Yes, you read it right; Don’t be surprised if you don’t find Facebook apps on Huawei devices pre-installed.
The challenge for Huawei, due to the ongoing trade war between the US and China, appears far from getting over. After Google, Qualcomm and many other major US-based companies who turned their back on Huawei, it’s time for the US-based social media major Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB).
According to Reuters, Facebook has decided now to allow Huawei to have any of Facebook’s family of apps pre-installed on its devices. What it eventually means is that the next time when you buy any of Honor or Huawei devices, you would not get Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger or Instagram pre-installed on the devices.
It, however, doesn’t mean that Facebook apps cant be installed on Huawei devices. Users of Huawei devices need to make use of Google Play to download and install either all or any of Facebook family apps on their own.
No Facebook Apps on Huawei: Blame The Trade War
The move by Facebook would only complicate the challenge Huawei is already facing due to the ban imposed by the US government. In May this year, the US government has banned Huawei, along with 67 other Chinese companies, to have any kind of business relationship with US-based companies. Indeed it was a major setback for the Huawei, but the biggest challenge came in the form of Android Licence which was revoked by Google within a few days the US authorities announcing their decision. To put it in simple words, Google banned Huawei from using Android on any of its upcoming devices.
The ban, however, was later postponed for 90 days conditioned to Huawei procuring components and services from US-based companies only to the maintain existing network and ongoing services. But, that doesn’t mean that Google services would stop working after a 90-day reprieve gets over in August. All the Google services, including Play Store and Google apps, would continue to work on existing models of Huawei smartphones, including the ones which are yet to be shipped.
Huawei, on the other hand, is projecting itself unfazed by the ban imposed by the US, which has forced many US-based companies to cut ties with China’s largest smartphone and network components manufacturer. The company is reportedly working on Hongmang – the alternative of Android OS.
As the family of Facebook apps on Huawei devices will no longer come as pre-installed, it’s doesn’t appear to be a big challenge for users. Any of these apps can be installed from Google Play with a click on a button, all they need is a good 4G or WiFi connectivity!