What does it mean to 'unlock' my BlackBerry?

**LeahKayex3** · 08-06-2011, 03:35 AM

I'm a new BB user, and I keep reading about unlocking phones... What does it do? What purpose does it serve?
Thanks for your help, and please don't be rude.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**ghostryder12** · 08-06-2011, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by LeahKayex3

I'm a new BB user, and I keep reading about unlocking phones... What does it do? What purpose does it serve?
Thanks for your help, and please don't be rude.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Having an unlocked phone is great if you are a traveler. Let's say that you are an AT&T member and you will be traveling to....let's say Great Britain. If you are going to use your BB in your business while over seas, having an unlocked BB would allow you to buy a SIM card for a local carrier while you were over there so you could continue to use the device. Then when you return to the States, you would put your AT&T SIM back in to continue to use the BB while at home. If your are not a business traveler using your BB for your business, then an unlocked phone won't do you any good.
It just allows you to use your BB with another carrier by using their SIM card. You still have to pay for the use of the other carrier's service while using their SIM card though.

Make sense?

**gbsn** · 08-06-2011, 05:36 AM

Traveling for business or leisure, or not traveling at all, unlocking the device will always be good. Local fees will always be cheaper than roaming fees, specially for US carriers and you have the choice of picking the GSM carrier, whether local or not.

As for the question, unlocking just removes the network or service restrictions imposed by carriers on devices, since they are, basically, locked to the carrier.
Unlocking lets you choose any network/carrier you want as long as they are GSM and use a compatible frequency.

**jeffrey1027** · 08-06-2011, 11:39 AM

Cell phone unlocking is a process which removes a "Network" lock and/or "Service Provider" lock from GSM cell phones. These locks are programmed into the phones by the manufacturers or the cell phone providers so that they can only be used with their network (i.e. only with their SIM cards). Removing this lock from your device will make the following possible:
*Phone to work on all compatible GSM networks worldwide (Rogers, Fido, T-Mobile...)
*Phone will accept any type of SIM card

**LeahKayex3** · 08-06-2011, 04:46 PM

Thanks guys.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**ghostryder12** · 08-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by LeahKayex3

Thanks guys.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Hope you got an answer that makes sense to you. If you decide you'd like to unlock your BB, I went here, FreeMyBlackBerry.com
It was free and I had my unlock code in under two hours. Once you unlock your device, it will always be unlocked, even after you upgrade your OS, and it will not affect your carrier/phone warranties.
Just make sure that when you enter your unlock code that if it doesn't work, double check the number given to what you entered. If they are the same, then contact freemyberry.com and have them recheck everything. You only get 10 tries to unlock your BB, then it locks up and is bricked.
Don't worry, this unlock site has a great reputation and I had no problems. I just wanted you to be aware if there is a mess up because I have read posts from some people that have continued to enter the wrong number until their phone was bricked. If it doesn't work the first time, stop, then check the number before trying again.
Each BB has its own unique coding and the unlock code will not work an another device.

**pmanchin** · 08-06-2011, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by ghostryder12

Hope you got an answer that makes sense to you. If you decide you'd like to unlock your BB, I went here, FreeMyBlackBerry.com

It was free and I had my unlock code in under two hours. Once you unlock your device, it will always be unlocked, even after you upgrade your OS, and it will not affect your carrier/phone warranties.

Just make sure that when you enter your unlock code that if it doesn't work, double check the number given to what you entered. If they are the same, then contact freemyberry.com and have them recheck everything. You only get 10 tries to unlock your BB, then it locks up and is bricked.

Don't worry, this unlock site has a great reputation and I had no problems. I just wanted you to be aware if there is a mess up because I have read posts from some people that have continued to enter the wrong number until their phone was bricked. If it doesn't work the first time, stop, then check the number before trying again.

Each BB has its own unique coding and the unlock code will not work an another device.

It won't brick your phone but it will prevent you unlocking it via MEPD menu. You would then require it to be unlocked by a cable service.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

**ghostryder12** · 08-06-2011, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by pmanchin

It won't brick your phone but it will prevent you unlocking it via MEPD menu. You would then require it to be unlocked by a cable service.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

I have to respectively disagree with this statement. I had no problems because the MEPD menu was part of the unlocking instructions.

**pmanchin** · 08-07-2011, 12:56 AM

You must have misunderstood me, what I meant was if you enter the incorrect unlock code 10 times, you will be unable to unlock it via the MEPD menu and thus need to cable unlock it. It however, will not brick the phone entering the wrong code in 10 times.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

**bwj1450** · 08-07-2011, 08:43 AM

i have successivly unlocked my att 9800 torch, i tried to put in my sim from verizon and nothing happened. What steps do i need to do in order to use the verizon sim and use the phone on verizon? Please help.

thanks

**ghostryder12** · 08-07-2011, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by pmanchin

You must have misunderstood me, what I meant was if you enter the incorrect unlock code 10 times, you will be unable to unlock it via the MEPD menu and thus need to cable unlock it. It however, will not brick the phone entering the wrong code in 10 times.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

Thanks for clearing that up for me and thanks for the cable unlock info.

**gbsn** · 08-07-2011, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by bwj1450

i have successivly unlocked my att 9800 torch, i tried to put in my sim from verizon and nothing happened. What steps do i need to do in order to use the verizon sim and use the phone on verizon? Please help.

thanks

Verizon does not use sim cards. Verizon uses a CDMA network, which does not use sim cards and is not compatible with pure GSM phones, like the torch is. As far as i know, that sim card is from vodafone, or is for international usage.

