Huawei released its upgraded HarmonyOS for selected users, which features cross-system connectivity with Apple devices and improved security features, Yicai Global reported.

The new version, coming four months after it was sent to developers for testing, supports NFC connectivity with iPhones, iPads and Macs, allowing users to transfer data between devices without an internet connection.

Chair of Huawei’s consumer business group Richard Yu (pictured) noted at the launch conference the OS has been “comprehensively upgraded in terms of application ecology and user experience”.

The HarmonyOS 6 public beta will power more than 90 Huawei devices, he added.

Third parties have developed more than 80 AI agents through HarmonyOS 6’s agent development framework.

The company said HarmonyOS 5, released in October 2024, has an installed base of more than 23 million devices.

Data from Counterpoint Research showed in China HarmonyOS held a 17 per cent market share in Q2, compared with 66 per cent for Android and 16 per cent for Apple’s iOS.