Naming your apps

It is important to use an application name that is easy for users to remember and to find by searching in the BlackBerry World storefront.

These tips can help you choose an appropriate name for your app:

  • Make your app name clear, descriptive, and suitable for all ages.
  • If your app is a trial, beta, or “lite” version it is not mandatory to include this information in your app name.
  • If your app targets specific languages and locations, specify those languages and regions in your app name (for example, "AP Mobile en Espanol," "ELLE Canada," "Viigo India").
  • If your app is in a different language, provide a translation for your app name (for example, "黑莓中文语音报 – Chinese reporting for BlackBerry").
  • Use at least four or more letters in your app name. Apps names that are shorter (for example, UR or OPL) will most likely have low visibility and will not appear in user searches.
  • Use the BlackBerry brand and trademarks appropriately as outlined in the Public Guidelines for Use of RIM.

When naming apps, here are some things to avoid:

  • Never include profanity in app names.
  • Don’t use the term "free" if your app is a trial version (for example, don’t name it "MyGame Free" if it’s a trial version).
  • Don’t add search keywords in your app name (for example, "Phone Tracker GPS Lost Map").
  • Don’t include a version number or vendor name. This isn’t necessary and appears cluttered (for example, "Catch the Stars v1.2.2" or "Catch the Stars – StarProductions"). The only exception applies when the vendor name is the app name (for example, foursquare).
  • Don’t put a feature list or long description in the app name. This is messy, unappealing to consumers and will likely have low visibility and downloads (for example, "FaxToGo Send fax from your phone, save document for later use").
  • Don’t use any special characters such as ® or ™ unless it has been registered as such (for example, don't use "Catch the Stars™ - StarProductions®"). The standard ASCII character set is recommended.
  • Never imply a relationship or association with RIM or BlackBerry and your app or other recognizable brands (for example, "BlackBerry Britannia Concise Encyclopedia 2011").

Note: If you add a product that uses the same name as one or more products that you previously added, you can only make one of the apps available for sale on BlackBerry World.

Adding apps with different names to BlackBerry World

By default, when a user downloads and installs your app on a BlackBerry device, the installation process uses the app name that you specified, and the vendor name associated with your membership account in the vendor portal. Users can view the app name and vendor name by viewing the details of the applications that are installed on the device.

If your app includes a JAD file, you have the option of assigning a different app name or a different vendor name. For example, if your organization acquires a new company and you want that new company to be listed as the vendor for the app, you can use this feature. This feature is supported only for apps that include JAD files; not for apps built with .bar descriptor files.

Create your Java Application Descriptor (JAD) file with the app name and vendor name you want to use, and then select Override Names when you add a new app to the vendor portal. You should use Override Names only if the name used in your JAD file is different than the name associated with your vendor portal account.