The Canadian company is not going through its best economic moment, it is clear. Few recent successes The company has been using it for the past few months. BlackBerry Messenger is one of those services that is still working. However, it could soon cease to be part of the company, as would become another company different.
BlackBerry has had a string of failures in recent times. On the one hand, they took a long time to launch a new smartphone on the market, while they prepared a new version of the operating system. And finally, when they did launch it, they failed to present a smartphone that could compete with all its rivals, with a screen and a processor more typical of a mid-range product, and a price more typical of an iPhone. That was the BlackBerry Z10.
Sale rumors
Rumors of the company's sale were very popular. In fact, the company itself stated that they were looking for strategic alternatives, which could include the sale of the company to a potential buyer. Some potential buyers who might have been interested in the event of a sale would have been companies such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, or major manufacturers such as Samsung. However, this possibility was ultimately dismissed, although RIM did reach an agreement. deny rumors about abandoning Android apps.
These types of moves are usually evaluated when a company explores mergers, asset sales or joint ventures To maximize value across divisions. In such a scenario, it's not surprising that consideration is given to separating profitable businesses (such as messaging) from less popular areas (hardware) to facilitate their financing, management, and, if necessary, their independent sale. The goal: for each unit to compete in its own league, with focus and speed.
BlackBerry Messenger: cross-platform
The next news related to BlackBerry was that its messaging system, BlackBerry Messenger, would become multiplatform, so it would also be available for iOS and Android. Rumors about this had been circulating for months, and they finally came to fruition. However, until now we hadn't had much news about the launch of this service for iOS or Android, except for a few screenshots a few weeks ago. Now, it seems that The app for some Samsung is coming now in some areas of the world, such as India.
Let's keep in mind that the service is successful, unlike the rest of the company. They have approximately 60 million users —and some sources even went so far as to speak of up to 80 million—, which send 1.000 billion messages every day. In comparison, WhatsApp has 250 million usersAnd keep in mind that BBM was originally only available for one platform, so the launch for others (iOS/Android) could be really successful. (Source: 80 million report)
With its opening, BBM accumulated tens of millions of downloads In a short time, and due to high demand, a virtual waiting queue was even set up: users registered with their email and received access within hours. This surge demonstrated interest, but also a fundamental problem: many users had zero initial contacts, which hampered the network effect compared to already widespread options.
BBM has always defended differentiating pillars: Privacy & Security native messaging, message encryption, PIN identification (not linked to a phone number), and read controls with delivery and open indicators. It also allowed attachments (photos, videos, files), voice messages, group chats, and emoticons. Over time, it added features like expiring messages, forwarding between chats, multimedia enhancements, and options to prevent the recipient from saving a shared photo, as well as muting notifications in groups. The challenge wasn't the quality of the product, but the critical mass of actual useThis occurs in an ecosystem where other apps also offer privacy controls, for example How to disable People Nearby on Telegram, which help protect the user's location.
BlackBerry Messenger would become an independent company
However, the latest news even suggests that the company's future could be focused on BlackBerry Messenger, and that this company would be individualized, creating BBM Inc. This new company would be totally focused on the messaging service. A source from the company, who did not want to be identified, has indicated that, in fact, the company would be creating a dedicated department exclusively to the messaging service, thus creating a marginalized sector within the BlackBerry core. However, there are no plans yet to create a second company, BBM Inc., according to this source. Even so, it's not ruled out that this could happen, and in fact, it would be the most logical move going forward, which is likely to happen if we continue like this.
In terms of strategy, a spin-off of BBM would have allowed it to be equipped with autonomous leadership, speed of execution, and a proprietary roadmap (e.g., video calls, BBM Channels as a community platform, or a desktop client), in addition to positioning it as a valuable asset in the event of a sale. This approach would also have facilitated pre-installation agreements, partnerships with manufacturers, and a hybrid business model between consumer and business.
BlackBerry, or BlackBerry Messenger, will be sold
What is clear is that some of the company's divisions will be sold. When a company begins to divide into sections, it is usually to sell them. Basically, it's like when we have a computer and decide to sell it in parts. This usually happens when the computer no longer works. Well, the same thing would happen with the company: when it no longer works, when it's no longer profitable, the different departments begin to be sold. What we don't know is whether BlackBerry, the smartphone development and manufacturing division, will be sold, thus leaving BlackBerry Messenger, which is what is successful. Or the opposite, that BlackBerry Messenger will be sold, obtaining the highest possible profit for a profitable product, and the rest of the company is liquidated.
