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Home»BlackBerry Help»Help, How-To & Tips

BlackBerry 101: How to enter an unlock code on your BlackBerry Smartphone

by Adam Zeis on 19 Jul 2010 12:56 PM
43
 
[ youtube video link for mobile viewing ]

One of the most common things BlackBerry users need to do is unlock their device for use on another carrier, prepaid SIM or "just to do it". Looking around a bit we realized we had no real instructions posted anywhere for easy access on getting it done, so here we are. The quick video above shows how to unlock your device after obtaining an unlock code. I did it here on my Bold 9650 and full instructions for other QWERTY devices as well as Storm and Pearl devices are posted after the jump. If you need an unlock code you can sometimes get one straight from your carrier, or you can check out our BlackBerry Unlocking forums for more information/discussion on unlock companies and even check out current contests and promotions for unlock codes.

How to unlock your GSM BlackBerry

BlackBerry 83xx, 88xx, 8900, 9000, 96xx and 9700

  1. Be sure to have a SIM card inserted in the device and turn off all network connections
  2. From the homescreen, go to Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card
  3. Type mepd (you will not see any text on the screen while typing)
  4. Type in mep2 (type in mep using the keyboard then press ALT and the number 2 to get mep2)
  5. Enter your provided code in the "Enter Network MEP Code" box and press in the trackball/trackpad to confirm
  6. You should see "Code Accepted" and your device is now unlocked 

BlackBerry Storm and Storm2

  1. Be sure to have a SIM card inserted in the device and turn off all network connections
  2. From the homescreen, go to Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card
  3. Press the menu key and select "Show Keyboard"
  4. Type mepd (you will not see any text on the screen while typing)
  5. Type in mep2 (type in mep using the keyboard then press ALT and the number 2 to get mep2)
  6. Enter your provided code in the "Enter Network MEP Code" box and press Enter to confirm
  7. You should see "Code Accepted" and your device is now unlocked

BlackBerry Pearl

  1. Be sure to have a SIM card inserted in the device and turn off all network connections
  2. From the homescreen, go to Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card
  3. Hold down the shift key and press meppd (you will not see any text on the screen while typing)
  4. Type in mep2 (type in mep using the keyboard then press ALT and the number 2 to get mep2)
  5. Enter your provided code in the "Enter Network MEP Code" box and press Enter to confirm
  6. You should see "Code Accepted" and your device is now unlocked
Filed Under: Help, How-To & Tips; Tags: cbvideo, help video, unlocking, video
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43 Comments

Posted by Diggs31 Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Ok I see you need a SIM card installed for unlocking the 9650. Does that mean it's not possible to unlock the Verizon 9650 to work on Sprint?

 
 
Posted by sweetlittlehugs Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Does the verizon version not come with a sim card? The sprint 9650 comes with the sim unlocked however if you wanted to use it on Verizon I think you'd have to unlock the CDMA part. I could be wrong though.

 
 
Posted by RunOfLuck Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

What does that mean for Sprint's 8530 which has no SIM card slot?

 
 
Posted by diegonei Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Means it is a CDMA-ONLY phone and you gotta call the carrier to have it moved from one to another. That is, IF the frequencies they use are compatible...

But I could be wrong...

 
 
Posted by RunOfLuck Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

That makes sense diegonei. LoL You always know the answer to my question.

 
 
Posted by jlb21 Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

On my VZW I had to hold down the shift key when typing MEPD. No worries as I am already unlocked but for others........

 
 
Posted by Ritzcarlton Monday, Jan 10, 2011 500 days ago

My cousin was about to hard lock his Blackberry by trying with wrong codes recently. We talked to our carriers first but they had certain conditions to give one that was not met by us. They warned not to go for free codes.
Later came across several forums and free codes, in fact fake codes and finally gave a chance by spending just some $. Thank god and for them who helped us with suggestions. Beware of "free fake" codes anyways. Now before choosing one, compare the prices b/w couple of providers and pick the best. If possible bargain ;). Let me help you referring some
http://unlockgenie.com/?p=compareprices
http://www.gsmliberty.net/shop/cell-phone-unlocking-c-21.html
http://www.globalunlock.com/phones/home
http://www.mobileunlocksolutions.com/unlock-your-phone/rs1wp2/

 
 
Posted by Adobz Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

I noticed after he entered the code the Network status went from "Active" to "Inactive". When I entered my code it went from "Active" to "Disabled". Is that the same thing? I just want to make sure.

