Huawei has introduced a public beta testing program for its new operating system, HarmonyOS Next. Initially, owners of the Mate 60 series smartphones, as well as the Mate X5 and MatePad Pro 13.2 tablets, can participate. Soon, more Huawei device users will have the opportunity to join the public testing of this new software platform.
Over the past few months, Huawei has already released several beta versions of HarmonyOS Next to developers and closed beta testers. Known in China as Hongmeng, this software platform is set to eventually replace the Android-based HarmonyOS. Now, it is accessible to a broader user base. During the first stage of public beta testing, the following devices are eligible: Huawei Mate 60, Mate 60 Pro, Mate 60 Pro+, Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design, Mate X5, Mate X5 Collector Edition, MatePad Pro 13.2, and MatePad Pro 13.2 Collector Edition.
How to Register for Beta Testing
Users with these devices can register for the HarmonyOS Next beta program via the My Huawei app. After registration, they can update their software to explore the features of HarmonyOS Next. However, it’s important to note that as a test version, it carries some risk, including potential data loss. Huawei advises users to back up their data before interacting with the new OS to avoid any issues.
Additionally, in the closed beta phase, HarmonyOS Next is available for even more devices, such as the Pura 70 and Pocket 2 series smartphones. Devices included in the closed beta program are the Huawei Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Pro+, Pura 70 Ultra, Pocket 2, Pocket 2 Art Edition, and MatePad Pro 11 (2024).
Compatibility and Future Updates
The public beta release of HarmonyOS Next provides users access to the new operating system and the latest apps. However, Huawei has made a significant shift by completely abandoning Android. As a result, Android apps are no longer compatible with Huawei’s software. Despite this, Huawei is actively working on adapting some Android applications for HarmonyOS Next.
According to reports, Huawei plans to adapt over 10,000 applications for HarmonyOS Next by the fourth quarter of this year, which is expected to meet 99.9% of user demand in the Chinese market. NIXSOLUTIONS notes that one of the most widely-used apps, WeChat, has already been released as a beta version, coinciding with the start of HarmonyOS Next testing. However, it is still uncertain when this new OS will become available outside of China.
We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available about HarmonyOS Next and its global release plans.