There is disclosed a method and system for managing file metadata stored in one or more catalogs on a wireless handheld device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: connecting to one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; downloading to the device one or more catalogs storing file metadata for one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; and remotely updating on the device the one or more catalogs such that the file metadata in one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device are substantially up-to-date on the device.