Skynamo’s field sales app, and other apps available in the Google Play Store, can’t be downloaded on new Huawei devices because of current trade restrictions. This is why you should not try to hack the Play Store onto your Huawei device.
What’s up with Huawei (wha-way)?
Android & Play Legal Director, Tristan Ostrowski, explains why software like the Skynamo field sales app is not available on new Huawei devices – here is an extract from his statement:
“On May 16, 2019, the US government placed Huawei on its Entity List. This government action prohibits all US companies, including Google, from collaborating with Huawei. This means that Google is prohibited from working with Huawei on new device models or providing Google’s apps including Gmail, Maps, YouTube, the Play Store and others for preload or download on these devices.”
“US law currently allows Google to only work with Huawei on device models available to the public on or before May 16, 2019.”
“Due to government restrictions, Google’s apps and services are not available for preload or sideload on new Huawei devices… (read more)”
“To protect user data privacy, security, and safeguard the overall experience, the Google Play Store, Google Play Protect, and Google’s core apps (including Gmail, YouTube, Maps, and others) are only available on Play Protect certified devices… (read more)”
“Because of the government restrictions described above, new Huawei device models made available to the public after May 16, 2019 have not been able to go through this security process nor will they have Play Protect preloaded. As a result, they are considered ‘uncertified,’ and will not be able to utilize Google’s apps and services.”
“To check if your device is certified, open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone, tap ‘Menu’ and look for ‘Settings.’ You will see if your device is certified under ‘Play Protect certification.’ You can learn more on android.com/certified.”
You can read Ostrowski’s full statement here.
Should I try to hack Google Playstore onto my new Huawei device?
No. Firstly, by doing something like this you void the warranty on your device, which is usually a two-year warranty on new Huawei devices. Secondly, there’s the definite risk of ‘bricking’ your device, meaning that existing device software will be corrupted to the extent that your device will no longer be able to start up again.
Furthermore, apps like our field sales app that rely on Google services (e.g., location tracking) to function optimally, will not run properly on new Huawei devices. “In addition, sideloaded Google apps will not work reliably because we do not allow these services to run on uncertified devices where security may be compromised. Sideloading Google’s apps also carries a high risk of installing an app that has been altered or tampered with in ways that can compromise user security,” explains Tristan Ostrowski, Android & Play Legal Director.
How can I successfully download Google Play Store apps onto my new Huawei device?
As a software service provider to users with Android and iOS devices, we suggest potential users of our field sales app should consider not buying Huawei devices at this time. We cannot guarantee when tensions between the US and Chinese governments will be resolved, and when the consequent restrictions on the tech companies involved will be lifted.
Skynamo is exploring the possibility of having our mobile sales app be made available in the Huawei store but that is, however, something that may only become available in the future.
Note: we also don’t support devices running on Windows software and urge users to opt for Android with Play Store install or iOS devices for the same reasons, instead.
You can contact our Skynamo Support Team if you have any further queries regarding this or related matters here.
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