Updated on 2025.1.7, follow this tutorial for a faster and more stable experience: https://youtu.be/eK78luv5A3Y
Updated on 2023.10.02: You can install it using this method, it's stable.
I have an old Huawei phone, a P40 Pro that is over three years old, and after recently updating to the latest Harmony 4.0, I encountered issues with Google apps not working, so I decided to reinstall everything.
I searched on YouTube and found several bloggers who had updated their videos explaining the process. One blogger even created a tool that includes backup files, activation installation packages, etc., which only requires clicking through the steps, making it quite convenient. The entire process is free, except for the last step regarding the "not certified by the protection mechanism" notification, which I saw was charged at 19.9, which isn't unreasonable considering the effort put in.
The last step is actually quite simple; the error page gives you hints. Just use the tool to get the GSF, then click the link at the bottom of the prompt page to register the device.
Here are the main steps I summarized based on the tutorials from two individuals and the files they provided:
- Preparation: Disable clone apps, delete privacy space, turn off pure mode. If you have previously installed Google services, uninstall all Google-related apps in application management and log out of your Google account.
- Download the blogger's Huawei-Google suite, and after installation, you will see a clear step interface.
- Open the Huawei-Google suite and follow the steps one by one. In step 6, you may encounter issues logging into your Google account with a phone verification code. You can uninstall MicroG and wait for half an hour or longer, retrying a few times usually works. Follow the instructions for the other steps in the software.
- By step 9, the apps should be installed and the account logged in. At this point, opening Google apps will trigger the "not certified by the protection mechanism" notification, which is the paid feature of the Huawei-Google suite, but you can actually bypass the payment.
- To resolve the "not certified by the protection mechanism" notification: Click on the notification to enter an explanation interface that tells you why this warning appears. At the bottom, there is a "custom ROM user" option. Access the link at the bottom to register the device. At this point, you need a software called Device ID (see another blogger for the provided files, download from GoogleDrive or OneDrive, the extraction password is 2333). After installation, open it, click Google Service Framework (GSF), copy the code, and paste it into the earlier link to register the device.
- If notifications continue to pop up, go to application management and force stop Google Framework, Play Store, and other apps several times, restarting a few times usually resolves the issue.
After all this hassle, I probably won't consider Huawei next time.
Appendix 1:
If after some time you still receive the "not certified by the protection mechanism" notification, it's likely to happen. I encountered it a few days later. You can follow the method shown in the image below, but success is not guaranteed. In fact, I also faced issues a few days later, but I saw some people succeed, so I recorded it, sourced from this YouTube video.
Appendix 2:
After all the hassle, I felt disheartened and thought it was a waste of time; I might as well change my phone. Another option is to use wrapper apps. After researching, I found a few: GSpace, GBox, and Chujingyi. They are similar to installing a virtual machine on the phone, allowing you to log into a Google account and install apps that rely on Google services. Here’s a brief introduction to their pros and cons:
- GSpace: Free, has many opening ads, supports paid ad removal, with a permanent price of over a hundred, supports sending app shortcuts to the desktop, but the shortcut icons are a bit ugly.
- GBox: Free, currently no ads found, but there are plans to remove ads, with a permanent price also over a hundred. It may also support sending app shortcuts to the desktop in the future, with icons consistent with normal apps.
- Chujingyi: Free, no ads, but can only be used within the app and cannot send shortcuts to the desktop.
Overall, GBox currently offers a user experience closest to native use. After enabling permissions, it supports reminders for Calendar and Tasks, and Google Photos can also be used normally.