Use barcodes
Want to add a new BBM contact quickly? Simply scan their BBM barcode with the camera on your BlackBerry smartphone, or let them scan yours.

See your barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click My Profile.
2. Click Display My Barcode.

Scan a barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Invite Contact.
2. Click Scan a person's barcode, then click Continue.
3. Hold your smartphone so that all four corners of the barcode you are scanning appear on your device screen. Continue to hold the smartphone until you hear a beep.

Use a PIN or email

Want to add a contact who isn’t with you right now? Invite them using their PIN or email address.

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key.
2. Click Invite Contact.
3. Click Enter a person's email address, PIN, or name. Type part or all of the contact information.
4. Click the contact information.
5. If necessary, change the Send Using field and/or Category fields.
6. Click Send.

Note: The person might remain in the Pending category until he or she responds to your invitation.

Stay connected to groups of friends, family or co-workers by creating groups of BBM contacts.

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Create New Group.
2. Type a name for the group.
3. Type a description that people will see when they receive the invitation to the group.
4. Change the Group Icon field.
5. Click Create Group.

Personalize your BBM profile by changing your display picture. This is the picture that will appear in your friends’ contact lists.

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click My Profile.
2. Press the Menu key. Click Change Display Picture. Navigate to the picture of your choice from the list that appears and click to select.
3. If necessary, center the picture in the box. Press the Menu key. Click Crop and Save.
4. Press the Menu key and click Save.

Let your BBM contacts see what you’re listening to on your BlackBerry smartphone.

1. On the contact list screen, press the Menu key and click My Profile.
2. Select the Show What I'm Listening To check box.
3. Press the Menu key and click Save.

Let a BBM contact know exactly where you are by using your BlackBerry smartphone GPS feature.

1. In BlackBerry® Messenger, during a chat, press the Menu key.
2. Click Send Location.
3. Click Send.

Show how you’re feeling with emoticons in a BBM chat.

1. In BlackBerry Messenger, during a chat, press the Menu key.
2. Click Add Smiley.
3. Click an emoticon.