Huawei & Google – advice for customers

What's happened exactly?

Following the US Government's decision in May 2019 to add Huawei to the list of companies that American firms cannot trade with, a temporary licence was introduced. This includes Google, as its Android operating system is used in Huawei devices.

As of 15 May 2020, this temporary extension has been extended a further 90 days, to 13 August 2020.

This means, while the situation stays the same and there are no immediate changes, there could still be some changes in the future on both new and existing devices.

Please read below for an update on what this means for you, whether you currently own a Huawei or Honor smartphone or are thinking of buying one in the future.

We will continue to monitor the news and update you as soon as we can.

I already own a Huawei or Honor phone, what does this mean for me?

Huawei and Google have confirmed that, at the moment, if you already have a Huawei or Honor handset, it will continue to be supported and can update their devices as normal:

• Huawei have said they will support security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products.
• Google has confirmed Google Play and Google Play Protect will continue to work.
• The precise method of obtaining software updates (including apps, operating systems and security updates) after 13 August 2020 has not yet been confirmed. However, we’re regularly in contact with Google and Huawei and will keep you updated as we know more.

I'm planning to buy a new Huawei or Honor phone, what does this mean for me?

Huawei and Google have confirmed that, all existing Huawei or Honor handsets in the market, including those that have not yet been purchased, will continue to be supported as normal:

• Huawei have said they will support security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products.
• Google has confirmed Google Play and Google Play Protect will continue to work.
• The precise method of obtaining software updates (including apps, operating systems and security updates) after 13 August 2020 has not yet been confirmed. However, we’re regularly in contact with Google and Huawei and will keep you updated as we know more.

Huawei FAQs

Huawei have shared their answers to frequently asked questions here

*Huawei P40 Series will come pre-installed with the Huawei AppGallery, which is the Huawei alternative to the Google Play Store, that will not be available on these devices.

The AppGallery will provide users with alternatives to Google authorised apps. Find out more information about the Huawei AppGallery here.