[imagesource: Onur Binay / Unsplash]

The US imposed a trade embargo in May 2019, preventing many Chinese entities from using US-made technologies, citing concerns about national security. Huawei was amongst such companies and the ban had a detrimental effect on its growth and global impact. The active ban prevented Huawei from using Google Mobile Services, which are necessary for anyone using an Android smartphone, or so we thought. This sent a lot of people, including here in SA, panicking. However, Huawei had been preparing for a scenario like this and released Harmony OS in 2020 to reduce its reliance on Google. 

A second generation, Harmony OS 2, was released in 2021, and this year, on July 27, Harmony OS 3 was released. The sad reality is that these releases have all been for the Chinese market only. But, there is hope. Harmony OS 3 is set to roll out to the masses outside China. This global rollout is yet to have a date, but Huawei has promised it is coming.

The ban was awful for both Google and Huawei, as the companies still wanted to work together. Google was happy with the access that Huawei offered into the Chinese market which had long stopped using Google services and developed alternative apps. In turn, Huawei also had the opportunity to grow its global market share and got access to other technology firms that improved their devices’ hardware and software. This resulted in smartphones like the P50 Pro and Nova 9, which are currently being promoted by South African influencers. The two phones are selling for R22,699 and R12,699, respectively, on some fantastic Telkom deals.

What is Harmony OS?

In 2012, Huawei’s founder, Ren Zhengfei and some top executives came up with the idea of Harmony OS, called Hongmeng in China, and HMOS in short. Initially, it was created to be the next phase in IoT (Internet of Things) for the company, but the US ban encouraged them to adapt it for their smartphones. 

How HMOS works

Huawei says that HMOS is more efficient and powerful than Android as it has fewer redundant code and fragmentation issues. At some point, Huawei claimed that it could reduce 100 lines of code in Android to 1 in HMOS. It also uses microkernels, making it easier to use on various smart devices, such as watches, TVs, cars, and more. This added functionality is what HMOS was initially made for. It makes use of IoT devices to provide a flexible and connected environment and uses Wifi and NFC for frictionless connectivity.

When will HMOS be rolled out to the global market?

Harmony OS will eventually reach a mature state and might be incorporated into every Huawei smartphone. They haven’t talked much about it, but they plan to use Android with EMUI 12, giving us Harmony OS on smartphones for users worldwide. Even though Huawei has stated that all other devices supporting HMOS 3 will be accessible to users on the mainland and around the world, HarmonyOS 3 for China was released on July 27, 2022, and the worldwide version doesn’t have a date as yet.

Frequently Asked Questions about Harmony OS

Is Harmony OS based on Android?

As an Android fork, HarmonyOS is built using the open source code of the operating system. As a result, it ought to be an excellent operating system that functions in a largely familiar manner.

How is Harmony OS different from Android?

While Android OS is fundamentally based on the Linux kernel, HarmonyOS is based on a distributed system using a micro kernel. Also, in contrast to Android, HarmonyOS does not allow users to root their smartphones.

How can I download Harmony OS?

For Huawei and Honor devices, the HarmonyOS 2 upgrade is presently offered in the Chinese market. If your Huawei/Honor phone is the global version, you can upgrade it by installing HarmonyOS 2 and switching the device’s region to China.

Can Harmony OS users download Android apps?

On Harmony OS, you can still download Android apps, but Google services like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube won’t function naturally. Additionally, the OS won’t be able to use the Play Store or Google Play Services, which link all of Google’s apps together, as well as many other third-party services.

Is there a way to get Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube on Harmony OS?

Short answer, YES. There are workarounds.

Gmail: You may use your phone to access your Gmail conveniently at any time by adding your email account to Email on your Huawei smartphone.

Google Maps: You get access via Uptodown.

• To access the Uptodown website, visit https://en.uptodown.com/android.
• Find the appropriate result by typing “Google Maps” into the search bar. To start downloading the app, click the download link.
• To install the downloaded Maps APK, open the notification panel or go to Tools – Files – Browser. You can use the app once the installation is finished.

YouTube: You can access YouTube through a web browser and log in to your account to get the full viewing experience.

In addition, a newly updated program called YouTube Vanced offers basic YouTube features, free of ads, including the ability to play videos in the background, and doesn’t require GMS (Google Mobile Services).