Occasionally in supporting a handset, you need to start with a clean slate. Also, with companies, there is the need to remotely wipe a lost handset.

With a BlackBerry handset, this is done by resetting the device back to its factory settings. This article is to look at the various methods that are available to both the general user and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server administrator.

Please note, resetting the BlackBerry smartphone back to factory defaults will erase all data from the BlackBerry smartphone and reset any IT policies set from a BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Once the reset has been completed, all email delivery will cease to the BlackBerry smartphone.

So if you wish to have a copy of what is on the device, please make sure you do a backup via the BlackBerry Desktop Software, before you proceed with any of the steps.

1. Wipe Handheld

This is the easisest method.  However it differs from resetting to factory defaults in that it removes all BlackBerry smartphone user stored data (application data) from the smartphone (email, address book, calendar, etc.), and also provides the options to delete BlackBerry smartphone user installed applications and erase the data from the media card. It will not delete any IT policies that are pushed down from a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Resetting to factory defaults removes any IT policies applied from a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, along with removing application data from the BlackBerry smartphone. This method does NOT remove third-party applications or erase the media card on the BlackBerry smartphone.

To wipe a handheld:

• On the home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone, click Options
• Click Security (or Security Options) and then Security Wipe
• You will see options for what you can delete. Place ticks in the boxes of what data you wish to clear
• Type blackberry in the field at the bottom, and then press Wipe

Do not remove the battery during the whole process.

2. Resetting to Factory Defaults Using BlackBerry Desktop Manager For PC

The BlackBerry Desktop Software has a simple method to reset a handset to factory settings:

• Plug the handset in to the PC and start up BlackBerry Desktop Manager
• If asked for a password, enter the handset password
• Once the handset has connected to BlackBerry Desktop Software, click ? in the top right hand corner and select Support Resources and then Support Tools
• In the window that opens up, select Reset under Reset to Factory Settings

3. Alternative way With BlackBerry Desktop Manager for PC

On 32-bit Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7:

• Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer
• On the computer, click Start then Programs followed by Accessories and finally Command Prompt. (Note: For Windows Vista and Windows 7, right-click and Run As Administrator)
• Type cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Apploader and press Enter
• Type loader.exe /resettofactory and press Enter

On 64-bit Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7:

• Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer
• On the computer, click Start then Programs then Accessories and finally Command Prompt. (Note: For Windows Vista and Windows 7, right-click and Run As Administrator)
• Type cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Research In Motion\Apploader and press Enter
• Type loader.exe /resettofactory and press Enter

4. For BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.3 for Mac

1. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer.

2. Close the BlackBerry Desktop Software if it is open on the Mac computer.

3. On the computer, click on Go > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

4. Type cd /Applications/BlackBerry\ Desktop\ Software.app/Contents/MacOS/ and press Enter.

5. Type ./bbdm resettofactory

Note: In the Mac OS X environment, if the BlackBerry smartphone has a password set, password must be specified within the command. For example: ./bbdm -password 12345 resettofactory (where 12345 is the BlackBerry smartphone password)

 

5. Reset Via BlackBerry Enterprise Server

This method can be sued in the example of an employee leaving the organisation and taking his BlackBerry handset with him. It can also be used should a handset have gone missing that may have company sensitive data stored on the handset itself.

For BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1

• Open BlackBerry Manager. Select BlackBerry Domain
• Click Edit Properties
• Select IT Policy
• Double-click IT Policies
• Select the appropriate IT policy or create a new one and click Properties
• Select Security
• Set the Reset to Factory Defaults on Wipe drop-down list to True
• Click OK to apply changes and exit
• Assign the IT policy to a BlackBerry smartphone user
• Right-click on the BlackBerry smartphone user and select Erase Data and Disable Handheld.

For BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0

• Log into the BlackBerry Administration Service with an account that can create or edit IT policies (for example, Enterprise Administrator or Security Administrator roles)
• Under BlackBerry solution management, expand Policy, and click Create an IT policy (assign a name, click Save, then click the new IT policy name) or Manage IT policies, and select an IT policy to alter
• Click Edit IT policy
• Click the Security tab
• Set the Reset to Factory Defaults on Wipe drop-down list to True
• Click Save all
• Assign the IT policy to a BlackBerry smartphone user
• Select the PIN number of the BlackBerry smartphone user from Manage users and choose Delete all device data and disabled device