Huawei Google ban – how the blacklist affects your phone’s apps and updates
There are serious implications for anyone with a Huawei blower
HUAWEI phones face losing vital features and updates as the Chinese firm becomes blacklisted by the USA.
Google has been forced to cut off important services for Huawei, so we reveal what happens to your phone, and whether it will still work.
Trump's Google blacklist of Huawei – what has happened?
Huawei is the latest casualty in the ongoing trade war between the US and China.
Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning "foreign adversaries" (like Huawei) from the US telecomms industry.
Reuters reports that Google has "suspended" business with Huawei, which is a big problem: Huawei phones run on Google's Android software.
The order – which, for Huawei, has been delayed by Trump for 90 days – means there are instant implications for anyone who owns an Android phone.
The Sun understands that Google is unclear over the exact ramifications of the blacklist, and is investigating which services need to be halted.
It's understood that Google wants to continue offering a standard service for Huawei customers, and is keen to avoid speculating on a complicated situation.
Huawei phone updates – will your Android software be updated?
It's being widely reported that Huawei phones will no longer receive updates, but that's not strictly true.
Android is an operating system that powers everything on your phone – like Windows on your PC, or macOS on your Apple Mac.
Google builds Android, but it's an "open-source" software, which means anyone can access it and create gadgets with it – even you.
However, Google offers up early access to newer versions of Android to manufacturers.
This means the new version of Android – which is called Android Q – potentially wouldn't be available to Huawei immediately.
Huawei could still get Android Q on its phones eventually, once the update enters the public Android Open-Source Project.
Expert view: Is it safe to buy a Huawei phone?
Here's what CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood told The Sun...
- "We still don’t have a clear understanding of what Google has told Huawei and what elements of the Android operating system may be restricted, so it remains unclear what the ramifications will be.
- "However, any disruption in getting updates to the software or the associated applications would have considerable implications for Huawei’s consumer device business.
- "People who currently own Huawei smartphones do not need to worry. At present any measures would only affect future devices and future updates.
- "Google has publicly stated that its App Store, Google Play, and security updates from Google Play Protect will continue working on existing Huawei devices.
- "However, until we have a clear understanding of what exact measures Google has decided to take it is impossible to second guess the impact on future devices.
- "Huawei has been working hard on developing its own App Gallery and other software assets in a similar manner to the work it has done on developing its own chipsets for phones. There is little doubt these efforts are part of its desire to control its own destiny.
- "Last year, CCS Insight predicted that tensions between the China and the US would present a strong incentive for Chinese companies to create their own operating system for smart devices. Given recent developments that seems more likely than ever."
But there could be a significant delay in the roll-out.
However, Huawei has promised to still offer security updates (and likely Android Q, once it's available) to phone owners.
In a statement given to The Sun, a Huawei spokesperson said: "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.
"Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those have been sold or 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."
Google hasn't confirmed whether Android Q will be available to upcoming or existing Huawei devices.
Huawei apps – will you lose access to Google apps and services?
What's more worrying is the fact that Huawei phones could lose some features.
According to Reuters, the "next version" of Huawei smartphones will lose access to popular Google apps.
This includes services like Gmail and Google Maps, but also the Google Play Store – Android's biggest app store.
In a statement given to The Sun, a Google spokesperson said: "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications.
"For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices."
This statement is very carefully worded, and gives little away.
For instance, it doesn't confirm that Google Play will work on new Huawei devices yet to be released.
It also doesn't confirm whether other services like Gmail and Google Maps will continue to work on Android.
Honor phones blacklisted – are Honor brand devices affected too?
If you've got an Honor phone, you'll be affected by all of the above.
Honor is actually a sub-brand of Huawei, with handsets sold mostly (but not entirely) online.
The phones are typically a little cheaper, and the brand name is more Western-friendly.
As Honor is directly tied to Huawei, owners of both phones are in the same boat as far as the blacklist goes.
We've asked Huawei and Google for more details and will update this story with any response.
Globally, Huawei is the second-biggest smartphone vendor with a 19% share – behind Samsung (23.1%) but ahead of Apple (11.7%).
The firm is less dominant in the UK, holding a 12.3% share of the British market.
By contrast, Apple has a 41.1% share and Samsung has a 19.2% share, based on 2018 figures from Strategy Analytics.
Will the Huawei blacklist be permanent?
Here's what you need to know...
- Huawei is the world's second-biggest smartphone vendor, just behind Samsung
- So China has a vested interest in the company being successful
- Trump will have targeted Huawei specifically to hurt China in the ongoing US-China trade war
- As such, Huawei is effectively a trade war hostage
- The good news is that this means Huawei may be de-blacklisted once (or if) the trade war is resolved
- It's relatively easy for Google to restore access to services for a firm like Huawei
- It's also possible that future US administrations might decide to de-blacklist Huawei to improve relations with China
- However, growing spying fears over Huawei's alleged close links with the Chinese government may hamper or halt this process
- There's also no indication that the US-China trade war is coming to a close any time soon
Huawei phone ban – can you get a refund?
If you've just bought a Huawei phone, you might be worried about whether you've made a big mistake.
Speaking to The Sun, Which? Computing editor Kate Bevan said: "It’s unacceptable for consumers to be left without adequate security on their mobiles and Huawei owners will be seeking urgent reassurance that the safety of their devices will not be compromised.
"In this situation, your consumer rights are limited as there’s currently nothing faulty with these phones. However, if you purchased a phone in recent weeks it may be worth checking the retailer’s returns policy."
It's worth noting that you can also return a phone purchased within the last 14 days under Consumer Contracts Regulations.
Should you avoid buying a Huawei phone?
It's hard to say at this stage.
Right now, it appears as though existing Huawei smartphones will largely function as intended.
But the same can't be said for new models coming out.
It's fair to say that Huawei will always be at risk of becoming a bargaining chip during heightened US-China tensions.
However, no one is quite sure that this crackdown on Huawei will last forever.
The best advice would be to sit tight for now and wait for politicians and the tech firms involved to give us a better idea of what's going to happen.
Asked whether customers would be advised about the Huawei situation, a Vodafone spokesperson told The Sun: "We have seen the communication from Android and are waiting on an update to best advise our customers."
And an O2 spokesperson told us: "We are reviewing the details of the US Department of Commerce’s placement of Huawei on its Entity List to understand any potential implications for our customers.
"We will continue to monitor statements from Huawei and Honor, and Google so that we can keep all of our customers updated."
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Are you a Huawei customer? Are you worried about this? Let us know in the comments.
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