 
 
Posted by pilothaz Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Mine is all set to Disabled now on my phone and it is totally unlocked.... Nothing to worry about here, nothing to see :)

Just be happy with your newly unlocked BB.

 
 
Posted by aleoje Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

I know it is against rule but is there a way to get the code just knowing the IMEI and Mep. Just yes or no, please

 
 
Posted by The_Adventist Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

After spending 25 minutes on hold I got...

"I'm so sorry for keeping you on hold for so long Mr. (Fill in Blank), it is Rogers' policy not to give out unlock codes. I do apologize."

Well, I guess that's that. Looks like I wait for the sales to come along.

Oh well, worth a shot at free unlock.

 
 
Posted by ocsoofficer Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Is the code specific to one device or is there only one code per carrier which can be used to unlock any device within one carrier? For example: code 0000 is used by AT&T to unlock all cell phones in the AT&T network; or each device needs a unique code for that specific device.

Thanks......

 
 
Posted by pilothaz Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

They are specific to each device. Nothing generic about it. Just wait and find a deal on sites which will send you the unlock code for a cost.

 
 
Posted by mdjones21 Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Why would you want to unlock your phone anyway?

 
 
Posted by sweetlittlehugs Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

So you can use it on different carriers, especially good for traveling to another country. If you want to sell your phone its value goes up if its unlocked.

 
 
Posted by sweetlittlehugs Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

So you can use it on different carriers, especially good for traveling to another country. If you want to sell your phone its value goes up if its unlocked.

 
 
Posted by ocsoofficer Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

I think unlocking the phone provides flexibility in the selling of it if you choose to sell it as it can potentially be used on another network or purchased by someone who would like to replace or upgrade from his/her current phone but doesn't want to be tied down to a contract.

 
 
Posted by pilothaz Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

Also, if you want to use your phone while over in another country... I brought my unlocked Sony Ericsson over with me to England (before I had my BB) and used it with a pay as you go SIM card. Used it primarily for texts, but still great to have.

Unlocked my BB as soon as I found a deal, think it was for $2?

 
 
Posted by kunalmoondra Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 586 days ago

2 bucks? could you share the unlockers details..i would also like to get mine unlocked..here in netherlands.

 
 
Posted by tarynh86 Monday, Jul 19, 2010 676 days ago

I have a TELUS Bold 9700.

I have an unlock code and I know how to unlock the phone.

When I type MEP2 NOTHING happens! I've trying resetting the device, pulling the battery etc, still nothing. Any ideas?

 
 
Posted by Xx K RocK 17 xX Monday, Jul 19, 2010 675 days ago

I was in the exact same boat as you, but I searched the Google and you need to enter MEP4 with Telus now. Apparently, Bell customers need to enter MEP2, code, and then MEP4, code but I can't say for sure. Adam, you should do a mention of this, AND that if your dealing with a company that unlocks phones you have to make sure that your getting an MEP4 code NOT a regular MEP2 code.

 
 
Posted by speeno green Monday, Jul 19, 2010 675 days ago

^^^WTH

 
 
Posted by DarshOne Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 675 days ago

yo adam, appreciate the vid, woulda been handy when i unlocked my tour, but i found the info elsewhere in the blogosphere. my question tho, is what now? i have 2 unlocked verizon tours, but i havent needed to put them on any other carriers yet. however i woud like to put one on ATT just for a nerdy experiment to see how it works..(feel me crackerberry addicts?) but im wondering, how do i do it? say i were to purchase a pre paid go phone SIM from ATT, would it make my bb act just like a regular phone? would it not functoion with BIS? i assume it wouldnt, but is it possible to do so? or if i were to place the ATT SIM in there, could i just use it as a dumbphone essentially and use it for texts and calls? would the service books come thru and all that?

 
 
Posted by nicsmomma07 Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 675 days ago

All you have to do is call and tell them that you are going out of the country and they will give you an unlock code.

 
 
Posted by DarshOne Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 675 days ago

simply not true.

 
 
Posted by nicsmomma07 Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 674 days ago

Yes it is since I did it this morning. All I did was call Verizon and tell them that I was going overseas and needed my Tour unlocked and they generated and gave me a code and my phone is now unlocked. The whole process took less than 10 mins.

 
 
Posted by DarshOne Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 674 days ago

i tried this months ago and was not given the code, your experience may vary.

 
 
Posted by DarshOne Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 674 days ago

i tried this months ago and was not given the code, your experience may vary.

