Removing an IT Policy From Your Blackberry

Hi,

I have many friends who have been asking me how to remove an IT Policy from their Blackberry.

  
The most common reasons to remove an IT Policy are:

1. You bought a Blackberry online and later found out that you are unable to make changes to some settings (eg. Owner Name) and/or install Third Party Applications. 

2. You have a Blackberry that was previously connected to a company’s BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) and, for some reason, you do not intend to connect to that BES in the future.

If you are going to be connected to your Company's BES later, and simply want to install a Third Party Application or change some settings, I wouldn’t recommend this approach, the reasons being that whenever you reconnect to the Company's BES Server, your security settings will revert back to how they were. And more importantly, you run the risk of getting fired. So try these methods only if your Blackberry is no longer going to be connected to your company's BES.

Checking whether an IT Policy exists on your Blackberry

Go to Options > Status and type BUYR (NOTE: You will not be able to see what you type). Data Usage, Voice Usage and IT Policy should pop up. Check if IT Policy is Enabled or Disabled.

Other ways through which you may realize that you have an IT Policy (though always confirm by the above method):
-Go to Options > Security on your Blackberry. If you see any references to IT Policy whatsoever, then you have a potentially restrictive IT Policy that can be removed.

-Another way to check is to see if you can change Owner Name and other settings, or install Third Party Applications.

Method 1

If you have any 8xxx or 9xxx device the best method for removing IT policy is to update it to OS 4.3 or higher (if possible) and then you can use an application on your computer called JL_Cmder. You will also need Blackberry Desktop Software installed on your computer.

JL_Cmder has a “resettofactory” command to remove ALL IT policy, Firewall restrictions and Application Permission settings. 

1. Upgrade your Blackberry's OS to 4.3 or higher.

2. Install the latest version of Blackberry Desktop Software. (PC or Mac)

3. Backup your device data using Blackberry Desktop Software.

4. Close the Blackberry Desktop Software.

5. Run JL_Cmder.

6. Execute the “resettofactory” command. The device will do a security wipe of the device,i.e. wipe your data and IT Policy but leave the OS.(DO NOT use the “Wipe” command in JL_Cmder)

7.  The device will then reboot, leaving the OS, third party apps but no data AND, best of all, NO IT policy whatsoever.

8. After the device has started, connect it to your computer and restore your Backup using Blackberry Desktop Software.

Verification

The Options>Security screen on your Blackberry should not contain references to an IT Policy. Firewall is no longer locked!
(You can downgrade back to the old OS if you desire, too).

Feel free to change any settings on your Blackberry and install any third party applications without restrictions. You have successfully removed your IT Policy!


So how did the process go? Did you successfully remove your IT Policy?
Remember to post your comments or questions!



Method 2 

If your 7xxx or 8xxx device is running OS 4.2 or lower (look in Options >About) and you can’t upgrade it to OS 4.3 or higher you will NOT be able to use Method 1 above and you will need to use Method 2 below:

1. Ensure the Blackberry Desktop Software is installed using Blackberry Internet Service (BIS), and not Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES). If you are not sure, it would probably be a good idea to uninstall the Desktop Software and start again.

Install the latest version of Blackberry Desktop Software. (PC or Mac)

2. Download the file policy.bin Download Here. 

3. Save it in your Blackberry installation directory on your computer (C:\Program Files\Research In Motion Limited\BlackBerry).

4. Wipe your Blackberry, creating a backup if necessary. Select Options>Security>Wipe (For Newer 4.2 OS Devices go to Options/Security Options/General Settings/Wipe) on the Device.

{If this option is unavailable, you may have to install the latest software on your Blackberry. You need to Download and Install the latest Desktop Manger Software, then the latest Handheld Software. Connect your device, open the Desktop Software, select Application Loader, and follow the prompts.}

5. Close the Desktop Software if it is open.

6. From the Windows Start Menu select Run, and at the prompt type regedit. 

7. In the tree on the left hand side, navigate to:
HKEY_Current_Users > Software > Research In Motion > BlackBerry > PolicyManager

8. Right-Click the Policy Manager Folder and select New/String Value. Name the value Path. Now, Double-Click the Path Subkey and set Value Data to:

C:\Program Files\Research In Motion Limited\BlackBerry\policy.bin

9. Open the Desktop Software.

10. Connect the Device and restore Backup.

 

Verification

The Options>Security screen on your Blackberry should not contain references to an IT Policy. Firewall is no longer locked!

Feel free to change any settings on your Blackberry and install any third party applications without restrictions. You have successfully removed your IT Policy!

So how did the process go? Did you successfully remove your IT Policy?

Remember to post your comments or questions!

Cheers!