Huawei plans to introduce app sideloading on its HarmonyOS computers by the end of 2026. The feature will let users install compatible applications from outside the official AppGallery, though it has not yet been released.
Zhu Dongdong, president of Huawei’s Tablet and PC Product Line, announced the timeline at the 2026 HarmonyOS Office Industry Summit on November 5.
Huawei discussed sideloading for HarmonyOS PCs in 2025, so the latest announcement is a more specific rollout commitment rather than the first mention of the feature.
Huawei Plans to Expand HarmonyOS PC App Installation
Sideloading means installing compatible applications from outside an operating system’s official marketplace. Zhu said Huawei intends to make software distribution more flexible while keeping the process secure and controlled.
The change is also intended to give developers more ways to distribute their applications, although Huawei has not disclosed the specific arrangements.
Huawei reported more than 21,000 independent applications in its HarmonyOS PC ecosystem. The figure reflects the wider application ecosystem and should not be interpreted as confirmation that every application is a native desktop program or available in all markets.
How Application Installation Works on HarmonyOS PCs Today
Huawei currently directs users to AppGallery for normal native application installation on HarmonyOS computers. Its support documentation states that the preinstalled application marketplace is the official distribution channel and that other installation methods are not currently supported for ordinary native PC applications.
The existing system also provides separate ways to access certain types of software. Users can run supported Windows applications through third-party virtual machine tools, including Kaima and Oseasy.
Huawei also supports certain mobile applications through services such as Zhuoyitong and Chujingyi. Its documentation lists Zhuoyitong support for HarmonyOS 6.0.0.115 and later. These existing compatibility services are separate from the planned sideloading feature.
Similarly, supported Windows applications can run through third-party virtual machine tools such as Kaima and Oseasy. Neither arrangement means that HarmonyOS PCs can natively run every Windows program or Android installation package.
What Third-Party Installation Could Mean for Users and Developers
Sideloading could help users access compatible software that is not available through AppGallery. It is also intended to give developers more flexible distribution options. Direct downloads from developers or enterprise software deployment could become possible use cases, but Huawei has not confirmed how these arrangements will work..
Their practical value will depend on the package formats and installation requirements the company eventually supports. For businesses evaluating HarmonyOS computers, the change could provide more flexibility when deploying internal applications.
However, the actual benefit will depend on the supported package formats, installation permissions, and compatibility requirements that Huawei establishes.
Windows and Android Compatibility Remains Unclear
The planned feature does not confirm support for the full Windows software library or unrestricted Android APK installation. Huawei has not disclosed the supported package formats, file extensions, technical requirements, or eligible devices.
Sideloading changes how compatible software is installed; it does not automatically make applications designed for other operating systems run natively on HarmonyOS. Windows programs will still require a compatible execution environment.
Security and Rollout Details Await Confirmation
Installing applications from outside an official marketplace can expose users to malicious or compromised packages. Huawei says the planned feature will operate within a secure and controlled framework, but it has not detailed its package verification, permission, or approval mechanisms.
These safeguards cannot yet be assessed, and sideloading should not be treated as risk-free. Huawei has not confirmed an exact release date, rollout schedule, or the HarmonyOS PC models that will support the feature. The company is targeting availability by the end of 2026, but further details on compatibility and installation requirements are still pending.
The Bottom Line
Huawei’s planned sideloading support could give HarmonyOS PC users and developers more flexibility beyond AppGallery.
However, it is not a confirmed solution to the platform’s software compatibility limitations. Its usefulness will depend on which applications and installation formats Huawei supports when the feature arrives.