VLC It is one of the most recognized and used multimedia players on both computers and Android devices. Its reputation for offering a smooth and support a wide variety of formats makes it a safe bet for most users, however, Huawei mobile owners have found the unpleasant surprise that You can no longer download VLC from the Google Play Store.This decision, taken by the developers themselves, has generated numerous questions and debates within the technology community.
Why has VLC blocked downloads on Huawei phones?
This measure is not a response to any commercial rivalry or alleged revenge between brands. The real reason is linked to the bad user experience or constant complaints that Huawei device owners have sent to VLC developers, which has seriously impacted the app's public rating on the Play Store.
The VLC player, developed by VideoLAN, experience numerous problems on Huawei smartphones due to the EMUI customization layer that the Chinese brand uses. This layer very aggressively manages the background processes to optimize the phone's battery life, but it does so at the cost of interrupting applications like VLC that need to remain active to play audio or video even if the user switches tasks or locks the screen.
Since not all users are aware of this management by the system, many attribute the errors to VLC and not to the mobile itself, which results in negative reviews These issues are affecting the app's reputation and appeal to new users. VLC developers have publicly explained that they cannot address the issue on their own because Huawei refuses to add VLC to the system's exception list, allowing it to continue running in the background, unlike what it does with other competing apps.
Which Huawei models are affected by the VLC blocking?
Not all Huawei devices are affected by this measure. The veto VLC's applies especially to latest models of the brand and those that include modern versions of EMUI, where the policy on closing background apps is stricter. If you have an older Huawei phone or are using a less recent version of its operating system, you may not have experienced issues with VLC, or the app may even still be available on the Play Store. However, the measure has been extended to all models to avoid negative comments and protect the app's image.
This policy of battery optimization Huawei's vulnerability not only affects VLC, but also other music and video playback apps, although in the case of VLC the impact has been particularly noticeable due to the popularity of the app and the number of affected users.
What options do Huawei mobile users have for installing VLC?
Although VLC download is blocked from the Google Play Store On Huawei devices, this doesn't mean it's impossible to use the app. There are completely legal and safe alternatives to continue enjoying VLC on your smartphone:
- Download the official APK from the VideoLAN websiteYou can get the latest version of VLC directly from its official website in APK format. This is recommended, as it guarantees authenticity and is free of malware. Warning: When installing third-party APKs, be sure to enable installation from unknown sources in your phone's settings and do so at your own risk.
- Do not leave a review or rate on the Play StoreWhen you install VLC using this method, you won't be able to leave reviews or ratings on Google Play. This also limits the visibility of new issues, but it also prevents the buildup of unfair reviews due to issues unrelated to the app.
- Check download alternatives: Although other portals such as APKMirror may offer the file, it is always recommended to go to the original VideoLAN source to avoid manipulated versions.
If you are not familiar with installing APK files, you can check out our complete guide on How to install an APK on Android.
Why does Huawei choose to close background apps?
Huawei's goal with its policy of closing background applications is maximize energy efficiency and extend the battery life of their devices. EMUI, Huawei's customization layer, automatically manages resources, which improves battery life, but at the same time, it can hinder the usability of apps like VLC, which require continuous operation while performing multimedia tasks.
By leaving out the white list of exceptions VLC causes Huawei devices to terminate the process even if the user is watching a movie or listening to music, causing playback to stop unexpectedly. This negative experience isn't unique to VLC, but the impact has been more noticeable in this app due to its massive user base.
The controversy has been exacerbated by the fact that, according to VideoLAN, other competing apps have been authorized by Huawei to run correctly in the background, while VLC has been excluded, breaking its functionality and forcing the drastic decision to withdraw official availability from the Play Store for the entire brand.
Alternatives to VLC for Huawei users
Despite the blockage, there are other media player options on the market that can work correctly on Huawei phones and don't present the same issues with background management. Some recommended examples include:
- MX Player: Powerful player with support for a wide variety of formats and subtitle customization.
- KMPlayer: It also supports a multitude of codecs and provides advanced features such as hardware acceleration and floating window playback.
- Integrated playersHuawei's own pre-installed media players are usually optimized for your system, although with fewer advanced options than VLC.
However, none of them match the versatility and features of VLC. Therefore, if you decide to download it yourself, always do so from the official source and pay attention to any compatibility warnings provided by the developer.
The controversy between VLC and Huawei phones has highlighted the importance of good integration between apps and operating systems, as well as the importance of reviews for developers. If you have any questions, you can share your experience in the comments section and help other users find the best alternative for enjoying videos and music on their phones.
