How to put Android apps onto your BlackBerry 10 phone (Mac Guide)

Sideloading Android apps onto your BlackBerry Z10 or BlackBerry Q10 from a Mac is easy with this CrackBerry guide!

By Adam Zeis on 1 Feb 2013 04:09 pm

While BlackBerry 10 devices already have a huge selection of apps from which to choose, there may be more you want that aren't available in BlackBerry World.

Thankfully on BlackBerry 10 devices you can install Android applications without too much effort. The process, known as sideloading, allows you to transfer converted applications in the BlackBerry format (BAR files) to your device.

While this is one way to sideload, you can also get it done easier with a simple Google Chrome extension.

Keep in mind it's not foolproof however -- some apps work, some don't. There are plenty of free Android apps around the web that have already been converted and are ready to go so you shouldn't have much trouble tracking them down.

You can do this process both from a Windows PC (covered in this post) or a Mac (which we'll talk about here). So if you think you're ready to dive in, keep reading and see just how it's done.

First, make sure the drivers from your BlackBerry 10 phone have been installed onto your Mac. So before you sideload any apps, you need to first connect your phone to your Mac, and follow through and allow it to install the drivers it wants to install.
Make sure you Mac OS is up to date and then download the Playbook_Tools here. Yes, I know it says "PlayBook Tools" but it works just the same for BlackBerry 10 phones - so stick with us :)
Unzip the files into your /user/ directory (The directory typically shows as your username - mine is "/adamzeis/". You can put them wherever you want, it's just easier this way).

Finder

Move the files from the Playbook_Tools\lib\ folder to the Playbook_Tools directory.
Put your BlackBerry 10 device into Developer Mode by going to Settings > Security and Privacy > Development Mode. Note the IP address of your device - you can change it if you'd like. You'll get a notification in the Hub when Development Mode is enabled. You'll also be required to enter a password here if you don't have one already. Don't forget your password!!

Developer Mode

Find the .bar file for the app you want to install (there's a great selection here). After downloading, move the .bar file into the Playbook_Tools directory

Finder

Connect your BlackBerry 10 device to your Mac via USB
Open the Terminal application on your Mac (found under Applications > Utilities > Terminal). Your Terminal screen will show something along the lines of: new-host-2:~ adamzeis$
Type cd playbook_tools and press Enter. Terminal should now read something like: new-host-2:playbook_tools adamzeis$
Type the followin into Terminal: java -Xmx512M -jar BarDeploy.jar -installApp -device DEVICE_IP -password DEVICE_PASSWORD appname.bar Be sure to add in your device IP address, password and the name of the .bar file.

Terminal

Terminal will do it's magic and when it's done, your app will be ready to roll on your BlackBerry 10 device.
You can turn off both Development Mode and Password (Settings > Security and Privacy > Development Mode) unless you typically use a password.

So that's all there is to it. As we said earlier, after the initial setup, loading up Android apps on your BlackBerry 10 device from your Mac takes just a few minutes. Head to the forums to track down some BAR files for these and more.

Discuss more in our Android App Sideloading forum
On a Windows PC? Check out our sideloading guide here

Topics: BlackBerry 10 BlackBerry Z10 BlackBerry 10 Help BlackBerry Q10 Help, How-To & Tips

Adam Zeis 3114 (articles) 2800 (forum posts)

89 comments

Jerome Smith Feb 1, 2013 at 4:18 pm

can it work for instagram ?

serkangulec Mar 6, 2013 at 9:19 am

I made both instagram and whatsapp work for Z10... :)

K_Fashionistax May 7, 2013 at 12:33 pm

How did you make it work? Because I am having the hardest trouble sideloading anything onto my phone. I get as far as downloading the software but then I'm not sure if its unzipped or anything and I am following the instructions. Please help.

SDTRMG Feb 1, 2013 at 5:11 pm

Great now I get Instagram and all.

