Following a leak of an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app

Sep 22, 2013 04:02 GMT  ·  By

Bad news for both iOS and Android users who are anxiously waiting for BlackBerry's BBM application to go live in their countries, as the Canadian company has just announced it has paused the global rollout of the instant messenger.

The reason behind BlackBerry's decision is the fact that BBM got too many users in the first hours after the official announcement.

It appears that the “unreleased version” of BlackBerry Messenger for Android was at the root of the company's issues. Lots of Android users downloaded and installed this unreleased BBM app before BlackBerry even got it official and they've all started to use it when the company opened up its servers.

According to BlackBerry more than 1.1 million active users were registered in the first 8 hours, and that's before the company could even release the official BBM for Android.

BBM for iOS has been removed from the App Store and is no longer available for download, but hose who already downloaded it will be able to continue to use it. Here is BlackBerry's official statement:

“Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already – more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app – is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day.

Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it’s ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone.

Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.

As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone. Please follow @BBM on Twitter for the latest updates and go to www.BBM.com to sign-up for updates about BBM for Android and iPhone. These issues have not impacted BBM service for BlackBerry.”

UPDATE2\: BlackBerry has just issued this short statement: "We will provide you an update on timing as soon as we can. Teams are working non-stop." Stay tuned for more updates.