Connect to Wi-Fi. Once connected, hold until the device reboots.
This last feature is what traps many users. Even a full OS reload cannot bypass it because the lock is stored in a secure, non-volatile partition (the or EFS — Encrypted File System).
When enabled, the device is tied to a specific . If the phone is factory reset without first turning off Protect, it will demand that specific ID during the initial setup. Standard security wipes or hard resets will not remove this lock because the protection is embedded at the firmware level. Methods for Anti-Theft Removal on BlackBerry Q5
By flashing a , the mandatory anti-theft login is bypassed because that specific version does not check the "Protect" flag in the same way modern versions do. System Requirements :