Important Notice,
Blackberry services will be terminated this 4th January 2022, All Blackberry devices running BBOS 7.1, BBOS 10 and BBOS 2.1 and earlier will need to migrate to the operating systems.
Customers will be given an opportunity to trade-in their old Blackberry devices to benefit for a 5% discount toward their new smartphone purchase.
- All offer provisioning will be stopped (BIS, BES and BIS+BES) for both prepaid and Postpaid
- Blackberry devices running BBOS 7.1 & earlier, BBOS 10, BBOS Playbook 2.1 & earlier will no longer be reliably function
- Phone functionalities that will be impacted are data, phone calls, SMS and 1-1-2 functionality
- Support tools that will be impacted are ESBL, IBL, hosted email, Blackberry link, Blackberry desktop manager, Blackberry blend and Blackberry protect
(FAQs)
- Why is Blackberry deciding to end of life (EOL) these infrastructure offerings?
Today BlackBerry is focused on providing intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. Since pivoting to an enterprise software and cybersecurity company, we have received questions about our plans to provide ongoing support for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier and BlackBerry 10 devices. In 2017, we committed to providing at least two more years of support for BlackBerry 10 and at least two years of BlackBerry network access for BBOS devices.
On January 4, 2022, devices running on these service offerings will no longer reliably function, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 1-1-2 functionality. We have chosen to extend our service until then as an expression of thanks to our loyal partners and customers.
The termination of these service offerings and infrastructure will also impact functionality for applications such as Enhanced Sim Based Licensing (ESBL) / Identity Based Licensing (IBL), BlackBerry hosted email addresses, BlackBerry Link, BlackBerry Desktop Manager, BlackBerry Blend, BlackBerry Protect (allows consumers to lock, locate or wipe BBOS, BlackBerry 10 devices remotely. There is no impact to the newBlackBerry Protect which is an AI-based endpoint security solution).
2. What services will be terminated and what will be impacted?
At the time of termination of services, devices running BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier software, BlackBerry 10 software, and BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier software will no longer reliably function. These devices will lack the ability to receive over the air provisioning updates and as such, this functionality will no longer be expected to reliably function, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 9-1-1 functionality. Applications (BlackBerry Link, BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and BlackBerry Blend) will also have limited functionality.
Below is a list of devices, software, applications, and service offerings that are affected:
i. Devices
1. Blackberry 10 software:
* BlackBerry Classic
* BlackBerry Passport
* BlackBerry Leap
* BlackBerry Z10, Z30, Z3
* BlackBerry Q10, Q5
* Porsche Design P’9982 from BlackBerry
* Porsche Design P’9983 from BlackBerry
2. Blackberry 7.1 OS and earlier- Including but not limited to:
* BlackBerry Bold: 9900/9930, 9790, 9650, 9788, 9700, 9000
* BlackBerry Curve: 9380, 9370/9360/9350, 9330/9300, 9320/9315/9310/9220, 8530/8520, 9380,
8900/8980, 8300/8310/8320/8330/8350i
* BlackBerry Torch: 9860/9850, 9810, 9800
* BlackBerry Storm: 9500/9530, 9520/9550
* BlackBerry Pearl: 9100, 8100/8110/8120/8130, 8220/8230
* Other:
* BlackBerry 9720
* BlackBerry 9620
* Porsche Design P’9981 from BlackBerry
* BlackBerry Tour 9630
* BlackBerry Style 9670
* BlackBerry 8800/8820/8830
* BlackBerry 7130
* BlackBerry 8700/8707
* BlackBerry 7100
* BlackBerry 7290
* BlackBerry 7730
* BlackBerry 7230
* BlackBerry 6720
* BlackBerry 6230
* C++ platform-based devices: 850, 857, 900, 950, 957
3. Blackberry Playbook OS 2.1 and earlier:
* BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE / 3G+
* BlackBerry PlayBook
ii. Software, Applications & Services
* BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier software
* BlackBerry 10 software
* BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier software
* BlackBerry Desktop Software
* BlackBerry Link
* BlackBerry Blend
* BlackBerry Protect (Allows consumers to lock, locate or wipe BBOS, BlackBerry 10 devices
remotely). There is no impact to the new BlackBerry Protect which is an AI-based endpoint security
solution.
