Home > How To > How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi-Fi without data plan?

How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi-Fi without data plan?

by Munish | January 6, 2009 | 437 Comments

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:

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi network
  2. Change the default browser
  3. Browse Internet
  4. Wi-Fi profile settings (Optional)

A. Connect to Wi-Fi network

  1. 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
  2. Click on Manage Connections and then scroll down and click on Set Up Wi-Fi Network
  3. Click Next and then click on Scan for Networks How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?
  4. 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
    How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?
    How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?
  5. 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.
    How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?
    How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?

B. Change the default browser

  1. Click on Browser icon
  2. Press Menu button
  3. Click on Options
  4. Click on General Properties
  5. The first option is Default Browser change it to HotSpot BrowserHow to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?
  6. Press Menu key
  7. 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. How to browse internet on Blackberry using Wi Fi without data plan?

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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437 Comments & Trackbacks
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  1. Ekerette on February 13, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Hello. Thanks so much for this thread. But, my problem is that I have a blackberry subscription for this month which I want to use on my pc, through the tethering thingy. Is it possible, and how do I do it?

    Reply
  2. minal on February 14, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    i m unable to connect internet on my blackberry, even on my mobile network. how to do this ..

    Reply
  3. get router ip on February 14, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Nice write-up, but this doesn’t always appear to work together with my router ip address, any helpful hints?

    Reply
  4. raheem on February 21, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    thanks.. it’s realy very helpful

    Reply
  5. Nathan Millar on March 5, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    How do you change the wifi selection mode automatic or manual? Thanks

    Reply
  6. olutoye orishabiyi on March 6, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Pls, I need a wifi network for my blackberry bold 9000 to enable me browse effectively, I need it soonest

    Reply
  7. Jitendra on March 10, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    After follwoing avobe steps, I am geting this error
    “Unable to find requested server.” while trying to access any site.

    Please suggest How to resolve this problem?

    Reply
    • David on October 12, 2011 at 1:33 PM

      Just one more thing I had to do after following the steps in this article to make it work. I had to type directly in the main browser page the web page I wanted to go to. Don’t select the page from your bookmarks or history records. I’m guessing bookmarks created it while browsing on data plan get configured to always get access this way. By the way my phone is a bold 9000.

      Reply
  8. Munish on March 27, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Guys, Please visit the older comments and I am sure you’ll find the answer to the most of your problems.

    Reply
  9. ankit on March 29, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    After follwoing avobe steps, I am geting this error
    “Unable to find requested server.” while trying to access any site.

    Please suggest How to resolve this problem?

    Reply
  10. tim d on March 30, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    I dont have the AT&T internet plan, but i do have wifi can I still get apps?

    Reply
  11. ac on March 30, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    THANK YOU

    Reply
  12. guy on April 2, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    doesn’t work on torch?
    instructions for torch

    Reply
  13. Randy on April 3, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Hi everybody! I’ve read ALL the older comments and still my problem hasn’t been solved. I’ve had a Blackberry Bold 9000 for a few months now. I’m located in Belgium, Europe and we do not have a Blackberry-shop here. My problem is that every time I try to connect to Wi-Fi,, the little case gets a little “checked” for 1 second and then it turns off. So actually what I’m trying to say is: I can’t connect to wi-fi. And when I go to “Set Up Wi-Fi Network” & I scan for networks,, it tells me: UNABLE TO TURN WI-FI ON.
    Can someone help me please?

    Thank you all!

    Reply
    • Munish on April 3, 2011 at 11:08 PM

      @Randy, For this situation, either it could be a hardware issue or OS related problem. Back up and try OS reload and see if that helps. Else I do not see any thing else in terms of troubleshooting this type of issue.

      Reply
  14. Claire on April 6, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Hi – I am defeated at the moment!!
    I have a bold 9780 – Wi-Fi is connected but I am unable to select the hotspot browser.. I open the browser, menu – options … (Screen – says.. Browser Options: General) but there is no option to set preference to hotspot etc – PLEASE HELP!! the 1st option I see is “Startup page” and there is nothing else in the menu to select “Default browser”.. I have been searching the forums for days and I am now feeling very defeated by this..

    Reply
    • Yousef on May 3, 2011 at 3:06 PM

      I’ve the same problem with the same BB 9870.
      When I switch off my mobile network and keep my WiFi network, I can browse Internet using my WiFi, BUT Data Services should be ENABLED.
      Still, I can’t access chat services.
      I’ve the latest OS V6.0 Bundle 1306

      Reply
  15. Lou on May 1, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Just to say ‘thanks!’ Munish – worked like a charm. That snippet about changing the browser made it happen.