Danielle Cristina 1 week ago

Please help... I have MAC and tried downloading from goodereader.com for the android app loader. I looked up all the tutorials and followed but I am not seeing the same thing. I am not computer savvy and i need help :( PLEASEEEEE... I can't live without my instagram or snap chat and now that I have my Q10 I can't live without it either.

royal757 Feb 1, 2013 at 7:55 pm

really curious to know, will instagram work ??

bendiep1991 Feb 1, 2013 at 9:58 pm

fragment137 Feb 1, 2013 at 10:10 pm

I'm more curious if someone could try this for Netflix...>

Or will this just WORK with any android app? O.o

komrad888 Feb 1, 2013 at 10:36 pm

Will try this on Monday :)

irwindersra Feb 2, 2013 at 1:44 am

same, but on Tuesday, my preorder just got delivered to the store this afternoon but they wont let me pick it up till Tuesday!

meganVee Feb 2, 2013 at 1:47 am

The same process as on the PlayBook... Sweet! Makes things super easy!

lykk3 Feb 2, 2013 at 4:49 am

will this work on Q10 even though is has a smaller screen?

randall2580 Feb 2, 2013 at 12:15 pm

So, as I understand sideloading based on my PlayBook experience, the moment you sideload an app you did not convert on your own computer from .apk to .bar you become as insecure as any Android device out there?

I would imagine that BES Admins would disengage this feature the moment the BB10 phones were deployed no?

agcliff Feb 3, 2013 at 6:13 pm

I've tried doing this several times and keeps coming up in terminal

Error: Unknown argument Poic
Please can somebody help

ehabaha Feb 4, 2013 at 12:48 pm

I've tried doing this and when I get to the last stage and press enter it says host name may not be null. Does anyone know what this means?

kraems17 Feb 4, 2013 at 4:22 pm

Adam,

Great how-to. Thanks. Worked like a charm for me. I took the time this afternoon to write a little Automator application to make it easier to sideload the apps on my Playbook (and Z10 when I get it tomorrow from Rogers).

Check out the How-To Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nl46qgteD0

And grab the Automator app here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rbpl8qbiaw60ol1/
BB10%20Sideload%20Android%20App.zip

Enjoy!

6ix8ights Mar 21, 2013 at 3:08 am

Hi,
I am trying to side load with your BB10 Sideload Android App and I get this message
-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `)'
Can you help?

kraems17 Mar 25, 2013 at 9:57 pm

Hi @6ix8ights - can you paste the entire terminal windows contents so I can see if I can help you?

6ix8ights Apr 3, 2013 at 3:05 am

Last login: Wed Apr 3 02:54:19 on ttys000 6ix8ights:~ renegade$ cd $HOME/Playbook_Tools/ && java -Xmx512M -jar BarDeploy.jar -installApp -device 169.254.0.1 -password break vonage.bar -bash: syntax error near unexpected token `)'

kraems17 Apr 15, 2013 at 9:55 pm

Change the name of your .bar file to be one word instead of two. Eg. break vanage.bar to breakvanage.bar

6ix8ights Apr 16, 2013 at 12:37 am

I do not think that that is the problem. Even the SimpleBrowser.bar cannot be installed.
I did everything to the letter but it just won't work.
6ix8ights:~ renegade$ cd $HOME/Playbook_Tools/ && java -Xmx512M -jar BarDeploy.jar -installApp -device 169.254.0.1 -password break SimpleBrowser.bar -bash: syntax error near unexpected token `)'
Btw break is my password which has nothing to do with the .bar file. I need help :(

kraems17 Apr 16, 2013 at 8:04 am

Hmm. If you try to sideload using terminal following Adam's instructions above, does it work for you?

