Huawei Partners with Indus OS to Boost Its AppGallery in India

Huawei Teams Up with Indus OS for AppGallery Growth in India

The ongoing US trade restrictions have significantly impacted Huawei's ability to conduct business with US-based companies, including access to Google's services. While Huawei continues to operate on the Android platform without Google Play Services, the company is actively seeking alternatives to maintain its market position. The latest strategy involves a potential partnership with Indus OS, an Indian tech firm that provides a localized app ecosystem through its platform called App Bazaar.

Indus OS is designed to help Indian users discover apps and services in their preferred regional languages. Its App Bazaar currently hosts more than 400,000 applications supporting 12 different Indian languages, making it a popular choice for local consumers. By integrating App Bazaar into its devices, Huawei hopes to appeal more strongly to Indian users who prefer content in their native tongues.

This collaboration would not mark the first time Indus OS has worked with major smartphone brands. Samsung already utilizes App Bazaar for its Galaxy Store and last year acquired a 20 percent stake in OSLabs, the company behind Indus OS, for $5.75 million. However, the specifics of Huawei's potential deal remain unclear, as neither Huawei nor Indus OS has officially confirmed the agreement.

The move comes at a strategic time for Huawei. Despite remaining the world’s second-largest smartphone manufacturer, the company reported that only 40 percent of its 2019 shipments occurred outside China, indicating a weakening international presence. Tapping into the large and growing Indian market could help Huawei offset declining sales elsewhere. Many global brands are focusing heavily on India, with companies like Realme, iQOO, and POCO establishing independent operations specifically for the region. Huawei appears to be following a similar path by emphasizing local language support in India while promoting its own AppGallery in Europe.

As of now, neither Huawei nor Indus OS has made any official statements regarding the partnership. According to a report in The Economic Times, the recent coronavirus outbreak may be delaying finalization of the deal. However, the report expresses confidence that a global partnership agreement will eventually be reached.