Huawei
phones released after 2019 don’t come with Google Mobile Services (GMS),
including the Google Play Store. This makes it harder for users to install some
apps, including WhatsApp. Fortunately, WhatsApp does not rely on GMS to
function. Huawei users can still download, install, and use WhatsApp smoothly
with just a few extra steps. This guide explains everything you need to know to
get whatsapp app for huawei —from safe installation to maintaining updates and backups.
How to Install
WhatsApp on Huawei Devices Without Google Play?
The
official WhatsApp app is not available on Huawei AppGallery. However, you can
safely download and install it using a trusted APK source or directly from
WhatsApp’s official website. Follow the steps below to install WhatsApp on any
Huawei phone running EMUI or HarmonyOS.
Step 1:
Download the WhatsApp APK
Start
by downloading the official WhatsApp installation file:
l Open the browser on your
Huawei phone.
l Go to the official
WhatsApp download page: www.whatsapp.com/android.
l Tap “Download Now” to
get the latest version of the APK file.
Alternatively,
you can use Petal Search (Huawei’s app finder tool) to search for WhatsApp. It
will link you directly to the same file from trusted sources. Do not use
unknown third-party APK sites unless they are verified and widely recommended,
such as APKMirror or APKPure.
Step 2: Enable
App Installation from Unknown Sources
Once
the APK finishes downloading, you need to allow installation:
l Tap the downloaded file.
l If prompted, go to
Settings > Security.
l Enable Install apps from
unknown sources for the browser or file manager you used.
Huawei
may show a warning, but as long as you downloaded the file from WhatsApp’s
official website, the app is safe to install.
Step 3:
Complete Setup and Start Using WhatsApp
After
installation:
l Open WhatsApp.
l Accept the terms and
conditions.
l Enter your phone number
and verify it via SMS.
l If prompted, grant
permissions for contacts, storage, and notifications.
You
can now start messaging, making calls, and sending media. The app works exactly
as it does on any other Android phone. If you previously used WhatsApp on
another device, you can restore chat history from a local backup, as explained
in the next section.
Step 4:
Restore Local Backup (If Available)
Huawei
phones without GMS cannot use Google Drive for cloud backup. However, WhatsApp
stores a local backup file on your phone every night. To restore it: Before
installing WhatsApp, copy the WhatsApp folder (from your old device’s internal
storage) to your new Huawei phone. Place the folder in the root directory of
internal storage. During WhatsApp setup, the app will detect the backup and
offer to restore your chat history. Use a USB cable, Huawei’s Phone Clone app,
or a file manager app to transfer data between devices.
Keeping
WhatsApp Updated and Running Smoothly
Because
WhatsApp is not installed from the Play Store, it won’t update automatically.
You need to handle updates manually and adjust some Huawei settings to ensure
smooth performance.
Manually
Update WhatsApp
Check
for updates every few weeks to get new features and security patches:
l Go back to
www.whatsapp.com/android.
l Download the latest
version of the APK.
l Install it over the
existing app (no need to uninstall first).
l Petal Search may also
notify you of available updates if you’ve added WhatsApp to your favorites.
Never
ignore updates for too long. An outdated version may stop working or lose
support for key functions like backup and media sharing.
Use WhatsApp
Web and Multi-Device Mode
WhatsApp
Web works normally on Huawei phones. You can link your device to a browser or
desktop app:
l Open web.whatsapp.com.
l On your phone, tap the
three dots menu in WhatsApp > Linked Devices.
l Scan the QR code to
start using WhatsApp on your computer.
Multi-device
mode allows WhatsApp to stay active on linked devices even if your phone loses
internet temporarily.
Conclusion
Installing
WhatsApp on Huawei devices without Google Play is easy when you follow the
correct steps. You can download the app from the official website, install it
safely, and enjoy all core features. Just remember to update the app manually,
adjust background settings for notifications, and back up your chats using
local storage. With these adjustments, WhatsApp performs smoothly on any Huawei
phone, even without access to Google services.