BlackBerry says 5 million users downloaded BBM for Android and iOS in 8 hours [Updated]

BlackBerry finally rolled out its BBM messenger for iOS and Android earlier today, using a unique reservation system presumably designed to prevent its servers crashing out again, and the company claims that five million users have downloaded the app already.

Next 5 million in line – your turn! Open up BBM and click “I got the email” to get started on #BBM right away!

— BBM (@BBM) October 22, 2013

It’s not clear how many others are waiting for access but the initial figure — racked up eight hours after launch — is pretty impressive. BlackBerry said earlier that six million people had signed up to get updates about the app in ahead of its launch, while an apparent one million Android owners were “using the unreleased version of BBM for Android” following the partial launch in September.

Are you among those still waiting? You’ll be interested in this hack that lets you get the app right away — though we’re not sure how long it will last.

Update:

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Blackberry has since reported that over 10 million users have downloaded BBM for Android and iOS.

Related: Hands-on with BlackBerry’s BBM app for iOS

Thumbnail image via Justin Sullivan/AFP/Getty Images