With Huawei phones no longer having access to Google Play Services and the Play Store due to US sanctions, updating apps like WhatsApp poses a challenge. However, there are still ways to update WhatsApp on Huawei devices without the Play Store. In this article, we will go over the requirement to update WhatsApp and the various methods you can use to update WhatsApp on Huawei phones that don’t have Play Store access.
What is Required to Update WhatsApp
In order to update WhatsApp, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Have an active WhatsApp account
- Have a compatible Huawei device running EMUI 10 or later
- Have an internet connection on your device
- Obtain the latest WhatsApp APK file
- Enable “Install from Unknown Sources” on your Huawei device
As long as your Huawei phone meets these requirements, you will be able to manually update and run the latest version of WhatsApp by downloading and installing the APK file. Let’s look at this in more detail.
Compatible Huawei Devices
Due to Google Play Services restrictions, only Huawei devices running EMUI 10 or later can properly run and update WhatsApp. EMUI 10 was first released in September 2019, so devices made in late 2019 or later should be compatible.
Some examples of compatible Huawei devices include:
- Huawei P40 Series
- Huawei Mate 30 Series
- Huawei Nova 6 Series
- Huawei Mate Xs
- Huawei MatePad Pro
If you are unsure if your Huawei device can run WhatsApp properly, check if it is running EMUI 10 or later in the Settings app.
Latest WhatsApp APK
To manually update WhatsApp, you need to download the latest APK (Android application package) file for WhatsApp. This file contains the update and allows you to install it directly on your Huawei device.
The official latest WhatsApp APK can be found on the WhatsApp website or through trusted third-party APK download sites. Be careful to only download the authentic APK file to avoid security risks.
Enabling External Sources
Finally, in order to install any app from an APK on your Huawei device, you need to enable the “Install from Unknown Sources” setting.
To enable this:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced
- Enable “Install from Unknown Sources”
This will allow your device to install apps from APK files downloaded outside the Play Store.
Methods to Update WhatsApp on Huawei without Play Store
Now that you understand the requirements, here are the main methods to update WhatsApp:
1. Install WhatsApp Update via APK File
The most straightforward method is to manually download and install the latest WhatsApp APK file:
- Download the latest APK from the official WhatsApp site or trusted third-party APK provider.
- On your Huawei device, enable “Install from Unknown Sources” in the settings if you haven’t already.
- Open your device’s file manager and find the WhatsApp APK file.
- Tap the APK file to begin the install process.
- Accept any permission pop-ups and the app will begin installing.
- Once installed, open WhatsApp – you will now have the updated version.
This allows you to quickly update WhatsApp by directly installing the latest available version APK file.
2. Use AppGallery and Petal Search
Huawei’s own app store, AppGallery, has WhatsApp available. While it may not always have the very latest update right away, it will likely be a newer version than what you currently have installed.
To update WhatsApp using AppGallery:
- Open AppGallery on your Huawei device.
- Search for “WhatsApp Messenger”
- If an Update button is shown, tap it to update to the latest AppGallery version.
- If no Update is available, you can still Install the AppGallery version which should be newer than your current WhatsApp.
You can also use Petal Search, Huawei’s search tool, to easily find and install app updates from AppGallery.
So while not as fully up-to-date as direct APK installs, AppGallery provides an easy way to update WhatsApp on your Huawei device.
3. Use Huawei App Assistant
Huawei App Assistant is a helpful tool that can search for and install app updates from outside of AppGallery.
To use it to update WhatsApp:
- Open Huawei App Assistant
- Go to the Updates tab
- Click on WhatsApp Messenger
- If an update is available, click Update and it will download and install the latest APK.
App Assistant provides recommendations for official and trusted APK sources. This gives you an simple updater right on your Huawei device.
Updating WhatsApp through Third-Party App Stores
There are also various third-party app stores for Huawei devices that can be used to update WhatsApp:
1. Aptoide
Aptoide is a well-established third-party app store for Android devices. To update WhatsApp using Aptoide:
- Install Aptoide app on your Huawei phone
- Open Aptoide and search for “WhatsApp”
- If an Update option is available, tap it to update to the latest Aptoide version
- Alternatively, you can install the Aptoide version of WhatsApp which is likely newer.
2. APKPure
APKPure is another popular third-party app store, following similar steps:
- Install APKPure app on your Huawei device
- Search for WhatsApp on APKPure
- Tap Update or Install to get newer WhatsApp version
3. APKMirror
APKMirror hosts APK files for many apps including WhatsApp:
- Go to apkmirror.com on your phone’s browser
- Search for “WhatsApp”
- Download the latest WhatsApp APK
- Install the downloaded APK file
Other WhatsApp Update Tips
Here are some additional tips when updating WhatsApp on your Huawei device without the Play Store:
- Always install APKs from official or trusted sources to avoid malware
- Check WhatsApp’s official Twitter or Facebook pages for news of the latest updates
- Bookmark APK download sites to easily find the newest APK files
- Make sure you have enough storage space for the update
- Connect to Wifi for large updates to avoid mobile data usage
- Back up your WhatsApp data before updating in case of issues
- If an update is not working, try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp
- Consult WhatsApp’s FAQ and help center if you have trouble installing updates
Following these tips will help ensure you can smoothly update and continue using WhatsApp on your Huawei phone without the Play Store.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of Play Store access on new Huawei devices, users can still update WhatsApp through methods like direct APK installation, AppGallery, Huawei App Assistant, and third-party app stores. By enabling external sources, finding the latest APK, and sticking to official sources, Huawei users can continue to enjoy the best of WhatsApp. The app’s wide global use makes it a priority for Huawei and the Android community to facilitate keeping it updated on Huawei phones without Play Services. With the right technical know-how, updating WhatsApp is still very feasible on new Huawei devices going forward.