6ix8ights Apr 16, 2013 at 10:34 am

No. it still says
-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `)'
I did everything to the letter. What are the drivers that Adam is speaking about when he says: First, make sure the drivers from your BlackBerry 10 phone have been installed onto your Mac. ? I have the latest OS on my Z10 and I downloaded the playbook_tool, followed the instructions to the letter. Is there anything that has to be changed in the playbook_tools that I should do?

kraems17 Apr 16, 2013 at 10:37 am

Do you have the BB Link software installed on your desktop?

6ix8ights Apr 16, 2013 at 10:47 am

I sure do.

6ix8ights Apr 16, 2013 at 10:49 am

can it be that BB link is not connecting properly with my device?

6ix8ights Apr 16, 2013 at 10:56 am

when I connect my device to my mac I get a message: Server Connections Interrupted
file:///Users/tsunami/Desktop/Screen%20Shot%202013-04-16%20at%2010.53.33%20AM.png

kraems17 Apr 16, 2013 at 10:56 am

Could be. I'd try re-installing BB Link and then connect your phone via USB to your computer and make sure the phone recognizes that it is attached to your computer.

6ix8ights Apr 16, 2013 at 12:48 pm

done and done and still the same result.

kraems17 Apr 16, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Sorry to hear that. I'm out of ideas...

bjnesbitt Apr 23, 2013 at 3:42 pm

I had the same issue, until I fixed the case of -device switch from -Device to all lowercase. Don't know if that will fix your issue but that's what I did to get mine to work.

6ix8ights Apr 24, 2013 at 1:31 am

Hello from a very happy me!! I did what you said bjnesbitt but it didn't work.
I did get an update for my java last night and I changed my IP address from the default to another and used the
BB10 Sideload Android App as instructed (like I did before) and it worked. It could have been the change in IP of my device
or the java update but I am up and running. Thank you both for helping :)

crackfriend Apr 21, 2013 at 9:58 am

Hi kraems17,

Thanks so much for you automator app. I was having trouble when I was using the script command from Adam, but your automator worked fine. I compared the command strings and found the difference was that in Adam's command string, I needed to add the following pretext: cd $HOME/Playbook_Tools/ &&

Will have my kids try out the Snapchat now and give a review.

kchurch41 Feb 5, 2013 at 3:45 pm

Hey so I've sideloaded onto my playbook before with no issue, but I just got my Z10 today and when I try to sideload I'm getting an error message that reads like this:

Error: Cannot connect: Connection to https://169.254.0.5 refused. You may have to reboot the target.

Anyone have any suggestions? Oh, I have a mac btw, but again, it's the same mac that i've successfully sideloaded onto my playbook with. Let me know if you can help!

filippomotta Feb 6, 2013 at 1:21 pm

Same here!

Jehad AlAyed Feb 12, 2013 at 10:30 am

I had the same issue. And I did what it tells me " You may have to reboot the target" and I just restarted the device and it worked after that.

medicpb Feb 6, 2013 at 9:31 pm

Cool Thanks!

Schoshaii Feb 7, 2013 at 5:31 pm

really none of this works for me!!!! seriously it doesn't
fucking macbook....can anyone help?

step07 Mar 24, 2013 at 9:49 am

hi
i have a macbook and no matter how many times i tried it this wouldn't work for me, the best thing and easiest thing for me was to download google chrome and install this extension:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/playbook-app-manager/kmbaalodp...

its so much easier than using the terminal, just plug your bb10 or playbook into your laptop before trying to install, make sure development mode is enabled and just type your password in when it asks... everything is pretty strait forward after that

hope i helped :)

Todd Hooper Apr 14, 2013 at 3:36 am

USE THE CHROME EXTENSION... period.

Thank you SO much for posting this here. I also tried every method listed above meticulously, to no avail. This extension worked perfectly on the first try. It also provides better feedback and status throughout the process. (including a log of which apps you have installed so far)

Excellent. Thank you. I might actually sleep tonight now. :)

alexcdma63 Apr 28, 2013 at 2:40 pm

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!

