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I can't get Google Gmail to work on my Blackberry Pearl?

I just got a shiny new Blackberry 8100 Pearl phone and it's all working fine, except I am hitting an error when I try to use Google's Gmail mobile app: "net.rim.device.app.systemControlledAccessException: Missing RCC signature. Not allowed to access Certicom functionality." What the heck does that mean and what do I need to do with my Cingular Pearl to get it working with Gmail?


Dave's Answer:

I know exactly what you're talking about because I had exactly the same problem with my own Blackberry Pearl when I first got it hooked up to the data network. Here's the message you were doubtless seeing:

Cingular / T-Mobile Backberry Pearl with Gmail error: Missing RCC signature. Not allowed to access Certicom functionality.

I spent a lot of time digging around on the net and talking with the people at Cingular wireless and finally learned exactly what the problem was and how you can fix it without calling them.

First off, for clarify, we're talking about the Google Mobile Apps suite, which includes Google Maps, Gmail, Google News and Google Search applications. When I couldn't get Gmail to work, I also had weird problems with Google Maps complaining that I wasn't online or that there wasn't a data connection too. I believe that the problem was identical because it all works now...

The missing piece is what Cingular calls a service book, which is apparently some sort of collection of data encryption and phone identity keys that are bundled together. There are two service books associated with the Blackberry Pearl, an email service book (which gets the Blackberry mail app working properly) and a separate Internet service book. What Gmail's complaining about is that the Internet service book on your phone isn't properly activated, though the message is far scarier. :-)

You can call Cingular to get them to activate it but by the time you find someone who knows what you're talking about, you'll find that it's easier and faster to do it yourself. Fortunately, it's easy, though you'll already have had to go through the Pearl setup wizard on the phone itself, including signing up for an account.

Now, start by going to Cingular.com/blackberrystart/ and scrolling to the bottom so you can click on Create or log in to your BlackBerry Internet Service account [you can also try my link, but be warned it might change and thence be incorrect].

Now just log in with the account you created during the setup process of your Pearl, and you'll see a set of different options, including the following navigational options on the left-hand menu:

Blackberry RIM Web site for Pearl / Cingular, Menu options

You'll want to click on Service Books at the bottom, and now you'll see:

Blackberry RIM Web site for Pearl / Cingular, Resend Service books options

Click on Send Service Books and, if your account is indeed enabled for full Internet access, your phone should just magically fix itself and work fine. It might take a few minutes, and you might want to power down and start up your Blackberry Pearl again, but generally, that should fix the problem: it worked for me!

Good luck, and enjoy your new phone. They're sweeeeet!



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Comments

i cant upload google spreadsheets on my blackberry pearl i keep getting the message " sorry, but this browser does not support web word-processing.
then it gives me mozilla firefox, mozilla seamonkey and internet explorer. none of these seem to install HELP.

Posted by: trev at March 1, 2007 4:03 PM

LINK to Mobile G-MAIL for BlackBerry Pearl 8100:

http://www.gmail.com/app/v1.1.0/L1/gm-BlackBerry-8100_v4_0.jad

Finally, you can have G-Mail almost as it appears on your computer, with the LABELS, In, Out, Draft, Delete, and SEARCH! The only problem: the very small fonts.

Posted by: Andrew Benjamin at March 2, 2007 6:36 PM

Try using http://bypass.thezerogroup.com to bypass restrictions

Posted by: Mike A at March 5, 2007 2:28 PM

http://www.gmail.com/app/v1.1.0/L1/gm-BlackBerry-8100_v4_0.jad

Re the download to the Cingular Pearl above:

The small fonts. They can be fixed in the Settings Menu to become quite large and useful. Go to HELP for the explanation for the three Settings possibilities. The Pearl G-Mail is reduced to the essentials...there is no access to Trash and Draft, however if you don't send your work, I assume it does get saved in Draft. As for the Labeling feature, I don't know if it works to Label anything, but you can access the files stored in specific Labels (folders.) Small improvements can make this G-Mail as useful as the desktop version. As for "conversations," you can see how many there are and expand them.

Overall, the G-Mail App from Google is a far more satisfying and versatile experience than the BB push mail version...which is almost useless....

Posted by: Andrew Benjamin at March 6, 2007 12:43 PM

I am using a Blackberry Pearl 8100.

I am unable to use "Mail by Google" Every time I try to log-in I get this error message: "Network Error: Your phone doesn't support end-to-end secure connections (reason: Not HTTPS). In order to protect your data, Mail by Google cannot be used at this time."

Any ideas will be welcome.
Sadly the above did not work for me.

Kind regards,
Arunjay.

Posted by: Arunjay at April 14, 2007 3:05 AM

I got my gmail working, but now every time I get an email a carbon copy also shows up in my Messages Inbox... very annoying! Is there a fix for that?

Posted by: Joe at April 19, 2007 8:11 PM

Regarding GMAIL sent messages coming into your inbox, you have to log into your Blackberry Internet Services account on a computer and set up a filter that says when your own GMAIL address is in the "FROM" field, do not forward a copy to the Blackberry.

Find your provider in the gray text on this page:

http://www.discoverblackberry.com/personalize/blackberry101/internet.jsp

See the help document on this problem here:

http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=KB10332&sliceId=SAL_Public&dialogID=27984466&stateId=1%200%2027956980

If that link doesn't work, search the support pages at blackberry.com for "GMAIL filter"

I hope this helps!!!

Posted by: mike at May 24, 2007 12:53 PM

I have just changed my password in gmail and I have now received an email from blackberry. It tells me I have to access my blackberry service account and verify the password. I didn't know I had a blackberry service account!! Can you help!

Posted by: stuart at May 15, 2008 3:10 AM

I have just changed my password in gmail and I have now received an email from blackberry. It tells me I have to access my blackberry service account and verify the password. I didn't know I had a blackberry service account!! Can you help!

Posted by: stuart at May 15, 2008 3:18 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









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