BlackBerry to decommission legacy services January 4: Reminder

For those BlackBerry users desperately clinging on to their old BlackBerry phones, this is a reminder that BlackBerry are to decommission legacy services for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions, with an end of life or termination date of January 4, 2022.

On January 4, 2022, devices running on these service offerings will no longer operate and the servers will be shut down.

Back in September of 2020, BlackBerry stated:

“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 911 functionality.”

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 devices remotely.

There is no impact to BlackBerry Protect which is an AI-based endpoint security solution.

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.

BlackBerry Link, BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and BlackBerry Blend will also have limited functionality.

The following list of devices, software, applications and service offerings are affected:

Devices

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

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

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier:

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE / 3G+
BlackBerry PlayBook

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 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)

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.

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.

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.

How do I 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.

BlackBerry 10

You can export password records from one device and then import them to another device. For example, if you have a BlackBerry 10 device, you can export the password records from that device and then import the records to a device running Android OS. You can also export your password records so that you have a file that you can use as a backup.

Import or Export Password Records

Tap > Settings > Import/Export.
Do one of the following:
- Tap Import passwords, and then tap the file that you want to import.
- Tap Export passwords.
Complete the instructions on the screen.

Transfer password records using a media card

You can use a media card to transfer your existing passwords securely from a device to an device.

In the version of Password Keeper, swipe down from the top of the screen. Tap Settings Icon > Export Passwords.
Save your encrypted password backup file to the Documents folder of your media card. Note your password. You must enter this password to import the file on your new device.
Remove the media card from your previous device and insert it into your new device.
In , tap Menu icon > Settings > Import/Export > Import passwords > Documents.
Tap More Actions icon, and then make sure that Show SD Card is selected.
Tap Menu icon > (Your SD card name).
Tap the Documents folder, and then tap your password backup file.
To complete the import, type your Password Keeper password.

Note: You will need to manually move any password, if you are moving to a smartphone that doesn’t support password keeper or you are using an alternative application.