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We have already covered a few ways to sideload your favourite apps onto you BlackBerry PlayBook here on CrackBerry, both for Mac and PC but some people are not too comfortable with command prompts. That's where the PlayBook App Manager Browser Plugin comes in. 

Developed by a member of our forums, CrackOp, PlayBook App Manager makes sideloading app onto your PlayBook as easy as dragging and dropping the .BAR file into a web interface. It's fast, it's easy, you'll be sideloading in no time. 

Let's go through the process step-by-step. For this how-to we shall be using the Chrome browser. 

Step 1 - Install the plugin

You can get the Chrome extension from the Chrome Webstore. Add it to Chrome and you're all set. You'll see that once the extension has been added to Chrome a webpage pops up. Bookmark this page! This is the page you will load in the future to access your PlayBook to sideload apps.

PlayBook App Manager Pop-up - Don't forget to bookmark this page!

Step 2 - Add your PlayBook IP Address

To be able to access your PlayBook from the Extension, you will need to add the IP Address. In order to do this you need to put your PlayBook into Development Mode. You can do this by going to Options->Security->Development Mode. If you don't have a password set on your PlayBook you will be prompted to create one in order to use Development Mode.

PlayBook Development Mode

Once you have Development Mode turned on, go back to the Homescreen an tap the 'man' looking icon with gear looking icon on his chest. This will then give you your IP address.

Finding your PlayBook IP Address

Enter this IP Address into the PlayBook App Manager web interface. Note: If you will a USB cable for sideloading you may have two IP Addresses showing, if you also have your Wifi turned on. The first IP Address is the USB one.

Adding your IP Address to PlayBook App Manager

You can add multiple IP Address if you have more than one PlayBook. When you have added your IP Address(es), hit Save and you will see the IP Address added below in the Mange Your Devices section.

Step 3 - Access your PlayBook

In the Manage Your Devices section in the bottom right corner of PlayBook App Manager, click on the IP Address of the PlayBook you wish to access. The very first to load the page every browser session, you will receive an SSL error, go ahead and click Proceed Anyway.

SSL Error

You will then be prompted to enter your PlayBook password. Enter your password and then Login. You will then be presented with a page off all your installed PlayBook Applications.

PlayBook App Manager Login
PlayBook App Manager web interface

Step 4 - Drag and drop the .BAR files you want to install

On the webpage you'll notice in the top right corner a section that says Install Apps. This is the area you will be dragging and dropping your .BAR files to sideload the onto your PlayBook. In our forums, we have a growing list of Android apps that have been converted but you'll no doubt have some that you want to install already.

Drag and drop area

Bring up the folder contain those .BAR files and just drag the .BAR file up to the top right corner. You can add more than one file to the queue. They will just install one after the other. The install progress will be shown in the top left corner, so you will know when the file has been successful. Once all apps have installed, just click on Refresh list and your newly sideload apps will appear. You can even launch it from within the webpage.

Installing progress shows in the top left corner
You can add more apps into the queue

There you go folks. A simple and easy way to sideload apps onto your BlackBerry PlayBook. You can also check out the video above it you want to see a walkthrough on the whole process too. Let us know in the comments how you get on or if you use other methods of sideload apps onto your PlayBook. You can also visit our forums and maybe give props to the creator of the plugin.

Read more about the creator of the PlayBook App Manager web browser plugin
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