Friday, January 3, 2014

Easily Upgrade your BlackBerry 10 Devices to Natively Install and Run Android Apps

For you BlackBerry power users (I'm a Q10 user) looking to run Android apps, this is how to do it (there was a single app I wanted which is a train commuter scheduler [RailBandit]). The newest leaked Blackberry OS includes Android runtime 4.2.1 and allows ability to natively load Android apps (yes - you load apps right from your BB - AWESOME!). Sadly, Verizon hasn't launched the next OS (10.2 even though it's been out for MONTHS), so you can do it yourself. I've been running this for 12 hrs, and so far I like it. It's super easy as well. This is to run the brand new leaked 10.2.1.1925 (radio 1899) less than a week old. What's cool about BB10 is you can upgrade the radio code separately from the general OS. Makes it easier for the carrier to test and release updates (or in theory should). The juicy details...

Use This to Download Your OS (Q10, Z10, Z30, etc)
http://forums.crackberry.com/bb10-leaked-beta-os-f395/lengend-presents-10-2-1-1925-all-q-z-887047/

Backup Source
http://www.bbin.in/en/2013/12/24/leaked-os-10-2-1-1925-for-all-blackberry-10-smartphones/

Here are the steps to install a leaked OS on your BlackBerry 10 device (most popular desktop OS required):

Download and install BlackBerry Link (latest is 1.2.2.13 b122) direct from BB.
Backup your BB, just in case and to downgrade if you need to.
Download correct OS from CB URL link above (don't worry about the term "radio" - from the one that says "10.2.1.1925").
Switch off your BlackBerry 10 device
Run the AutoLoader File
Connect your BlackBerry 10 Device to your PC via USB
Quickly Turn on your BlackBerry 10 device
The AutoLoader will detect your device and starts the installation
Please hold till the AutoLoader reaches to 100% and CLOSES automatically
Disconnect your BlackBerry 10 device and wait till it starts again
Security wipe before start using/restoring your data (I didn't do this, but the instructions suggest it)
Manual Setup your config, apps, etc
Enable the install apps functionality from 3rd parties. The first time you download and run an app, the OS will prompt you to enable this feature. Thanks BlackBerry!

Bonus: 2 good sources for loading Android apps is Amazon Apps and 1mobile.com. Load both App Store Apps and you can load your new Android apps easily.

Screenshots of the goodness (note: no BES required, but I run one since I roll like that)....

Before

 After - 10.2.1.1925 (yeah baby)






To a Happy, Healthy, Productive, and Efficient 2014!
-Ben

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks Ben! My backup is running and I've got the upgrade file downloaded...getting ready to make the switch! :)

Ben Serebin said...

I initially downloaded the OS 1925 with radio 1260, so I had to do an autoloader upgrade of just the radio to 1899. So, awesome the BB OS is. Separating the OS from radio code was smart. I'm not aware of other mobile OSes that do that.

-Ben

Steven Lujan said...

Nice Job!

Ben Serebin said...

I was able to successfully upgrade to a carrier (Verizon) release version from this version. Excellent.

-Ben

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