It’s no longer news that an important OS update (BlackBerry OS 10.2.1) for devices running on BB 10 OS was released few days ago, I highlighted the new enhancements in my previous post. If you are a proud owner of BlackBerry Z10, Q10, Z30, Q5 or P’9982 and you’ve not updated your device, I bet you’re missing a lot of new features introduced already, Update now. But, if your device has been updated to the latest BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 or higher, it gives you the ability to install .APK files, which are the app used in Android directly to your BlackBerry Smartphone. Isn’t that awesome? Checkout how to Install Android APK on Blackberry 10 below.
So long story short, there are lots of ways to download Android apps to BlackBerry running OS 10.2.1, you can load them to your phone via your PC, use online Android stores (e.g Amazon store) or get them in forums/sites e.g apkdad, crackberry.com etc
How to Install Android APKs on Blackberry
Procedure 1: Download/transfer the APK file to your BlackBerry 10 device
There are several ways to download/transfer your desired .APK (Android installer) file to your Blackberry 10 which includes;
1. The Amazon app store is the coolest way to get Android apps (@ least for now) on your Blackberry 10 device, the store has tons of Android apps both free and paid (More than the BB world :P).
To Get Amazon app store on your blackberry 10 device, simply visit http://www.amazon.com/getappstore with your BB 10 browser. Once you’ve downloaded this, install and run, you’ll be prompted to supply your Amazon account details tap on ‘create account” if you don’t have one. That’s all you have to do, downloading Android .apk apps is now as easy as download from Blackberry world 🙂
Alternatively,
2. Visit the source of the Application using your BlackBerry browser, this is another easy method. Just get the link (via a google.com search or sites like apkdad.com, Apk Train), click on the download link and hurray! You download begins.
3. You can also get the Android APK file on your Blackberry by copying the file directly from your computer using a USB cable.
Procedure 2: Install the APK file on your BlackBerry 10 Device
If you downloaded your Android apps from the Amazon app store, installation should be straight forward just attend to few pop-up and you’re good to go. Also if you downloaded your Android APK using your BlackBerry browser, a window would have come up already asking you to save it in your desired location with a filename, after download is complete just tap the downloaded file and installation should begin after a brief processing indicator. No stress!
If you transferred the APK installer to your phone via your PC or any other means, use the File Manager to locate the APK or you can find it easily by tapping the magnifying glass icon from the home screen at the bottom in the middle and typing “.apk” in the search box at the top, this will file all APK files on your device. Just tap the one you want to install.
Your Android app should start installing after a brief Processing indicator. Click the install button in the top right and click accept on the pop up window which notify you of the permissions required for the app to run efficiently.
NOTE:
When you try to install an Android .apk file for the first time, you may be prompted to allow the installation of apps outside of BlackBerry world just follow the prompts and turn off the safety settings. Install and enjoy your Android games on your Blackberry device.
UPDATE
If you are finding it difficult to make Amazon Apps store work in your country, there is a cool alternative app called “Snap”. Snap is a native application for Blackberry 10, its like the Google play store for BlackBerry 10 devices and it is not restricted to any country. It is secure place to get APKs file for your Blackberry, Apps on Snap have passed Google play’s approval.
LEARN HOW SETUP SNAP ON YOUR BLACKBERRY HERE
Check it out and let me have your feedback via comments! I welcome your contributions as well.
nice