* BlackBerry Password Keeper for BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier. BlackBerry
Password Keeper for BlackBerry Android devices will not be impacted.
* BlackBerry ID* for BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, and BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1 OS and
earlier
* BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) – Consumer*
* BlackBerry hosted email addresses – This includes the redirection of email sent to BlackBerry
hosted email addresses to other email addresses used on other platforms, including Android and
iOS. This includes @myblackberry.com or @service_provider_name.blackberry.com email
addresses.
* Enhanced Sim Based Licensing (ESBL), Identity Based Licensing (IBL)
Note: no impact to BBM for Enterprise and BBM Enterprise for Individual Use (BBMe), which will continue to be available and will leverage BlackBerry ID on other platforms.
3. Who will be impacted by EOL of the services?
- All customers who are using legacy devices running BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier and BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1 OS and earlier software and related services.
- Customers with BlackBerry hosted email addresses, or receiving redirected mail sent to a BlackBerry hosted email address on other platforms, including iOS, Android and BlackBerry Android.
- Enterprise customers assigned an Enhanced Sim Based License (ESBL) or Identity Based License (IBL) on any iOS or Android devices, including BlackBerry Android devices.
4. When are the services ending?
The legacy services will be terminated effective January 4,2022.
5. What happens to my data stored with Blackberry?
BlackBerry retains personal information as long as necessary for the fulfilment of BlackBerry’s identified purposes or as otherwise necessary to comply with applicable laws. When personal information is no longer necessary or relevant, BlackBerry will delete, destroy, erase, or anonymize your data. Immediate requests to remove your data may made by emailing the privacyoffice@blackberry.com.
Consistent with good business practice, BlackBerry continues to evolve our controls, schedules and practices for information and records retention and destruction which apply to your personal information. For more information, please see the BlackBerry Privacy Notice visit https://www.blackberry.com/us/en/legal/privacy-notice
6. Will Blackberry Android devices still work after the EOL date?
BlackBerry Android devices will not be impacted by the EOL of infrastructure services unless they are receiving redirected email sent to a BlackBerry hosted email address, or assigned an Enhanced Sim Based License (ESBL) or Identity Based License (IBL). Prior to the EOL date, users of BlackBerry hosted email addresses or using email redirection for these addresses, will need to move to a new email address. If any iOS or Android device, including BlackBerry Android devices, have an ESBL or IBL license assigned, the customer will need to obtain a standard license to cover their use of BlackBerry Enterprise services with that device.
7. Will I still be able to use BBM Enterprise (BBMe)?
BBM Enterprise and BBM Enterprise for individual Use (BBMe) will continue to be available on other platforms.
8. What are the migration options to move off these services’ prior the EOL date?
Customers will need to move to new devices. Please contact your carrier of choice for more information about what devices and plans are available.
Customers with BlackBerry hosted email addresses, or receiving redirected mail sent to a BlackBerry hosted email will need to move to a new email address.
Enterprise customers on BES5 should also move to the new Blackberry UEM product (available in both on-prem and cloud deployments) and new Blackberry Suites. The BlackBerry sales team is eager to assist Enterprise Customers and will work to provide them with attractive pricing on the software.
Customers assigned an Enhanced Sim Based License (ESBL) or Identity Based License (IBL) on any iOS, Android, or BlackBerry Android device, will need to obtain a standard license to cover their use of BlackBerry Enterprise services with that device.
9. How can I backup Blackberry device content (Pictures, Etc)?
Please select the OS software of the BlackBerry device you are looking to backup content for:
- Blackberry 7.1 OS and earlier visit https://www.blackberry.com/us/en/support/devices
- Blackberry 10 visit https://www.blackberry.com/us/en/support/devices
- Blackberry Playbook 2.1 OS and earlier: https://www.blackberry.com/us/en/support/devices
10. How do I switch to a new device?
Please contact your secondlinesupport.rw@mtn.com for more information about switching to a new device.
11. How do it move my Blackberry Password Keeper data?
BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier: The service changes will not impact your ability to access your Password Keeper data, as it is stored locally. If you are looking to move to another Password Management Application or BlackBerry Password Keeper for Android, you’ll need to manually create new entries on your new Smartphone.
Note: You will need to manually move any password, if you are moving to a smartphone that doesn’t support password keeper or using an alternative application.
