Power users are always looking on ways to improve their smartphone experience. Android is the key OS for power users but their are many who own a Windows Phone as well. The variety of apps on Android stores is the largest and many od Windows Phone users may want to run those apps on their devices. Runnin Android apps on a Windows Phone is simple and we have a complete turtorial that will guide you throught the process.
Unfortunately, there is virtually no way of side-loading an android app on a Windows Phone 8/8.1 so the owners that Microsoft releases a working update to Windows 10 for their phones to run Android apps or then simply buy a Windows Phone that ships with Windows 10 out of the box.
Things you need to do before Sideloading Android apps:
The main prerequisite of this tutorial is that your Windows Phone is jailbroken. We have a simple tutorial with video walkthrough that will guide you on how to do this. Click here to open the tutorial.
How to Sideload Windows apps on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1:
1) First, download XAP/APPX (Windows Package Manager) file of the app to be installed onto your PC. Here is how to do it:
• Open WindowsPhone.com/en-us/markets.
• Choose the state in which you are currently, as many apps are location sensitive and are not available in every country.
• Sign into your Microsoft account.
• Search for the app you are looking to download in the Search Box.
• In search results click on the app and it will open the app page, scroll down and on the left sidebar you will find an option ‘Download and install manually’.
• Click on the option and an XAP/APPX file would be downloaded.
• Connect your Windows Phone to your PC.
• Copy the XAP/APPX file you downloaded from your PC to your phone’s SD card.
• Disconnect your phone.
• Open up the menu and tap ‘install local apps’
• Tap on the checkboxes of the apps to tick mark them and tap ‘install’.
That’s it. Your favorite apps are now installed on your phones.
How to sideload Android apps on Windows Phone 10:
Before initiating, keep in mind that running APKS without permission of the developer is piracy and be wary of local laws.
Commence at your risk, as this process might cause damage to your phone.
Assembly of Supported Phones:
• Nokia Lumia 920
• Nokia Lumia 925
• Nokia Lumia 929 (icon)
• Nokia Lumia 830
• Nokia Lumia 930
• Nokia Lumia 1520
• Nokia Lumia 635 (1GB RAM variant)
• Nokia Lumia 730
• Nokia Lumia 820
• Nokia Lumia 435
• Nokia Lumia 928
If you own one of these phones, the process of installing apps is here:
• Download wconnect and Android SDK’s ADB tool.
• Unzip both of the files in a separate folder.
• Open the wconnect folder, then install IpOverUsbInstaller.msi and vcredist_x86.exe.
• On your Windows 10 phone, Open Settings > Update & Security > For Developers and tap on ‘Developer’s Mode’ and also Device Discovery.
• Go to the wconnect folder, then open an Administrator command prompt (Shift+right click > Open command window here).
• Connect your phone to your PC via microUSB cable.
• Now type in the command on command prompt ‘wconnect.exe USB’ and hit Enter.
• PC would ask for a pairing code which would be shown on the phone’s display and press Enter.
• On the command prompt, type ‘adb devices’ to see the list of devices connected to your PC.
• Copy the APK (Android Package Manager) file on the ADB folder and type ‘adb install APKNAME.apk’ (replace APKNAME with the apk file name. For e.g, whatsapp-1.0.1).
• Wait for the app to be installed on your Windows 10 phone.
And you are done, now you can easily use Android apps on your Windows Phone. Here is a video walkthrough that will help you sideload Android apps, be sure to check it out.
How to Sideload Android apps on Windows Phone Video:
