Google Ends Huawei’s Android Support: Five Things You Need to Know

Google has stopped Android support for Huawei devices. However, old Huawei phones will continue getting updates.

Google has ended support for Huawei devices globally.

(Photo: The Quint)

The second largest smartphone brand in the world (according to the latest IDC report) has been hit with a major hammer blow as American tech giant Google has decided to terminate Android services, updates and technical support for Huawei devices globally from here on.

This decision comes amidst a feisty trade battle waging between the US and China. Huawei seems to be the scapegoat of this fallout.

Since there’s a lot at stake for both parties, here are five things you need to know about the fallout between Google and Huawei.

What's The Problem?

The Trump administration had raised concerns over Chinese companies like ZTE and Huawei attempting to extract sensitive information from American companies and this move seems to show how serious America is about its security.

The US has accused these companies of spying for the Chinese government riding on the extensive telecommunications network and growing hardware market that ZTE and Huawei cater.

US house committees have labeled both the companies as security threats in 2012. Other companies like Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Xilinx Inc and Broadcom Inc have also been asked to sever ties with Huawei until further notice.

The US is willing to fall behind global competition in terms of telecom technology and customers as Huawei is one of the leaders in that segment, but it’s not willing to compromise on its privacy.

What About Those Using a Huawei?

Both Huawei and Google have confirmed via official statements that they will NOT discontinue Android support and services for existing Huawei users. However, the future of Huawei devices lurks in the dark.

Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally.

Huawei statement

Huawei will not stop making Android phones as it can still move towards the Android Open Source Project (which is an open platform). However, Huawei will be deprived of critical Google apps and services like Google Play Store, Gmail, Maps and even YouTube.

Also, a Google representative said that the company will stop providing Huawei with access, technical support and collaboration involving its proprietary apps and services going forward.

Is There a Plan ‘H’?

Though this may sound like a huge blow for Huawei the Chinese company doesn’t seem perturbed as it has an ace up its sleeve.

The company has been running its own user interface (UI) and operating system in the Chinese models of Huawei and Honor devices and it seems like the same will come to the rescue of the company after Google’s departure.

There is still ambiguity on how this will affect users outside the Chinese market and almost every Android user is now familiar with Google’s services and UI.

Will Huawei’s UI be received well by users and will it be intuitive enough?

I suppose the bigger question here is: Would you log in to a Huawei smartphone using a Huawei ID?

Should the Chinese Worry?

It’s not as if alarm bells have gone off at the Huawei headquarters in China, but it definitely affects how things will be for it.

Smartphone shipments for Huawei in the first two quarters of 2019 have been on a constant rise, but this move by Google is sure to affect those number going forward.

Huawei sits at number two among the top smartphone makers in the world.(Photo: Counterpoint)

But, do other Chinese operators in China need to worry?

Currently, smartphone brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi and even ASUS (Taiwanese) are operating in the US with a focus primarily on hardware distribution.

While Xiaomi is busy selling other hardware other than smartphones, OnePlus and ASUS could get a call from the White House considering their lineages still lie towards the eastern part of the globe.

Not to forget, according to The Verge, OnePlus is “quietly collecting a ton of data” which should not only be a concern for people in US but elsewhere too.

And What About India?

We tried reaching out to Google India about what consequences this break-up between Google and Huawei have on India.

We asked questions like:

1. Does the Android suspension affect Huawei devices and its users in India (and non-Chinese markets)
2. If so, how will the update cycle (for Android) take place after this?
3. Does the ban on Huawei affect Honor (its sub-brand) devices in the country as well?
4. With Huawei expected to launch Mate X (phone with a foldable screen) in the coming months, will it also lose support for Android after this development.

And Google’s response to this?

Google has nothing to share as of now, but the tweet.

We shall update this article if Google decides to share more details.