    Reply
  16. BDOS on May 6, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    thank you

    Reply
  17. joginder on May 15, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    hi i am new to using bb9780 i have internet at home and i am unable to browse internet while using wifi its asking contact your service provider and have no data plan. what can i do i purchased mobile just 2 days before.
    please help me

    Reply
  18. internet time server windows on June 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    I beloved as much as you’ll receive carried out proper here. The comic strip is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be turning in the following. ill without a doubt come further earlier again since precisely the similar just about a lot regularly within case you protect this hike.

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  19. kavya on July 1, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    dude,

    i just baught a blackberry in a fit of things, was so disappointed with the device, it was not working at all without a data plan,
    i was about to kick it off for a dirt cheap price.

    ur article saved me a lot of money

    Reply
  20. ally on July 2, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    this helped me thank you, but it says that it is unable to connect to the internet, please try again later. can you help me with that?

    Reply
  21. neer on August 18, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    thanks munish , i was facing problem but after reading your suggestions really it shutout my problem thanks buddy.

    Reply
  22. ZILA on August 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    i have tried every stuff but still is telling unable to connect to the internet,please try again later.

    Reply
  23. Jan on October 12, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    Hi! i have a bb9700. previously may wifi is doing well but yesterday i wonder why i cant connect to the internet. it says a problem occurred while trying to render the page. i am connected to wifi but i cannot use it.thanks

    Reply
  24. Mahmoud on October 22, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Thanks Munish, how about OS 7 in BB 9900. I face the same problem.

    Reply
  25. Mahmoud on October 22, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    Thanks Munish, how about OS 7? I have the same problem but this solution is not applicable in OS 7. Could you please help?

    Reply
  26. mahabad72 on October 31, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    hi i did exactly as in this tutorial i am connected to wifi and now shoing on my blackberry 8520 curve but can not access the internet i been searching in googles after more the 8 hours did not find any way to sort it out any idea

    Reply
    • Munish on December 15, 2011 at 1:07 PM

      Delete the saved Wi-Fi profile, Set up again and try. Make sure you haven’t missed changing the default browser to Hot-Spot browser.

      Reply
  27. lila on November 10, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    that’s great but my problem is wen i go out and i do not have any wifi connection internet start working from my sim card even am not using the internet and i lost money directly from my simcard what should i do to stop internet working from my simcard when am out
    thnxx

    Reply
    • Munish on December 15, 2011 at 1:06 PM

      Those data usage from your SIM card might be the Third-party apps using the data plan. Make sure your browser is set to Hot-Spot browser. Other than that hard to control the data usage from carrier.

      Reply
  28. Jong on November 27, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Worked for me.

    Reply
  29. Amal Rox on December 3, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    i like :) thxx

    Reply
  30. ashwax89 on January 3, 2012 at 6:51 AM

    I have a verizon BBCurve, and my service is shut off at the moment due to unemployment… Is there still a way for the internet browser to work when there is no service plan activated?

    Reply
  31. william on January 11, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    sadly my wifi does not want to work on my BB8520… 1st under manage connections my mobile network is switched on and there is a green tick my wifi is turned on with my routers name next to wifi but there is no green tick. 2nd under wifi options my router is a saved profile and is connected. 3rd under option>advance options>TCP/IP there is no information and no ticks. 4th under options>advance options>Browser my default browser configuration : hot spot browser … my default MDS browser configuration: Internet browser … my default wap browser configurations : 02 Active …. and it does not want to connect to the Internet neither bbm nor Facebook frankly i do not know what else to do can some one please help asap!!! (info at the back of the phone says wifi BT)

    Reply
    • Tom on January 12, 2012 at 4:19 PM

      Were you able to browse on Wi-Fi anytime before by any chance? I would suggest deleting the saved wi-fi profiles and then setting it up from scratch. It’s a good idea to test this BlackBerry on other open Wi-Fi connections.

      Reply
  32. slackerhacker on February 4, 2012 at 6:37 PM

    I am able to browse using wifi connections, however since I upgraded my handset to a newer bold i am unable to browse pages for my carrier over wifi (complains that radio must be on). Annoying but not serious.
    I also notice junk bookmarks for my carrier which have been pushed/injected and can’t be deleted afaik (and these, equally, cannot be browsed via wifi and give same error!).
    Anybody know if this can be fixed? I am thinking about trying bolt browser
    J

    Reply
  33. Mohamed on February 26, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    Last night, my battery was dead WIFI was on my bold 9000
    After loading I tried to access the Internet, but when
    i check wifi, I have not any connection, and can not open the wifi:
    unable to turn wifi on
    status : the wifi radio is not on
    anyway thx

