Why Huawei phones have no Google apps
Google only lets its apps, including the Play Store, Gmail, Maps and YouTube, onto phones that are Play Protect certified,[1] and Huawei isn't on Google's list of certified partners.[2] That goes back to the US export restrictions placed on Huawei in 2019. So Huawei's UAE phones run Huawei's own EMUI with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), and Huawei's support site warns that Google Play services installed from unofficial sources can make apps freeze or crash.[3]
Apps come from AppGallery, Huawei's official store.[4] For an app that isn't there, AppGallery may point you to the developer's own website.[5] You'll also see listings named Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Instagram and Amazon Shopping: they come from GBox, a third-party app by VIRTUAL CUBE PTE. LTD. in Singapore, not from Google, Meta or Amazon.[6]
UAE apps on a Huawei phone
We looked up the apps most people in the UAE need on Huawei AppGallery on 30 Oct 2026. 17 of the 21 are there from their real publishers:
| App | On AppGallery? | Publisher, or how to get it |
|---|---|---|
| UAE PASS | Yes | Dubai Smart Government Establishment |
| Al Hosn | Yes | Ministry of Health and Prevention |
| TAMM (Abu Dhabi) | Yes | Abu Dhabi Digital Authority |
| UAEICP | Yes | Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security |
| Dubai Police | Yes | Dubai Police |
| RTA Dubai | Yes | Roads & Transport Authority |
| nol Pay | Yes | Roads & Transport Authority |
| Emirates NBD (ENBD X) | Yes | Emirates NBD Bank |
| ADCB | Yes | Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank |
| FAB Mobile | Yes | First Abu Dhabi Bank |
| Mashreq | Yes | Mashreqbank |
| e& (etisalat UAE) | Yes | Emirates Telecommunications Corporation |
| du | Yes | Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company |
| Careem | Yes | Careem |
| talabat | Yes | Talabat Middle East |
| noon | Yes | noon |
| TikTok | Yes | TikTok |
| No, direct download | Download from WhatsApp's own site | |
| No | Only a third-party GBox wrapper, not from Meta | |
| Amazon Shopping | No | Only a third-party GBox wrapper, not from Amazon |
| Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps | No | Only third-party GBox wrappers, not from Google |
WhatsApp offers its Android app as a direct download on its own site.[7] AppGallery's selection can differ by region, so check an app you depend on before you buy.
Paying with your phone
Huawei lists card payments in HUAWEI Wallet only for UnionPay cards in a few countries, Curve in the UK and Europe, and QR payments in a few others. UAE bank cards aren't on the list, so you can't tap to pay in shops with one.[8]
One tap that does work: in Dubai, RTA's nol Pay app puts a digital nol card in HUAWEI Wallet for public transport.[9]
Huawei phones and their prices in the UAE
The Huawei phones we compare, with the lowest sealed new price today and what Huawei's UAE spec pages state.[10] Next to each, an Honor phone at about the same price, if you'd rather have Google's apps.
| Huawei phone | New from | Software | 5G | Honor at a similar price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei Mate X7 | AED 4,461Sharaf DG | EMUI 15.0 | 4G only | Honor Magic V5AED 4,690 |
| Huawei Pura 90s Pro Max | AED 3,201Mr Mobile | EMUI 16.0 | Yes | Honor 600 ProAED 2,770 |
| Huawei Pura 90s Pro | AED 2,589Mr Mobile | EMUI 16.0 | Yes | Honor 600 ProAED 2,770 |
| Huawei nova 15 Max | AED 1,070Sharaf DG | EMUI 14.2 | 4G only | Honor 400 LiteAED 1,107 |
Backups go to HUAWEI Cloud rather than Google: it syncs photos, contacts, notes and calendar, with 5 GB free, and only on Huawei and Honor devices.[11] See every model on the Huawei page.
Honor: the Google option
Honor used to be part of Huawei, but Huawei sold it in November 2020.[12] Honor is a Google Play Protect certified partner,[2] and its UAE phones run MagicOS on Android, such as the Honor 600 on MagicOS 10 with Android 16.[13] Honor phones start at AED 317 on sasta.ae today; the cheapest Huawei is the Huawei nova 15 Max at AED 1,070. See every model on the Honor page, or the best phones by budget.
Questions
No. Google only lets its apps, including the Play Store, onto Play Protect certified phones, and Huawei isn't a certified partner. Huawei phones use Huawei's own AppGallery instead.
Not officially. Huawei's own UAE support says Google Play services installed from unofficial sources can make apps freeze or crash. AppGallery has listings named Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps, but they come from GBox, a third-party app by a Singapore company, not from Google.
Yes. WhatsApp isn't on AppGallery, but WhatsApp offers its Android app as a direct download on whatsapp.com/android.
Yes, the ones we checked are on AppGallery from their real publishers: UAE PASS, Al Hosn, TAMM, Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB and Mashreq, among 17 apps (checked 30 Oct 2026).
Not with UAE bank cards: Huawei lists its Wallet card payments only for UnionPay cards in a few countries, Curve in the UK and Europe, and QR payments elsewhere. In Dubai you can tap a digital nol card in the nol Pay app for public transport.
No. Huawei sold Honor in November 2020, and Honor phones are Google Play Protect certified, so they come with Google's apps. Honor's UAE phones run MagicOS on Android.
Sources
- Google, Android Help: Play Protect certification and Google apps
- Android, "Play Protect certified partners" (Honor listed, Huawei not)
- Huawei UAE support: phones run HMS; Google services from unofficial sources can make apps freeze or crash
- Huawei UAE: AppGallery, the official app store for Huawei devices
- Huawei UAE support: apps not on AppGallery (Google Play or the developer's website)
- AppGallery listing of GBox (developer VIRTUAL CUBE PTE. LTD.)
- WhatsApp, "Download WhatsApp directly" (Android APK)
- Huawei UAE support: banks and cards supported by HUAWEI Wallet
- Dubai Media Office: RTA launches the digital nol card on Huawei phones (29 Dec 2020)
- Huawei UAE, Pura 90s Pro specs
- Huawei UAE support: HUAWEI Cloud (5 GB free)
- Huawei statement on the sale of Honor (17 Nov 2020)
- Honor UAE, Honor 600 specs (MagicOS 10, Android 16)