You’d already know that Windows Phone devices do not support the installation of Apps or Games other than the ones that arrived from the Windows Phone Store. So, if you’ve found a cracked or patched application installation file (XAP/APPX) or if you are a developer and have developed a new app, you cannot just put it into the phone and install it. In order to install prepackaged or cracked apps, you firstly need to have a Developer Unlocked Windows Phone Device and then the app needs to be deployed to the phone using a PC.
Deploying XAP using Windows Phone SDK/Mini SDK
- Firstly, make sure that you have a developer unlocked Windows Phone (7/8/8.1) device. If you don’t, follow this tutorial to unlock your phone. It’s free.
- Download the Windows Phone Mini SDK or the Full SDK as needed (download links in the above tutorial). However, if you have a developer unlocked phone, chances are that you already have it installed on your PC; so skip.
- Connect your Windows Phone Device to your PC using a Data Cable.
- Click on Start and type Application Deployment. Then launch the Application Deployment app.
- Set Target to Device.
- Click on Browse in front of the XAP field and locate your downloaded (cracked) or self-packed XAP file.
- Make sure your device’s screen is unlocked. Then click on Deploy at the bottom right of the window.
- After a few seconds, the application will show a XAP Deployment Complete status.
- The app has been deployed. You can now disconnect your phone and start using the deployed app.
Other Tools to Deploy Apps to Windows Phone
There are a couple of other capable tools to deploy apps to a Developer Unlocked Windows Phone Device, such as Windows Phone Power Tools and XAP Deployer. But because these require your phone to be developer unlocked already and during the process of developer unlocking you also get the official Application Deployment app, we decided to choose that over anything.
Where to get Cracked Apps?
There are many websites providing downloads of cracked Windows Phone XAP files which can be deployed to the phone. A simple Google search can take you there.
