How To Install 3rd Party Apps On Nook Color

Nook Tablet Apps

The title says it all. It turns out there is a really uncomplicated way to install third-party apps on the NOOK Tablet without a hack, including the Amazon appstore.

As you tin run across from the film above, I've got Launcher Pro installed on my Nook Tablet, along with the Kindle and Kobo ereading apps, ezPDF, Opera Mobile, and some games and other apps as well. Plus the Nook Tablet and all its features still works like normal. I tin't believe it!

Update: Unfortunately Barnes and Noble issued a firmware update that closes the loophole to install apps. If your Nook Tablet is running firmware 1.4.i or newer, then it is no longer possible to sideload apps. But you can yet run alternate versions of Android from a memory card to get full access to Google Play.

Okay, so I know you are eager to attempt this out on your Nook Tablet, so enough with talk, here's the directions:

Enabling Nook Tablet to Install Non-B&N Apps

ane. Enable 3rd party app installs. This link will install the Amazon appstore, just you don't have to install information technology if you don't want, merely apply it to trigger the hidden menu; only certain apps will exercise that. Open the Nook Tablet's spider web browser and enter this url: http://www.amazon.com/app-electronic mail

2. Tap the download icon in the lower left corner of the Nook Tablet's screen. When the download is finished, tap the notification.

3. When prompted to install, e'er select the second option "Package Installer". If you lot select "App Installer" it will mess up the file and yous'll accept to re-download information technology.

iv. This volition prompt an option to select a subconscious settings menu in the Nook Tablet. From there, check the box at the top that says "let installation of non-Marketplace applications". Once y'all bank check that box, the Nook Tablet is free to install apps from anywhere you tin can get them!

At present you tin can tap the notification bar again for the Amazon download to install the Amazon appstore. Annotation that you have to accept a microSD card installed in the Nook Tablet to install apps from Amazon.

Setting up a Launcher

ane. You'll demand to setup a split up launcher now that app installs are enabled because whatever apps you lot add won't evidence upwards in the regular Nook Tablet'southward set of apps; you need an Android launcher to easily go to them. There are some launchers in the Amazon appstore but I installed Launcher Pro instead.

2.a. At that place's no obvious mode to access the launcher from the B&N homescreen. 1 workaround is to tap the "northward" button and so "search" and and so blazon the name of the launcher app you chose to utilise and it will appear in the search results prepare to launch.

2.b. Install HomeCatcher to set the "n" button to redirect to the launcher home instead of the B&North Nook domicile.

2.c. Another choice is to install push button savior. Merely run a search for "button savior apk" on Google and install it with the browser (I used this i). I got a prompt to enable debugging when launching button savior the first time. I hit "yes" but goose egg seemed to happen and so the second time I hit "no" and now it is working fine. It puts a small-scale, nearly invisible icon on the correct-edge of the screen. Tapping it opens on-screen android buttons. The only 1 that works is the Home button without root, just that's all nosotros need. So now you can hit the dwelling house button anytime to bypass the Nook Tablet's B&N homescreen.

Installing Apps on the Nook Tablet

At present that you have a launcher setup to get to the apps you install, it's fourth dimension to go some apps. There are a lot of places on the web to go Android apps. There's the GetJar appstore, SlideMe, and many others. I often use Android Freeware to download APK files directly. The Nook's browser works well for that. But make certain to hit "Package Installer" when prompted to install.

Thoughts…

What a strange loophole, huh? I tried installing a couple of apps from Android Freeware subsequently first getting the NOOK Tablet, and while the app install prompts were promising, none of the apps I tried would install. It's funny that only certain apps trigger the hidden menu to allow third-political party apps installs. I'yard sure glad someone at XDA noticed. I wonder what Barnes and Noble volition do about information technology…

Update: I uploaded a video on YouTube to show how the process works and to give a wait at some of things you lot can do with 3rd-political party apps on the Nook Tablet.