Can You Use Huawei in the USA?

 

Huawei made headlines in 2019 due to the United States ban on the company. The company has had some difficulty due to a number of accusations against them related to their tech business practices. If you have a Huawei phone, you may ask, can you use Huawei in the USA still? Below you will find helpful information about the company and how to protect your information if you use a Huawei phone.

A Brief Introduction to Huawei

Huawei is one of the largest telecommunications companies across the globe. The company designs, develops, and distributes electronics. They are most well known for their smartphones as they are currently one of the largest manufacturers of mobile phones in the world. In fact, they beat Samsung for the top spot in 2019, making them a major global telecommunications competitor. Not only do they provide smartphones, but they also provide equipment, such as routers, switches, and base stations. These are used by telecommunication companies around the globe. Despite their major success, they have been at the forefront of controversy. While there isn’t any hard proof, Huawei has been accused of shady business practices that have impacted its brand credibility among some people.

Can You Use Huawei in the USA?

Due to the speculation around Huawei’s business practices, President Trump announced that the company was placed on the Entity List. The Entity List prevents Huawei from doing business with any organization that operates in the United States. This was achieved through an Executive Order in 2019 that ultimately put a ban on Huawei in the United States. This meant that Huawei was unable to work with major companies, such as Google. Because of this, Huawei phones were no longer able to come with pre-installed, Google-owned applications. Ultimately, this meant that Huawei devices are not widely available to purchase in the United States as the Huawei ban made it increasingly difficult.

For the most part, the ban is still in place. However, the ban does not prevent the “use” of Huawei phones in the United States. In fact, those who are invested in the brand can purchase them online from third-party sellers and even import them from other countries. The ban does not include the use of phones by those in the United States. Although, using a Huawei smartphone in the United States can pose some issues. There is likely an increased security risk which is why the ban was originally put in place. 

Preventative Measures For Huawei Phones

Using a Huawei device in the United States is not banned or unlawful. However, you should take a few measures to protect your information. Consider the following if you are using a Huawei phone.

• Software Updates: Software updates are helpful as they can ensure that your information is secure and your phone runs smoothly. They often contain security patches and bug fixes that can protect your phone from harmful vulnerabilities and malware.
• Use Strong Passwords: A strong password helps keep your information safe and secure, reduces your risk for identity theft, and can prevent someone from getting your information if your phone is stolen. Keeping your personal information safe is important and using a strong password can be highly beneficial. 
• Use Caution With Apps: Due to the ongoing issues with the ban, Google apps and services are unavailable on Huawei phones. Because of this, Huawei users have to rely on alternative apps. Use caution as some apps can be harmful and put your information and security at risk.
• Protect Your Phone: Protecting your phone from damage is important no matter what phone you have. Huawei phone cases can help protect your phone from physical damage. Always protect your electronics with cases and accessories for phones and tablets.