 
 
Posted by simplyme76 Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 663 days ago

Hi Friends,

I have a blackberry 8830 (sprint). while trying to unlock it i am pressing "mepd" - with i get new details on screen.
After that i am trying to press mep2 ie mep (alt + 2) - but nothing is happening.
I have the final code but i am not able to jump to the window where i need to punch the same.
I m in canada now nd hve come from india where it was working fine on gsm

Plz Help!!!

 
 
Posted by simplyme76 Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 663 days ago

Hi Friends,

I have a blackberry 8830 (sprint). while trying to unlock it i am pressing "mepd" - with i get new details on screen.
After that i am trying to press mep2 ie mep (alt + 2) - but nothing is happening.
I have the final code but i am not able to jump to the window where i need to punch the same.
I m in canada now nd hve come from india where it was working fine on gsm

Plz Help!!!

 
 
Posted by UmAlum1990 Tuesday, Aug 03, 2010 661 days ago
 
 
Posted by Mispritsy Saturday, Aug 07, 2010 657 days ago

So, since I have Cincinnati Bell wireless and I already have an unlocked BB Storm 2 since Cinti Bell doesn't sell Storms, When I call Cincinnati Bell to ask for an unlocked code, Will they ask me for what kind of phone? Remember, I don't have a phone that Cincinnati Bell sells and neither will they sell the Torch, so will they refuse to give me the unlocked code because I have purchased a non Cincinnati Bell phone?

 
 
Posted by nrporter Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 572 days ago

If this is too much work for you.. or you would rather have this done instantly please head on over to our automatic / instant blackberry Codes calculator here.. The codes are displayed instantly right on your screen... (This costs $5 per code!!)

http://www.trustedunlock.com/

 
 
Posted by gracyj Monday, Nov 08, 2010 564 days ago

All the instructions will be very useful. But there are no instructions for other Blackberry mobiles. I got my instructions from www.mobileunlockguide.com and you can also check for your mobile models.

 
 
Posted by gabriel2265 Friday, Nov 19, 2010 553 days ago

i dont have the code wher can i get it for free?

 
 
Posted by K9kazoo Saturday, Nov 20, 2010 551 days ago

How does one confirm the unlocked worked?

Going to US next week.. have T Mobile sim card... so I assume I install it and then want? Does it assign me a number?

and what is the "PIN2" code? On the Sim Card screen its says Security Disabled on the top... ???

Thanks,

B.

 
 
Posted by nebbjuz Monday, Dec 13, 2010 529 days ago

For free unlock instructions for blackberry mobile phones and also other models please have a look here: http://www.unlockthatmobile.com/instructions/free_unlock_instructions.ph...

You can use the unlock instructions even if you haven't purchased the unlock code from these guys.

 
 
Posted by xxx91423 Monday, Feb 07, 2011 473 days ago

just went to http://www.unlocktotalk.com to unlock my tmobile blackberry to move it over to att. seamless transaction and completed in under 10 mins. awesome service!

 
 
Posted by Lacey420 Tuesday, May 03, 2011 388 days ago

As it appears that a SIM card is required to unlock a BB 83XX, can someone please direct me to how to locate the SIM card in my 8330? All I can find under the battery is the micro media DS card. Thanks

 
 
Posted by teensicle Sunday, Oct 09, 2011 229 days ago

you can get the code from www.mybbunlock.com bought the code for my 9800 there

 
 
Posted by destroyersteak Wednesday, Nov 02, 2011 204 days ago

A really good place to get codes is http://www.mdoutlets.com

I got my code for only about 10 dollars, and it takes them less than a minute to give it to you. try them out see how you like it.

 
 
Posted by macman10 Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 133 days ago

hmmm not a bad set of recommendations but i found a website where it does it via prd or mep and it is guaranteed to unlock phones and cheap too only 3.99 or something. I had a blackberry bold 9700 and my mrs had the blackberry curve 8520 - both were unlocked pretty much within the hour...if any one wants the site its http://www.unlockblackberrycurve.co.uk/

if you do use this site and you are unsure of how many codes you got left before it locks permantly use this site its much better for blackberry unlocking

ciao

 
 
Posted by reubenreed Wednesday, Mar 28, 2012 58 days ago

hey,I am try www.unlock2go.com for unlock my blackberry, they provide step by step instruction for unlock blackberry, Thanks unlock2go for unlock my bb....