For years, I was under the impression you could only install fonts with the assistance of an app. I recently found out that is not at all accurate. You simply need the a font in TrueType (.ttf) format. In this guide, for illustration purposes, I will be using the free (open source) ‘Ubuntu-R’ font.
*WARNING: As we are editing/adding hidden system folders of the device, I can make no guarantee this won’t leave your device completely FUBAR. So please, only do this at your own discretion. I’ve only confirmed it working on OS 7 & 7.1 but it SHOULD work for all OS’ back to at least os5. Again I haven’t been able to test on many phones but I haven’t had a single problem either. If you are successful (or unsuccessful) with this method, leave a comment and let us know if it is working for you.*
One time setup
- Download a file manager you can handle zip files with(rock file manager, filescout etc.)
- Change options in your chosen file manager to show hidden files & folders
- Navigate to ‘/Device Memory/appdata/rim/’*
- Create a folder called ‘fonts’ inside of ‘/rim’
You should now have a created this directory ‘/Device Memory/appdata/rim/fonts/’*
*Note: Depending on the file manager, the directory ‘/Device Memory/’ may be called ‘/store/’. In that case, the location of the fonts folder would be ‘/store/appdata/rim/fonts/’
How to install a font
- Find a font in TrueType format [.ttf] you’d like to use. In this example, I’m using the free ‘Ubuntu-R.ttf’
- A) Download the ‘Ubuntu-R.ttf’ file (this specific font is in a zip folder) | B) Unzip if necessary
- Rename ‘Ubuntu-R.ttf’ to ‘Ubuntu-R.font’
- Cut/Copy ‘Ubuntu-R.font’ to ‘/Device Memory/appdata/rim/fonts/’
You should now have the (renamed) font located inside of the folder ‘/Device Memory/appdata/rim/fonts/’ aka ‘/store/appdata/rim/fonts/’
5. A quick reboot and the fonts should be available in your screen display settings.
*Note: The first time I did this, I had a font app installed & device encryption enabled and the fonts weren’t available after a reboot. If your having problems try turning off encryption before pasting the font or uninstalling your font app*
The font used for this tutorial is available for free here
ealvnv Not Registered
Posted: January 31, 2012 at 12:58 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9900 | OS 7.1.0.205
The folder named fonts already exits in that location on OS 7.1
Idian Mansjur Not Registered
Posted: January 31, 2012 at 1:06 AM EST
I tried this, adding Ubuntu and Oakwood.
After reboot, Oakwood show up in the font list, but Ubuntu did not.
No idea why.
Anyone can help ?
ealvnv Not Registered
Posted: January 31, 2012 at 1:32 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9900 | OS 7.1.0.205
Works with .otf fonts
Juniorabca Not Registered
Posted: February 1, 2012 at 8:21 AM EST
Does anyone know for sure if this will work with OS6. I would hate to mess up my Torch…
bluemax413 Not Registered
Posted: February 16, 2012 at 11:03 PM EST
Works fine on Torch 9800.
Sappy Not Registered
Posted: February 17, 2012 at 7:51 AM EST
Does this work for BB curve?
Whyte Not Registered
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 10:44 AM EST
Seems that it doesn’t work on a Curve (OS 5)… I can see the files in the file manager once I upload them, but won’t show up as fonts in Screen/Keyboard options.