SUQIAN, CHINA – OCTOBER 23, 2024 – Illustration Huawei’s native Concord OS working system, China’s … Extra first homegrown cellular working system, is formally launched.CFOTO/Future Publishing through Getty Photos
Since Huawei launched HarmonyOS, one query has come up repeatedly: why hasn’t the HarmonyOS model of WeChat matched its Android and iOS counterparts in performance?
As one in all China’s most generally used functions, WeChat performs a central position in every day communication, funds, and providers. Its slower-than-expected improvement on HarmonyOS displays broader challenges going through this new working system—not only for Tencent, however for builders throughout the ecosystem.
Rebuilding, Not Porting
In accordance with a Chinese language podcast Yi E Chuan E on July 3, WeChat’s improvement staff started constructing the HarmonyOS-native model in 2024. The duty concerned excess of merely porting the present Android model. HarmonyOS NEXT had eliminated Android compatibility solely, requiring a full architectural rebuild utilizing Huawei’s instruments and system APIs.
Core capabilities like messaging and funds got precedence, however extra advanced options—akin to Moments, Mini Applications, voice and video calls, and third-party plugins—wanted to be re-engineered from the bottom up. A lot of this performance was developed over a decade in the past and lacks clear documentation, including to the problem of the migration.
Frequent adjustments to HarmonyOS itself introduced a further layer of complexity. Not like Android, which follows a predictable annual API cycle, HarmonyOS underwent a number of API iterations in brief durations. Builders famous that at one level, they needed to adapt to 2 API variations in a single month, which elevated improvement prices and timelines.
A Platform Nonetheless Underneath Development
HarmonyOS stays a piece in progress. Key system options akin to file entry, webview rendering, multi-tasking, and accessibility providers are nonetheless evolving. For apps like WeChat, which rely upon tight integration with system capabilities, any instability on the OS stage can delay improvement or have an effect on efficiency.
The PC model of HarmonyOS reveals further challenges. Although PC WeChat has a smaller consumer base, it’s critical for workplace communication and livestreaming. Builders cited limitations akin to partial multi-window assist, a dual-runtime structure utilizing ArkTS and Qt, and mobile-oriented system conduct that doesn’t absolutely align with desktop expectations.
Within the podcast, a Concord developer defined they’ve taken a gradual rollout strategy, prioritizing stability and reliability. Even options which were internally developed are being launched slowly to keep away from undermining consumer belief.
Small Builders Face Steeper Challenges
Not too long ago, a blogger referred to as Zhuge Wang launched a statistical chart. Primarily based on the data, Zhuge Wang’s chart analyzes what number of apps from main Chinese language web firms are appropriate with Huawei’s Concord OS. Here is a abstract:
Tencent leads with 52 apps appropriate.
Alibaba follows with 24 apps.
Bytedance has 7 apps.
NetEase, regardless of being one of the historic and highly effective firms, solely has 4 apps appropriate.
A Xiaohongshu blogger analyzed the rating of Chinese language tech firms adapting the HarmonyOSBlogger Zhuge Wang
If Tencent, Alibaba, Bytedance and NetEast— China’s most technically superior firms—has required over a 12 months to rebuild their supper Apps for HarmonyOS, the street forward for smaller builders is clearly tougher.
Growing a local HarmonyOS app typically requires groups to be taught new SDKs, rewrite important parts of code, and take a look at throughout unfamiliar {hardware}. For a product improvement staff, up to now, they normally reserve at the least two teams of R&D groups for Apple iOS and Android methods, and now with the addition of the Concord system, it’s vital so as to add at the least one new staff not smaller than the dimensions of both of the above teams, which suggests rising 30%-50% value, by way of time, staffing, and sources.
Sustaining three separate platforms—iOS, Android, and HarmonyOS—might be unsustainable for smaller groups. Many are taking a wait-and-see strategy, delaying full adoption till the platform turns into extra mature, the toolchain stabilizes, and consumer adoption justifies the funding.
Cross-platform options like Flutter or Webview can present short-term assist, however they arrive with efficiency trade-offs. Native improvement provides higher integration however calls for extra time and technical effort.
Balancing Pace and Sustainability
Huawei’s push for HarmonyOS is an element of a bigger technique to extend China’s technological independence. However for builders, platform selections are pushed extra by sensible issues. With out a big and energetic consumer base, it turns into tougher to justify main engineering investments—particularly for startups and smaller companies.
This creates a suggestions loop: customers hesitate to modify with out full app assist, and app builders hesitate to speculate with out assured consumer demand. Constructing a wholesome app ecosystem requires cautious alignment between consumer expectations, developer capability, and platform readiness.
Whereas bigger firms might ultimately construct for HarmonyOS, smaller builders typically rely upon effectivity, stability, and ease of improvement—areas the place HarmonyOS continues to be evolving.
Developer Responses and Public Expectations
On-line, some builders have confronted stress from customers desperate to see quicker HarmonyOS adoption. Nevertheless, most product groups have chosen to quietly deal with refining their apps reasonably than dashing unfinished variations to market.
Insiders observe that releasing options earlier than they’re absolutely examined might threat not simply consumer dissatisfaction but in addition long-term reputational harm—each for the apps concerned and for HarmonyOS itself.
It’s price noting that sure teams—within the PC and Cellular WeChat there may be nonetheless a bunch of customers (akin to aged customers and customers with accessibility wants) shouldn’t be straightforward to be seen by the general public, though the variety of customers shouldn’t be giant, however the adaptation of the precedence is equally excessive. Constructing strong accessibility instruments beneath a brand new system structure requires time and care, significantly for options as central as voice management, giant textual content modes, and display readers.
Trying Forward: Constructing a Extra Inclusive Ecosystem
HarmonyOS continues to be at an early stage in its evolution. Whereas its long-term targets are bold, the short-term actuality is that it stays a fancy platform to develop for—particularly for small- and medium-sized groups.
Whether or not HarmonyOS can maintain a vibrant, various app ecosystem will rely upon how rapidly Huawei can enhance developer instruments, stabilize its API surroundings, and supply significant assist. Decreasing the technical and monetary boundaries to entry shall be essential if HarmonyOS is to draw the total vary of builders—past the handful of huge tech companies that at present dominate the rollout.
Conclusion
The slower rollout of HarmonyOS-native apps, together with WeChat, shouldn’t be seen as resistance or lack of dedication. It displays the very actual engineering and ecosystem challenges that include constructing a brand new working system from the bottom up.
As HarmonyOS continues to develop, the success of the platform will hinge on its potential to serve not simply nationwide targets, however the sensible wants of the developer group. For now, endurance, transparency, and sustained funding in developer expertise could also be the best paths ahead.
