Huawei silently built app to sideload leading Android apps
What's the story
Ever since US banned trade with Huawei, the Chinese company has been struggling to draw takers for its new smartphones. The devices run Android 10, but they do not have access to basic Google Play Services and apps, making up a nearly useless offering for people worldwide. However, the good news is, it may have developed a solution to tackle this problem.
Issue
First, let's look at the problem at hand
Due to the lack of Google-backed services, Huawei devices do not offer access to the Play Store and the millions of apps it has on offer. The only way to access apps is Huawei's native app store, which offers only a handful of mainstream programs, or sideloading - an option that can only be used when an app-maker offers an APK.
Solution
However, Huawei has an app for seamless sideloading
According to XDA-Developers, Huawei is trying to combat this problem with the help of an app capable of sideloading of mainstream Android apps. Dubbed 'AppSearch', the service provides a way to search for and download/install popular apps including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. It works without requiring access to the Google Play Store and is currently being tested with users in Germany.
Caveat
AppSearch directs users to download sources
While AppSearch brings the ability to use mainstream Android apps on Huawei phones, it doesn't allow direct installation. Instead, when you try downloading an app, it redirects you to a site where you can download its APK and install it. The sources that are currently being used for providing apps include reliable ones like Amazon, APKPure, APKMirror.
Quote
Here is what Huawei's description of AppSearch reads
Huawei says the app "assists users to find popular apps by consolidating multiple downloading sources [sic]. All the content accessible through [AppSearch] is provided by third parties. The content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes it available."
Launch
No word on global launch yet
Huawei's description adds that AppSearch works with Mate 30 series, Mate X line-up, and the all-new P40 series. However, there is no saying when or if the company will release the app to users outside of Germany. Its sales have dipped lately and a tool like this could come really handy in bringing things back on track.