Data extracted from a BlackBerry to a host computer is stored in a single file in a BlackBerry-specific format known as IPD.[50] The file is encrypted (as are all transmissions through the Blackberry system), though since all Blackberry devices are capable of reading the IPD file format, more than one Blackberry can read the same database file.

Included in the standard Blackberry software package is a 'Switch Device Wizard' that permits a user to connect two mobile devices and copy the database from one device to another, enabling a newly-upgraded device to retain any personal information that is not device-specific.