BlackBerry makes BBM available for iPad and iPod Touch devices

By Chris Parsons
last updated

Initially having only arrived for iPhone, BlackBerry has now gone ahead and updated their BBM chat app to include support for the iPad and iPod Touch, though it's not real iPad support. The late arrival of the app on iOS doesn't seem to of have hampered its efforts though as BlackBerry has stated the app was downloaded over 10 million times in 24 hours between iOS and Android.

Although I'm still trying to figure out why folks would want to run the app on a device that possibly isn't always connected to the internet, it was one of the larger complaints when the app became available on the iTunes App Store so, it's nice to see BlackBerry actually address it and make the change for those who do want to run it. Other changes to the app have also come along for the ride:

  • Improvements to right-to-left language support
  • More options for sharing your BBM PIN Barcode
  • Find your friends on other social networks who are also using BBM
  • Fixes an issue where some users would be missing BBM contact names

The update has gone live now and is available for download. Should you decide to check it out, be sure to stop by the iMore Forums BBM section if you're looking for some cool groups to join or just looking for some new friends to chat with.

Chris Parsons
Chris Parsons

Editor-at-Large at Mobile Nations, gadget junkie, energy drinker, ranter.

54 Comments
  • Even when I had blackberry, no one I knew used BBM, so for me this isn't a major selling point. All but 2 people I message regularly are on iMessage, and for what I need/want it is more than sufficient. Sent from the iMore App
  • I expecting more feature for iphone user on new version but still missing Sent from the iMore App
  • I downloaded it and have only one contact, it's a nice app, I mean if more people would use it, I think it has better functions than whatsapp for example, like the read notice.
    I would like it more if it was iOS 7 like, it just feels old. Sent from the iMore App
  • I know, me too. I only have two BBM contacts out of about 150 total contacts--kind of a bummer. :-/ Sent from the iMore App
  • Actually, it's the iPhone app stretched to fit the iPad.. What a epic failure. Already deleted it. Sent from the iMore App
  • Problem with this in my opinion is it is just too late. Most of my friends and I have moved on to other IM options. When I owned a Blackberry, however, I did like the messenger application. Sent from the iMore App
  • So far many people I know have already deleted the iphone app so it may be too little too late for this version. They need to find something to add in the app which makes it special compared to the whatsapps and other messaging apps. Sent from the iMore App
  • Same! Sent from the iMore App
  • I used to have a Blackberry Bold before I switched to the iPhone and I loved BBM for communicating with my wife and the few friends who had Blackberries. Having said that, I still think iMessage is just as good, at least it has been for me and my family and friends. Sent from the iMore App
  • I'd like to use it on BOTH my iPhone and iPad (like I can with iMessage).....any idea when that will happen?
  • I remember a school mate showing off this ability between his Blackberry phone and tablet, so it certainly is possible. I'm gonna download the app know and see if I can do that, cause it would be very useful!
  • Was the tablet a BlackBerry PlayBook by any chance? If it was he was most likely using BlackBerry Bridge to mirror BBM to his PlayBook.
  • Yeah it was. Hadn't realised that, thanks for clarifying. :) Sent from the iMore App
  • Yeah it was. Hadn't realised that, thanks for clarifying. :) Sent from the iMore App
  • No, doesn't let you. I signed in but it then said it would sign me out on my other device, which I didn't want. Also, I hadn't realised it is just the iPhone app, which makes it pretty useless as it's the iPhone keyboard, and can't be used in landscape!
  • Ditto. It only lets you sign into one version of BBM at a time. It could be useful on my iPad if it allowed me to be signed on and synced between them, but it can't so I won't be downloading again. Sent from the iMore App
  • Oh wow, this also shows that BB don't seem to get how people are using their phones AND tablets. Sent from the iMore App
  • When I downloaded it for my ipad, it stopped working on my iphone 5s. I wish I can use it like Facebook n iMessage. Common bberry you can do better. Infact I think they should b ashamed of themselves for this issue.
  • I actually am glad they added support for the iPad. I have an iPad Mini at home that's always connected to wifi and when I get home I put my phone on a dock and get my iPad and that's where I communicate from, (Unless I get a phone call), but most people I know have iMessage so I can just talk to them through there. Sent from the iMore App
  • I like the idea that you have to share your PIN with someone before they can message you, but I can't say that I have many instances when I am contacted by someone I don't know anyway. I just can't see this app doing anything to help BB in the long run. I'll pass. Sent from the iMore App
  • It's good to see more updates. Apple updated their OS, and nothing broke this time around when updating BBM. This is a + whew! To my now iPhone community , please use it, I know I know, you have this and that, why do I need another app. I will be honest, the iOS version doesn't come close to the full featured BBM you will find on BlackBerry10. But come on its real time communication, with Delivered - D and Read - R confirmation! It's fast and it's secure. Try it out and you will see, it will grow on you. Don't do like users I know, who download it and put it in their last page of apps, smh. With time BlackBerry will give us Voice and Video. Those features in its self are awesome! iMessage is cool and all but what about your Android friends? With BBM you can include everyone! Creat groups and always know what your friends are up to. Update your status to let friends know how your feeling or make let them know your not available. All in all I hope we see more updates and more users. Sent from the iMore App
  • I actually really enjoy using BBM. It's got a nice interface (not stunning, but not cluttered like other messaging apps I've used), although it is a bit confusing to navigate at first. I had to google how to add people's pins. It was under the invite tab, which makes no sense until you realise your inviting them to talk. A 'Add' button would have been easier.
