Huawei Responds to Google’s Android Ban on Its Devices

There isn’t much clarity on how this development will affect Huawei’s Android users.

Huawei is under scrutiny around the globe over concerns regarding its close ties with the Chinese government.

(Photo: AP/Andy Wong)

After the United States’ crackdown on Chinese tech companies - Huawei, more than others, Google has reportedly cut off Huawei’s Android license, in what comes as a huge blow to the Chinese manufacturer, The Verge reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

On this fallout, Huawei has released the following statement:

<i>Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.</i>

Huawei statement

This ends all transfers related to hardware, software and technical services within the duo's ecosystem.

<i>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. We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.</i>

Huawei statement

This doesn’t mean that Huawei will stop making Android phones, it will just be shifted to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), depriving Huawei of critical Google apps and services that people expect in their phones outside China.

Some of the apps that new Huawei users will not be able to access are Gmail, YouTube and Google PlayStore which are Google’s proprietary apps.

This will also mean that the updates on Huawei devices will only come once Google rolls out the AOSP, assuming Huawei uses its own update system.

A Google spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that this move does not affect the existing Huawei smartphone users and they will continue to receive Google updates and download apps provided by Google. Android’s official Twitter handle reiterated this without mentioning which countries will be offered the support, outside of the United States.

A company source has also said that Google will stop providing Huawei with access, technical support and collaboration involving its proprietary apps and services going forward.

This development comes at a time when Huawei has been under constant pressure from US President Donald Trump and the US Government over fears that its devices/equipments could be used to spy on American networks.

The Verge report says that Huawei was already building its own Operating System, in case it gets banned from using Android or Windows. However, it says that using its own UI will face more scrutiny from US over its interference fears.

We have reached out to both Google India and Huawei representatives in the country on how this ban affects Huawei and Honor (Huawei’s sub-brand) users in India.

(With inputs from The Verge and Reuters)