Note : This guide only pertains to WiFi capable BlackBerries. The tested devices currently include models 8120, 8320 and 8820. (Other devices may also be WiFi capable but I have been unable to test them)
Introduction :
There are countless advantages to having the added benefit of WiFi on your BlackBerry. WiFi has the potential to change your BlackBerry and really add a lot of functionality. The ability to browse the web over WiFi and make calls over WiFi using UMA are a couple of the main advantages.
In order to utilize your Berry's WiFi to its full capacity, there are a number of things to consider.
In this How-To guide, I will detail the steps needed to get the most out of your WiFi.
**************************************************
Prerequisites :
To make sure your BlackBerry will behave well when using WiFi, verify that your router is configured in a way that will work well with your device.
NOTE : Wireless N Routers are not yet fully supported by BlackBerries and are known to cause issues
If you are using a Wireless N router, take the time to set it to use Wireless G mode only...
or else you will run into serious problems and will not be able to use WiFi. If you are running
any version of OS 4.5, this is not an issue and Wireless N should work without problems.
(As user SebasC noted : Any device running OS 4.2.2.184 or above should work on Wireless N networks!!)
For most other routers, your standard wireless configuration should be adequate. You may have to tweak settings if you run into problems later in this process.
**************************************************
Step 1 : Configuring your Berry (Setting Up WiFi)
The simplest and most straight forward way to get your device connected to your WiFi connection is to run the 'Setting Up WiFi' wizard (The Wireless Router Icon on your Home Screen).
(NOTE: This Wizard can also be run from Home Screen > Manage Connections > Set Up Wi-Fi Network)
Once you start the wizard, you will be presented with a few options. If it is your first time running the wizard,
then a small 'Read-Me' will appear, giving you the option to hide the next time you use the wizard.
From there, you have these THREE options; Scan for Networks, Manually Add Network or Get Security Key
Scan for Networks : Used to scan and automatically find available networks. Once complete, you can
select the desired network to connect to
Manually Add Network : Used to enter in the network name manually (if known) and configure your
connection without scanning for all available networks
Get Security Key : This option is used in conjuction with the T-Mobile branded routers and automates
the connection and security process
The majority of users will continue by selecting the first option, so that will be the first option covered!
**************************************************
Step 1(a) : Scan for Networks
Select 'Scan for Networks' and your device will begin to scan for all available WiFi connections within range. If your WiFi is not enabled on your device, then it will prompt you to power on the WiFi before continuing... so select 'Turn WiFi On'.
Your Berry will then begin the scan for available WiFi networks and say "Searching for available Wi-Fi networks..." on the screen. Depending on the site survey, this could take from 10 to 45 seconds (the fewer the available networks, the less time it takes).
Once it is done scanning, a list of available networks is compiled and displayed. Now, select the network you desire to connect to. A couple of things can happen at this point...
If the wireless network is unsecured, then your Berry will automatically connect to the open network.
If the wireless network is secured, then you will be prompted to enter the security key associated with that network.
Remember, the passphrase for the security key is case-sensitive.
We will discuss the benefits of wireless security along with other 'advanced' router settings later in this guide.
(NOTE : The networks list provides a quick overview of the available networks and displays the signal strength, security and SSID of each network. To get more detailed info from the network list, highlight the desired network, press Menu > Network Details)
**************************************************
Step 1(b) : Manually Add Network
Similar to scanning for available networks, manually adding networks will connect to the network you specify. This is recommended only if you know the exact SSID and security of the router. If either of these is unknown, then the addition of the network will result in failure.
If you do know the required information and prefer to manually add your network, then follow the prompts on your device. Input the network name, type of security and the security key... your Berry will then attempt to find the network and connect.
NOTE: Manually adding networks is not recommended unless you know all of the network information!
This can also be used as a backup plan if connecting through step 1(A) results in a failure!
**************************************************
Step 1(c) : Get Security Key
The third option works on T-Mobile supplied routers ONLY!! If you are using a personal router, not supplied by T-Mobile for HotSpot@Home, then this option does not apply!
Many people will never have the need to explore this menu, even if they do have a T-Mobile router.
(since many people will choose to tweak the TMo router settings manually)
If you do use one of the standard TMo routers with the default settings. Then when you select the option to Get Security Key you will be prompted through a series of steps to connect 'automatically' and 'securely' to your TMo router.
In a nutshell, this is done by pressing the 'KEY' button on your router, receiving a security key, and then connecting to the WiFi! Refer to your TMo router's "quick-start" guide for more help. The WiFi connection wizard on your Berry also walks through this process for you.
