How to find out your BlackBerry PIN (and why)

A trendy way for BlackBerry users to communicate these days is by “PIN-ing” each other (pronounced “pinning”), which is a fast, real-time instant-messaging-like application. Here’s how to find out what your PIN (personal identification number) is.

A trendy way for BlackBerry users to communicate these days is by "PIN-ing" each other (pronounced "pinning"), which is a fast, real-time instant-messaging-like application. Here's how to find out what your PIN (personal identification number) is.

Many BlackBerry users like using PIN-to-PIN conversations — as a straightforward message or via the BlackBerry Messenger program — because it allows for real-time messaging, group chats, voice message, file transfer and supports contact/delivery status.

In fact, this communication isn't handled by your cell carrier — rather, it's through Research in Motion's servers — and therefore you're charged less for data due to the compressed PIN chats (Research in Motion says a heavy BB Messenger user would only use about 200 KB in a month).

So how do you find your PIN, you ask? There are two ways to do it:

To find your BlackBerry's PIN on the device

On your BlackBerry, select the Options icon (which looks like a wrench) and then select Status. You'll see an 8-digit alphanumeric code beside the word PIN. This is the info you'll give to your friends so they can PIN you.

To find your BlackBerry's PIN on the Desktop Manager

You can also find your PIN using BlackBerry's software (on your PC). Launch the Desktop Manager from your desktop..Double-click "Redirector Settings," and you will see the PIN at the top of the General tab.

To start a PIN chat, go to your Message screen on your BlackBerry (the icon with a little white envelope on it) and press the Options key, and then Compose PIN.

Alternatively, launch BlackBerry Messenger, which looks like a blue speech bubble with white dots on it, and then select Options, followed by Start a Conversation.