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Guide
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How to add Google apps to Huawei devices

Michelle Brändle
10.9.2024
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

Huawei devices can be as good as they want to be, but one point of criticism will persist in this country: the manufacturer is forced to work without Google services. But you can change that.

Huawei devices come without Google services. In other words, no Google Maps, no YouTube, no Play Store. Sure, there are alternatives for all these apps. However, if you still prefer Google’s wide range of apps for any number of reasons, it’s still possible with Huawei hardware.

Here’s my solve. I install the Google Play Store on a Huawei device using the Gspace program. You can download all the apps you want from there. With an additional shortcut app, you can find the programs on the start page of your smartphone or tablet.

Google services can be used on Huawei devices via Gspace.
Google services can be used on Huawei devices via Gspace.
Source: Michelle Brändle

How to install the Play Store on a Huawei device

  • Visit the App Gallery, that’s Huawei’s app store. There, search for the Gspace app and download it.
  • To install and use Gspace afterwards, you have to grant the requested permissions for calls and files. Then press Continue to install. Finally, Gspace needs a general installation authorisation for all apps that you download from it in the future. Confirm this with Enable.
Gspace needs a few permissions before it’s ready to use.
Gspace needs a few permissions before it’s ready to use.
Source: Michelle Brändle
  • You can now download the Google Play Store from here.

The additional shortcut app for quick access

To skip having to load every app via Gspace and instead open apps directly as icons on your home screen, you’ll also need a shortcut app.

Use the link above to download the shortcut app as a zip file.
Use the link above to download the shortcut app as a zip file.
Source: Michelle Brändle
  • Find the folder Playstore-shortcut.zip in your files and extract it.
  • View the extracted folder. It contains the Shortcut Maker app to be installed. Open it.
With Shortcut Maker, you can create shortcuts for your Google apps.
With Shortcut Maker, you can create shortcuts for your Google apps.
Source: Michelle Brändle
  • In the Shortcut app, select History at the bottom left. Click on the three small dots at the top right, then on Restore. Search for the shortcuts.smf file. Once you’ve selected it, you can then click on the Play Store icon in History. A link can now be created from this.
Create the link for the Play Store.
Create the link for the Play Store.
Source: Michelle Brändle

If this has worked successfully, you’ll now find a shortcut to the Play Store on your home screen. In future, you’ll be able to create a shortcut for quick access to all apps you’ve downloaded from Gspace or the Play Store. The app will still load via Gspace. You can tell, as Gspace opens for about one second every time.

You can recognise Gspace apps by the small colourful corner at the bottom right of the icons.
You can recognise Gspace apps by the small colourful corner at the bottom right of the icons.
Source: Michelle Brändle

Have fun using Google services on your Huawei device!

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Michelle Brändle
Editor
Michelle.Braendle@digitecgalaxus.ch

Ever since I learned how to hold a pen, I've been doodling away in bright colours. Thanks to my iPad, digital art has also become part of my life. That's why I love testing tablets – from the graphic design range to the regular kind. When I feel the urge to express my creativity without lugging lots of equipment, I go for the latest smartphones and start snapping away. 

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