BBM PIN

So what is BBM PIN?

Weird 8 digits long identifier with only hexadecimal characters...

Like it or not, that's is BBM PIN or they used to call BlackBerry PIN. 

I don't mean anything offensive to any BlackBerry or BBM fans saying that BBM PIN is somehow weird (at least to me), but compare to other messaging apps which usually use an ID (such as Yahoo Messenger or Google Talk/Hangouts) or a phone number (such as WhatsApp or LINE) where either the ID or the phone number are something that we create/own/have ourselves, BBM PIN is something given by BlackBerry at the time we buy the device (actual BlackBerry device) or at the time we setup the BBM app (using iPhone).

BlackBerry PIN VS BBM PIN

>BlackBerry PIN 

At the time BBM was only available exclusively for BlackBerry Devices, a PIN is attached to a BlackBerry device. And everyone knows it as BlackBerry PIN.

>BBM PIN

But since BBM is now available for iPhone (and Android), a BlackBerry PIN is now called BBM PIN, since the PIN is only available for BBM App on Iphone (do you see the difference? let me know).

The BBM PIN now (on iPhone) is no longer attached to the device alone (like the actual BlackBerry device), but attached to a combination of your BlackBerry ID as well as the device you are logged in your BlackBerry ID into.

Meaning, as long as you are using the same iPhone (same IMEI number) and same BlackBerry ID, your PIN will be the same when you re-install the BBM App.

But the BBM PIN will eventually change whenever you change your device and/or change your BlackBerry ID. So if the BBM PIN is somewhat important to you and changes to your PIN can cause you headache, please be really careful when switching device (such as upgrading iPhone to a new iPhone generation) and when switching BlackBerry ID.

If you are planning to switch your iPhone soon, and don't want to lose your current BBM PIN, stay tuned on this blog. I'll cover it on future post (I hope so!).

Some (fun) facts about BBM PIN:

1. BBM PIN starts with number 2, 3 or 7.

Number 2 and 3 are PIN from BlackBerry devices, where 3 is usually from older types of devices such as BlackBerry 8800. And newer devices, those which are using BB OS6 and above such as BlackBerry 9900, the PIN starts with 2.
As for 7, this PIN is for non BlackBerry devices such as iPhone, iPad as well as Android.

2. 8 characters long. 

You won't find BBM PIN that is less or more than 8 characters. At least at the point in time I wrote this post.

3. It's hexadecimal-based characters.

0 to 9 and A to F only. You won't ever find these characters G, H, I, J,..., and Z. Unless BlackBerry change their BBM PIN policy.

4. BBM PIN is random generated set of characters.

As far as I know, the 8 long characters are random. You are considered lucky if you can get good PIN number, like "7777 7777" or "7AAB BCC7" or whatever pattern or number thou think it's good.

If you don't have a good easy-to-remember PIN number, don't be broken hearted, because you can get one!
What...! Seriously?! How?? That must probably be your next couple of thoughts when you read this.
Yes seriously. But only if you are patient enough to try. So if you would like to get easy-to-remember PIN and think you are patient enough, do check my next post about how to get good PIN.
Don't forget it will be only for iPhone and not for BlackBerry devices.

Cheers!

J:onathan Jilaxz:one