Huawei smartphone users have reported that the built‑in Google app on their devices is being flagged as malicious. The notices originate from the Huawei Center portal, which has tracked reports of this issue across various devices.
The problem first appeared in recent days and has affected older Huawei phones that ship with Google Mobile Services (GMS), including models such as the P30 Pro, P20, P10, Mate 20, and Mate 10, as well as newer Honor devices. The pattern is consistent: when the Google app is opened, users receive a warning about a TrojanSMS-PA infection. TrojanSMS-PA is described as a program that can covertly subscribe users to paid adult content and potentially steal personal data.
When confronted with the warning, Huawei smartphones typically offer options to ignore the alert or to uninstall the Google app. The warning icon and message reappear on subsequent launches, even if the device has no active network connection. This repeated notification cycle has left many users puzzled about the real risk and the reliability of the alert system.
According to Huawei Center, there is currently no independent confirmation from Google or cybersecurity experts that the Google app contains malicious functions. Users are inclined to attribute the alarm to a fault in the Optimizer, a built‑in security service pre‑installed on Huawei and Honor devices. The Optimizer is designed to monitor system health and performance, but in this case it appears to be triggering the false positive.
To address the issue, Huawei Center recommends practical steps aimed at stabilizing the device’s behavior. Specifically, clearing the cache of the Optimizer app and performing a restart are suggested measures. Taking these steps often reduces or eliminates the repeated warnings, allowing users to continue using the Google app without disruption.
In related tech news, there have been separate reports about changes in profitability within other consumer electronics brands, though those developments are not connected to the software alert issue on Huawei devices.