A leaked screenshot is making rounds online, claiming that Google could return to mainland China through its google.cn domain starting September 1, 2025. The image lists popular services like Gmail, YouTube, Google Play, and Drive, and says they will be available to Chinese users. If true, this could also lead to Google Mobile Services (GMS) coming back to Huawei smartphones.
The rumor quickly caught attention. Huawei phones have been without GMS since 2019, when US trade restrictions forced Google to cut ties with the company. Since then, Huawei has built its own HarmonyOS ecosystem.
Some users have found workarounds, though. Third-party apps (like GBox and Lighthouse) allow Huawei phones to run Google apps unofficially. These aren’t supported by Google, but they offer limited access to services like Gmail and YouTube for those who need them.
Google China responded on Weibo, saying the screenshot is fake and the information is not true. The company made it clear that it did not release any such announcement.
Even without GMS, Huawei has done well for itself. It recently became the top smartphone brand in China again and is growing globally with its own chip technology. The company has shown it can succeed without Google.
Still, many users would welcome the return of GMS. It would make Huawei phones easier to use for the global market. Whether this rumor leads to real change remains to be seen, but it’s a development worth following.
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Image Credit: Unsplash
