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BlackBerry’s shutdown of legacy phone services happened on January 4, 2022—not today. It covered BlackBerry 7.1 and earlier, BlackBerry 10, and PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier. On those platforms, calls, mobile data, SMS and even emergency 9-1-1 service could no longer be relied on through the retired services. BlackBerry-branded Android phones were not included in this specific shutdown.
Which BlackBerry devices and services were affected?
BlackBerry decommissioned the legacy services used by these platforms on January 4, 2022, according to its official end-of-life FAQ:
- BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier
- BlackBerry 10 software
- BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier
The retirement concerned BlackBerry’s legacy service infrastructure, not just the handset’s ability to connect to a carrier. BlackBerry warned that affected devices would no longer reliably function over either carrier or Wi-Fi connections, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 9-1-1.
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Other affected offerings included BlackBerry-hosted email addresses, Enhanced SIM Based Licensing (ESBL), Identity Based Licensing (IBL), BlackBerry Link, BlackBerry Desktop Manager, BlackBerry Blend, and BlackBerry Protect’s remote lock, locate and wipe features. BlackBerry said its separate CylancePROTECT AI endpoint-security product was not affected.
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- Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
- Large square touch screen
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For BlackBerry 10 and earlier devices, the closure also meant losing services such as BBM, web browsing, email and BlackBerry App World. O2 describes those impacts in its BlackBerry services notice.
Do old BlackBerry phones still work?
They may still power on and perform some local functions, but that is different from being dependable as a connected phone. BlackBerry’s warning was that the covered devices would not reliably provide data, calls, SMS or emergency 9-1-1 through the retired services. Actual behavior can also depend on the handset, carrier and network available; the shutdown is not a guarantee that every device instantly became unusable in every way.
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- 100% Android with latest Android 8.1 Oreo with access to over a million apps and services from Google play, GSM Unlocked (AT&T, T-Mobile), DTEK by BlackBerry security monitoring
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Carrier notices made the practical advice clear. Rogers said customers needed to upgrade to a new device; Bell advised moving the SIM to a supported phone or getting a new phone. See the Rogers notice and Bell notice.
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Were BlackBerry Android phones affected?
No—not by this particular retirement. The shutdown applied to legacy BBOS, BlackBerry 10 and PlayBook service infrastructure. BlackBerry’s lifecycle information distinguishes Android models from the legacy-platform shutdown and says those Android models were unaffected by this support ending: BlackBerry device lifecycle information.
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- Stunning 4.5-inch touch screen display with Corning Gorilla glass 4 protection, anodized aluminum casing and textured soft touch grip with impact-resistant frame
- Smart keyboard with touch navigation, flick typing for faster predictive text, customizable shortcuts and embedded fingerprint sensor
- 12MP (1.55um large pixel) rear Camera with auto focus and dual-tone LED flash; 8MP front Camera
- Android 7.1 Nougat, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, Octa-Core 2.0 GHz, 64-bit Adreno 506
That distinction does not promise ongoing software updates, carrier support or service availability for every Android BlackBerry model. Those are separate questions to check for the specific handset and network.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should an affected owner do now?
- Check the device platform. If the phone runs BlackBerry 7.1 or earlier or BlackBerry 10, or the tablet runs PlayBook OS 2.1 or earlier, treat it as affected. If you rely on a BlackBerry-hosted email address or ESBL/IBL licensing, verify that service separately.
- Move essential communications to a supported phone. Choose a replacement that the carrier supports, including its calling technology and VoLTE requirements. An unlocked Android smartphone may be an option, but unlocked status alone does not guarantee compatibility with every carrier.
- Confirm the SIM and network before switching. Ask the carrier whether your existing SIM can be transferred or must be replaced, and verify that the replacement supports voice, text, data and emergency calling on that network. Bell specifically advises transferring the SIM to a supported device or obtaining a new phone.
- Move accounts and data while you can access them. Check where contacts, files, email and other information are stored, then export or transfer what remains accessible. Do not assume legacy BlackBerry services or desktop tools will restore cloud-synced information.
When comparing replacement phones, consider how long the manufacturer promises security updates, carrier and VoLTE compatibility, SIM or eSIM support, keyboard or accessibility needs, battery life and total cost. The shutdown itself does not determine current prices or which models are in stock.
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- Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
- Large square touch screen
- Amazingly fast and astoundingly beautiful web browsing
- A battery that powers through
- BlackBerry keyboard
Why did BlackBerry retire the services?
BlackBerry described the shutdown as part of its transition toward secure communications software and services for enterprises and governments, and as a milestone after extending support for legacy platforms. The decision retired the infrastructure those older products depended on; it was not a repairable fault in an individual handset.
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