WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. However, due to US sanctions, Huawei phones released after 2019 do not come with WhatsApp pre-installed. This includes the latest Huawei P50 series. If you’ve recently got your hands on a Huawei P50 device and are wondering how to get WhatsApp on it, this guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step.
Is WhatsApp banned on Huawei phones?
WhatsApp is not banned as such on new Huawei devices. The reason it is not pre-installed is because of US trade sanctions that prevent Huawei from partnering with US companies and services, including major Google apps. So you cannot simply download WhatsApp from the Play Store on a Huawei P50.
However, there are alternative methods to install WhatsApp on your Huawei P50 device. It just requires some extra steps compared to Android phones from other brands. As long as you can obtain the WhatsApp APK and have the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) Core installed, you can use WhatsApp on your P50 just fine.
Requirements to install WhatsApp on Huawei P50
Before you proceed, make sure your Huawei P50 meets these requirements:
- Your phone must be running EMUI 12 or later based on Android 10 or higher.
- You need a working internet connection to download the necessary files.
- Your Huawei ID must be logged in and verified on the device.
- HMS Core (Huawei Mobile Services Core) must be installed and updated.
You can check your EMUI version in Settings > System > Version. Make sure HMS Core is installed by searching for it in the AppGallery or Petal Search widget. Update it if an update is available.
Step 1: Enable ‘Install apps from unknown sources’
Since you are installing WhatsApp from outside the AppGallery store, you need to enable installation of apps from unknown sources. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps install location and enable the toggle for ‘Allow install apps from unknown sources’. Confirm on the popup if you wish to proceed.
Step 2: Download the WhatsApp APK
Now you need to download the latest APK file for WhatsApp. There are a couple reliable sources to get it:
- APKMirror: Search for WhatsApp on APKMirror.com and download the latest build for Android from the site.
- APKPure: Similarly, search and download the latest WhatsApp APK from APKPure.com.
Make sure you are getting the official unmodified APK from one of these trusted sites. Do not download WhatsApp APK from any unknown or shady site as it could be tampered with malware.
Step 3: Install the WhatsApp APK on your Huawei phone
Once you have downloaded the latest OG WhatsApp APK, here are the steps to install it on your Huawei P50:
- Open File Manager on your Huawei phone and find the WhatsApp APK you downloaded.
- Tap on the APK file. This will prompt the installation process.
- Read and accept the app permissions. Then tap Install.
- The WhatsApp installation will begin. Be patient as it may take a few minutes.
- After complete installation, you can find WhatsApp in your Huawei phone’s app drawer.
Step 4: Set up WhatsApp account
Open WhatsApp from the app drawer. On the first launch, it will ask you to enter your phone number and verify it.
- Enter your phone number in international format, e.g. [country code][number]
- Tap Next. WhatsApp will send a 6-digit OTP to your number.
- Once received, enter the OTP to verify your number.
- Set a name for your WhatsApp account and tap Next.
- Allow required permissions for WhatsApp to access contacts, storage, etc.
That’s it! WhatsApp will be setup on your Huawei P50 device. You can now enjoy messaging your friends & family seamlessly.
How to update WhatsApp on Huawei?
Since you installed WhatsApp via sideloading the APK, it will not auto-update from the Play Store. When new versions of WhatsApp come out, you will have to manually download and install the latest APK following the same steps:
- Download new APK from APKMirror or APKPure.
- Uninstall the existing WhatsApp from your Huawei phone.
- Install the latest WhatsApp APK.
- Enter your number again and verify the device.
This will update WhatsApp to the latest version so you can continue using all the new features and security fixes.
Fix WhatsApp connection issues on Huawei
In some cases, you may face connection issues with WhatsApp on your Huawei phone even after installing it. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and fix them:
Update HMS Core
Make sure HMS Core is updated to the latest version. WhatsApp needs HMS Core services to run properly.
Clear WhatsApp data
Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Data. This will reset WhatsApp and force it to re-verify your number.
Check VPN or proxy settings
If you are using a VPN or proxy, try disconnecting as it can block WhatsApp connectivity. Disable any VPN apps before launching WhatsApp.
Factory reset device
If nothing else works, consider a factory reset as a last resort. Backup data first. A reset will remove any underlying issues causing WhatsApp problems.
Use WhatsApp Web on PC
You can also use WhatsApp Web to access your WhatsApp chats from your computer’s browser. Here’s how:
- Open web.whatsapp.com on your PC’s Chrome/Firefox browser.
- On your phone’s WhatsApp, go to Menu > Linked Devices > Link a Device.
- Point the phone’s camera at the QR code on the Web screen to link it.
- Your PC will now mirror your phone’s WhatsApp in the browser.
Conclusion
Installing WhatsApp on the latest Huawei phones like P50 does require jumping through some extra hoops. But as you can see, it is very much possible and lets you enjoy WhatApp’s messaging features.
The key steps are:
- Enable external app installs in Settings
- Download latest WhatsApp APK from reliable source
- Install the APK and set up your account
- Manually update WhatsApp when new versions are available
Following this guide, you will be able to use WhatsApp without issues on your Huawei P50 or any other new Huawei phone for that matter. Share your experience with us in the comments below if you found this tutorial helpful.