can see why my WeatherEye app was annoying the heck out of me. I’ll be sure to pass this along.

    Reply
  6. Tom says

    January 19, 2009 at 11:46 am

    What is the flow? I go to Advanced Options but there is no list of applications. I went to APPLICATIONS and saw my list but when I click on the MENU key I don’t see a DISABLE COMPATIBILITY. Can anyone map this out for me?

    Reply
  7. JR says

    January 21, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    i was thinking about getting the BB Storm, is it a good phone or am i gunna end up getting mad at it and breaking it? lol

    Reply
  8. Banjo says

    January 22, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    To enable or disable compatibility mode (some apps run better each way) select and click Options (wrench icon) , select and click Advanced Options, select and click Applications, select but DO NOT CLICK the option you want to change, and click the BlackBerry options key (the bunch of berries icon). ON the resulting list you will fine Enable/Disable Compatibility Mode.

    Reply
  9. Tom says

    January 22, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    Thanks Banjo! Got it – my problem was that I was trying to do this for FACEBOOK and this option is not there for this application. I did see it, for example, with Google Maps! Great Tip!

    Reply
  10. CRNAchick says

    January 24, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    I’ve run into the same problems with the inability to get the suretap keyboard to disappear and my storm wont go into landscape mode both of these situations ONLY while in the skyscape applications drug guide and 5 minute clinical consult. Any suggestions? I tried the disable compatibility mode and restarted the phone without success.

    Reply
  11. Banjo says

    January 25, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    I have also noticed that there are some applications that apparently lock-out either portrait or landscape mode. I am not aware how that is done and have not found a way to overcome that feature. I continue to research that issue and if I find something helpful I will post it here.

    Reply
  12. rico says

    February 5, 2009 at 12:39 am

    I ran into this page while google searching for apps great tip

    Reply
  13. JP Sanchez says

    February 6, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    I did as suggested with a medical program Epocrates®; I disabled the compatibility mode, but nothing changed. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  14. Jay says

    March 11, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    I took my apps off and started over, fixed the problem

    Reply
  15. rich says

    March 11, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    THANK YOU! I replaced my Windows Mobile Smartphone that I was constantly reading ebooks on and I get the Storm today excited that I would have a bigger screen to read books on. I was going crazy with the stupid keyboard! Turned off compability mode just like you said, but I did have to take out the battery and do a reboot for it to work. Works just fine now!

    Reply
  16. gloria moy says

    November 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    I had my blackberry OS updated, but now Gmail notifier which last week would not landscape now does but will not scroll. i have reinstalled the program but nothing will change it. HELP

    Reply
  17. Carlos Diaz says

    December 21, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    Same problem here!!! , what can weee doo !!! PLEASE PEOPLE HELPPP

    Reply
  18. Sal says

    December 30, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    Thanks everyone. I am so glad I have my gmail app and google maps back to normal.
    A restart didn’t do it for me, luckily I read someone removed their battery and that solved my issue.
    After disabling the compatibility mode for your app, if a reboot doesn’t work, take out the battery and pop it back in.

    Reply
  19. Sal says

    January 4, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Hi,
    after i disabled the computability mode and rebooted, Gmail displays in landscape mode but i am not able to scroll up or down.
    Please let me know if there is a fix for this.

    Thanks
    Sal

    Reply
  20. Cheryl says

    January 20, 2010 at 4:57 am

    It takes forever for my Storm 2 to logon and for me to put in my pin, my nokia was 10 times faster… and this is supposed to be called a smart phone?

    I am trying to download mxit on my phone and it doesnt want to allow me , it keeps freezing on that screen. Plse HELP HElP!

    Reply
  21. ar says

    July 5, 2010 at 10:44 am

    Great, thanks!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pages tagged "brand new" says:
    January 16, 2009 at 2:17 am

    […] bookmarks tagged brand new Comment on BlackBerry Storm Usability Tip: Disable… saved by 5 others     SMACKARU13 bookmarked on 01/16/09 | […]

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  2. Blackberry Storm, desactiva el modo de compatibilidad - The PhoneHouse says:
    February 17, 2009 at 4:11 am

    […] Vía: RIMARKABLE […]

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