If you’re still clinging on to your BB10-powered BlackBerry for dear life, then you might have heard that WhatsApp has announced it will be withdrawing support for the platform on the 30th June 2017.
The popular messaging app is similar to BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), a secured messaging service that is sent over an Internet connection. The company behind Whatsapp, however, is giving up on the BlackBerry 10 platform which has been slowly losing support from other app developers over the years.
The move comes as a result of BlackBerry moving to Android, creating a secure software solution and handsets that run the Google operating system. While the company still supports its BB10 devices, and plans to continue support for its government and corporate clients, users will need to switch to its latest Android handsets to enjoy a wider range of applications.
For those sticking with the BB10 platform, there is, however, a trick that allows you to keep WhatsApp running on your device. You won’t be able to use an official app available on the BlackBerry World app store, but you will be able to use a well-known workaround to run the Android version of the app on your device.
Thanks to BB10 incorporating Android runtime, the operating system can download Android apps. As long as these apps do not require Google Play Services, they can run reasonably well on a BB10-powered device. This trick will allow you to download and run WhatsApp even after support has been removed.
What BlackBerry Devices Does this Work On?
Any device running BlackBerry 10 can install Snap and run Android applications. With older BB10 devices, applications may not run as smoothly as they would with the latest generation of BB10 devices.
The following BlackBerry handsets run on BB10:
- Z10
- Q10
- Q5
- Z30
- Classic
- Leap
- Passport
- Passport Silver Edition
How This Works
Before you start this process, it’s important to understand what you are doing to your BB10 device. To download WhatsApp for BB10, you will need to install an unofficial application on your device called ‘Snap’. This app gives you access to the Google Play Store, meaning you can search all the Android applications which are available for Android tablets and phones.
This means that you will be going against BlackBerry recommendations. The app is widely used and has no reported security flaws, so there should be no problem for a casual BB10 user.
How to Get Snap
Use these simple snaps, and you’ll be able to download Snap for your BB10 device, and download the Android version of WhatsApp (as well as thousands of other official Android apps!).
- Connect Your Device
Plug Your BB10 device into your computer. Don’t worry about running any kind of BlackBerry software, like BlackBerry Link. Your device simply need to be plugged in and turned on.
- Open Chrome
The next step requires your computer to have the Google Chrome internet browser installed. If you don’t have it, download it. If you do have it, open it up.
- Download Snap
On your Chrome browser, go to the this link: http://redlightoflove.com/snap/
This website will allow you to download Snap for free, though there is a suggested donation of $2.99. Download Snap by clicking ‘Get Snap’ at the bottom of the page. Use the drop down menu to choose how much you would like to donate, if anything.
If you choose not to pay, you will be sent to a page with a ‘Download Now’ button.
- Download Sachesi Firmware
Now, you will need to download Sachesi firmware. This is available for both Mac and PC, and it allows you to take the .bar file, which contains Snap, and put it into your BB10 device.
Head over to https://github.com/xsacha/Sachesi/releases where you will be given the option to download a Windows or OSX file. Once you have download the file, extract the .zip file and open the app. It should look like this.
- Install Snap on Your Handset
Take the Snap .bar file and place it on your desktop, or in an easily accessible folder. Then, make sure that Sachesi is open on the ‘Install’ tab, and then drag and drop the .bar file from Windows Explorer or your desktop, to the Sachesi window. The process is exactly the same on OSC and Mac OS.
Once you drop the .bar file into Sachesi,, a progress circle will appear, showing that it is transferring the .bar file onto your handset. Once it has reached 100%, leave the app and don’t change any settings.
- Use Snap on Your Handset
Pick up your BlackBerry device, and look for ‘Snap Free’ on your app screen. This is a circular icon with an Android and BlackBerry logo. Choose the app and open it up. You’ll be asked to agree to give it permission to access certain features on your phone. You will also be asked to sign into your Google account. Simply type in all this information and you will be taken to the app home screen.
- Search for WhatsApp
Tap ‘Browse Apps’ and search for WhatsApp. When you find the official app, tap ‘Download’ and then choose ‘Open Installer’.
The next screen will offer you a disclaimer, explaining that the app is not coming from the official BlackBerry store, and will ask you if you want to install. Tap ‘Install’. A window may appear entitled ‘Allow App Installation’, if you do not have the correct settings switched on. To install the app, click ‘Settings’ and then toggle ‘Allow Apps from Other Sources to be Installed’ to the ‘on’ mode.
The download and install will then resume again, and once it’s complete, the app will open. Now, you can log in and set up the app and use it as normal!
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