Warranty after Unlocking of BlackBerry

[Get-Me1]

Hi All!!!


I dont get it, how can Rogers justify to Void the warranty after uncking a blackberry using an unlock code? It does not modify the software on the phone just removes the lock like removing a password in windows.

[3geez]

thats modifying the software.

[I has a phone]

unlocking by using IMEI code doesn't void warranty
flashing/debranding does (some phones can not be unlocked with IMEI, so they have to be flashed and "tricked" the phone into thinking it's unlocked)

Rogers won't even know it has been unlocked (via IMEI code) unless somebody goes an extra mile and puts in AT&T sim card or something.

[WorldIRC]

Unlocking by code does not void a warranty. One is using a feature that is built right into the phone.

[PhoneModo]

Unlocking by code does not void a warranty. One is using a feature that is built right into the phone.

Is that a solidified Rogers policy?

[lmcjipo]

Unlocking via subsidy unlock code doesn't void/can't the warranty. Carriers in other parts of the world either give the subsidy unlock codes or sell them to customers after they've satisfied certain conditions.

Rogers/Fido/Bell/Telus saying that it voids the warranty would be similar Microsoft saying that the Xbox warranty is no longer valid because you happened to push certain buttons on the joystick in a certain order.

Now, unbranding or flashing your phone (either to unbrand or unlock), may void the warranty. In my experience when I had a problem with a Rogers phone and I unbranded it, the Rogers store would not even look at it. They powered it on and didn't see the Rogers logo and decided not to touch it (i.e. process the repair).

In any event, there is no point in mentioning to Rogers or any carrier that the phone is unlocked when you want warranty for it since most of the time, they won't check. When you mention it, you are just giving a uninformed Rogers salesperson or technician the opportunity to refuse you warranty service.

When you unlock a phone via subsidy unlock code, the warranty is still valid since you didn't do anything to the phone that hasn't already been programmed into it (and some carriers give the subsidy unlock code out)

When you unlock a phone via firmware/software hacks (like with the iPhone and Blackra1n/Cydia/sn0w), your warranty is void if you have a problem with your iPhone and you can't get the base firmware back on the phone or if Apple determines that you've modded your iPhone.

[tomtomtom]

Is that a solidified Rogers policy?

It's a manufacturer's warranty, not related to Rogers.

[WorldIRC]

^The manufacturer states the warranty is void if you attempt to manipulate / modify the software. Entering a code using a built in feature of the phone does not count as the aforementioned activity.