Set up your environment

Before you start developing for BlackBerry 10, there are a few things that you need to do.

Get code signing keys and debug tokens

Before you can test apps on a device or distribute apps on the BlackBerry World storefront, you need an account to get code signing keys and to distribute your applications.

When you request an account, you'll receive two CSJ registration files by email:

  • A RIM Development Key (RDK), which you use to sign your applications
  • A debug token (PBDT) file, which you use to generate debug tokens
Debug tokens are for devices and aren't required for running an app on a simulator. Debug tokens are valid for 30 days. When a debug token expires, the device no longer allows unsigned apps that rely on that token to run. You can generate a new one from the host computer's registered keys.

Save these registration files on your computer. You will need them when you configure your environment for application development.

Get code signing keys ›

Download and install the Native SDK

You need to install the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK for your operating system. Windows, Mac OS, and Linux are supported.

Download the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK ›

Download and install the simulator

If you don't have a BlackBerry 10 device, you can use the BlackBerry 10 Device Simulator to test your applications.

Install and configure the simulator ›

Set up the SDK and connect to your device or simulator

Now you can set up the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK to connect to your device or simulator, and upload your debug tokens so that you can develop an application. We're going to focus on using the QNX Momentics IDE, which is the primary development tool for all native applications.

Before starting the IDE, let's set up your device or simulator. If you are using a device, you need to turn on Development Mode in the security settings on the device before connecting to it in the QNX Momentics IDE. On your device, navigate to Settings > Security and Privacy > Development Mode, and set the Use Development Mode option to On. You can find Settings by swiping down from the top bezel or by finding the Settings app on your home screen.

You can connect a device to the IDE using Wi-Fi or with a USB cable. Navigate to Settings > Storage and Access and make sure that the USB Connection option is set to Autodetect or to the target platform.

If you're using a simulator, start the simulator. By default, Development Mode is set to On for the simulator.

Now, let's start the QNX Momentics IDE and configure it to use your device or simulator.

  1. Start the IDE by using the shortcut that the installer created.
  2. If prompted, choose a workspace and click OK. A workspace is a folder where you keep your projects.

Run the BlackBerry Deployment Setup Wizard

The BlackBerry Deployment Setup Wizard launches automatically when you create a project for the first time or if you hadn't previously configured your environment for deploying applications. The wizard walks you through configuring your environment for creating applications and deploying them to your BlackBerry 10 device. If you need to launch the wizard manually, you can do so from the QNX Momentics IDE.

To launch the BlackBerry Deployment Setup Wizard:

  1. In Linux and Windows, click Window > Preferences. In Mac OS, click Momentics > Preferences.
  2. Click BlackBerry and click BlackBerry Deployment Setup Wizard.

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device or simulator and, if you have a device, add your debug tokens to the device.

If the wizard does not detect the simulator or device, you can provide the IP address. On the device, the IP address is available on the Development Mode screen. On the simulator, the IP address is located at the bottom of the simulator window.