This is the closed-source version pre-installed on Huawei devices. It includes proprietary Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and app stores. Huawei has teased official "HarmonyOS NEXT" versions for PCs, but they are tightly controlled and restricted to specific hardware.
However, developers and enthusiasts can still experience the OS on a Windows or Mac PC through official emulation or by experimenting with the open-source version, . Option 1: Emulating HarmonyOS on PC (Best for Testing)
Once the OpenHarmony installer loads, follow the on-screen prompts to select your prepared drive partition.
Restart your computer and press your boot menu key (usually F12, F11, or F8) repeatedly. Select your USB drive from the list. how to install harmony os on pc
Complete the installation and restart your computer, removing the USB drive. Method 2: Running HarmonyOS via DevEco Studio (Recommended)
Show you for a specific device (e.g., tablet vs phone) Guide you on compiling your first app
If you are a wanting to test your .hap apps: use Method 1 (DevEco Emulator). It is official, stable, and supported. This is the closed-source version pre-installed on Huawei
If you see a tutorial titled “How to install HarmonyOS on any PC” — treat it as . No stable x86 version exists. Instead:
This is Huawei’s official development environment. It allows you to emulate a full, feature-complete HarmonyOS environment directly on your Windows or Mac desktop for testing purposes.
However, if you are a developer or an advanced user wanting to experiment, here are the , ranging from most practical to most experimental. However, developers and enthusiasts can still experience the
The most reliable way to run HarmonyOS on a standard PC is via the official IDE. This method allows you to run a full virtual instance of the OS to test apps or explore the interface.
There are three main barriers preventing a global PC release right now: