The Huawei P40 Pro currently runs on Android 10.0 (AOSP + HMS) + EMUI 10.1 operating system, and it can be upgraded to EMUI 11 via an OTA update.
And yes, the Huawei P40 Pro would get Android 11, as it is the first among the company’s devices to get the Android 11-based EMUI 11 update. The device is not only for the Android 11 update but also qualifies for the Android 12 list, and this is because of its powerful hardware.
Can I use Google maps on the Huawei P40 Pro?
No, Huawei P40 Pro does not have Google Mobile services – the device can not host Google apps, owing to the ban on Huawei in the United States of America.
You can still use Google maps on the Huawei P40 Pro, but you have to source for it alternatively. You would have to log on to the internet, key into the address bar and search for Apkpure or aptoide – search for “Maps” or “Google Maps” and then select install. Then you choose the latest version and install the APK file. You are off to use Google Maps on the Huawei P40 Pro.
Can you use Gmail on Huawei P40 Pro?
Since Gmail falls under the Google Mobile services, you do not have it preloaded on the Huawei P40 Pro. But you can still use it on this device. One way is logging into your Gmail account through the internet; you would need to set the phone to the internet, then enter Gmail into the address bar, and then follow the instructions to sign into your Gmail account.
Can the Huawei P40 Pro use Google play?
As pointed out earlier, because of the United States of America’s ban on Huawei, its latest phones have been ousted from Google’s ecosystem of apps, with Google Play inclusive. So the Huawei P40 Pro does not have Google Play.
The device came with Huawei’s app store. You can get applications from here.
Huawei P40 Pro tricks
The Huawei P40 Pro is, no doubt, an amazing device, with the only downside being that it does not come with Google Play Services installed in it. If you feel discouraged by this, do not worry. Here are some tips for you to get the best out of the device.
The first is to get your favourite apps; you can download the Phone Clone app on your old device, and it will help sync all your data from the old device to the Huawei P40 Pro. This does not guarantee that all of the apps on your old device would work on the P40 Pro, but it is worth the try. You can also download a third-party app store, such as the Amazon app store. This is if you do not like the Huawei App Gallery.
Another tip to maximise the experience of the P40 Pro is to take scrolling screenshots. To take a scrolling screenshot on the Huawei P40 Pro, simply hold down the power button and volume button at the same time. And once the thumbnail of the screenshot appears, swipe down, and it will save as a scrolling screenshot.
You can also hide the camera cutout. All you have to do is to go to Settings > Display & Brightness > More display settings > Cutout and choose Hide cutout. This adds a black bar across the top of the display, hiding the cutout of the front-facing camera. But this would push the UI elements down, in a way, resulting in less screen space.
You can also set up the device to be “Always on display.” This would help you see your notifications and check the time and date. Huawei decided not to enable this by default. Just head on to Settings > Home screen & Wallpaper > Always on Display, and toggle it on.
Another interesting feature is that you can remove unwanted people from photos. The device has embedded in it a tool with its native photo editor that allows you to remove people from images. All you have to do is to launch the photo gallery, select the photo you want to edit, tap the edit button and then select remove passerby.
What apps are available on the Huawei P40 Pro?
Though the device does come with Google’s ecosystem of applications, it has its own app store, and there are a lot of big-name apps available. Examples include Tiktok, Snapchat, Amazon, PicsArt, Fortnight etc.
What is the price of the Huawei P40 Pro?
You can get the phone for £900 (about $1,120 or AU$1,770).
Conclusion
The device is top tier, with the downside being that it does not host the Google ecosystem of applications, though you can get some of Google’s apps through third-party play stores or use them via browser.
It is also fascinating that the device is among the frontrunners for both Android 11 and 12 updates. Great stuff.
