App World Inaccessible - Error Message "App World has been blocked"

Question

Dear All,
I recently purchased a Sprint-branded Blackberry Curve 9350 (in excellent condition) off of Amazon, and all of the phone is entirely functional, except that every time I try to access the Blackberry App World I receive a pop-up message reading "App World has been blocked".
Initially, when I switched my pre-existing Sprint line to my new Curve, the phone was entirely wiped and reset.  I began using the various functions and only a few days later realized that I cannot access App World.  I spoke to several Sprint representatives and over the course of a few days took the following steps, all without any success:
De-installed and reinstalled App World
Did a Batt-pull with the phone on, de-installed and reinstalled App World, and did another Batt-pull
Hooked connected the phone to my laptop and de-installed App World via Blackberry Desktop Manager
As I purchased the phone over Amazon, I don't believe warranty protection applies.  However, it seem incongruous that all of the other applications and functionality of the phone work, with the sole exception of App World.
Could someone please suggest steps to remedy the problem and make App World accessible? 
Also, could someone please advise whether I can bypass the App World app and install Blackberry apps onto the Curve directly via Blackberry Desktop Manager and, if so, what the steps to do that are?
Many thanks in advance,
Colby
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Answer 1

Hello,
From that description, I suspect a latent IT Policy is on your BB that is blocking AW. Normally, the error message would say more than what you reported, and that would be more indicative...but this is my guess from what you provided.
To cleanse it, you actually have several things you need to do...starting with checking to see if this is indeed the case:
KB30076 How to check for an IT Policy on a BlackBerry smartphone
Sadly, there also are also rare situations with "stealth" IT Policies that exist, but do not actually display as such via the above. Again, the complete error message may have provided a better hint about this issue.
Nevertheless, I believe you need to conduct certain steps anyway, especially given your method of procurement. Refer:
KB05099 Steps to take before selling or after buying a previously owned BlackBerry smartphone
While it sounds as if someone did or had you do much of this, I think you need to review it to be sure. Further, none of those WIPE methods would actually have removed an IT Policy from the BB. Rather, you need to perform the ResetToFactory process, which I recommend you do instead of (or in addition to) the WIPE that the KB recommends:
KB31291 How to reset a BlackBerry smartphone to factory settings using BlackBerry Desktop Software
In addition, you need to be careful if you've already placed data onto the BB that you need to retain. You can backup/restore your device before/after these WIPEs, but you need to be careful when you restore...do not do a full restore, or you will simply put the offending IT Policy back on board. Rather, do a selective restore of only the databases you require, and being 100% sure to avoid any databases that have anything at all to do with IT Policy:
KB03974 BlackBerry smartphone database list
Lastly...given this situation, it is entirely possible that there are further challenges with this specific BB. For example, if the BIS account is locked due to the BB being previously reported as lost or stolen, there will be nothing you can do about that, and you will never be able to have full services. But Orange certainly should be able to tell you if this is the case.
cbhjenkins wrote:
Also, could someone please advise whether I can bypass the App World app and install Blackberry apps onto the Curve directly via Blackberry Desktop Manager and, if so, what the steps to do that are?
These methods exist:
KB14473 How to install an application on a BlackBerry smartphone using the BlackBerry Desktop Software
KB04670 Install a third-party application with the Application Loader
KB28715 How to Install applications from BlackBerry App World using a computer system
However, there is no way to know if the IT Policy will also block these methods.
Good luck and let us know!
Occam's Razor nearly always applies when troubleshooting technology issues!
If anyone has been helpful to you, please show your appreciation by clicking the button inside of their post. Please click here and read, along with the threads to which it links, for helpful information to guide you as you proceed. I always recommend that you treat your BlackBerry like any other computing device, including using a regular backup schedule...click here for an article with instructions.
Join our BBM Channels
BSCF General Channel
PIN: C0001B7B4   Display/Scan Bar Code
Knowledge Base Updates
PIN: C0005A9AA   Display/Scan Bar Code