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.

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.

• 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.

• Download the Shortcut app via this file.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Have fun using Google services on your Huawei device!

Michelle Brändle

Editor

Michelle.Braendle@digitecgalaxus.ch

In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee. more

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