USING BBM WITH WIFI

The only requirement to be able to use your BBM over Wi-Fi is an active BBM Data plan. If you have an active Blackberry data plan then you are able to use the BBM via Wi-Fi as well as other features on the phone. If you don’t have an active Blackberry data plan the BBM Wi-Fi will not work.

In order to avoid roaming charges make sure that you have your mobile network off. You can learn about using your cell phone overseas by clicking here.

If you want your phone for GPS you can use GPS without any coverage at all. Many times while I was traveling through Sicily and Colombia I was able to use Google maps when my coverage when out. The trick is to make sure you load the maps before you love coverage.

I get this question a lot: Does BBM work on Wi-Fi?? Answer: Yes only if you have an active Blackberry data plan

{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }

Andrés Felipe Lenis. August 23, 2011 at 1:31 am: OK, I knew this was possible, but I just can’t do it, I dunno why, but I’ve tried to turn off my mobile ntwork so I can use BBM over WiFi, of course I have BBM data plan, but it just doesn’t work, I have my BBM data plan with Comcel in Colombia, if you can help with a configuration or sth, that’d be awesome.
Thanks man.
WanderingTrader August 23, 2011 at 5:40 pm: Andres try to connect to the network make sure you can send and receive bbm’s.. then connect to the wifi and then turn off the mobile network.. shld be able to get it to work that way
WanderingTrader September 12, 2011 at 9:32 pm: hey fikkiz make sure to have an active blackberry data connection otherwise it wont work
Erick Tejada Compres November 5, 2011 at 8:01 pm: how you chow you can use wifi on bbman use wifi on bbm
Erick Tejada Compres November 5, 2011 at 8:01 pm: how you can use wifi on bbm
WanderingTrader November 6, 2011 at 5:12 am: Watch the video! lol
WanderingTrader November 9, 2011 at 5:07 pm: YESSSSS… you have to be connected wi-fi and then turn your network off.. then you will be solely on wifi and not use the network
Khriixz February 18, 2012 at 9:08 am: U r wrong, im using my bbm just with wifi….
WanderingTrader February 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm: You have to have a bbm data plan in order to use bbm.. you can use it just off wifi but you have to have that active bb, data connection in order to use it just of wifi
WanderingTrader February 26, 2012 at 3:26 pm: it will run off the mobile network if you turn on the network
WanderingTrader March 16, 2012 at 12:08 am: thanks for the on the phone that I have have been able to do this
Bambi March 18, 2012 at 1:14 pm: life saver
Thila April 15, 2012 at 4:17 am: So, if i subscribe for BIS (BBM data plan) & turn off mobile network, on wifi, can i use BBM only with wifi without consuming any of my BBM data plan (no charges)..?
Marcello April 15, 2012 at 3:11 pm: yep… you have to have an active bbm data plan!
ziggy May 27, 2012 at 5:19 pm: does it work with a prepaid phone that doesnt have a data plan?
Marcello May 28, 2012 at 1:22 pm: Need a data plan Ziggy.. I mentioned that in the video
Pino June 27, 2012 at 11:16 am: if u put ur simcard with active bbm plan into a regular nokia or iphone. Is the bbm plan deactivated?

Cause I arrived and in the beginning it worked until I had switched my simcards. After I switched them again it didn’t work anymore.

