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 customers whose tariffs are impacted, you need to have agreed a replacement for your Vodafone legacy BlackBerry tariff by 31 January 2022.
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
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 tariff; 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prior to this date to discuss whether a tariff migration is appropriate, as BlackBerry-specific tariffs will be withdrawn over the coming months.
Devices
The devices impacted include (but are not limited to):
BlackBerry 10
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 OS
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
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier
BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE / 3G+
BlackBerry PlayBook
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
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.
For a full list of impacted services, please see BlackBerry’s announcement
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 your device is affected, you should replace it by no later than 4 January 2022.
If you have any BlackBerry-specific tariffs, we recommend you contact your account manager or sales advisor (or, if applicable, your Vodafone Partner) to discuss a tariff migration, as BlackBerry-specific tariffs 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 are a small business or sole trader, please engage with Vodafone Customer Care via web-chat at vodafone.co.uk or dial 191, to urgently agree the most appropriate tariff to meet your needs before 31 January 2022.
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
More information on how BlackBerry processes personal data
More information on how Vodafone processes personal data
Any BlackBerry device content (such as photos, videos etc.) that you would like to backup can be done using BlackBerry’s instructions below:
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.
No, there are no changes to the BlackBerry Spark product which is currently available to Vodafone Business customers.
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.