BBM Works Over WiFi ?

**Jonathank** · 12-07-2011, 12:29 AM

Guys... I cannot find a Clear answer 2 this one. Does BBM work over Wifi? These are the answer's I have gotten. 1) No BBM does not work over wifi, it needs to go threw RIM's Servers. 2) Yes BBM does work over Wifi. 3) You need the service books to have it work. What is the case? I am here with a friend with 2 Sprint 9930's both have service interruptions (Please Contact customer support) 1 BBM still works and the other BBM does not.(Both on Wifi) 1 was always on the other was switched off. What I have found out is that if you loose service and switch to Wifi and DO NOT power off the phone (Which might cause you to loose the Service Book's) BBM will still work. If you power off the device and back on and turn on Wifi BBM will NOT work... WHY??? I have proof that 1 works on wifi and 1 does not, same phone same plan. I would just like to know the answer

Thanks in advance

**belfastdispatcher** · 12-07-2011, 01:45 AM

As long as you have an active Blackberry data plan BBM will work over wifi.

**Spamcube** · 12-07-2011, 02:06 AM

I have an unlocked Storm 2 and BBM works through WIFI without the SIM card installed.

**Branta** · 12-07-2011, 05:47 AM

All BIS services will work over a pure WiFi link. I have used BBM and email over a WiFi-satellite connection from ships at sea, and offshore oil installations where the nearest cellular signal with RIM service was hundreds of miles away. It will not make any difference if you pull the battery and reboot the phone, it will still work when the phone restarts - and reboot should NOT lose Service Books unless the phone is defective.

OTOH you might have problems using some (usually) business owned WiFi if a firewall restricts available ports and protocols. Access to only port 80 for http won't let you connect to RIM servers.

**in_it_2_win_it** · 12-07-2011, 04:47 PM

Interesting responses. Thank u

**ThePoisonDroid** · 12-07-2011, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by branta

All BIS services will work over a pure WiFi link. I have used BBM and email over a WiFi-satellite connection from ships at sea, and offshore oil installations where the nearest cellular signal with RIM service was hundreds of miles away. It will not make any difference if you pull the battery and reboot the phone, it will still work when the phone restarts - and reboot should NOT lose Service Books unless the phone is defective.

OTOH you might have problems using some (usually) business owned WiFi if a firewall restricts available ports and protocols. Access to only port 80 for http won't let you connect to RIM servers.

But this is all IF big IF you have a BIS or BES account. The only way to get a BIS account is if a carrier setup one for you as a data plan.

**bboy2143** · 12-07-2011, 11:18 PM

Back in the day, BBM didnt work with WiFi right? Or am i wrong? :P

**belfastdispatcher** · 12-08-2011, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by b_boy2143

Back in the day, BBM didnt work with WiFi right? Or am i wrong? :P

It worked as far as I can remember, it worked on my first 8320 and my wife's Pearl 8120, both had UMA too.

**blackberry-unlocking710** · 12-08-2011, 05:19 AM

To get BBM to work you need a BIS account (it's working using the PIN # of your Blackberry)

So simply it will work - if you have a Blackberry data plan.
Unlocking your Blackberry is making it free for use with other SIM cards from all GSM carriers.. but you need a Blackberry data plan from your carrier to get BBM to work over WIFI.

**Xterra2** · 12-08-2011, 06:24 AM

Yes it works
I have used bbm over wifi with mobile network off

**Branta** · 12-08-2011, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by ThePoisonBerry

But this is all IF big IF you have a BIS or BES account. The only way to get a BIS account is if a carrier setup one for you as a data plan.

This is irrelevant to the topic. The OP asked explicitly about BBM, which requires RIM data. If a BIS or BES account does not exist (BB data plan if you want to call it that...) it doesn't matter whether cellular and/or Wifi services are available, BBM will not work.