As time went on, the hardware business lost steam and BlackBerry shifted towards software, ciberseguridad and IoT with QNX in automotive and enterprise solutions. In parallel, the mobile ecosystem changed: BBM for consumers ended up closing its licensee-managed service, while the BBMEnterprise It continued as a proposal aimed at organizations that prioritize security and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the company sold off patent packages related to telephony and messaging, reinforcing the idea of ​​optimizing its asset portfolio.
The corporate trajectory also included periods of brand licensing for smartphones with third-party manufacturers and the definitive abandonment of its own production, concentrating resources in critical software, UEM/MDM, and advanced protection services. In this context, BBM fits more as a secure communications technology integrated into business suites than as a mass-market app.
Samsung could be a potential buyer
We don't know who could buy BlackBerry Messenger, but the truth is that the South Koreans have in exclusive For now, the app is available for its smartphones. It's the only company, apart from BlackBerry itself, that has this app on its smartphones, or that will have it in the coming weeks. On the other hand, Samsung's messaging service hasn't been a huge success, so opting for a system that has been completely successful wouldn't be surprising. Even so, we'll have to wait. Furthermore, Samsung has historically opted for business solutions, such as Galaxy S III Safe for the business environment, which fits with the possible acquisition.
The logic behind such an operation is clear: Samsung would acquire a messaging asset with security DNA to integrate it into its ecosystem and strengthen its value proposition in enterprise mobility, wearables, and connected homes. For BlackBerry, BBM would gain distribution, resources, and pre-installation agreements. The obstacle, as always, would be the ability to reverse the network effect: the messaging market is dominated by established giants, and competing requires powerful incentives and impeccable global execution.
The future of BlackBerry Messenger: keys, challenges, and opportunities
To answer the question of whether BBM had—or still has—a path, it's important to separate consumer and business. In the consumer space, its proposal was brilliant: IM This approach avoided SMS costs, featured read indicators, flexible groups, and a PIN-based identity that increased control and privacy. It reached over 100 million installs, but the actual active base was much smaller due to the inertia of contacts migrating to alternatives that reached critical mass earlier.
The PIN invitation model, a virtue in privacy, was a entry barrier for organic growth, especially compared to systems that synced phonebooks and instantly displayed dozens of contacts. It was also a problem that, in its multiplatform launch, it didn't quickly expand to tablets and desktops, where rival apps already offered a ubiquitous presence.
On the functional side, BBM caught up with ephemeral messages, chat forwarding, multimedia improvements, and controls to prevent downloads image content. It also strengthened group moderation and notification management, with a more modern experience. However, the messaging battle isn't just about features; it's about "where your friends and teams are." And here, the priority is to secure partnerships, pre-installations, and unique use cases.
Where BBM maintains traction is in the enterprise space, under its secure aspect. The BlackBerry brand remains well positioned in regulated sectors (healthcare, finance, government) and in environments where compliance, auditing, and end-to-end encryption are requirements. In this framework, BBM Enterprise and the security suite integrate with MDM/UEM, authentication, and productivity tools, leveraging BlackBerry's expertise in critical software, along with security solutions and apps such as the Defense Alliance app.
To compete today, the levers would be clear: 1) Tight integration with productivity and electronic signature suites, 2) automations and secure bots for workflows, 3) legal compliance by default and archiving, and 4) SDKs for partners to incorporate secure messaging into their apps. In consumer applications, the only realistic path would be to differentiate with radical privacy, interoperability, and community experiences (like BBM Channels) that offer added value to specific niches.
All of this fits with BlackBerry's overall repositioning: less exposure to consumer hardware and greater focus on software platforms with QNX in automotive, AI-driven cybersecurity, and cloud solutions for vehicle data. Messaging, in this context, is another piece of the puzzle: as a mass-market product, it's a tough sell; as a secure component for businesses and connected devices, it remains a differentiating asset.
Looking ahead, BBM makes the most sense where BlackBerry has always shined: at the intersection of safety, productivity and reliabilityIf it ever regains prominence among the general public, it will be through bold alliances and exclusive offerings; if not, it will continue as a discreet but valuable pillar in the company's universe of secure solutions.
