About BlackBerry file encryption
The latest models BlackBerry devices compress and encrypt media files (photos, videos) stored on them. The encryption is either part of the manufacturer's policy that configures the devices to compress and encrypt such files or because of the local BES (BlackBerry Exchange Server) policy. Either way, the encrypted files have the REM file extension.
Even the latest versions of Desktop Manager are unable to decrypt the REM files. Renaming the REM file extension wont help, as the files are also encrypted and programs wont be able to open or work with them. There are many hints on Internet how to solve this problem and we have create a little summary to help you with your REM troubles.
How to disable BlackBerry file encryption ?
To disable the Blackberry file encryption follow the steps below. Photos (JPG) or videos (3GP) taken or recorder by the Blackberry that were take before the following change will remain encrypted
- Open your BlackBerry device
- Go to Options → Memory → Content
- Check Compression as Disabled
- Check Content Protection as Disabled
After that any media file copied from the BlackBerry device will be the normal not encrypted file and by simple copy-pasting in Desktop Manager can you transfer it to the computer.
How to recover already encrypted files ?
But you are probably wondering what to do with the already encrypted media files in your BlackBerry device? Well, there are couple of ways how to recover the REM encrypted file.
First and probably easiest option is to transfer the files through email one by one as the transfer will decrypt the files. But not everyone is using BlackBerry data plan. Second way is to find and download a program that can encrypt and convert REM files back to their original format.
To recover encrypted JPG files you can try these following steps:
- Open your BlackBerry device
- Go to either Options → Memory or Options → Security → Memory
- Check Media Card Support as On
- Check Encrypt Mode as Device instead of NONE
- Connect your BlackBerry device to your computer and launch the BlackBerry Desktop Manager
- If prompted, provide your password to open the BlackBerry device
- Now you can see your files with the regular JPG file extension and wont be able to copy-past them to your computer, but you can view them
- So double click on the file to enlarge it
- Take a print screen and paste it to your favorite graphic editor or the basic Windows Paint
- Select the picture from the screen and save it as JPG on your computer