Schoshaii Feb 7, 2013 at 5:42 pm

I've tried this like ten times! The automator doesnt work, terminal doesnt work.....seriously what works?! So tired of this bs.
Here's my pin: 266FC38E
please and thankyou.

Paul Smith4 Feb 8, 2013 at 3:17 am

IM lost
why is ther a vid to help like windows though :/

Paul Smith4 Feb 8, 2013 at 3:19 am

srry i mean isnt

hypermaster Feb 9, 2013 at 8:58 am

tried windows 8 & mac.. keep getting this error
Connection to https://169.254.0.1 refused. You may have to reboot the target.

Did a reebot & everything.,. still nothing.

skan010 Feb 21, 2013 at 2:17 pm

Hi,
Try to change the adresse by the one you will find by the following steps:
Network connections>Wi-FI>
Click on "Advanced"
Under "Diagnostic Information" select "Internet connection"

Copy the IP Address written.

Try again the same procedure but with this new IP adress.

Best regards,

Ps: Sorry for my english

vulfadli Mar 6, 2013 at 7:25 am

attention guys with the MACBOOK: this freaking WORKS! thanks alot buddy man :D

Ruslan Botsyurko Mar 13, 2013 at 11:46 am

This helped me solve the same issue, thanks very much skan010!

pels_17 Mar 23, 2013 at 10:04 pm

This worked! thank you skan010! :)

winds_aloft Feb 14, 2013 at 10:54 pm

result::failure 500 unpack requires a string argument of length 22
I am using Mac.

kozmonaut Feb 15, 2013 at 11:16 pm

read our solution of this problem here

http://goodereader.com/blog/tablet-slates/how-to-fix-the-blackbery-playb...

icehouse0683 Feb 17, 2013 at 10:34 am

What does "failure -9" mean when i side load an app with my mac?

SultanBahaj Feb 24, 2013 at 1:56 pm

Couldn't do it :( I got confused when you said "Unzip it" didn't know what to do :(

SultanBahaj Feb 24, 2013 at 2:03 pm

I don't have the apps on my Mac! Do I have to download it first? And where from?

Mac Bauer Mar 4, 2013 at 6:50 pm

I keep getting this message Unable to access jarfile BarDeploy.jar can anyone help me out?

Snevil Mar 24, 2013 at 3:45 pm

You need to run the terminal command from the same directory as the files. cd /user/playbook_tools

6ix8ights Mar 21, 2013 at 3:09 am

what does this mean??
-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `)'
Can someone help?

raffasy Mar 23, 2013 at 4:00 pm

sorry for the dumbass comment...

but does anyone have an updated version of the file? cant login due to it being outdated :(

linggakusuma Mar 24, 2013 at 10:56 am

wicked...

fine1b01 Mar 26, 2013 at 7:47 pm

and to uninstall just type java -Xmx512M -jar BarDeploy.jar -uninstallApp -device DEVICE_IP -password DEVICE_PASSWORD appname.bar

fabrosfer Mar 28, 2013 at 7:32 pm

did the hole process after it finished looking all good I check my bb z10 and no sings of instagram
do /i have to reset de z10??

Mohamed Anis Osmanbhoy Mar 30, 2013 at 3:36 am

I get a remark " unable to access jarfile BarDeploy.jar" what do I do

afquijano Apr 1, 2013 at 6:37 pm

I'm also getting this notice. How do we resolve this issue?

kasedillz Mar 30, 2013 at 6:20 am

I just sideloaded Netflix on my Z10 and it works great :)

DINGSTER1 Apr 1, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Just browsing over these comments, no novice is going to bother with this process... They will go iOS or actual Android

6ix8ights Apr 3, 2013 at 3:16 am

Hello,
Novice here and I am bothering and I am trying hard to get this side-load process done.
It is hard when you are not tech inclined but that is why there is the forum
and a real BB fan will not iCrap or Android. My opinion of course :)

Garyth Evans Apr 4, 2013 at 11:42 pm

Wrong you are dingster. I am a novice doing this and I got it to work in 5 minutes. It is not difficult at all.