**Jeremy647** · 08-07-2011, 04:22 PM

i have a blackberry bold 9780 from wind mobile. i have the unlock code but it is wrong can anybody help me with this ?

**ghostryder12** · 08-07-2011, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremy647

i have a blackberry bold 9780 from wind mobile. i have the unlock code but it is wrong can anybody help me with this ?

If the code is wrong, the only people to help are those that got you the code. Contact the place you got the code from and tell them it's wrong. No one here can help with a wrong code.
Good luck.

**1425956** · 08-07-2011, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by ghostryder12

Hope you got an answer that makes sense to you. If you decide you'd like to unlock your BB, I went here, FreeMyBlackBerry.com
It was free and I had my unlock code in under two hours. Once you unlock your device, it will always be unlocked, even after you upgrade your OS, and it will not affect your carrier/phone warranties.
Just make sure that when you enter your unlock code that if it doesn't work, double check the number given to what you entered. If they are the same, then contact freemyberry.com and have them recheck everything. You only get 10 tries to unlock your BB, then it locks up and is bricked.
Don't worry, this unlock site has a great reputation and I had no problems. I just wanted you to be aware if there is a mess up because I have read posts from some people that have continued to enter the wrong number until their phone was bricked. If it doesn't work the first time, stop, then check the number before trying again.
Each BB has its own unique coding and the unlock code will not work an another device.

I followed the link above yesterday and submitted my information to request an unlock code. I was skeptical about it, but I received my code today! About 24 hours like it is stated in the link. I doubt I will ever actually need to use it, however, if I sell my Torch later on, it may increase its resale value.

**ghostryder12** · 08-07-2011, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by 1425956

I followed the link above yesterday and submitted my information to request an unlock code. I was skeptical about it, but I received my code today! About 24 hours like it is stated in the link. I doubt I will ever actually need to use it, however, if I sell my Torch later on, it may increase its resale value.

Good for you. I used freemyberry.com for my Torch. Don't know if I'll ever use its ability but it's nice to have.

**aha** · 08-07-2011, 05:50 PM

We went out of the country in July for a week, our roaming charges were >400 bucks, this was with the supposedly affordable travel pack! So I am so glad that I read this thread for we will be travelling again soon.

**bwj1450** · 08-07-2011, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by gbsn

Verizon does not use sim cards. Verizon uses a CDMA network, which does not use sim cards and is not compatible with pure GSM phones, like the torch is. As far as i know, that sim card is from vodafone, or is for international usage.

The blackberry storm2 I have on verizon has a sim card in it? So I cant use the torch on verizon?

**ghostryder12** · 08-07-2011, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by bwj1450

The blackberry storm2 I have on verizon has a sim card in it? So I cant use the torch on verizon?

Are you sure it's a SIM card and not a memory card? I know that Verizon offers a 16GB microSD Card with the Storm2.

**bwj1450** · 08-07-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by ghostryder12

Are you sure it's a SIM card and not a memory card? I know that Verizon offers a 16GB microSD Card with the Storm2.

No it diff. has a sim card as well as a 16g micro chip? The sim card does say vodaphone on it what ever that means?

**gbsn** · 08-07-2011, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by bwj1450

The blackberry storm2 I have on verizon has a sim card in it? So I cant use the torch on verizon?

Its probably a sim card for international usage on international GSM carriers, the storm, tour and cdma bold lines can also be used on GSM networks. I have not yet seen Verizon stating that it has deployed a GSM network in the US.

The blackberry smartphones targeted to GSM carriers, can only be used on GSM carriers as they only have a GSM radio, while their CDMA counterparts can be used on GSM carriers and the "targeted" CDMA carrier. When you are unlocking a CDMA blackberry, you are unlocking only its GSM part.

The torch 9800 is GSM only.

If it says vodafone, then you can probably use the storm in the vodafone network in europe at a discounted rate (vodafone is a cellphone provider). And, if you put that vodafone sim card in your unlocked torch, you can also use it on the vodafone network.

**pmanchin** · 08-08-2011, 11:46 AM

The radio in the Torch isn't set to use the frequencies that the Verizon Network uses, nor is the Storm 2 on AT&T. You will be unable to use them on each others networks. You can however use a Storm 2 on T-Mobile but 2G only. The Storm 2 does come with a SIM card for travel.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

**gbsn** · 08-08-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by pmanchin

The radio in the Torch isn't set to use the frequencies that the Verizon Network uses, nor is the Storm 2 on AT&T. You will be unable to use them on each others networks. You can however use a Storm 2 on T-Mobile but 2G only. The Storm 2 does come with a SIM card for travel.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

Verizon uses CDMA, a different radio technology. Its not just different frequency, its the radio type.

The CDMA blackberry smartphones are also quad band GPRS, they support EDGE on at&t's and tmobile's network. What they dont support is 3G on at&t or tmobile (not sure about tmo). At&t being a different frequency and tmobile using two frequencies for 3G (1700/2100), while the storm,tour,bold9650 are single band for UMTS (2100), dont know if the tmobile frequencies are for download/upload or they are just for load balancing, if its for load balancing then they can get 3G on tmobile, otherwise, they are missing a frequency band. But still, all the CDMA BBs can get EDGE in the US.

The storm 2 works fine on at&t with EDGE only.