  • Granted, it's way better looking than WhatsApp!! Sent from the iMore App
  • Glad to see Blackberry doing this. They will need to do a quality job of pivoting to a secure messaging services company pretty quick if they are to survive.
  • I never had a BB so I don't understand the relevance of this app. There are so many types of messaging services, what makes this one any better? Sent from the iMore App
  • Issues:
    1) Not a dedicated iPad version, come on!! 2) BBM should be attached to a blackberry ID that way a user can have multiple devices and have a unified, synced BBM experience across devices. Assigning one device per ID is a waste and makes using the service inconvenient. I downloaded the app on my iPad and deleted it right away. If they fix these I may give it another try. Sent from the iMore App
  • Thanks Chris! Switching devices isn't quite as painful as I thought it would be, but man could they make it even easier :-) Sent from the iMore App
  • Why when you have advanced from blackberry to iphone would you even want to look back? Sent from the iMore App
  • While I love bbm, still unsure of how well this will stick or what type of staying power it will have. At least they are going all in and providing for all devices. Sent from the iMore App
  • Hmm, I followed the link and it downloaded the iPhone version not iPad, still not showing in the App Store yet. I will wait, probably rather impatiently. Sent from the iMore App
  • As a BB user turned Apple fanboy, I was really excited about BBM coming to iPhone since I used to love it. I was unimpressed actually. Deleted the app and just use iMessage like before Sent from the iMore App
  • The BBM app has worked pretty well for me and is overall a great service but I don't think it's enough to save the company. Sent from the iMore App
  • I honestly don't know one person who uses BBM or even owns a Blackberry. I don't know how there was a waiting list to use it. Sent from the iMore App
  • I'm glad to see BBM and BB listening and pushing out an iPad compatible version. If they could make the app look better that would be even better. The app just seems out of place with iOS 7 so they should pick a better font and liven up the design a bit. Sent from the iMore App
  • This is nice to have but too little too late. Sent from the iMore App
  • Damn I was hoping the update would help with the sluggish feel of BBM on IOS :( I was also hoping for some more features to be honest with you. Sent from the iMore App
  • I feel like it may just be too late for BlackBerry. They were too late to the touchscreen smartphone game, too late with BB10, too late going cross platform with BBM, they messed up the launch of BBM itself and I think BBM on iPad being basically a blown up iPhone app shows that they kind of don't know what they're doing anymore. They don't seem to understand the smartphone market like others do. Sent from the iMore App
  • This will be huge for bbm. I was a little surprised that the iPod wasn't compatible at launch. This will put bbm on the hands Of tons of teenagers. There goes the neighborhood Sent from the iMore App
  • This will be huge for bbm. I was a little surprised that the iPod wasn't compatible at launch. This will put bbm on the hands Of tons of teenagers. There goes the neighborhood Sent from the iMore App
  • Blackberry had their turn and didn't change with the times so it is time to move on now. Sent from the iMore App
  • I was really hoping that bbm was going to be the saviour for blackberry. I know many people who downloaded it but not many who are really using it. I think bbm last chance to survive is to utilize the infrastructure that they have created. That's the only thing that it's competitors don't have. Sent from the iMore App
  • Still a useless app for me, got no more BBM contacts. Everyone got smart and jumped ship years ago. I'll give it until Christmas, then off my device it goes. Sent from the iMore App
  • To think in 2007 I used to sit next to a lady who said the iPhone was rubbish because didn't have a Blackberry-like keyboard. I think she has an iPad and an iPhone now! Sent from the iMore App
  • Is anyone still getting the bug where notifications come in multiple times but the person sending a message only sent it once? It's quite annoying! Sent from the iMore App
  • Yup. It happens randomly. Likely if sent to group Sent from the iMore App
  • Dose anybody still even use blackberries? now that the iPhones an androids have been out. When I did have a blackberry I never even used the BBM. I think that was a waste of a programs time to make The BBM for the iPhone Sent from the iMore App
  • This is 1 more out if 100 messaging apps...
    Back in days I was BB user and still have BB as only emergency phone.
    Why do we need app from the past that no ones uses any more?!
    Plus this BBM app is not original secure BBM service. Sent from the iMore App
  • Is BBM even a competitor with all the other options out there? Hangouts, TWITTER and so forth would be better than BBM. I just don't see the value of BBM since no one I know still uses blackberry. They're a dying breed! Sent from the iMore App
  • Nice move from BBM. The app still needs tons of improvement tho..
    I haven't used BBM since the day I downloaded it. I'd rather use Whatsapp or Facebook messenger. Sent from the iMore App
  • Been waiting for this update. I can finally install this on my iPod Touch. Sent from the iMore App
  • Very thankful BlackBerry did this.
    Thank God they listened to us. Sent from the iMore App
  • This is essential for them to compete with WhatsApp and others. The more devices, their merrier. Unfortunately, BlackBerry has a record for server issues with BIS and BBM. so kudos to them, but let's keep a close watch on the availability. Sent from the iMore App
  • I used to use BBM with my old Blackberry just tell the iPhone 5 got released. I did download the app and managed to get all my BBM contacts but I really don't use it. It's kinda pointless Sent from the iMore App
  • I feel like the hype is over. People were excited about this for the first 2 weeks but now i don't hear anyone talking about it. Blackberry is simply in the past, i don't see the need for it when WhatsApp does the work 10 times better. Sent from the iMore App