Huawei Mobile Services (HMS): A comprehensive guide to its tests, applications, and ecosystem

  • HMS completely replaces Google Mobile Services on Huawei devices, integrating its own applications, services, and tools.
  • HMS Core and its suite of tools and APIs allow developers to adapt and scale their apps within the Huawei ecosystem.
  • Huawei AppGallery and pre-installed apps ensure a complete, secure, and ever-growing user experience.

Huawei Mobile Services HMS tests devices

HMS It is a strategic solution that includes a wide range of Applications and services developed by Huawei for its devices and for third-party developersThese proposals allow both users and software developers to take full advantage of Huawei's hardware and operating system, even in the absence of the usual Google apps.

What are Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and why are they essential?

HMS Apps Test Huawei Mobile Services

On Huawei Mobile Services, popularly known as HMS, constitute a comprehensive platform of services, tools, and applications created by HuaweiIts primary function is to offer a consistent, secure, and customizable user experience comparable to that provided by Google services, but with the added value of its own, independent ecosystem.

After restrictions imposed that limited access to US services and applications, Huawei responded with a solution that covers all essential areas for the modern user. Thus, HMS becomes the operating core of new generations of Huawei devices and in the engine to create a global digital environment.

  • Huawei ID: A digital identity that centralizes settings, personal data, contacts, WiFi passwords, and backups, synchronizing them across all devices.
  • Payment and verification services: Features for secure mobile payments, virtual wallet, and transaction management, with high standards of verification and protection.
  • Push notifications and messaging: System to receive alerts, notifications and messages from any associated application or service.
  • Synchronization and cloud storageHuawei Mobile Cloud enables secure and synchronized storage of data, photos, videos, contacts, and more.
  • Personalization and multimedia: Tools like Huawei Themes to customize the interface, Huawei Music, Huawei Video, and Huawei Reader for entertainment and content consumption.
  • Location services, maps, and IoT support: Geolocation technology and intelligent connectivity with Internet of Things devices.

Advantages for the user and the developer:

  • Access a wide variety of proprietary applications through the AppGallery, an alternative to the Google Play Store.
  • Centralized management via Huawei ID, enhancing security and privacy.
  • Monetization and advanced analytics options are available to developers through HMS Core kits, making it easier to build competitive and secure apps.

HMS Core: The technical structure and its main kits

HMS Core kits and APIs for testing and development

El HMS Core is the set of APIs, SDKs and tools enabled by Huawei so that developers can integrate their applications into the HMS ecosystem without limitations. This structure allows any app to function correctly on Huawei devices, with access to advanced functionalities such as payments, biometric authentication, notifications, ads, machine learning, analytics, and many more.

One of the great values ​​of HMS Core lies in the diversity of kits and services that can be accessed:

  1. Account Kit: Allows authentication and login using Huawei ID account.
  2. In-App Purchases (IAP) Kit: Facilitates the integration of purchases within applications.
  3. Push Kits: Send push notifications to users.
  4. Analytics Kit: Provides reports on user behavior and application performance.
  5. Ads Kit: Tools for monetizing and serving ads within apps.
  6. Location Kit: Precise geolocation and access to map services.
  7. Map KitHuawei's own map module, ideal for apps that require geographic information.
  8. Drive Kit: Access to Huawei cloud storage.
  9. ML Kit: Implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning functions, such as text, image, voice recognition, and translation.
  10. Scan Kit: Scan QR and barcodes with ease.
  11. Game Service Kit: Support for achievements, leaderboards, and online gaming services.

In total, the HMS Core kit provides 24 kits, 55 services, and nearly 1000 APIs available to developers, positioning Huawei as one of the most complete and open systems on the mobile market today.

Public testing reveals rapid evolution and improvement of the HMS ecosystem. For example, the version of Huawei Mobile Services «4.0.0.203» It reflects significant advances over previous stable versions, modernizing APIs and expanding the services available to both users and developers.

HMS Core Test: Core Application and Service Testing

During the process of deploying and improving HMS, Huawei has released test packages that allow users and developers to familiarize themselves with the basic applications of the HMS core. The test package, known as HMS Core Test, is composed of six key applications:

  • Games: Platform for testing compatibility and functionality of video games within the HMS ecosystem.
  • Fido & Safety: Advanced authentication and biometric verification service, increasing security for users and applications.
  • Buy: Function to evaluate in-app purchases, ideal for testing the In-App Purchases system.
  • Identity: Service to verify user identity based on Huawei ID and other authentication methods.
  • Scan: Tool for recognizing and scanning QR codes and other unified codes, useful for multiple applications and services.
  • ML: Machine learning module that evaluates AI capabilities and intelligent data and image recognition.

These apps install in the background and appear on the screen as shortcut or placeholder icons, allowing users to select, install, and test each feature individually. Clicking on one of these test apps prompts the system to confirm and proceed with the installation.

