In order to unlock your Blackberry 8100, you will need a special code. This code can usually be obtained by your cellular service provider and yes, they will generally give it to you for free provided you have had your service contract with them for at least 90 days. They do this as a courtesy to their customers who wish to use the phone overseas. Once you have obtained the code, follow the instructions listed below for your particular model.
For Blackberry 8100 phones designed to work on T-Mobile:
First, from the home screen, select the “Tools” menu and an “options” screen will appear.
Now select “settings”.
Next select “SIM card” and you should be able to see the SIM ID number and phone number.
Now enter “MEPD” to view a listing of the first five stages of the SIM locking. Please note T-Mobile utilizes locking of the network so it should display as “active”. However, all other areas should come up as disabled.
Now enter “MEP2” to bring up a dialog box which will request the unlock code (note you will need to press Alt + 2 key to get the number 2).
Please also note that for the Blackberry 8100t, it is necessary to press the “P” twice whilst inputting “MEPD and MEP2” for steps 4 and 5.
Enter the network unlock code you have obtained.
Now press enter and then reboot the phone.
For Blackberry 8100 phones designed for networks other than T-Mobile, the instructions differ slightly:
From the phone’s main menu, enter the “settings menu” and then the “SIM card” and then press “select”.
Now hold the shift key and type “MEPD” (or “MEPPD” for the Vodafone type handset).
Next you should see a listing of the five different types of locking.
Now press the shift key and type “MEP2” (or “MEPP2” if you have the Vodafone type handset). Then let go of the shift key.
Now you should be asked for the Network MEP code. Go ahead and put in the code obtained.
Next enter “Return/Enter”.
At this point the phone should be unlocked and you are ready to go!
Please note, sometimes the above instructions do not work on the Blackberry Pearl 8100. Here is an alternative set of instructions in case the instructions above don’t work. The following procedure can be performed without the SIM card being in the phone.
First select the “Blackberry Key” from the phone’s keys then choose “options”.
Next select “Advanced Options” and from there choose “SIM Card”.
Note: There is not a space to enter the following information; you just need to type it as follows: Type “MEPPD” to display the listing of the first five stages of locking the SIM. Since the majority of organizations utilize locking of the network, the Network will be listed as “Active”. However all other areas will hopefully be listed as “Disabled”!
Next, enter “MEPP2” to bring up the dialog box that will ask for the unlock code (Press Alt + 2 to show the character 2) (please note you won’t be able to see the characters you are typing).
Now enter the SIM unlock code and then hit the trackball once.
Voila, your phone is now unlocked!