HarmonyOS 6.1

Introduction and general context

HarmonyOS 6.1 is the latest iteration of the operating system developed by Huawei, representing a further step in the evolution of its technological platform. This system is part of the OpenHarmony family, which establishes a common foundation for its development and deployment across various hardware environments.

Version 6.1.0 is scheduled for release in Q2 2026. In terms of its lineage, HarmonyOS 6.1 continues the development path initiated by previous systems such as LiteOS, EMUI, Android, and Microsoft Windows, adapting the platform's capabilities to the current needs of users and manufacturers.

The market scope of HarmonyOS 6.1 is extensive, designed to cover a wide variety of devices. Its target audience includes:

• Embedded systems
• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• Wearable devices
• Personal computers
• Cars
• Audio equipment
• Smart TVs

This diversity of devices reflects Huawei's intention to provide a coherent and optimized user experience across multiple product categories, ranging from personal consumer electronics to vehicular and home technology.

Architecture and code model

HarmonyOS 6.1 is built upon a microkernel known as the HongMeng Kernel, a design choice that separates essential system services from the rest of the user space. This microkernel approach concentrates only the minimal functions for process management, memory, and inter-process communication within the core, delegating the majority of system logic to services that operate in user space. The practical consequence is a reduced attack surface in the kernel and an increased ability to update services without restarting the entire system.

Regarding hardware support, version 6.1 is oriented toward the ARM64 architecture, positioning it for mobile devices, tablets, and consumer equipment based on 64-bit processors from this family. The restriction to a single instruction set simplifies the optimization of the kernel and upper layers, allowing for predictable performance across the target device range.

The code model of HarmonyOS 6.1 is defined as closed, with open-source components. This means that most of the operating system is not distributed as public source code, but it incorporates specific modules whose code is available under open licenses. The general product license is classified as commercial and proprietary software, with the explicit exception of the open-source components, which, by their nature, are subject to their own distribution licenses.

The userland is organized around the System Service Layer, a set of system services that expose hardware and platform functionalities to applications. Within this layer, the graphical interface component is identified as OSKA custom DHardwareUI, a proprietary implementation of the rendering and window composition pipeline that integrates with the microkernel through the inter-process communication mechanisms described above.

Lifecycle and versions

HarmonyOS 6.1 is internally identified by the system version 6.1.0. This numerical designation corresponds to API level 23, which defines the programming interface available to developers and establishes the fundamental technical capabilities of the platform in this iteration.

The initial stable release of this version occurred during the second quarter of 2026. Since then, the system has followed a continuous update cycle to incorporate security and stability improvements. The latest verified version is 6.0.0.328 SP22, which was distributed on March 6, 2026. This Service Pack represents the most recent update available to end users within the stable branch of version 6.1.

In parallel with the stable update cycle, Huawei maintains a preview channel for developers. The latest registered preview version is 7.0.0 (Developer Beta), with an availability date of June 12, 2026. This beta version allows developers to test new features and APIs of the next generation of the operating system before its general release.

Interface Design and Visual Language

HarmonyOS 6.1 introduces a deep visual overhaul that redefines the overall appearance of the system. The redesign is built on the Harmony Design interface language, which establishes the aesthetic and behavioral guidelines for every graphical element. The central pillar of this new visual identity is the adoption of glassmorphism: a treatment of translucent surfaces with blur and reflections that gives the interface a sense of depth and materiality. This approach is not confined to a single component; it runs through the entire experience, from the home screen to system settings, through native applications and navigation controls.

Three-Dimensional Glass Icons

One of the most visible changes appears on the home screen, where the preset application icons are now rendered with a three-dimensional glass finish. This 3D treatment gives each icon volume, sheen, and a subtle light refraction that sets it apart from the flat, two-dimensional look of earlier versions. The result is a grid of shortcuts that reads as a collection of polished glass pieces, consistent with the translucent aesthetic applied throughout the rest of the interface.

Navigation and System Controls

The navigation controls of system applications have been redesigned to adapt to a new interface mode called gaseous glass. Under this scheme, navigation elements take on a diffuse, ethereal appearance, as though composed of a gas contained within a glass surface. Complementing this, HarmonyOS 6.1 incorporates a native floating navigation control with an immersive glassmorphism design that overlays application content without interrupting the user's reading or visual flow.

Status Bar

The status bar also receives a graphical update: the signal indicator is presented with a new visual style that integrates into the palette of transparencies and blurs of the overall redesign, maintaining the legibility of connectivity information while aligning with the glass language applied to the rest of the interface.

