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Recently, it was announced that Huawei’s HarmonyOS Next operating system is almost ready. This is a self-developed OS, and it doesn’t use AOSP (Android Open Source Project). In other words, it’s not an Android OS and doesn’t support Android apps. Before we get further into it, don’t fret, as global Huawei devices won’t lose Android app support.
Global Huawei devices will keep Android app support, HarmonyOS Next will be exclusive to China
The company wanted to clarify things, as users got worried. Huawei said, in an announcement, that global units will not get the new OS. In other words, smartphones and tablets that are sold outside of China will keep using EMUI. Support for Google services is not included, but Android app support is, along with Huawei services (HMS).
So, there’s no need to worry if you’re using a Huawei device, or plan on getting one. Huawei can’t really do anything about Google services, due to the US ban, but the company did develop a very good alternative, along with its app store. Huawei also allows you to access apps via APK repositories with ease.
That being said, let’s circle back to HarmonyOS Next for a second. That self-developed OS will be used in China, it seems, and it has its alternative for APKs… HAP files. Its apps will come in the form of HAP files.
HarmonyOS Next will look the same as HarmonyOS
Another thing to note is that HarmonyOS Next looks basically the same as HarmonyOS. This will be a rather interesting transition for the company, and we wonder how Huawei plans on handling it.
Why? Well, despite the fact this OS will roll out in China only, Huawei’s China-based users are still using tons of Android apps. It has been that way since smartphones became a thing, basically.
Will Huawei find a way to port these apps somehow? Getting developers to adapt Android apps for HMS was hard enough, but getting them to re-do them for a whole new OS… that’s a whole different story, and even more demanding. It will be interesting to see what are Huawei’s plans here.