Blackberry users are in mourning for just a few days in the new year. According to the company, support for BlackBerry 10 devices and devices running BlackBerry 7.1 OS or earlier software ended on January 4. That means the phones beloved by many Gen Xers and older Millennials will no longer use data, make phone calls, send text messages, or make emergency calls.
Here’s what you need to know about services ending, what still works and where to go if the news leaves you stranded.
Which Blackberry Services Are Expiring?
Termination of service applies to devices running BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, and BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier software. Support for those devices ended on January 4.
The changes also apply to users who have email addresses hosted by BlackBerry or if you are receiving redirected mail from email addresses hosted by BlackBerry on another platform. Enterprise customers with Enhanced SIM based licenses, or ESBLs, or Identity based licenses, or IBLs, will also be affected.
If you have a BlackBerry Android device, everything should still work – unless you’re receiving redirect mail from a BlackBerry hosted email address, or have ESBL or IBL.
BBM Enterprise and BBM Enterprise will continue to work on other platforms for personal use.
What happens to my Blackberry data?
According to the company’s FAQ, any data stored with BlackBerry that is no longer necessary or relevant will be deleted, deleted, erased or anonymized. You can also contact privacyoffice@blackberry.com for immediate data deletion.
In terms of migration, BlackBerry’s FAQ suggests a new device and email address (if you have BlackBerry hosted email or receive redirected mail from a BlackBerry hosted email address). According to the FAQ, enterprise customers on BES5 should also move to the new BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Management product and the new BlackBerry Suite. If you are using ESBL or IBL, you will need to obtain a standard license.
If you want to back up your device’s media, you choose which software your device used – BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 or BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1 OS and earlier – and choose which one you have. It’s a device. BlackBerry’s website will break down the steps for individual devices.
If you are using 7.1 OS or earlier, your BlackBerry Password Keeper data is stored locally. If you’ve used BlackBerry 10, here’s a step-by-step guide.
My device no longer works. what do I do now?
The Blackberry was a popular, iconic phone. It’s okay to take some time out to grieve. Once you’re ready to move on to a new device, check out CNET’s list of the best phones to buy in 2022. The biggest choice you’ll have to make is whether you want an iOS or Android device and exactly how much money you want to invest in your new device. But the good news is that you can find iOS and Android phones at a range of prices.
The delayed 5G BlackBerry phone is dead, OnwardMobility confirmed on its website.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that OnwardMobility will be shutting down, and we will no longer proceed with the development of ultra-secure smartphones with physical keyboards,” OnwardMobility said in a message posted on Friday. Crackberry. “Please know that this was not a decision we took lightly or hastily. We share your disappointment in this news and assure you that this is not the outcome we had hoped for.”
Android Police and Crackberry originally reported earlier in February that the phone had been canceled. Outlets said Texas-based startup OnwardMobility, which had sought to revive the iconic BlackBerry brand through an Android-based, next-gen Wi-Fi device, lost a license to use the name from BlackBerry Ltd.
OnwardMobility didn’t elaborate on why it was stopping and canceling production of the phone.
BlackBerry ended service for its older devices in early January, and OnwardMobility promised an update about the phone in a blog post last month, titled Contrary to popular belief, We’re Not Dead.
Before OnwardMobility took over the license, Chinese manufacturer TCL was the most recent manufacturer of BlackBerry-branded phones. It released the BlackBerry KeyTwo in 2018 along with other devices running Android. However, TCL has since started releasing its own mid-range phones.
BlackBerry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.