Huawei is currently unable to ship their phones and tablets with Google services and apps. However, users can overcome this limitation through a solution called MicroG. In this article, we’ll guide you through the setup process.
Since spring 2019, a trade ban between Google and Huawei has been in place due to spying allegations from the US government against the Chinese tech giant. Consequently, Huawei smartphones and tablets are no longer permitted to ship with Google services and apps.
Since this incidence, Huawei has depended entirely on its own AppGallery, which was already widely accepted in Asia, particularly in the company’s domestic market, China, even before the embargo began. However, gaining acceptance in Western countries remains challenging, especially as large US software companies are prohibited from offering their apps in the AppGallery. Microsoft is an exception, but it also faces restrictions.
This situation means that Huawei phone users currently not only lack access to many apps but also cannot use features such as Android Auto and Google Pay. The GBox, which we discussed in our P60 Pro review, provides users with an option to install most apps in a sandbox environment. However, this comes at the cost of significantly reduced battery life and performance. Moreover, push notifications do not always work reliably in this setup.
Thankfully, there is an alternative: MicroG. It integrates much more harmoniously into the operating system and runs very reliably. This German-based software project is designed for users who prefer not to share their data with Google but still want to use their favorite apps. Interestingly, the project existed before the Huawei ban and was initially aimed at users of other open Android-based operating systems like LineageOS.
Step-by-step Guide in Installing Google Services and Apps on Huawei Smartphones
below, we will take you through the step-by-step guide involved in installing Google apps and services on your Huawei P60 Pro or the Pura 70 series.
How to Install MicroG and Aurora Store 
The Aurora Store serves as an alternative to the Google Play Store. Despite this, Aurora still connects to Googleās database for app information and downloads APKs from there. You can easily download and install Aurora from the Huawei AppGallery.
Once you tap the Install button, youāll be prompted to install MicroG Companion and MicroG Services. Confirm this by tapping the Install button again.
After installation, the Aurora Store icon will appear on your home screen. When you open it for the first time, the app will guide you through a setup process. On the welcome page, choose Session Installer as the installation method.
On the third page, you can select which app stores to activate. Press the Activate button for play.google.com. Next, an Open by Default dialogue will appear for the Aurora Store. Tap Unconfirmed Links, then Add. Choose the app stores you want and confirm your selection by tapping the tick at the top right. The Google Store will now be listed in the overview.
To return to the third step of the Aurora Storeās setup process, tap the Back button twice or use a corresponding touch gesture. Now, the Google Store will be marked as activated. Press Continue to reach the permissions page. Work through the three sections and grant the necessary permissions. Once all sections are marked as Allowed, complete the setup by tapping Done.
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You can now log in to the Aurora Store with your Google account. There’s also an option for anonymous login, but you wonāt be able to restore any purchases with it. In our case, we chose to sign in with our Google account. After going through two-step verification (if enabled), you’ll be asked whether the device is for you or a child, and you’ll need to confirm your acceptance of Googleās Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Once this step is complete, you’ll land on the Aurora Storeās front page and can start installing any apps you want.
Installing Android System WebView
For a smooth process, we recommend installing Android System WebView. Additionally, you may see an update available for Google Play Services in the Updates tab. Since this update canāt be installed, itās best to hide the information. To do this, press and hold the app until a sub-menu appears, then select Add to “Black-list”.
Although not absolutely necessary for most users, it’s recommended to install the Services Framework Proxy package to help avoid potential issues. You can download the APK directly from MicroG using a browser and install it. During installation, you may need to enable permissions such as installation from unknown sources in your browser. On the Pura 70 Ultra, a security prompt may also appear just before installation.
How to Allow Permissions for MicroG
You should be able to install and update apps through the Aurora Store now. To ensure that notifications from messaging apps like WhatsApp work properly, we recommend adjusting and optimizing the permissions granted to MicroG.
To adjust permissions, start by going to Settings > Apps & Services. Search for āMicroGā under Apps and select MicroG Services. In the menu that opens, enable all options under permissions and also enable “Display over Other Apps”. For location, choose the “Always Allow” option.
In the “Open by Default” settings, tap the Add button in the “Unconfirmed Links” submenu. Choose the recommended link and confirm your selection by tapping the checkmark symbol at the top right.
You can find MicroG’s settings and self-check in the app info of MicroG Services. Simply tap the cogwheel icon located to the right of the app icon. Ensure that all checkboxes under self-check are ticked.
After signing in with your Google account under Google Accounts, return to the app overview. Tap the four-dots icon and select “Special Access”. Then, tap “Unlimited Data Access” and enable this option for all MicroG apps.
After you go back to Apps & Services, tap on Startup Manager and disable automatic management. Confirm this in the pop-up menu for Manual Management by selecting OK.
How to Sync your Google Contacts with your Huawei Phone 
If you wish to sync your Google contacts from the cloud to the Pura 70 Ultra, you can download and install the Google Contacts Sync APK using a browser. Ensure you download from a trusted third-party website like APKMirror. It’s important to choose a site you know and trust.
After installing the Google Contacts Sync APK, follow these steps:
1. Go to Settings > Apps & Services > Apps.
2. Find and select Sync Google Contacts.
3. Grant permission to access your contacts.
Next, do the following:
1. Go to Settings > Users & accounts.
2. Select Google.
3. Choose the Google account you want to use.
4. Enable the Sync Contacts option.
You should now see all your contacts from Google Cloud on your Huawei phone.
Alternative Method
Alternatively, you can sync your contacts using Microsoft Outlook, which is available for download on AppGallery. If you don’t have a Microsoft account or don’t want to link it to your phone, you can skip this step when launching the app for the first time. Right after that, Outlook will recommend adding your Google account as usual.
After you complete this step, you can enable Sync Contacts under Settings > Contacts. If your contacts don’t appear in the phone app, check the display options in the app:
1. Go to the Contacts tab.
2. Tap the four-dots icon.
3. Select Settings, then Display Settings.
4. Choose Outlook or All Contacts.
This should make all your contacts visible in the phone app.
How to Configure Android Auto on Huawei Smartphones
Android Auto can be used on the Huawei Pura 70. However, a few minor preparations are necessary for the app to work. Follow these steps:
1. Download and install Android Auto on your Huawei phone.
2. Go to Settings > Apps & Services > Apps.
3. Find and select Android Auto.
4. Modify its app permissions, ensuring that Nearby Devices permission is enabled.
Next, install the Google app, Google Maps, and Speech Recognition & Synthesis to ensure the process goes smoothly. During our testing, we could only connect the phone to Android Auto in our Å koda Karoq via USB, even though the vehicle supports wireless connection. This limitation likely applies to the use of Android Auto with Huawei smartphones in general.
Conclusion
The MicroG project is a great help for Huawei smartphone users, allowing access to all apps from the Google Play Store. The Aurora Store, used for downloading Google apps, is slightly slower than the original Google Play app, but this doesn’t significantly impact the user experience. The Aurora Store also requires you to provide an extra confirmation each time you install an app.
