This kit would allow users to build a modern Android phone using the Passport's iconic design. However, it’s important to note that Zinwa has indicated these kits will be for the original Passport model and likely not for the later Silver Edition. This project, if it reaches market, will be the most accessible path for most people to achieve their goal of having a powerful Android device with a physical keyboard housed in a classic smartphone body.
Before exploring the high-risk modifications, it is important to clarify the capabilities of a standard Passport. The device runs BlackBerry 10 OS (versions 10.2.1 and later), which natively includes a runtime environment to install and run Android application files, also known as APKs. This is a feature that was built-in by BlackBerry, allowing users to access millions of apps directly on their device.
This official method means you do not need to install a new operating system to use most Android apps. Here is the simplest way to get started:
Apps that depend on Google Play Services (e.g., YouTube, Google Maps) often will not work.
The Passport has a great camera sensor, but on Android, the image processing software is generic. Photos often lack the sharpness and color accuracy they had on BB10. Features like Optical Image Stabilization may not function correctly depending on the ROM driver support.
: You have to disassemble the phone, desolder the original 32GB chip, and install a pre-programmed replacement chip (often 64GB or 128GB) that has an unlocked bootloader. Difficulty
Before installing apps, ensure your Passport is prepared for sideloading and configured to bypass closed BlackBerry servers.
Open it, log in with your primary Google credentials, and wait for the sync to complete.
How to Install Android Apps on the BlackBerry Passport: The Ultimate Guide
Enter the phone's Development Mode password into the PC tool. Click . Step 3: Install the Android Framework