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

Migrate your PIN contacts from Blackberry to Iphone

There are 2 ways to migrate your PIN contacts from your Blackberry device to your iPhone:
1. Migrate Automatically
2. Migrate Manually

How are we going to do it? Here it is...

1. Migrate Automatically

This step, migrate your PIN contacts automatically to your BBM for iPhone only works for newer generation of Blackberry device, from BB OS7 and up (please do correct me if wrong).
Because starting from OS7, BlackBerry (it was RIM), force us to create a BlackBerry ID and sign in with the BlackBerry ID when first time setup the BlackBerry OS7 device.
And later I found out that using this BlackBerry ID, I can easily migrate to a new device whenever I need to switch device.
And this way - using BlackBerry ID to easily migrate PIN contacts - is also working when you move from your BlackBerry device to use BBM application on iPhone (or any other iOS device).

Steps needed:

1. Make sure on your current BlackBerry device, you had your BlackBerry ID signed in
2. Install BBM for iPhone (or any other iOS device)
3. When configuring the BBM app for the first time, and asked to key in your BlackBerry ID, use your existing BlackBerry ID that is used in your BlackBerry device
4. Voila! When the configuration screen is gone, all your contacts is moved and migrated magically to your iPhone.
5. Done!

And then what happen to your old BlackBerry device, can it still be used? Can you have both contacts on both BlackBerry device as well as your iPhone?
Yes of course you can still use your BlackBerry device, RIM (now BlackBerry) will not just kill the device after you migrate to iPhone. But you will no longer have your existing contact there on your BlackBerry device.
Based on my test, you can only sign in using your BlackBerry ID once at a time.
Which means that you can't have both your contacts on your BlackBerry device as well as your iPhone, unless you do the 2nd step, which is to migrate the contacts manually.

So if after you signed in your BlackBerry ID to your iPhone and then sign it back to your BlackBerry Device, then your BlackBerry ID in your iPhone will be rendered offline and you can't use it to chat with your BBM contacts and vice versa.

So the point here is:

1. to migrate automatically and easily, you must have a BlackBerry ID
2. A BlackBerry ID can only signed in on 1 device at a time

2. Migrate Manually

This step, migrate manually is basically re-inviting all your PIN contacts to your new PIN in your iPhone by either scan the barcode or key in their PIN one by one.

If you have only a few contacts, or if you want to have your PIN contacts on both of your device or if you are using BB OS6 and below, you can use this manual way to migrate your contacts.

Steps needed:
1. Open your PIN contacts. and show the the PIN
2. On your iPhone, you can either Add by PIN or Add by Scan Barcode
3. If you choose Add by PIN, then key in the PIN and then Send the invitation, if you choose Add by Scan Barcode, scan the PIN barcode and then Send the invitation.
4. Wait for your contacts to accept you. Notify them if you are sending invitation from your new PIN
5. Do step 1 to 4 for the rest of your contacts
6. Voila! Now you have your contacts both on your BlackBerry device as well as your iPhone


Do let me know if you are having difficulties migrating your contacts.

Cheers!