Is there any option to fix this again?
Marcello June 27, 2012 at 11:07 pm: Pino.. no your bb, data plan goes by your sim card not your phone. The phone does nee dot be registered so you need to put the sim card in the phone and let it register before you try it
Mihir July 6, 2012 at 11:57 pm: Hey i have a plan in which i can use only the BlackBerry Messenger, no other service(net, mail, fb, nothing)… Is it possible to use bbm over wifi in the plan i have…??
Marcello July 7, 2012 at 6:27 pm: no Mihir.. you need a blackberry data plan
tyson July 14, 2012 at 1:53 am: i have activated my BBM plan i was using it on wifi n then plan got deactivated so can i still use BBM on wifi? Its showing BBM logo near wifi logo
Marcello July 14, 2012 at 3:10 pm: NO.. you need an active BBM plan
Larisa July 29, 2012 at 12:01 am: i have a data plan active from the caribbean i a m now in chile and cant get bbm to work, my data plan is active but like the company is not picaking up d connection, what can i do?
Marcello July 29, 2012 at 5:17 pm: You need a blackberry connection in Chile in order for it to work since you dont have roaming from your company in the Carribbean
Alex August 2, 2012 at 10:37 am: Hey, I tried all this and it doesn’t work. I have an active BBM data plan and when i turn off my network and turn WiFi on, it doesn’t work at all. It only shows the red clock. Please help with my problem asap as i am leaving the country tomorrow and want to use my BBM with the condo where I’m staying on wifi.
Cathh August 16, 2012 at 2:28 am: If i just have 3G , not 3G with blackberry logo. I mean, im not in any other packet.. My data plan is on. And i tried and i tried and i tried. And it doesnt work. I tried to put my 3G on (i don know why it cant be 3G with BBM logo ( ) and then turn it iff then turn the wifi on, still doesnt work. Can you help meee?
heeseong August 16, 2012 at 5:57 pm: mine doesnt show that green tick on the wifi thing it is just white line
Marcello August 24, 2012 at 8:24 pm: Dont understand what you are saying heeseong
Marcello August 24, 2012 at 8:27 pm: You can connect to your data plan without being connected to 3G.. edge is fast enough. You have to connect to the network first and then try it. I suspect you aren’t connecting to the network first
umar September 6, 2012 at 10:14 pm: i have been using WiFi to send BBM, but it as stop since i have re inserted my SIM. is this as to do with the phone settings?
Marcello September 11, 2012 at 3:01 pm: Maybe Umar.. make sure that you have an active bbm, connection
Anon E. Mouse September 21, 2012 at 12:46 pm: The trick to getting BBM to work work over WiFi involves using a device that has a mobile data connection but can simultaneously broadcast a WiFi hotspot ie(mobile tablet, myFi LTE hubs, most android devices) the device that your using as the hotspot needs to have access to RIM’s BIS server. This can simply be done by calling your local cellular provider and have them change your mobile plan to either a blackberry data plan or add on the blackberry server apn.
So in summary buy an android device and activate it with a blackberry data plan, then use its WiFi hotspot to broadcast and voila, when your blackberry connects to the androids WiFi it will gain full data access to IBM and the blackberry app world!!!
Enjoy everyone!
Ps if someone already mentioned this method, I only hoped that mine helped to clarify any questions you may have had.
hadi October 2, 2012 at 7:52 am: hi there,

im using BBM with EDGE and with GSM on blackberry for a long time. when im out of balance my connection turns to GSM and all services for blackberry gets off pretty simple.. and then i shift it too WIFI and use all the emails and BBM back pretty simple but no calls and sms, well then after using it for a long time when i need the calls and SMS then i re-fill the account and EDGE is back and all is set… Question is.. that for a long period of time Ive been using BBM and emails even if i don’t have service plan (service books are there and does not effect by restarting the phone that i”m pretty sure) its been two months that when GSM is there then i cant access anything on WIFI even in my WiFi diagnostic blackberry services it shows that I’m connected to blackberry infrastructure and to the router and to other services and everything is perfect like before but cant use emails and BBM now… any answers that did RIM block it for good? or what happened?
bokozera November 6, 2012 at 1:53 pm: hey soo my mom suspended my phone so i cant text and stuff but i can still use wifi but my bbm doesnt work.. does it still work if your phone is deactivated or suspened or no?
rakan November 23, 2012 at 2:15 pm: hello sir,

iam currently living in United Arab Emirates and i will be going to canada after few days , and ill stay there for few days and i have my BB curve 8520,,, So will i be able to use BBM using wifi??
Ahmad ali December 4, 2012 at 1:03 pm: Is there any way the can BBM works with out the SIM card I mean just on wifi .
Katie December 9, 2012 at 9:32 pm: So my blackbery has been disconnected for a month and when i just turned it on and tryes bbm it worked how come? Am i getting charged?
Ajay December 15, 2012 at 12:44 am: Hi,

