If you’re considering a Huawei phone, you might have come across information about Google Restrictions on Huawei Devices. This can be confusing, so let’s break down what it means and how it affects your phone experience.
The Fallout of a Trade Dispute
In 2019, a trade dispute between the US and China led to restrictions placed on Huawei, a major Chinese tech company. This included Google, a US company, being prohibited from doing business with Huawei without special licenses.
The Impact: No More Google Mobile Services (GMS)
The big consequence for Huawei phones is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS). GMS is a suite that includes:
- Popular Google Apps: Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and more.
- APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): These allow other apps to leverage Google services like location data or sharing to your Drive.
- Google Play Services: This background service provides core functionality for many GMS apps, like location tracking and authentication.
Since Google can’t work with Huawei, newer Huawei phones (released after May 2019) don’t have GMS pre-installed. This means:
- No Official Google Apps: You won’t find core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, or Maps pre-installed.
- Limited App Selection: The Google Play Store isn’t available, so you’ll have to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery for apps. While AppGallery is growing, it might not have all the apps you’re used to.
What About Existing Huawei Phones?
Phones released before the ban may still have Google apps and access to the Play Store. However, they might not receive future updates.
Alternatives and Looking Ahead
While there are limitations, there are also alternatives:
- Huawei AppGallery: Explore Huawei’s app store for many popular apps.
- Alternative App Stores: Some third-party app stores offer additional options.
- Huawei Alternatives: Huawei offers its own mapping app, Petal Maps, and other services to fill the gaps.
The situation is ongoing, and it’s uncertain when or if the restrictions will be lifted. Huawei is constantly developing its own app ecosystem to provide a more complete experience. So until then the google restrictions on huawei devices will affect many users that are interested in latest huawei devices.