Introduction :
There are countless advantages to having the added benefit of WiFi on your BlackBerry. WiFi has the potential to change your BlackBerry and really add a lot of functionality. The ability to browse the web over WiFi and make calls over WiFi using UMA are a couple of the main advantages.
In order to utilize your Berry's WiFi to its full capacity, there are a number of things to consider.
In this How-To guide, I will detail the steps needed to get the most out of your WiFi.
**************************************************
Prerequisites :
To make sure your BlackBerry will behave well when using WiFi, verify that your router is configured in a way that will work well with your device.
NOTE : Wireless N Routers are not yet fully supported by BlackBerries and are known to cause issues
If you are using a Wireless N router, take the time to set it to use Wireless G mode only...
or else you will run into serious problems and will not be able to use WiFi. If you are running
any version of OS 4.5, this is not an issue and Wireless N should work without problems.
(As user SebasC noted : Any device running OS 4.2.2.184 or above should work on Wireless N networks!!)
For most other routers, your standard wireless configuration should be adequate. You may have to tweak settings if you run into problems later in this process.
**************************************************
Step 1 : Configuring your Berry (Setting Up WiFi)
The simplest and most straight forward way to get your device connected to your WiFi connection is to run the 'Setting Up WiFi' wizard (The Wireless Router Icon on your Home Screen).
(NOTE: This Wizard can also be run from Home Screen > Manage Connections > Set Up Wi-Fi Network)
Once you start the wizard, you will be presented with a few options. If it is your first time running the wizard,
then a small 'Read-Me' will appear, giving you the option to hide the next time you use the wizard.
From there, you have these THREE options; Scan for Networks, Manually Add Network or Get Security Key
Scan for Networks : Used to scan and automatically find available networks. Once complete, you can
select the desired network to connect to
Manually Add Network : Used to enter in the network name manually (if known) and configure your
connection without scanning for all available networks
Get Security Key : This option is used in conjuction with the T-Mobile branded routers and automates
the connection and security process
The majority of users will continue by selecting the first option, so that will be the first option covered!
**************************************************
Step 1(a) : Scan for Networks
Select 'Scan for Networks' and your device will begin to scan for all available WiFi connections within range. If your WiFi is not enabled on your device, then it will prompt you to power on the WiFi before continuing... so select 'Turn WiFi On'.
Your Berry will then begin the scan for available WiFi networks and say "Searching for available Wi-Fi networks..." on the screen. Depending on the site survey, this could take from 10 to 45 seconds (the fewer the available networks, the less time it takes).
Once it is done scanning, a list of available networks is compiled and displayed. Now, select the network you desire to connect to. A couple of things can happen at this point...
If the wireless network is unsecured, then your Berry will automatically connect to the open network.
If the wireless network is secured, then you will be prompted to enter the security key associated with that network.
Remember, the passphrase for the security key is case-sensitive.
We will discuss the benefits of wireless security along with other 'advanced' router settings later in this guide.
(NOTE : The networks list provides a quick overview of the available networks and displays the signal strength, security and SSID of each network. To get more detailed info from the network list, highlight the desired network, press Menu > Network Details)
**************************************************
Step 1(b) : Manually Add Network
Similar to scanning for available networks, manually adding networks will connect to the network you specify. This is recommended only if you know the exact SSID and security of the router. If either of these is unknown, then the addition of the network will result in failure.
If you do know the required information and prefer to manually add your network, then follow the prompts on your device. Input the network name, type of security and the security key... your Berry will then attempt to find the network and connect.
NOTE: Manually adding networks is not recommended unless you know all of the network information!
This can also be used as a backup plan if connecting through step 1(A) results in a failure!
**************************************************
Step 1(c) : Get Security Key
The third option works on T-Mobile supplied routers ONLY!! If you are using a personal router, not supplied by T-Mobile for HotSpot@Home, then this option does not apply!
Many people will never have the need to explore this menu, even if they do have a T-Mobile router.
(since many people will choose to tweak the TMo router settings manually)
If you do use one of the standard TMo routers with the default settings. Then when you select the option to Get Security Key you will be prompted through a series of steps to connect 'automatically' and 'securely' to your TMo router.
In a nutshell, this is done by pressing the 'KEY' button on your router, receiving a security key, and then connecting to the WiFi! Refer to your TMo router's "quick-start" guide for more help. The WiFi connection wizard on your Berry also walks through this process for you.