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Retirement of legacy BlackBerry devices and services
Over recent years, BlackBerry has focused its business on being a security software and services provider rather than producing handsets and associated software.
As a result, BlackBerry have decided to decommission legacy software including BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry PlayBook OS, with all related services also being ceased. For more information concerning the BlackBerry announcement, please click here
As such, any devices running these operating systems will no longer function reliably as of 4 January 2022 and we recommend that you replace any devices using these operating systems with new devices which can harness the full potential of our award-winning network.
FAQs
What services will be impacted and how will they be affected?
Any devices running BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions will no longer function reliably as of 4 January 2022. All related services will also be terminated. This means that you will not be able to use your device for data services (including accessing the internet and emails), SMS messaging, voice calls or emergency services functionality.
Some customers may also be on a BlackBerry-specific price plan; if you believe this to be the case, we recommend you contact your account manager or sales advisor (or, if applicable, your Vodafone Partner) prior to this date to discuss whether a price plan migration is appropriate, as BlackBerry-specific price plans will be withdrawn over the coming months.
Devices
The devices impacted include (but are not limited to):
C++ platform based devices: 850, 857, 900, 950, 957
Software and
applications
The software and applications impacted include (but are not limited to):
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: there will be 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.
What will this mean for Vodafone Business customers?
As mentioned above, any devices running BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions will no longer function reliably as of 4 January 2022. All related services will also be terminated. This means that you will not be able to use your device for data services (including accessing the internet and emails), SMS messaging, voice calls or emergency services functionality.
If you have any BlackBerry-specific price plans, we recommend you contact your account manager or sales advisor (or, if applicable, your Vodafone Partner) to discuss a price plan migration, as BlackBerry-specific price plans will be withdrawn over the coming months; this will enable you to make use of all of the current features available on Vodafone’s network. If you do not have an account manager or Vodafone Partner, please visit our Support Centre to find out who to contact.
Alongside this, any customers that make use of SIM-based licensing for BlackBerry’s legacy mobile device management (MDM) solutions such as BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) will no longer be able to manage their devices. We recommend you contact your account manager or sales advisor (or, if applicable, your Vodafone Partner) to discuss new orders for BlackBerry’s current unified endpoint management (UEM) solution, BlackBerry Spark, or an alternative MDM solution
What happens to any data stored on your BlackBerry device?
Will BlackBerry Android devices be impacted by this retirement?
No, BlackBerry Android devices such as BlackBerry Priv, KeyOne and Key2 will not be impacted and will continue to function as expected.
Vodafone Business customers should be aware that if you have any BlackBerry Android devices which are assigned a SIM-based licence for BlackBerry’s MDM services, you will need to obtain a standard licence for BlackBerry Spark, or an alternative MDM solution. We recommend you contact your account manager or sales advisor (or, if applicable, your Vodafone Partner) to discuss your requirements.
Will BlackBerry UEM/Spark be affected?
No, there are no changes to the BlackBerry Spark product which is currently available to Vodafone Business customers.
Who should I contact if I have queries about the BlackBerry retirement?
As a Vodafone Business customer, you can contact your account manager or sales advisor (or, if applicable, your Vodafone Partner) who will be more than happy to discuss replacement devices and solutions to suit your needs. Alternatively, you can email us on PLMUKBusiness@vodafone.co.uk and one of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. If you do not have an account manager or Vodafone Partner, please visit our Support Centre to find out who to contact.
