Can I Sideload my Work's Proprietary Android App?

**JR A** · 03-03-2013, 05:07 PM

I read the How To, but it lost me at the step of "installing your previously converted files you downloaded".

Can I sideload it, if so, how do I convert the file?

**Thunderbuck** · 03-03-2013, 05:22 PM

Any Android app needs to be converted. The conversion itself is ridiculously easy, as you just upload the .apk to BB and they spit back a .bar that you can then sideload. I believe you need to at least have signing keys configured, though.

Also, at this time the .apk can't target any version of Android above 2.1 (Jelly Bean is 4.1, and is slated to be supported later this year). And even if it meets all the requirements, there's still a fair chance it won't work.

We're I in your position, I'd at least give it a go, though.

**JR A** · 03-03-2013, 05:37 PM

Okay, you lost me at "signing keys" lol. I'm pretty technically savvy, but app development and its lingo is all foreign to me.

Is a signing key something I would be able to get easily? Or it something I would have to contact my work's IT dept and see if they would let me have it (doubt it)?

And I do believe the app works with Android 2.1, I hope...

**masterscarhead1** · 03-03-2013, 05:39 PM

Run your apk through PlayBook .apk to .bar converter
It will convert the file into a bar file, which can be installed via firefox/chrome playbook manager, or DDPB
Many apps won't work right now, but after BB10.1 launch this month, 80%+ should work

**Thunderbuck** · 03-03-2013, 06:35 PM

Okay, scratch my previous advice. I wasn't aware that someone had set up a third-party converter. As masterscarhead1 says, that may work.

One thing, though: the thing about most Android apps working after 10.1 drops MAY not be the case. That's the Jelly Bean upgrade to the Android Player, and there has been no date announced for that yet. Might be there with the 10.1 upgrade, might not be there until summer. And it may not affect your work app either way.

**Sith_Apprentice** · 03-03-2013, 06:52 PM

Android apps cannot touch the work container if you are using BES 10. You will also likely have to set up a VPN connection if the app doesn't already have one.

Posted via CB10

**travisredpath** · 03-03-2013, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Thunderbuck

Also, at this time the .apk can't target any version of Android above 2.1

Android player is Gingerbread (2.3.3).

Originally Posted by masterscarhead1

Run your apk through PlayBook .apk to .bar converter

I wouldn't use this to convert your businesses proprietary apps, it keeps a copy of them for a while that anybody could download and install. It's not likely that this will be a serious issue but the steps at Online Packager - Runtime for Android apps - BlackBerry Developer although slightly more complicated are a much better option for proprietary apps.