Taken together, these modifications — 3D glass icons, gaseous glass navigation mode, the immersive floating control, and the new signal style — form a unified visual system in which glass and translucency act as the common denominator, clearly distinguishing HarmonyOS 6.1 from previous iterations of the OpenHarmony family.

Redesign of System Applications

HarmonyOS 6.1 introduces specific modifications to native system applications, aiming for tighter visual and functional coherence with the new design language. These updates affect fundamental tools such as device settings, battery management, and telephony communication.

One of the most notable features is the restructuring of the About page. This section, accessible from settings, has been redesigned to adopt a grid UI layout. This interface change is applied uniformly across phones, tablets, and PC devices, facilitating the reading of technical information. Additionally, redundant information regarding the OpenHarmony base version has been removed, simplifying the presentation of system data through the Settings application.

Regarding energy management, the SP22 service patch includes a redesign of the battery status bar. This modification seeks to improve the readability and visual integration of the charging indicator within the overall system interface.

The Phone application has also undergone significant changes, centered on Dual SIM profile customization. Users of devices with dual SIM cards can now adjust and customize the profiles of each line more intuitively, optimizing the management of telephony identities within the native app.

• About page: New grid design and removal of redundant OpenHarmony data.
• Battery bar: Visual redesign implemented in the SP22 patch.
• Phone app: Expanded options for Dual SIM profile customization.

Package and Container Management

The operating system manages its native applications through a proprietary package format known as .app. This container encapsulates the resources and code required for the execution of applications developed specifically for the platform, distinguishing it from the formats used in other mobile ecosystems.

To facilitate compatibility with third-party software, a virtualization mechanism has been implemented that allows the execution of Android applications. In this context, the availability of a single installation package integrating the DroiTong and EasyAbroad tools has been verified. This set includes a Package Installer designed to manage the installation of APK files within a containerized environment, enabling users to access external applications without modifying the underlying operating system.

Furthermore, significant improvements have been made to the EasyAbroad container aimed at future compatibility with the virtual keyboard. These optimizations seek to enhance the interaction between virtualized applications and system input elements, ensuring a more coherent experience when using third-party software within the HarmonyOS 6.1 environment.

Development Environment and PC Tools

The PC version of HarmonyOS 6.1 introduces specific features aimed at both developers and end-users, designed to enhance productivity and integration within heterogeneous work environments. A key addition is the Converged Development Engine (also known as the Fusion Development Engine). This is a standalone client application specifically designed for this version of the operating system on PC.

This engine facilitates the integration of the HiShell CLI command-line interface from the openEuler Linux environment. This functionality allows developers to interact with the system more fluidly, leveraging the capabilities of the Linux environment within the HarmonyOS for PC ecosystem, thereby simplifying development and automation processes.

In the area of connectivity and peripherals, the PC version of HarmonyOS 6.1 adds support for Windows shared printers. This improvement enables users to directly access printing devices shared on Windows networks from the PC system side, facilitating collaboration in office environments where different operating systems coexist.

Localization and language support

HarmonyOS 6.1 introduces a set of improvements aimed at the internationalization of the system, expanding its reach in global markets through support for 22 languages. This figure reflects the operating system's ability to adapt to the linguistic needs of a diverse user base, facilitating interaction with the user interface and system functions across multiple regions.

In addition to the translation of the main interface, the version includes localization support in system language apps. This integration ensures that native tools related to language management and regional settings function coherently with the rest of the environment, guaranteeing a unified and consistent user experience across all compatible devices.

Compatibility with specific devices

HarmonyOS 6.1 extends its native support to a selection of hardware devices, with a particular focus on Huawei's tablet lineup. Models that receive optimized compatibility in this version include the MatePad 11.5 2026 and the MatePad Edge. These devices integrate the operating system's enhancements to ensure smooth performance and a user experience consistent with the new design guidelines.

Additionally, the version incorporates specific functionalities for the MatePad Mini, highlighting the implementation of the Freedom Window. This feature allows users to manage applications more flexibly on the device's screen, facilitating multitasking and the customization of the workspace according to individual needs.

Distribution and Update Method

HarmonyOS 6.1 is delivered to end users via the Over-the-Air (OTA) mechanism. This method allows compatible devices to receive new operating system versions and security patches directly through the device's network connection, eliminating the need for physical interventions or connection to a personal computer for the installation process.