faflenrage Apr 1, 2013 at 8:53 pm

I think it's more easier to do this with the playbook manager extension of chrome browser, which works with OS10 (i success many install apps on my Z10), just with one click
Enjoy it ;)

plasmid_boy Apr 3, 2013 at 5:16 pm

Awesome. Just did it and worked perfectly. Many thanks.

mpaysen Apr 3, 2013 at 11:38 pm

I've gone through the entire process with the Instagram app, and got to the final step where it installs in terminal and says result::success. But the forum ends there, so now I don't know how to physically get the app loaded onto my blackberry from terminal. Someone please help!

Garyth Evans Apr 4, 2013 at 11:41 pm

it should be on your z10 then. when I did the netflix app, after it said success, i closed the settings file on my bb and went to the pages of apps and it was the last one on the last page..

mpaysen Apr 5, 2013 at 5:47 pm

Yes thank you! I just didnt realize how easy it was once the process was finished!

Garyth Evans Apr 4, 2013 at 11:39 pm

Just want to say that side loading is very new to me and the instructions were perfect. I successfully side loaded the Netflix app and while it is a little slow because it is not a native or properly ported app but a work around, it does work and I now have netflix on my bb z10.. Can't help anyone with instagram because I think it is a crap app and don't use it.

ElBaby Taveras Apr 7, 2013 at 3:58 am

anyone plz help!!! im so confused download "playbook tools" but i dont know where to download the ".bar (instagram) file too! i notice on the picture he has many options in the "playbook tools" folder; mine only has like 6 n most are .bat(dont know what to do twith that). can anyone please help me! i need a dummied down quick tutorial to learn this process!

Prysillia Halim Apr 8, 2013 at 9:57 am

I already download playbook_Tools and BB10 Sideload, but when i tried to open the side load, I'm getting an error message that reads like this :

" Last login: Mon Apr 8 20:50:35 on ttys000
Prysillias-iMac:~ meme_br$ cd $HOME/Playbook_Tools/ && java -Xmx512M -jar BarDeploy.jar -installApp -device 169.254.0.1 -password meme0806 instagram.bar
-bash: cd: /Users/meme_br/Playbook_Tools/: No such file or directory
Prysillias-iMac:~ meme_br$"

what that text mean? and what i need to do?
thanks a lot

Prysillia Halim Apr 8, 2013 at 10:45 am

why the instagram can not work in my BB Z10?
the error massage write : incompatible device. this device doesn't seem to meet the minimum camera requirements.
can someone please give me the compatible link to download instagram.bar?
thankyou

marti318 Apr 8, 2013 at 7:57 pm

how do you upgrade an app that needs an upgrade on your Blackberry - once you have successfully put an Android app using the process above?

arobles0912 Apr 14, 2013 at 5:06 pm

how do you delete an app? It won't let me when I hold down and delete it from my Z10. I'm using a Mac so I have to use terminal

poolshark01989 Apr 16, 2013 at 3:12 pm

I followed every step to a t and it replied "Unable to access jarfile BarDeploy.jar"

TAner25 Apr 16, 2013 at 4:53 pm

same here.

Redjakk1 Apr 20, 2013 at 2:08 pm

After these steps, do I just drag and drop the App onto my BlackBerry?

skot89 Apr 20, 2013 at 8:12 pm

Can somebody please put a list of confirmed side loaded android apps on the Z10?

JGlaze Apr 27, 2013 at 11:08 am

How do i even open the .bat file? What program do i need?

dmoskal Apr 29, 2013 at 5:01 pm

I am trying to download the square.com app and am having trouble. The terminal page says Last login: Mon Apr 29 16:53:05 on ttys000
Deborah-Moskals-iMac:~ dmoskal$

and when I put in the ed playbook_tools, it tells me that no file exists. I believe I have followed the instructions to a tee. Please help. Thanks