Google is asking users of a Huawei or Honor smartphone without an Android license not to install the services and applications of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) suite. In the aftermath, the search giant says phones released before May 2019 will continue to receive the latest Android updates as long as U.S. law allows.
In a statement posted on Android's support page on February 22, 2020, Google spoke at length about the consequences of Trump's executive order. Huawei, which has been blacklisted since May 2019, is no longer allowed to collaborate with Google. The Chinese manufacturer can no longer obtain an Android license for its new smartphones. De facto, the firm cannot integrate Google's applications into its new devices. Under these conditions, Huawei decided to turn to its own alternative, Huawei Mobile Services.
Read also: Honor assures that Huawei Mobile Services will bury Google services
Google promises updates on Huawei smartphones launched before May 2019
At first, Google begins by reassuring users of smartphones designed By Huawei and its subsidiary Honor. "We have continued to work with Huawei, in accordance with government regulations, to provide security updates and updates to Google's applications and services on existing devices, and we will continue to do so as long as permitted," said Tristan Ostrowski, Google's chief legal officer.
The Trump administration has granted several reprieves to the Chinese group in this regard. It is not impossible that the situation will change in the coming months. As a reminder, Huawei has already taken advantage of these repeated reprieve to deploy Android 10 on most compatible smartphones in its catalog. "U.S. law currently allows Google to work with Huawei on device models marketed no later than May 16, 2019," the Mountain View firm said. Unsurprisingly, the Mate 30 launched last November are not affected and therefore do not carry the GMS.
In a second step, Google is aimed at users of private smartphones licensed Android, such as the Mate 30. The firm advises 20th to install Google apps, such as Gmail, the Play Store or Google Maps on these devices. Workarounds allow Google Mobile Services to be installed on unse certified smartphones.
"Google apps won't work reliably because we don't allow these services to run on unse certified devices where security may be compromised. Loading Google's apps also carries a high risk of installing an app that has been modified or falsified to compromise user safety," warns Tristan Ostrowski.
"Play Protect-certified devices go through a rigorous security review and compatibility testing process, conducted by Google, to ensure the security of user data and application information," the official said. The Huawei and Honor smartphones that came out after May 16, 2019 were therefore unable to pass these security tests. What do you think of Google's release? Will you still install GMS on Huawei smartphones without a license? Are you going to turn to the services developed by Huawei? We are waiting for your opinion in the comments.