Blackberry phones will stop working on January 4, signaling the end of an era for the iconic cellphone

• Blackberry users said goodbye to the iconic device on January 4, 2022.
• The phone's legacy software was decommissioned, meaning all classic Blackberry phones can no longer be used.

It's the end of an era for Blackberry users. On January 4, the company behind the iconic black phone with its QWERTY keypad officially decommissioned the use of its software — meaning classic Blackberry devices running on the company's operating system will no longer work.

"As of this date, devices running these legacy services and software through either carrier or Wi-Fi connections will no longer reliably function, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 9-1-1 functionality," said the company in a $4 dated December 22, 2021.

"We thank our many loyal customers and partners over the years," the company added.

Newer $4 will continue to work for now.

Blackberry's 2021 announcement was an update to an earlier September 9, 2020, statement from Blackberry CEO John Chen, where he announced that the company was transitioning to become a software company, and $4.

Blackberry launched the last version of its operating system in 2013, and the company started phasing out devices with the Blackberry name between 2016 and 2020, per $4. According to The New York Times, Blackberry $4

The Blackberry was $4, who $4

According to $4, Blackberry at its peak in 2009 owned 20% of the global smartphone market, but was soon overtaken in the early 2010s by touchscreen devices like the iPhone.

Now, Blackberry has pivoted to become a cybersecurity firm, $4.