How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi-Fi without data plan?
You can browse internet on Wi-Fi capable Blackberry devices through your wireless Internet router at home, office or at any Hotspot location and you do not need to have a data plan on your account. There are no additional charges involved when using only Wi-Fi. It is absolutely free.
Following is the step by step detailed guide on setting up Wi-Fi connection, browsing and managing Wi-Fi connections profile on your Blackberry.
Requirements:
- Wi-Fi capable Blackberry device. (BlackBerry Bold 9000, Pear Flip 8220, Pearl 8120, Curve 8900, Curve 8320 and 8820)
- Access to Wi-Fi coverage area
Steps:
- Connect to Wi-Fi network
- Change the default browser
- Browse Internet
- Wi-Fi profile settings (Optional)
A. Connect to Wi-Fi network
- Press Menu button and click on Set Up then click on Set Up Wi-Fi (Some options may be different depending on the model of Blackberry and version of operating system. But needs to go in Set up Wi-Fi option)
Or - Click on Manage Connections and then scroll down and click on Set Up Wi-Fi Network
- Click Next and then click on Scan for Networks
- If your Wi-Fi radio is OFF then it will prompt to Turn Wi-Fi on, Click on Turn Wi-Fi on and it will search for available Wi-Fi networks and will show the list of available Wi-Fi networks
- Click on your Wi-Fi network, you want to connect to. If that Wi-Fi has WEP encryption set then it will prompt you to add Network Key. Follow the prompts and later you will see Connection Successful and if you want to save it as Profile. Follow the prompts and click on Finish. That’s it. You are now connected to Wi-Fi. On your BlackBerry Home screen you will see your Wi-Fi network name besides your Wireless Carrier’s Name.
B. Change the default browser
- Click on Browser icon
- Press Menu button
- Click on Options
- Click on General Properties
- The first option is Default Browser change it to HotSpot Browser
- Press Menu key
- Click on Save Options
C. Browse Internet
Go back to browser and browse unlimited Internet without using your data plan. Just to make sure you are not using your data, turn off the Mobile Network from the Manage Connections and test, you will still be able to browse but you will not get any phone call/ Text. 
D. Wi-Fi profile settings (Optional)
Optionally, if you have multiple Wi-Fi profiles set on your BlackBerry then you can change the order how Wi-Fi connections are made and also change the Wi-Fi selection mode from automatic to manual.
Please leave comments if you see any discrepancy or have any difficulty following steps.
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Hi, i’ve read most comments and didn’t find this addressed:
I have a data plan, and thanks to your instructions was able to browse on the internet using my wifi connection. Problem is my home has no cellphone coverage so I want to use bbm from the wifi connection. Is this possible?
Thanks!
It’s mentioned on this post
http://www.blackberrytune.com/blackberry-services-supported-over-a-wi-fi-connection/
Yes, It’s possible. Just make sure, when you’ve cellphone coverage – BBM is working.
And, when you don’t have cellphone coverage, do not try to change SIM card else the active “BBM service books” will get deleted and you’ll have to go in cellphone coverage area again to get it.
I hope this helps.
Thank you very much, this was very helpful.
I have a 8900, i went through all the steps but when i try to browse a message comes up saying that web browsing is not apart of my plan. i have the uma connection and everything i just dont know why it wont work! is it because my phone is currently prepaid?
Beste, mijn BB geeft steeds aan dat ik mijn radio moet inschakelen. Ik weet niet wat er daar van mij verwacht wordt. Mijn eigen wifi netwerk is ingesteld.
Fantastic, and easy. Thank You
Hi, I recently got the BB curve 8520, and I have connected to my wifi, and changed the browser to hotspot browser. However, when I use my browser and search for something, it tells me subscription required and I need a data plan. I don’t have a data plan and I don’t wish to get one. Please help, how do I use my browser with wifi?
Do a Battery pull and try again.
It seems like you have done all the steps correctly on your BlackBerry. Checking it again with different Wi-Fi zone/router would be a good idea.
Hi, I have a BB curve 8520, I turned off data services but can’t connect to the internet even with wifi connection. What should I do? Thanks.
“Data Services” should be ON to browse. Also, make sure you’ve followed steps mentioned in the above post.
I have the blackberry bold 9700. I used to have a data plan, and when I did, my browser worked fine using wifi. however, I recently switched my data plan to an unlimited social networking/instant messaging plan and I am no longer able to connect to the internet through wifi on my hotstpot browser. now whenever I try to connect to a page, a msg pops up saying “unable to connect to internet, please try again later. if the problem persists please contact your service provider. this is only the case with the default browser though, as all my other apps such as opera mini are working fine through wifi. why is this?
Try these steps.
- Delete all browser history, cache, cookies
- Delete all saved Wi-Fi profiles
- Do a Battery Pull
- Reset your Wi-Fi router (Optional- If you can)
- Now try setting up Wi-Fi on your BlackBerry again
- Make sure you have a Hot-spot browser set and “Data Services” ON
- Try browsing website.
(Go through previous comments on this post if you have difficulty following any of above steps)
- If problem still persist, test again with different Wi-Fi router and last let me know the exact error if above steps doesn’t resolve the issue.
Hi! i have a problem. i followed exactly your instructions. however, the thing that prompt me asked me to contact service provider? this is the part i do not understand. it’s wifi. pls help me. mine is a bold 9000
Pls. follow the steps I have mentioned in above comment.
Hi
Appreciate your help sincerely! It turned out that it wasn’t me that had the problem. It was the phone. The firmware is too old. My dearest cousin flashed it for me and solved eveything that I had problems with. If next time others ask you about wifi problems etc, you could tell them if everything that you had mentioned did not work, it could be the outdated firmware. I am using the lates v5 for bold 9000!
Thanks & Regards
Daryl Bay
Great help. thanks buddy…