Sideload Android apps to your BlackBerry 10 device with vnBB10

By Adam Zeis on 12 Mar 2013 08:58 am

Sideloading Android apps to your BlackBerry has always been easy thanks to the ddpb utility, and now the app has been revamped and dubbed vnBB10. Featuring the same basic functions, vnBB10 allows Windows users to easily sideload Android apps to their BlackBerry 10 and PlayBook devices with just a few steps. You simply need to put your device in Development Mode, connect it to your PC and choose the apps to load (you'll need the BAR files of course). vnBB10 takes care of the rest. You can view install progress, see all running apps and remove any unwanted apps with just a few clicks.

vnBB10 is free to use and is really the easiest way to load up Android apps from your Windows PC. You can check out our full tutorial on sideloading Android apps here (if you have a Mac we've got you covered as well). Hit up the link below for detailed directions and to download.

More information/Download vnBB10

Topics: Help, How-To & Tips

Adam Zeis 3038 (articles) 2792 (forum posts)

36 comments

QuIcKsIlV3r Mar 12, 2013 at 9:07 am

I'll have to try this tonight when I get home tonight

xxxmerlinxxx Mar 12, 2013 at 9:11 am

easier then the chrome extension? I'm not sure about that

andrewmcwhirter Mar 12, 2013 at 11:37 am

I agree. As long as your computer and Blackberry are connected to the same network, the chrome extension is definitely the easiest. Works from Mac/Linux/Windows. Just search for Chrome extension PlayBook app manager.

bvinceb Mar 12, 2013 at 9:17 am

Chrome extension? Fill me in please

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JTon Mar 12, 2013 at 9:18 am

I wish it took care of the apk -> bar conversion as well

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Manish Chaudhary Mar 12, 2013 at 9:29 am

Chrome extension playbook app manager is quite good but what will be really nice is to be able to convert apk to bar and publish to the phone in one click. That way all can ensure to have latest version.

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Scooter68 Mar 12, 2013 at 9:35 am

Chrome extension is way easier... (look up playbook extention)

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jayemmbee Mar 12, 2013 at 9:43 am

The chrome extension wouldn't work for my z10 but would for my playbook

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viper1931 Mar 12, 2013 at 9:45 am

With ddpb, does it matter if I uninstall side loaded apps by clicking the trash can icon after holding down on the app icon, or is it better to remove em by connecting to ddpb and in installing through it. Does it make a difference?

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VR6 Mar 12, 2013 at 9:56 am

shoot, I thought this was an app to sideload .bar files directly from the device...wonder if that's possible?

tfp Mar 12, 2013 at 10:04 am

That's what I was hoping for too :(

arhcangel Mar 12, 2013 at 11:07 am

Well you could always toss them into the APK2BAR converter
http://apk2bar.unker.net/

andy93 Mar 12, 2013 at 1:41 pm

There was previously an app (you had to side load it of course) for the PlayBook that would allow you to install Bar files directly, but I think that is no longer possible with BB10.

I do hope I am wrong though.

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rav813 Mar 12, 2013 at 9:59 am

I used to like the DDPB way, but the Chrome extension is definitely faster and easier now...especially if you normally use Chrome as a browser.

DurdenLunarius Mar 12, 2013 at 10:15 am

There's a way to sideload directly from the PB (possibly Z10 now too?) using LocalBAR, but it needs to use the BB phone's data connection as a proxy. Haven't fumbled too much past reading how it works and hearing people have some success with it last year, so not sure if it's been updated at all.

gecky Mar 12, 2013 at 10:54 am

Where is the benefit?

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knowledge_6 Mar 12, 2013 at 11:04 am

still think the Chrome extension is pretty easy to use

primusd Mar 12, 2013 at 11:06 am

Can someone clarify why/how this is better than the existing DDPB - it just isn't clear to me how this improves on what we already have?

canderson85 Mar 12, 2013 at 11:30 am

Its got more info for your phone. It also shows a list of sideloaded apps and pulls that information from the phone and you can remove them without the bar file being on the computer. It doesn't rely on bar files added to ddpb prior.

it's much better

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primusd Mar 12, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Ok cool, thanks for that!

thatplaybookguy Mar 12, 2013 at 12:56 pm

I like it.

stevedion Mar 12, 2013 at 3:56 pm

Super works great! Easy. Installed Pocket, Ebay and Paypal, speedtest.net, . Youtube (but can't sign into account).

cohenscoke Mar 12, 2013 at 5:11 pm

I have sideloaded whatsapp, instagram and flipboard! Works amazingly well with my z10.. except for whatsapp that can't access my contacts lol.. :) but I'm happy.. can't wait for the official whatsapp to be released this week (fingers crossed)

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steelgrey Mar 13, 2013 at 9:20 am

Download owhatsapp instead of whatsapp. The contacts are syncing fine. I too had downloaded whatsapp first. Faced the same problem of contacts.

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sclift Mar 12, 2013 at 10:46 pm

Does this fix that pesky error 500 problem many of us have had? Has anyone had any success side loading an app that has previously failed?

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xxxmerlinxxx Mar 13, 2013 at 9:02 am

For anyone who wants to know more about sideloading with Chrome:

http://crackberry.com/sideloading-made-easy-playbook-app-manager-browser...

steelgrey Mar 13, 2013 at 9:17 am

Amazing. Finally got owhatsapp
For my Z 10.

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Tony Gritts Mar 13, 2013 at 10:53 am

how come i cant seem to find this download anywhere for vnbb10?

Tony Gritts Mar 13, 2013 at 11:09 am

Anybody??

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adrenaline_x Mar 13, 2013 at 12:33 pm

this is more complicated then it needs to be. Use the chrome extension called PlayBook App Manager 1.9.3. . Once you install the extension in chrome turn on developer mode on your z10. Then plug in your z10 to your computer and open chrome. In the chrome address bar type the ip address of you phone that shows in developer mode (169.254.0.1 is the default) and enter your password.. Then drag and drop.

Tony Gritts Mar 13, 2013 at 3:22 pm

Thank you, they make it seem like you had to download an app and had me confused.

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Rootbrian Mar 13, 2013 at 11:36 pm

I'll likely have the Telly, BlogTV, ustream.tv and a few other android apps on my Q10 once I get it. :)

PodgeyB Mar 17, 2013 at 7:46 pm

I've managed to side load apps very easily with the instructions although I'm not very knowledgeable, could some1 tell me where the apps are stored once on the z10 and if it's on device is there anyway to move them to your SD card? Thanks

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