    Reply
  34. mohamed on February 26, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    Last night, my battery was dead WIFI was on my bold 9000
    After loading I tried to access the Internet, but when
    i check wifi, I have not any connection, and can not open the wifi:
    the wi-fi radio is not on
    anyway thx

    Reply
  35. ims on March 7, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    my blackberry 8520 does not connect to the internet because my wifi cannot connect. I went to the Manage connection and turned on my wifi but after it, the Wi-Fi hotspot login doesn’t appear. When I opened the wifi diagnostics, i saw that the connection of the Blackberry infrastracture is in error. I’m totally frustrated :( what can I do to solve this problem? THANK YOU SO MUCH

    Reply
  36. himanshu on March 24, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    thanx, working n very useful.
    do u hv any idea, hw to use facebook app using wifi without data plan?

    Reply
  37. Xtine on March 31, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Hi Munish i have BB8320 – i was able to connect to any wifi networks, it shows connected, chose hotspot browser, turned off mobile network but im still getting unable to connect to the internet, I dunno what else should I check? thanks.

    Reply
  38. Rehan on May 19, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    hi i have bb curve 8520 and its working properlyy but now a days i have a problem with its wifi browser when i just connect it with wifi its connect properly but when i open my wifi hotspot browser internet does not work the msg appears ” unable to connect to the internet, please try again later. if the problem persists please contact your service providers.

    could you pls hel me out i am daaaam stuck

    Reply
  39. glenn costilals on June 2, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    i want to used my mobile sim-card for using my blackberry 8520 plssss.. help me on this problem..mostly i was on travel site to another job site but mostly my work site theirs no wi-fi connection that’s why am asking regarding on this matter.

    Reply
  40. Ren on August 3, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    do i need to turn of my mobile network everytime i use wifi so that i wont be charged by my service provider?

    Reply
  41. Jerry on August 10, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Hello, I have a BB 9700, I don´t have a data plan but bbm is working. Everything was working perfectly until the day that I conected in to a hotspot. Since that day, as soon I get home it recognizes my home internet, however, it doesn’t alow me to conect to internet. I already tried to swich but at my menu only apears the hotspot option! I don’t know what to do more! If anyone can help me, I will really appreciate! Thanks.

    Reply
  42. Vincent on October 10, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    How can i use internet service on my bold 9700 without wifi but data plan only?

    Reply
  43. Emil on December 10, 2012 at 2:28 AM

    I use a blackberry torch and one curve since last 2 years. What is sure is BB phones really sucks when it comes to internet browsing over WI-FI connections. RIM does not have a proper technical support and people just advise each other on internet forums. This again sucks, dear RIM. Not wondering why now they are on thin ice. If a service like bbm was offered by any of big players on the market, RIM was history by now.

    Reply
  44. Adil on December 17, 2012 at 4:16 AM

    can I do the steps on blacbberry torch 9800 to use the wifi and not being charged. Becausie I am having the same problem. I tried my level best to turn the data plan off but nothing works. I am not using any data plan from STC.

    Reply
  45. yagnik on December 17, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    hello..i have blackberry curve 8520…..i connect my phone ti wifi,i also change my browser to hotspot browser…but i get msg that unable to find requested server…what can i do for that???..is data plan is required for that????plz helpme and give reply……

    Reply
  46. vinay on December 26, 2012 at 2:39 AM

    Hi,

    I am using BB Curve 9220 , I have connected to WiFi successfully but while going to browser , I am not getting any option like default browser to change it to hotspot browser

    Reply
    • Emam on May 4, 2013 at 7:40 AM

      Hi Vinay,

      I have the same prob , am using bb curve 9220 and have the same prob , did you get solution ?

      Reply
  47. Vasudha on December 28, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Hi,

    I have been following the same process, and wi fi has been working on my bb. But now i have one problem, when ever i go to a place where i don’t have a wifi network and i try to open browser, it says that “this is a wifi service etc etc” and also while using whatsapp, my balance is been deducted now.

    Reply
  48. gaurav on March 10, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    I have blackberry curve 9300 with os-6.0.

    There is no “Default browser’ option. When I’m connected to wifi, then also it uses SIM internet. What can I do to disable SIM internet?

    Reply
  49. gaurav on March 10, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    I have blackberry curve 9300 with os-6.0.

    There is no “Default browser’ option. When I’m connected to wifi, then also it uses SIM internet. What can I do to disable SIM internet, so that I can access internet only via wifi.

    Reply
  50. vardhman on March 26, 2013 at 3:50 AM

    when i connect to a wifi network no wifi login is propt???i hve enabled all options of propt but still not propting anything?

    Reply
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