No Google services on Huawei is a big deal for a lot of people sadly. I know most left wing tech activists hate google services (and for good reason), but your everyday person just wants their google maps and photos to work.

I had a Huawei phone before all the nonsense happened, and it was pretty cool and great value for money hardware wise (one of the first with multiple cameras, great photos for the time), but the iOS rip off Android skin (EMUI I think) was super annoying.

I think nowdays Xiaomi is the best option in the budget Chinese phone market. Can't beat a 120Hz refresh rate AMOLED display on a sub 200 US dollar phone with Google services.

[–] Omegamint@hexbear.net 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is there really no way to sideload Google services? Or even to use a different rom?

[–] JTurtle@lemmygrad.ml 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

LineageOS has no actively maintained builds for Huawei devices (but they used to, fairly recently) and it's a very limited selection of older devices for /e/OS.

idk much about rooting but if you can do it on the stock OS, you can install microG and get bare minimum features like push notifs working.

also FUCK google for locking essential features behind their pooprietary services. they will not be spared in the revolution.

[–] chay@lemmygrad.ml 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Huawei has made it impossible to unlock your bootloader, thus flashing other ROMs doesn't work now.

[–] JTurtle@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 1 year ago

that's a real bold move when their phones are already stunted without google play services on the stock OS. i now have zero reasons to recommend huawei. fuck 'em.

[–] comradePuffin@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 1 year ago

There is, but you end up needing to include the rest of the Google spyware just to enable Play.

[–] sicaniv@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I have not used google services since 2014. Like to use Custom ROMs. Its better having a new phone without google services instead of installing a custom rom to remove them.

I thing Chinese manufacturers should provide an alternative to this too.