Confirmed: Existing Huawei and Honor devices will get few services from Google

Google has blocked Huawei from some updates to the Android OS, a big shock to the Chinese company. Additionally, future Huawei smartphones will also lose access to any Google services, including the Play Store.

The move comes after the United States added the company to a list (Entity List) of companies that US firms cannot trade with unless they have a license. It means Huawei can’t purchase equipment from the US companies without prior government approval. Google said it was “complying with the order and reviewing the implications”.

There’s good news for the current Huawei and Honor devices. The existing Huawei devices won’t be immediately influenced by this move. The Play Store and Google’s applications will still work on those existing devices.

Here’s the official response:

“For Huawei users’ questions regarding our steps to comply w/ the recent US government actions: We assure you while we are complying with all US gov’t requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device.”

There’s bad news too, Google will no longer give software updates for the current device owners, and it won’t certify new devices. It means the Android 10 Q/EMUI 10 will never come to your compatible devices. The company already released a list of eligible devices for the Android 10 Q.

Latest: Intel, Qualcomm, and Broadcom will not supply software and components to Huawei

Well, Huawei isn’t stopped from using Google’s Android open-source libraries. Huawei uses Google’s AOSP to make EMUI’s core structures as well as release software updates to its devices in China, where Google services are not available.

Huawei previously suggested that it has an OS in the works that could succeed Android on its devices.

Statement regarding U.S. Commerce Department’s addition of Huawei on the so-called Entity List:

“Huawei is against the decision made by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the US Department of Commerce.

This decision is in no one’s interest. It will do significant economic harm to the American companies with which Huawei does business, affect tens of thousands of American jobs, and disrupt the current collaboration and mutual trust that exist on the global supply chain.

Huawei will seek remedies immediately and find a resolution to this matter. We will also proactively endeavor to mitigate the impacts of this incident.”