This guide will teach you step-by-step how to install .BAR files on your BlackBerry 10 device or BlackBerry PlayBook. If you own a Mac, please follow this guide: Sideloading guide for Mac.

Preparations

Network

First of all your BlackBerry device and your PC need to be in the same network. Connect your BB10 device with you local Wi-Fi and join that network with your PC. You don’t need to connect your device via USB.
If you don’t have any network available, connect your device via USB and use 169.254.0.1 as IP address.

Development mode

To sideload applications your device needs to be in development mode. You can find this option in

Settings – Security – Development Mode

You will need to setup a password, make sure you don’t forget it. Once the development mode is active, find out your device’s IP address. Therefore go to

Settings – About – Network – IPv4

Install the BB10 Sideloading Tool

You can download it here. Execute and install it (you may need admin rights). The BB10 Sideloading Tool allows you to connect your PC with your device as well as sending and installing selected .BAR files.

Start sideloading

Connecting

Now start the BB10 Sideloading Tool. You will see a setup guide if you start it for the first time. Click continue until you see the settings screen and enter the IP address of your BlackBerry device and the password for the development mode. Click “Check connection” to see if your network is setup right.

Install .BARs

Now switch to the “Install” tab or restart the tool. Drag and drop your .Bar files into the package icon and click “Start sideloading”.

Let the tool do the work for you

The tool will now send and install each of your selected .BAR files. Don’t interrupt your network connection during this process. Once the tool finished, have a look at your device’s home screen. You will find your sideloaded apps there. If an app is missing, have a look into the log and find out why.

Video tutorial

You can follow this video to setup the BB10 Sideloading Tool for the first time.