Unfortunately, Google services such as Google Play Market are not popular in China. Therefore, all Chinese Huawei firmware is compiled without Google Play and it has to be installed separately. Fortunately, this problem can be solved quite easily by installing Google Apps via ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM). However, on some Huawei devices the bootloader is locked, so it is not possible to install CWM. But there is a way to install Google apps manually.
In today's article we will look at all the current ways to download the popular Google Play Market service to Chinese versions of Huawei smartphones
Method 1: How to Download and Install Google Play Store App on Chinese Huawei Phones
- Turn on your Huawei phone
- Go to your app drawer and open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to " Advanced Settings " and click on it.
- Then click on "Security" and then click on " Enable downloads from unknown sources ".
- If you receive a notification saying “ This type of file may harm your device ”, ignore it, it is completely safe. Click OK.
- Download the 3 files that are listed below by clicking on the links next to each.
- Once you are done downloading the files, open the Google Play Store app file and install it.
- Once the installation is complete, sign in to the Google Play Store using your Google account or create a new account.
Item you need to download before continuing
- Download Google Play Services.
- Download Google Play Store
- Download the Google Services Framework.
Once you are done, you can get Google Play Store on your Huawei Nova 2 and start installing apps from the store.
Programs similar to Google Services and its analogues
In cases where none of the described methods helped, then you need to look for an alternative method. Indeed, in addition to the Play Market, smartphones running on Android can also use App Gallery, Aptoide, or F-Droid.
This article discusses only more convenient and effective ways for the user to use the Google service. And now, knowing these simple methods, you don’t have to give up buying a new Honor or Huawei model.
Also, do not forget that the Huawei smartphone has its own official “App Gallery” store, where you can easily find everything you need for work, daily tasks, as well as entertainment and games. That is why you should not choose another brand, because the issue with Google is very easily resolved.
How to install Google Play Store using automatic package
It's easier to install Google services on a Chinese smartphone using a package that installs everything you need. It depends a little on the brand of the device, but in general it is very similar to everything. For this example, we are going to install Google Play on Xiaomi with Chinese version of MIUI.
To begin with, we will look for an application that will help us install the services we need. All Chinese smartphones usually have the manufacturer's application store: go to the application and search for "Google Installer". If you can't find anything, search "google" and use the Baidu search engine, blue animal footprint symbol.
There are several applications depending on the manufacturer. All of them are usually in Chinese, and their icon is similar to the Google Play logo. If you are not sure, you just need to install it and try it.
Once the application is installed, open it. Click on what appears to be the start of the application. In my case, it's a blue circle with Chinese characters in the center, which I believe says something like "install".
You may be asked for permission to install and several APKs such as calendar, contact manager, Google services and Google Play will be downloaded for installation.
Once installed, all you need to do is simply register with your Gmail account to access Google Play
Some people have complained that their firmware does not allow them to run Google apps on their device. You can get Google apps, including the Google Play Store app, using the Google installer for Chinese mobile phones. In case you face any difficulty in following the steps or get stuck, be sure to leave a comment. Thank you.
Why do Honor and Huawei models lack Google service?
Not many users know the true reason why Google is blocked on mobile devices from Chinese manufacturers. And it's all about the conflict between America and China. A number of reasons contributed to this situation, the result of which was that Huawei was on the blacklist. And it is with representatives of this list that American manufacturers are strictly prohibited from cooperating. And, based on the current situation, it had to stop distributing its services for Honor and Huawei models.
But this provision applies to those smartphones that were released before May 16, 2022. The only good thing is that this ban did not affect phones released before this date. They have access to the Play Market, You Tube channels, various maps, and other add-ons. Another plus was that Honor no longer belongs to Huawei, and all restrictions against it have been lifted. So new models from this manufacturer have built-in Google services. And soon, this company promises its users that they will be able to get these services on phones released during the ban period.
Option 2: Use Huawei Petal Search
Huawei Petal Search is the company's one-stop hub for search, news, images and apps. This is very similar to Google's universal system. If you have a Huawei P40 or Mate 40 Pro series device, Petal Search will be pre-installed. If you're using an older device like our Mate 30 Pro, you'll have to install the app through the Huawei App Gallery. Hint: We'll walk you through this process in option 4!
Here's how to get your apps through Petal Search.
- When you open the app, you'll see the For You page. Tap the search bar, type the app you want to install and press enter.
- When search results appear, tap the Apps tab to narrow the lists to apps.
- Tap the desired application. The app page from either the App Gallery or a third party will then be displayed.
- Find and tap Install. If possible, click "Download". Wait while your phone installs the application.
- Then there will be an "Open" button. Click here to open the recently installed application.
Petal Search AppApp Page
conclusions
Installing Google Mobile Services bypassing official restrictions is reminiscent of Russian roulette - no one knows for sure whether it will work or not, and if it works, how long it will last. In addition, this method threatens the user with potential blocking of the account on this device by Google and/or loss of warranty by Huawei. In general, the idea is so-so.
On the other hand, as practice shows, new Huawei devices can be used without official Google services, but in most cases it is unlikely to be possible without manually installing some applications. Therefore, people without the appropriate technical background, who are accustomed to everything working out of the box, will not be very comfortable. However, with proper support, it is possible to adapt to forced features. The choice is yours.
