Tencent begins beta testing of WeChat functions using Huawei’s home-grown HarmonyOS Next

More than 20 Tencent apps are currently being developed as HarmonyOS-compatible versions, including QQ, Tencent Meeting and WeCom

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Customers try Huawei products using the HarmonyOS operating system at a Huawei store in Shanghai, June 3, 2021. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:30am, 9 Oct 2024

China’s ubiquitous super-app WeChat, operated by Tencent Holdings, has thrown its support behind Huawei Technologies’ highly anticipated home-grown mobile operating system HarmonyOS Next by rolling out beta testing of key functions.

WeChat began beta testing on Tuesday by sending invitations to certain users who have already upgraded to the latest iteration of Huawei’s mobile operating system, Tencent said in an announcement.

WeChat, which has over 1.37 billion monthly active users, is an essential tool for Chinese users to chat, shop, play games and make payments. However, its beta version on HarmonyOS Next only covers essential functions such as messaging, audio and video calls, as well social media page Moments and QR-code scanning to pay and receive money.

Tencent said more than 20 of its apps are currently being developed as HarmonyOS Next-compatible versions, including social media platform QQ, video conferencing tool Tencent Meeting and work collaboration app WeCom.

Huawei first launched HarmonyOS as an Android alternative for the Chinese market in August 2019. Photo: Handout

The Shenzhen-based company on Tuesday did not immediately respond to a request for comment, asking when it would release WeChat’s HarmonyOS Next version with full functionality.

“Tencent will gradually update and improve in subsequent versions, under the premise of ensuring product stability and user experience,” the company said in the announcement.