Owners of modern Huawei and Honor smartphones often encounter an unpleasant situation when trying to connect the device to the car’s multimedia system. Due to known trade restrictions by the US government, new device models do not have pre-installed services Google Mobile Services (GMS). This automatically blocks the native application Android Auto, which critically depends on Google's infrastructure for navigation, music and voice control.
However, the lack of a “native” application does not mean that you will be left without convenient integration with the car. The mobile solutions market has quickly adapted, offering several powerful alternatives. In this article, we will analyze in detail how you can replace Android Auto on Huawei, consider the native solution from the manufacturer - Huawei HiCar, as well as third-party connection methods through mirroring and emulation.
Native alternative: Huawei HiCar ecosystem
The company's response to the sanctions was the creation of its own platform for a smart car called Huawei HiCar. This is not just an Android Auto clone, but a deeply integrated system running on HarmonyOS and compatible with EMUI. It is designed to provide a seamless connection between a smartphone and the on-board computer, providing access to navigation, calls and media content through the car interface.
The main advantage of HiCar is its optimization for Huawei hardware. The system consumes less battery resources and provides a more stable connection compared to third-party crutches. If your car supports this protocol out of the box (which is often found in models from Chinese brands or new cars with Android-based multimedia), the connection is instant. You simply scan a QR code or connect via Bluetooth, and the phone interface is projected onto the car screen.
If your car does not officially support HiCar, there are special adapters (dongles) that emulate the communication protocol and allow you to connect your Huawei smartphone to standard CarPlay or Android Auto systems.
It is worth noting that HiCar functionality may vary depending on the firmware version of your smartphone and car head unit models. In some cases, access to the full range of functions is only possible through a cable connection, while wireless mode may be limited to basic tasks such as calls and music.
⚠️ Attention! The interface and list of supported applications in Huawei HiCar may vary depending on the region of use and the version of EMUI. Check the list of compatible cars on the official Huawei support portal before purchasing adapters.
Installing Google services (GMS) on Huawei
The most radical but effective way to return full-fledged Android Auto is to try to install Google services manually. For smartphones released before the full ban (around mid-2019), this process is often successful through default settings or hidden menus. For newer models, such as series P40, P50 or Mate 40, the situation is more complicated, but solutions exist.
A popular method is to use the utility Gspace or Gbox. These apps create a virtual environment inside your operating system in which Google services can run in isolation. You install Gspace from the AppGallery store, download the Google Play Store from within it, and then download the Android Auto app. This allows you to bypass system restrictions without obtaining root access.
- 📱 Method 1: Installation via Gspace/Gbox is the most secure method that does not violate the warranty and works on most models with EMUI 10 and higher.
- 🛠️ Method 2: Manual installation of APK files GMS Core, Services Framework and Play Store - requires accurately selecting versions compatible with your processor model.
- 💻 Method 3: Using the utility Googlefier (requires a second Huawei phone with old LZA data backup services) - a complex method for experienced users.
It is important to understand that even with successful installation of GMS, Android Auto operation via Gspace may be unstable. The app may crash when trying to run navigation in the background or lose connection to the car. This is due to the fact that the virtual environment does not have full access to low-level Bluetooth and USB drivers necessary for stable operation of the automotive protocol.
☑️ Check before installing GMS
Using projection applications (Headunit Reloaded)
If installing Google services seems too risky or complicated for you, there is a great alternative - using applications that emulate the Android Auto protocol on the car side. A prominent representative of this class is the application Headunit Reloaded (HUR). It turns your smartphone into a signal receiver, simulating the operation of a standard head unit.
The principle of operation is quite simple: you install HUR on your Huawei, connect the phone to the car's multimedia system (which must support Android Auto or be able to install an APK) via USB or Wi-Fi. The application intercepts the video stream from your phone and broadcasts it to the car’s screen, and sends commands from the car’s touch screen back to the smartphone. This allows you to use any applications installed on Huawei in the car interface.
adb install headunit_reloaded.apkHowever, this method has its own nuances. Firstly, Headunit Reloaded is a paid app with a trial period. Secondly, for correct operation it is often necessary to enable USB debugging mode and use high-quality cables that can transfer data, and not just charge the device. Video signal delay (input lag) can be noticeable on older head units, which makes navigation control while driving less comfortable.
⚠️ Attention! Using emulators like Headunit Reloaded requires high smartphone performance. Make sure that your device does not overheat when used in projection mode for a long time, especially in the summer.
Why Headunit Reloaded may not work?
The reasons may be the incompatibility of the Android version on the car's head unit, blocking third-party installation sources in the car settings, or using a cheap USB cable that does not support data transfer (charging only).
Screen mirroring via QLink and EasyConnection
Many Huawei owners, desperate to find the perfect solution, resort to banal screen mirroring. Most modern multimedia systems support protocols MirrorLink, QDLink or have pre-installed applications like EasyConnection, TLink or PhoneLink. This method duplicates everything that happens on the screen of your smartphone onto the car display.
