Apps

No bootloader unlocking for Huawei Mate 30

But installing Google apps is still possible

Published

September 25, 2019

Kenrick Buduan

A Huawei spokesperson officially clarified that it has no plans to unlock the bootloader of the Mate 30. As such, the Mate 30 won’t be able to sideload Google apps, including the Play Store.

No Google apps by default

Huawei launched the Mate 30 series last September 19 with impressive specs. One of the highlights of the Mate 30 was the cameras — packing features first for a smartphone. However, the Mate 30 has an Achilles heel: it doesn’t come with Google apps by default. One of which is the Google Play Store.

The Play Store is a standard for all Android phones as it allows users to download their favorite apps securely and hassle-free. Losing the Play Store has been a big blow to the Mate 30, and Huawei has already provided an alternative in the form of the AppGallery.

However, since it is new, there are only few apps that would be available here to cover the needs of most users. These users would want to install the Google Play Store. This is where the bootloader unlocking comes in.

Bootloader unlocking

Bootloader unlocking lets users sideload Google apps. Until recently, Huawei’s policy doesn’t allow for the unlocking of the bootloader. But considering the situation Huawei has faced over the recent months, Huawei’s CEO Richard Yu has stated that they initially planned to allow bootloader unlocking on Mate 30 during in an interview with various journalists.

However, a Huawei spokesperson has reached out to Android Authority and clarified that there is “no plans” yet to allow bootloader unlocking. So Mate 30 users have to look for other ways to install Google apps on their phone.

Other ways to install Google apps

There are other ways to install Google apps. As reported by Android Authority, Reddit users have installed Google apps without rooting or hacking involved. However, the method is risky since there are privacy and security issues concerned.

The method involves installing a third-party app called LZ Play. The app is used by system administrators to manage Android devices. The app requires a hefty list of permissions — for example, the app requires users to grant it system-level permissions. This alone should discourage some users wary of giving their data to a third-party app.

For those who want to proceed despite the risks, installing LZ Play is fairly simple. Simply download the app’s APK through its official website. After downloading the APK, install the APK and follow any prompts thrown by the installation process. Google apps should appear after the installation.

If any issues appear with signing-in to the Google apps, simply restart the phone. The folks at Android Authority have installed the app on their Mate 30 Pro and it worked seamlessly. No other methods had been reported that would let Mate 30 users install Google apps on their devices.

Serious uphill battle

Without Google Play Store to access millions of Android apps, most users will be discouraged from buying the Mate 30. Without bootloader unlocking, it will leave few who are courageous to buy the Mate 30 with no choice but to stick with Huawei’s own apps.

As of right now, the Mate 30 series is facing a serious uphill battle. The loss of Google apps means that most users might stay away from it.

Apps

Google, on Android adopting Liquid Glass: “Not happening!”

Just in case you were wondering.

Published

May 7, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Google is slightly moving away from Material Design. Last week, a set of icon changes saw Android adding splashes of gradients to its formerly flat app icons. To poke fun at Android’s move away from flat designs, a user on X created a mockup of Android running Apple’s Liquid Design. Google, however, had a response ready in the chamber.

On X, @Micetor made a mockup of Android, specifically on the upcoming Pixel 11, using Apple’s latest Liquid Design aesthetics. It looked much like what an iPhone does except with Google’s icons and fonts.

Clearly, Google does not need to reply to any unsubstantiated mockups about its ecosystem. But they still did.

Sameer Samat, Google’s head for the Android ecosystem, personally replied to the mockup with a simple rebuttal: “Not happening!”

Not happening! Y'all are wild. 😂

— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) May 5, 2026

Despite using the design language for over a decade, Google does not want to drop Material Design altogether. Though the new gradients have revitalized the design language somewhat, the essence of flat design is still there.

Apple, on the other hand, wants a return to 3D. Liquid Design mimics the transparent aesthetics of Windows Vista. Though a bunch of users have found the design polarizing, other brands have started copying the design for themselves, incorporating elements on Liquid Design on their interfaces.

Whatever Google is doing, it’s coming in due time. The company is hosting its annual Google I/O on May 12 to showcase new developments coming to the Android ecosystem, including its design.

Apps

iOS 26.5 will support end-to-end encryption RCS messaging

The final update should come out within the month.

Published

May 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Back in 2023, Apple finally adopted the RCS messaging standard, ensuring that iOS and Android users could communicate more seamlessly despite being on different platforms. This year, the platform is adding an improvement to the feature: end-to-end encryption.

Starting with the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will now support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iOS and Android users (via 9to5Mac). Besides the seamless communication, users on both platforms can start enjoying secure messaging with one another.

Apple has been testing the feature since February. Now, the company is confident enough to release the encryption technology in a new build for iOS 26.5 meant for developers. At this point, it’s just waiting for an actual release.

Why is this a big deal? Encryption adds an extra layer of security for your messages. Plus, end-to-end encryption means that messages is encrypted and decrypted only by the sender and the receiver. Third parties, which includes Apple, cannot intercept and access your information.

With the feature on, both messaging platforms on Android and iOS will show a lock icon to signify that, yes, your messages are encrypted.

Though the current build isn’t meant for end users just yet, it’s expected that iOS 26.5 will launch within the month, if not by next week.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.