Setup via Open GApss
The setup is the same, regardless of how the application was installed. When launched, the application will ask for superuser rights, you need to confirm, then specify the tablet processor architecture, as well as the Android version. Open GApss will then prompt you to select the option for the required installation package, they can be the following:
- pico - the minimum set to install the Play Market;
- nano - adds Google search to the previous one;
- micro - adds Google calendar and Google mail to the previous one;
- mini - adds YouTube and Google maps to the previous one;
- full — a complete list of all Google services;
- stock - adds a camera and Google keyboard the mini
- super - adds Android Pay and Google translator to the previous one;
- aroma is the same as super , but with manual selection of the necessary applications.
This method turns the Huawei tablet into a full-fledged Android device with support for all Google store services, including the Play Market. Moreover, with a level of customization that will be the envy of owners of regular Android devices.
Option 1: Use Huawei App Gallery
Huawei App Gallery is already installed on your Huawei device. This is Huawei's own app marketplace and the main way to download apps on a Huawei smartphone.
- To find it, open your phone's app drawer and look for the red bag logo. Click on this and you should be in the App Gallery.
- You will be taken to the favorites page. Find the app you want by tapping the search bar at the top. When your app appears, click its entry in the list. The application page should then load.
- There should be a blue “Install” button at the bottom of the display. Touch this. Wait for the application to install.
- The blue button should now say "Open". Tap this and you should be in your newly installed app.
App gallery home page Search page App page
Installation via the app store
Launching the Play Market through a reliable application store is one of the easiest options to install the service. Of course, this will not make the Huawei device a full-fledged Google Android, but, nevertheless, it will give access to a number of previously unavailable functions. To do this, you will need to open the built-in branded AppGallery store and install GSpace from there. Next, go to the downloaded application, Google-compatible services for download will be displayed there. After clicking on the icon, the program will redirect you to the page of the regular Play Market, which you can interact with as on regular Android devices.
In fact, this is the simplest and most legal method to install the necessary Internet services. This program acts as an emulator and does not in any way include Google services in the root structure of the operating system. The downside is that services installed in this way will not be able to issue notifications and alerts.
This manipulation will open access on the tablet to the Play Market and services such as:
Allow installation
By default, Android does not allow downloading programs from third-party sources. Only official services are available. Before you connect the Play Market, you need to remove this restriction. Do the following:
- Open device settings.
- Scroll down and go to the Security menu under Personal Information. In the "Security" menu, find the "Unknown sources" item
- Find the item “Unknown sources” there.
- In older versions of Android you need to check the box, in new ones you need to move the checkbox to the “ON” position (it will turn green).
Now you can run the APK installation files that are located in the device memory.
Installing Google services manually
There are two methods for installing Google services on a Huawei device manually - installing the original APK file from the Android.com website, or through the Googlefier service. The first method is also suitable for other Chinese smartphones, Xiaomi, Meizu, and Honor mobile devices.
Installing the original Play Store APK file from Android.com
This is not the most common installation option for a Huawei tablet, as it is only suitable for older devices. To install, you just need to download the Google services installer APK file from Android.com, after which the Play Store will appear in the list of applications. If the device is more recent, then startup will be possible only through the Recovery-menu; this method will be discussed in the next section.
Installing the Play Market via Googlefier
This method is only suitable for devices running EMUI 10 and below. Installation on a Huawei tablet is carried out using the Googlefier application; you need to download the source APK file of this application. It is available on many Android related websites/forums.
After downloading the file, you need to run the installation, it will take about 5 minutes, then you need to give the program all the permissions it asks for. Next, you can open Googlefier and install all the necessary Google services.
It is important to note that if you have previously attempted to launch the Play Store or services in other ways, then before installing Googlefier, you may need to reset your Huawei device to factory settings.
Own services – Huawei Mobile Services
But what about the services that Huawei developed urgently to replace Google - are they not suitable at all? To answer this question, it is enough to familiarize yourself with the difference between HMS and GMS, which boils down to the fact that instead of the usual Google Play, Huawei devices now use their own AppGallery application store with its own Push notification mechanisms.
That is, in order to get into the AppGallery, any application must undergo comprehensive HMS optimization, which, of course, is fraught with unstable operation and all sorts of bugs. So we have what we have: a limited selection of social networks, including VKontakte, Telegram and Viber, the Chrome browser without the ability to log in to your own Google account, YouTube and Gmail that do not work under any circumstances.
The latter, by the way, can still be used, but only in the Huawei branded email client preinstalled by default. That is, everything is the same as with adapted shells for operating systems, often used by Chinese manufacturers - it doesn’t seem to be a big deal, but with the original it would be simpler and more pleasant.
How to download applications without Play Store
The application store stores many programs and games. Its interface allows you to conveniently download and manage them on your smartphone. But you can also download applications from Google Services. There are other websites where you can download and install an interesting game or application. To do this, you only need a mobile browser.
Open it and write down in the search bar what application you want to get on your phone. For example, “Download Viber”. To avoid downloading a program with a virus onto your device, we recommend finding one decent portal from which programs will be downloaded in the future. And use only it.
You can use the website Trashbox.ru. Use the search box to find the application you need and download it as an APK file. Then use the file manager to find its location and run it. You can also download music, movies, images and other files through search engines. But you should be careful and not change already proven services that you have used before.
