Challenges in Building HarmonyOS: A Look at Development Struggles and Progress

HarmonyOS, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, faces significant challenges as developers work to build apps, particularly the native WeChat version. Unlike Android, HarmonyOS has removed Android compatibility, requiring complete rebuilds of core apps. This has led to delays in the development of major functions such as messaging, payments, and third-party plugins. The complexity of the task is compounded by the evolving nature of HarmonyOS itself, with frequent updates to APIs and system features, making development unpredictable. Additionally, smaller developers face higher costs as they need to learn new tools and adapt to an unfamiliar system, which can make supporting three different platforms (iOS, Android, and HarmonyOS) financially unsustainable. Despite these struggles, Huawei remains committed to advancing HarmonyOS as part of its strategy for technological independence. For HarmonyOS to succeed in the long term, it will need to streamline development tools, stabilize its APIs, and lower the entry barriers for developers, especially smaller teams. The success of HarmonyOS will depend on its ability to attract a diverse range of developers and build a sustainable app ecosystem. Currently, patience, transparency, and investment in the developer community are key factors for its future success.