Unlike Android Auto, which draws its own interface, mirroring shows exactly what you see. This means that you can launch Yandex.Navigator, YouTube or any other messenger, and it will appear on the car screen. For Huawei, this is often the only working option “out of the box”, which does not require complex manipulations with installing services.
| Connection method | Stability | Picture quality | Ease of control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei HiCar | High | Excellent (native) | Adapted for auto |
| Gspace (GMS) | Average | Good | Standard Android Auto |
| Headunit Reloaded | Medium/Low | Depends on Wi-Fi/USB | Requires adaptation |
| Mirroring (QLink) | High | Depends on resolutions | Inconvenient (small interface) |
The main disadvantage of mirroring is security and ergonomics. The interfaces of mobile applications are not adapted for use by the driver: buttons may be too small, and texts may be unreadable on the go. In addition, when you rotate the screen to portrait mode on many head units, black bars appear on the sides, which reduces the usable display area.
Screen mirroring is a universal, but least safe way to use a smartphone on the road due to the unadapted interface of mobile applications.
Third-party launchers for cars
Another interesting approach to solving the problem is the use of specialized car launchers that are installed directly on a Huawei smartphone. Applications like Car Launcher AGAMA, Vivid Car Launcher or Car Web Guru completely change the desktop of your phone, making it convenient for use in the car.
These launchers create an interface with large buttons, navigation and player widgets, which are clearly visible on the screen of a smartphone mounted in a holder. Although this does not display the image on the car screen (unless mirroring is used), this approach takes the load off the on-board system and allows you to use all Huawei capabilities without restrictions. You simply mount the phone on the dashboard and control it through an adapted interface.
The advantage of this method is complete independence from the car’s connection protocols. You don't need to worry about compatibility between the software versions of your machine and phone. The launcher works autonomously, using the smartphone's GPS module and its Internet connection. This is especially true for older cars, where the multimedia system is outdated and does not support modern communication standards.
⚠️ Attention! When using third-party launchers, make sure that the smartphone mount is securely secured. Controlling your phone while driving without projection onto the main screen distracts attention from the road more than standard systems.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The choice of a specific method for replacing Android Auto with Huawei depends on your technical skills, car model and safety requirements. If you value stability and are willing to put up with a limited list of applications, native Huawei HiCar would be the best choice. For those who are critically important to Google maps and a familiar interface, you will have to spend time setting up Gspace or purchasing a Headunit Reloaded license.
Do not forget that the software is constantly updated. What did not work when the smartphone was released can be fixed in new versions of EMUI or HarmonyOS. Regularly check the HiCar system and application for updates in the AppGallery store. Also, the Huawei user community is actively developing, and new methods for circumventing restrictions appear regularly on specialized forums.
Ultimately, even without Google services, the Huawei ecosystem offers enough tools for comfortable use of a smartphone in a car. The main thing is to set up the connection correctly and choose the method that provides the lowest latency and maximum safety while driving.
To improve the quality of communication when using wireless methods (HiCar or mirroring), try disabling the "Switch to mobile data" function in your smartphone's Wi-Fi settings to avoid connection dropouts in areas of poor coverage.
Is it possible to install Android Auto on Huawei via an APK file directly?
Directly installing the Android Auto APK file on Huawei smartphones without Google services (GMS) will not lead to successful operation. The application will launch, but will immediately display an error or close, since in order to function it requires background Google Play services, which are not present in the system. It is necessary to use shells like Gspace or protocol emulators.
Does Huawei HiCar work with cars of other brands (Toyota, Kia, BMW)?
Natively Huawei HiCar is supported by a limited range of cars, mainly Chinese brands (BYD, Geely, Changan). However, for other brands there are external adapters (boxes) that connect to the car’s USB port and emulate HiCar support, allowing you to display the Huawei interface on the standard screen of almost any modern car that supports CarPlay or Android Auto.
Is it safe to use Gspace for banking applications in a car?
Using the Gspace virtual environment to run banking applications is not recommended for security reasons. Although the utility itself is legal, working with confidential data in an isolated container carries potential risks of leakage. For navigation and music it is safe, but for payments it is better to use native applications or NFC payment with the phone itself.
Why is Headunit Reloaded slow on my Huawei?
Delays in the operation of Headunit Reloaded can be caused by several factors: poor performance of the car's head unit, overheating of the smartphone, the use of a slow Wi-Fi channel or a low-quality USB cable. Try lowering the broadcast resolution in the application settings or switching to a wired connection to reduce lag.
Is the Android Auto application updated inside Gspace?
Yes, the Android Auto application installed inside the Gspace environment is updated through the built-in Google Play store, which runs inside this container. However, updates may arrive with a delay compared to conventional devices that have native GMS support, since the compatibility of each new version with the Gspace shell requires time to be checked.