WeChat Joins HarmonyOS to Challenge Android and iOS in China

Huawei has taken a significant step in its battle against Android and iOS dominance in China by securing WeChat on its HarmonyOS Next platform.

The popular app, which boasts 1.38 billion monthly active users, launched its HarmonyOS version on January 10, 2025, after three months of beta testing.

This move solidifies HarmonyOS as a viable alternative to the global giants in the Chinese smartphone market.

The HarmonyOS version of WeChat supports all essential functions, including payments, short videos, live streaming, and mini programs, alongside the app’s core messaging and social media features.

This integration is a crucial win for Huawei, as WeChat is an indispensable tool for Chinese users.

Following US sanctions that crippled Huawei’s smartphone sales, the company has been working to reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

Huawei’s Mate 70 smartphones, launched in November 2024, are powered by HarmonyOS Next, a version that no longer supports Android apps. Huawei aims to have all of its smartphones and tablets running HarmonyOS by 2025.

The company has also secured other key Chinese apps for HarmonyOS, including Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Alipay.

With over 15,000 native apps already available, Huawei is targeting 100,000 apps in the next year to further expand its ecosystem.