I have a BIS plan in my home country, now i am abroad and would like to use BBM, mails and other apps on WiFi
Is it possible?
What needs to be done to enable it?
Right now, i am able to use What’s App, FB, Twitter but mails and BBM are not working
Ajay December 15, 2012 at 12:45 am: Oh – i have not activated international roaming on my plan
Marcello December 22, 2012 at 2:07 am: You don’t need international roaming Ajay
Basit December 23, 2012 at 9:03 pm: Hey I am on a short trip to spain and my bbm was working perfect on wifi but I wiped my blackberry by mistake but now I can’t use bbm with wifi anymore I don’t know why.
I have an active data plan but still its not working so help me asap
Thnx in advance
Marcello December 31, 2012 at 7:48 am: Yes as long as you have an active bbm data plan
Marcello December 31, 2012 at 8:31 am: No you cannot use it.. you need a valid bbm data connection for it to work
Mia January 4, 2013 at 3:38 am: I have a data plan with the sim. I want to transfer my sim to an android phone, use the android phone as Wi-Fi Hotspot so that my blackberry can connect via Wi-Fi. Will the bbm work through that?

I just want to know first before i sim unlock my blackberry. Thank you!
Marcello January 8, 2013 at 1:26 am: Should have a setting on your phone that will allow you to tether the internet and make it a wifi connection
hannah January 8, 2013 at 5:34 pm: i have done everything from sending service books, setting up a e-mail. I have a active BBM data plan and my wifi bubble is grey. It won’t allow bbms to be sent without mobile network! I need help asap!
nishtha January 23, 2013 at 6:04 am: hey, I am from India and I have a BB Curve 8520. I recently got my bbm service deactivated. After that, whenever I try and access the internet or whatsapp through wi-fi, my balance gets deducted. And also, I have to reboot after short intervals for it to connect at all through wi-fi. Please help its killing me !
Marcello January 29, 2013 at 12:19 pm: You have to have a working BB data connection. It will not work if you deactivate your service.
Juan January 30, 2013 at 7:17 pm: Dear Marcello.
I live in the UK, I have a data plan from Venezuela and have been using my data connection over the wifi in the UK for months with no problem. I have international roaming for calls, texts and bb data. (from my venezuelan provider)
I recently updated the blackberry software and lost the connection to bbm (lost the bb logo). It didn’t work for days, so I decided to use the Network in roaming. I was able to connect to Vodafone UK and register to the network, the BBM works in that case )I get the logo back), but it is not working over wifi anymore. What went wrong here?
I need it to work over wifi, doing it with vodafone is extremely expensive.
Thanks,
Juan
Juan January 31, 2013 at 7:06 am: Hello Marcello, I hope you can help me.

I have a blackberry data plan from Movilnet Venezuela, I live most of the year in the Uk and use my bb data over the wifi connection (I turn wifi on and leave radio on but deactivate roaming for data). It has been great for months. I can also connect to Vodafone Uk is neccesary and use calls, texts and data.

I recently updated to 7.1.0 1717 and everything went wrong. I can still connect over the radio with vodafone and get bbm and data, (I can see the bb logo on top), but when I connect using wifi, nothing happens. I can use whatsapp and navigate, but no bbm or emails.

Best,

Juan
Marcello February 1, 2013 at 3:57 pm: Thanks Juan!
Marcello February 11, 2013 at 11:29 am: Juan it looks like you just need to have your data connect again and synchronize and then you can just use wifi again
Prvn May 13, 2013 at 6:54 pm: Guys the truth is you can’t make your BBM work until you havthe data plan .. So if you wanna use bbm loosen up your pockets simple :/ *experinced*