HMS Application Testing

Availability of tests: In a first stage, this test program is aimed at users in ChinaHowever, Huawei has expressed its intention to expand it globally, with continuous improvements and the progressive incorporation of new services and proprietary applications, such as maps, location services, and IoT support.

Huawei Mobile Services Pre-installed: Key Apps

In addition to basic services and trial packages, Huawei devices usually come with a number of pre-installed applications that offer a comprehensive experience without relying on Google apps. These apps have been designed to ensure that users have all their basic needs covered from the start:

  • Huawei AppGallery: Official app store, alternative to the Google Play Store, with a constantly growing international and local selection.
  • Huawei Browser: : Our own browser, optimized for speed, security and efficient resource consumption.
  • Huawei Mobile Cloud: Platform for backups, restorations, synchronization of photos, contacts, files and much more.
  • Huawei Themes: Application that allows you to customize the appearance of your device with thousands of themes, wallpapers and styles.
  • HuaweiMusic: Streaming and local playback music service.
  • Huawei Video: Video-on-demand platform, movies, series and various content.
  • HuaweiReader: App dedicated to reading e-books, magazines and documents.
  • Huawei Assistant: Smart tool that replaces the Google Assistant, allowing searches, reminders, and personalized recommendations.

Pre-installed apps Huawei Mobile Services HMS testing

The evolution of these applications, along with the integration of HMS, results in a more fluid experience, tailored to local tastes and needs, with multilingual support and personalized customer service.

Comparison: HMS versus Google Mobile Services (GMS)

One of the main questions for those considering purchasing a Huawei device without Google services is What they lose and what they gain with HMSWhile the absence of Google Play, Gmail, or Maps seems like a limitation, Huawei makes up for it with its own suite of apps and services:

  • Centralization and privacy: All settings and data are unified under one Huawei ID account, with strict privacy and security policies.
  • Independence from Google: The user is not tied to the Google ecosystem; they can install apps from the AppGallery or, if desired, from external sources securely.
  • Frequent updatesThe HMS ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with continuous updates and new features.
  • Personalization and regionalization: The user experience adapts to local and cultural preferences, with relevant promotions and content.
  • Developers: They can leverage modern APIs and tools, integrating AI, analytics, and monetization capabilities without relying on Google.

However, it's worth noting that some popular Western apps may still be missing from the AppGallery, although Huawei is actively working on partnerships and support for their integration. Additionally, it offers tools to install APKs from verified sources, reducing the impact of the absence of specific apps.

Application development and customization for HMS: Incentives and resources

Huawei has invested heavily in attracting developers and large companies to adapt their apps to HMS, providing its community with financial incentives, technical resources and ongoing supportAn example of this is the It is committed to collaborating with the 150 most used applications in strategic countries. and the launch of initiatives of up to $17.000 per integration for developers who adapt their apps.

The adaptation process involves:

  • Access official documentation and support resources on the website Huawei Developers.
  • Using flavors in Android projects to differentiate and validate compatibility with HMS or GMS, ensuring the best experience for each device.
  • Implementation of specific kits based on the app's functions: payments, login, analytics, AI, maps, ads, etc.
  • Testing and validating HMS services using provided APIs, ensuring proper functioning before global deployment.

An example of code to validate HMS availability in an Android application would be:

public static boolean isHmsAvailable(Context context) { boolean isAvailable = false; if (null != context) { int result = HuaweiApiAvailability.getInstance().isHuaweiMobileServicesAvailable(context); isAvailable = (com.huawei.hms.api.ConnectionResult.SUCCESS == result); } Log.i(TAG, "isHmsAvailable: " + isAvailable); return isAvailable; }

Huawei continues betting decisively on innovation. The HMS ecosystem is constantly evolving, with the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced support for IoT, augmented reality solutions, and global mapping and navigation services.

Highlights the commitment to:

  • Cross-platform experiences: Compatibility across smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart TVs, and other connected devices.
  • Security and data protection: Compliance with international standards, advanced encryption and parental controls.
  • Support for the developer community: Training programs, hackathons, detailed documentation, and 24/7 technical support.
  • AppGallery Expansion: Agreements with renowned developers and presence of international and local apps.
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The company continues to work to bring the HMS experience to all its users around the world, improving accessibility and expanding the offering of native apps and services. Further public expansion of location services, maps, and other tools currently in testing or only available in select markets is planned for the near future.

The arrival of HMS and the consolidation of Huawei Mobile Services represents the growth of an alternative, secure, and highly competitive digital ecosystem that meets both the needs of end users and the demands of global developers and technology companies.

To explore more technical details or consult specific guides, we recommend visiting the specialized article: Huawei Mobile Services (HMS): Everything you need to know.

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