How to sync Outlook with BlackBerry Priv

How to sync Outlook with BlackBerry Priv

Sync Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks and notes to Blackberry Priv

A user asked how to sync Outlook with BlackBerry Priv. The response from BlackBerry support offers two less than ideal solutions. One is a complicated workaround and the other uses the cloud.

“The BlackBerry smartphone (Legacy devices and BB10) can sync directly with Microsoft Outlook using BlackBerry Desktop Software or BlackBerry Link, respectively, but to transfer content from your profile to your Android device, you must export your data to a plain-text format. The Import and Export Wizard in Microsoft Outlook will convert your contacts, calendar and notes to comma-separated values, a file type supported by most productivity software. After you complete the wizard, you can import the CSV file into the app of your choosing.

“Please be advised that BlackBerry Desktop Software and BlackBerry Link is not supported with BlackBerry Priv because of platform incompatibilities. Just like other Android smartphones, there’s a lot of ways on how to transfer information from Microsoft Outlook to Priv. The process requires a Google account and we advised you embrace Google services if you want to take full advantage of BlackBerry Priv Powered by Android.”

Before digging into the Outlook sync problem and solution. Let’s meet the Priv that has been the talk of BlackBerry and possibly its revival.

What’s so special about the BlackBerry Priv?

This is the first BlackBerry that comes with Android OS loaded. The Priv offers the best of BlackBerry, which is its high level of security and physical keyboard, along with all the benefits of Android and its millions of available apps.

Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808, the same chipset in the LG V10, LG G4, Microsoft Lumia 950, Nexus 5X and Moto X Pure Edition. Looking similar to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge phone, the Priv’s 5.4-inch dual-curved screen contains the popular Gorilla Glass 4.

What’s impressive about the BlackBerry Priv’s curved edges is that it serves another purpose beyond aesthetics. You can see the battery status alongside the right edge without waking the display. You can access productivity-centric tools by pressing your finger in the center right edge — where the Productivity tab awaits — and sliding to the left. If the Priv senses you’re in a dark room, it completely turns off the display.

Some manufacturers add bloatware and clutter to their customized versions of Android. BlackBerry has stayed away from the gimmicky add-ons. Instead, the company has customized the phone for security and privacy for which it’s known.

The physical keyboard hides behind the back of the phone. To access it, slide it down. If you’ve owned an older BlackBerry, reports say the keyboard isn’t quite as good as the older models’. However, it’s touch-sensitive, which allows you to scroll and swipe down.

The phone incorporates BlackBerry Hub, ported from the BlackBerry 10. Although users can use any email app, the Hub allows you to manage all your communications — texts, BlackBerry messages, social media, calls, and emails — in one place.

The Priv has been designed, first and foremost, with security in mind. The name Priv comes from privacy. BlackBerry has taken a layered approach to security and integrates Google’s Android security improvements.

Knowing more professionals use phones for both personal and business, BlackBerry has tweaked the user experience for seamless switching between personal and work data. For more information on the security features, check out the nine-page PDF on how the Priv safeguards your data.

The problem with Outlook sync alternatives

Back to support’s response. The tech is right about one thing. There are a lot of ways to transfer information from Outlook to Priv. But, many professionals and Outlook power users don’t want to sync with Google’s cloud, Outlook.com, or Office 365.

There’s no need to use the time-consuming manual import and export process as described in support’s response. You would need to do this every time you update your Outlook Calendar or Contacts. Because Outlook data is converted to CSV, everything doesn’t transfer cleanly. For one thing, your contacts’ photos won’t transfer. Data formatting might mess up. Duplicates might occur.

You can sync Priv with Outlook Contacts and Calendar automatically, directly (no cloud), and wirelessly with AkrutoSync. Here’s how it works. You download this Outlook sync software to your main Windows computer running Outlook. It will take you step-by-step through the installation process, including connecting your BlackBerry Priv to Akruto. You won’t be installing anything on your Priv.

Once done, your Outlook Calendar and Contacts will show up in the BlackBerry Priv’s own built-in Calendar and Contacts apps.

If you opt not to use Outlook sync software, here’s what can happen to you:

  • Re-enter your appointments and contacts in multiple places. Every time.
  • Risk entering wrong information on one of those entries.
  • Miss an important appointment because of wrong entry.
  • Have private information in the cloud at risk for exposure.
  • Encounter duplicates from using work-arounds to transfer data.
  • Find missing data on your Windows computer or BlackBerry Priv.
  • Discover cut-off data from error-prone import/export.
  • Fail to have information with you when you need it.

That’s a lot of risk and wasted time. What’s your time worth? Would you say $50 is fair?

Sure, you might find free options out there. Before you do that, do a search on problems, such as “Samsung Smart Switch problems” or “Samsung Kies not working” to read people’s experiences in using these free apps.

Free and subpar Outlook sync software often have the following problems:

  • Causes data to disappear.
  • Fails to sync anything.
  • Cuts off Outlook data.
  • Creates new problems, such as breaking Wi-Fi.
  • Posts your data in the cloud.
  • Does partial sync.
  • Messes up formatting of data.
  • Duplicates entries.

Best way to sync Priv with Outlook Calendar and Contacts

What makes AkrutoSync the best way to sync Priv with Outlook?

  • Syncs automatically so you can set it and forget it.
  • Avoids the cloud completely. No Google. No Office 365. No Outlook.com.
  • Adds zero apps on your BlackBerry Priv.
  • Transfers Outlook data to Priv’s built-in Calendar and Contacts apps.
  • Requires no cables. No need to dig around for them.
  • Transfers all Outlook data two-way — completely and accurately.

Akruto costs less than $50. Isn’t that worth your time? You can even try it free first. Let Akruto show you what its Outlook sync software can do for you and your productivity. Start your trial now.

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7 Comments

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  • Joe Olshewski November 8, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    How to sync outlook 2013 with Blackberry Priv running Android version 6.0.1

    • Akruto Support November 10, 2016 at 11:42 am

      Yes, both will work. Give our free trial a try.

  • Saif November 27, 2016 at 6:00 am

    Can Tasks & Notes on BB Priv be synched to Windows PC using AkrutoSync

  • Bernard Cuffy January 8, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    Will AkrutoSync be able to sync task and note in folders/categories if the files are categorized on device like it is in BlackBerry 10.?

  • Andor February 20, 2018 at 3:01 am

    can i just use usb cable to sync outlook only (without any data network or wifi ) ?

    • Akruto Support February 22, 2018 at 12:41 pm

      AkrutoSync works over the network. If your concern is privacy, your phone makes a direct connection to your computer. We don not get to see your data. If you sync over Wi-Fi rather then the Internet, your data never even leaves your home network. If your computer does not have Wi-Fi, you can still use AkrutoSync. Your computer can connect to your network via a network cable, while your phone connects wirelessly.