The lack of custom development is due to three primary factors:

If you somehow obtain an Engineering Sample (pre-production EVT/DVT units), they often have an unlocked or unlockable bootloader. These devices occasionally appear on eBay or collector forums for $300–$600.

On an engineering Priv, you could theoretically flash:

However, for 99.9% of users, custom ROMs are impossible.

The Blackberry Priv is one of the most unique devices in Android history. It was the Canadian company’s admission that their own OS was no longer viable, packaged inside a premium slider chassis with a physical keyboard that sent enthusiasts into a frenzy.

However, time has not been kind to the Priv’s software. Launched with Android 5.1 Lollipop and updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the device was stuck on an outdated OS while the rest of the world moved to Nougat, Oreo, and Pie. For years, the Priv was considered a "security risk" to use due to unpatched vulnerabilities.

If you are still holding onto this piece of hardware, breathing new life into it is possible, but it requires a specific approach. Here is everything you need to know about the Blackberry Priv Custom ROM situation.

Without root, you cannot underclock the Snapdragon 808, which is the root cause of the Priv’s infamous thermal throttling.

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

| Feature | Stock 6.0.1 | LOS 18.1 (A11) | |--------|-------------|----------------| | Android version | 6.0.1 | 11 | | Security patch | 2017 | 2024–2025 | | App compatibility | Many fail | Most work | | Speed | Slow, laggy | Noticeably faster | | Physical keyboard | Perfect | Glitchy backlight | | Slider detection | Perfect | Sometimes fails | | VoLTE | Works (carrier dependent) | Broken | | Camera | Stable | Occasional crash | | BlackBerry Hub | Native | Missing |

You’ve flashed the ROM, but the Priv is still a 2015 phone. Do this immediately: