How to Use Google Services on Huawei Smartphones with Gbox and MicroG

As you know, all new Huawei smartphones are missing by default Google services and applications. Despite the fact that the company's developers have long since developed their own replacement, people are offered to choose what to use. Therefore, it is easy and simple to make Google Mobile Services work on Huawei smartphones. In this article, we will tell you in detail, how to install and configure Gbox and MicroGwhat they are and, most importantly, how they differ from each other.

Disclaimer: This material will be useful mainly to those who have not yet tried to set up Huawei devices. At the same time, it is intended to dispel the myth about their complete incompatibility with Google services. Despite the strict sanctions regime, Huawei smartphones work with GMS virtually without restrictions. And the preliminary setup that you need to do for this will take you only a few minutes and will only come down to following the instructions on the screen.

THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO RUN GOOGLE APPS ON HUAWEI SMARTPHONES: GBOX and MICROG

GBOX – on all smartphones

MICROG – ON SMARTPHONES WITH EMUI FIRMWARE VERSION 14

What is Gbox and how to install it

Gbox – is actually an emulator that makes applications think that they are running in an environment with Google Mobile Services. This way, you can install not only third-party software that requires support GMSbut also Google services themselves. This could be YouTube, Gmail, Family Link, Gmail, Google Notes and much more with full synchronization between all devices where these applications are used.

Gbox itself is a sort of application folder that also includes Google Play Store client. With it, you can search, install and update applications just like in the original Play Market.

To install Gbox to your Huawei smartphone:

1. Open AppGallery and search for Gbox or go directly to it via the link directly.

2. Confirm the Gbox download and wait for the installation to complete.

3. Launch the Gbox app and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup.

Now you can use Gbox to find and install apps from Google and other developers. It has a simple and intuitive interface similar to Google Play. You can sign in to your Google account to sync apps, downloads, and other data.

Despite the fact that Gbox actually solves the problem of lack of on Huawei smartphones from Play Market store and Google services, you need to remember that this is an emulator that simply imitates the GMS environment. Therefore, all applications installed using Gbox will launch with a slight delay.

What is MicroG and why is it needed?

MicroG – is an open implementation of Google services with all the main functions of the GMS package, but at the same time free from surveillance by the search giant. Unlike Gbox, which is an emulator, MicroG is actually an add-on that adds firmware Google Mobile Services support. It also allows you to run compatible applications on devices that originally did not have Google services. The application is installed directly on the phone and also runs directly, without using a virtual machine.

MicroG is not complete replacement of Google servicesbut provides sufficient compatibility for the vast majority of applications. It has an open source code that you can study and even use at your own discretion, of course, if you have the appropriate skills and abilities.

Installing MicroG on Huawei Smartphones and Tablets

Install MicroG on Huawei Smartphones no more difficult than Gbox. This is also done through the AppGallery catalog, but if for some reason you do not want to use it, you can download the framework directly from the developers' website.

1. Open the AppGallery app store.

2. Type MicroG in search or go to via the link directly.

3. Install the MicroG app. Along with it, a companion app with the straightforward name MicroG Companion should be installed. If this does not happen automatically, install it manually.

4. Launch the MicroG app and go to settings.

5. Select “Google Accounts” – “Add Google Account”. Log in to your account by entering your login and password.

6. Confirm the permissions required for MicroG to work – without them, the add-on will either not work at all or will not work fully.

In the smartphone settings, find the section “Applications and Services” -> “Applications” -> “MicroG” (screenshot 1) and grant the application the necessary permissions (screenshot 2).

After that, the application will remember your data and will be able to automatically enter it in applications where authorization via a Google account is available.

Installing MicroG will enable the basic functionality on your smartphone Google services functionality. I deliberately focus on the implementation of the basic capabilities of GMS, because some specific functions may not be available. For example, such as Android Auto. However, in the latest versions, this limitation has been removed.

Once you install microG, you can:

1. Download almost any Google app directly from HUAWEI AppGallery

2. Download any Google app from the Google Play Store The app store itself still opens through Gbox (a virtual machine), but all apps downloaded from it will now, after installing microG, be installed and launched directly from the phone's memory.

3. If you don't want to download apps from HUAWEI AppGallery or Google Play Store via Gbox, you can open Petal Search app and search for the app through it.

4. Well, as another alternative – download a third-party app store RuStore, Aurora Store, APK Pure – and download apk installation files from there.

In fairness, it is impossible to guarantee full functionality of all applications (especially Google) with the latter option. Therefore, we recommend using points 1 or 2.

Which Huawei smartphones support MicroG

So far, MicroG only supports current-generation Huawei smartphones that run EMUI 14 by default. As of June 2024, the full list of devices that have already received/will receive the update is as follows:

Since many countries where Huawei devices are available do not use EMUI, but HarmonyOSthe list of compatible devices may look incomplete. If you did not find your smartphone in the list, it may already have or will only gain MicroG support with the release of HarmonyOS 4.2 for it.

How to Use Huawei Smartphones Without Google Services

The lack of pre-installed Google services on new Huawei smartphones is not an unsolvable problem.

If using Google apps is critical for you, you can solve this issue in 5-10 minutes using Gbox and MicroG, as we described above.

And given the company's active development of its own applications and the presence on the market of alternative applications, such as those from Yandex, the transition from the Google ecosystem to the Huawei or Yandex or any other ecosystem will not be difficult.

So if you like Huawei smartphonesyou shouldn't refuse to buy them just because they don't have Google services out of the box. By installing Gbox and MicroG, you can use familiar applications and functions, as well as appreciate the capabilities of the brand's devices, such as high-quality cameras, cool screens, productive Kirin processors, fast charging coupled with high-quality batteries and premium design.

The main thing when choosing a smartphone pay attention to models with the current firmware version. If you have any difficulties, check the compatibility of the model you are interested in with Gbox and MicroG on the forums, in the support service or at XCOM-SHOP.RU experts.

Overall, the bundle Gbox + MicroG is a good solution for using Google services on Huawei smartphones. It is quite easy to set up and provides a high level of application compatibility. And given the attractive price-performance ratio of Huawei smartphones, many users may prefer them to more expensive analogues from other brands.