Upgrade StorageRequest for Developing Native Zotero Apps for HarmonyOS (Computers, Phones, Tablets)
Hello Zotero Team and Community,
I’m a loyal Zotero user who has recently switched to HarmonyOS devices (including HarmonyOS NEXT computers, phones, and tablets) for academic and research work. As a powerful reference management tool, Zotero has been indispensable in organizing my literature, generating citations, and syncing research materials. However, I’ve encountered significant limitations when using Zotero on HarmonyOS devices.
Currently, there is no official native Zotero app for HarmonyOS. The system no longer supports Android APKs, so the community-maintained Android version of Zotero cannot be installed directly . While workarounds like the web version, Linux compatibility layer, or cloud sync exist, they all have obvious drawbacks: the web version lacks full functionality and relies heavily on network connectivity ; the compatibility layer method is technically complex and unstable for non-technical users ; and third-party tool integration cannot replicate Zotero’s seamless workflow .
With the rapid growth of HarmonyOS’s user base and the expanding ecosystem of productivity devices (especially tablets and laptops favored by researchers), there is a clear demand for a native Zotero app among HarmonyOS users . A native app would ensure stable performance, full feature support, and consistent user experience across HarmonyOS devices, which is crucial for academic efficiency.
I would greatly appreciate it if the Zotero team could share:
Whether there are any plans to develop native Zotero apps for HarmonyOS (covering computers, phones, and tablets) in the near future?
If there are no current plans, what are the key considerations or challenges (such as technical barriers, resource constraints, or market analysis)?
Thank you for your dedication to developing such an excellent tool. I look forward to your response and hope to see Zotero fully support HarmonyOS devices soon!
Best regards,
A Zotero User
I’m a loyal Zotero user who has recently switched to HarmonyOS devices (including HarmonyOS NEXT computers, phones, and tablets) for academic and research work. As a powerful reference management tool, Zotero has been indispensable in organizing my literature, generating citations, and syncing research materials. However, I’ve encountered significant limitations when using Zotero on HarmonyOS devices.
Currently, there is no official native Zotero app for HarmonyOS. The system no longer supports Android APKs, so the community-maintained Android version of Zotero cannot be installed directly . While workarounds like the web version, Linux compatibility layer, or cloud sync exist, they all have obvious drawbacks: the web version lacks full functionality and relies heavily on network connectivity ; the compatibility layer method is technically complex and unstable for non-technical users ; and third-party tool integration cannot replicate Zotero’s seamless workflow .
With the rapid growth of HarmonyOS’s user base and the expanding ecosystem of productivity devices (especially tablets and laptops favored by researchers), there is a clear demand for a native Zotero app among HarmonyOS users . A native app would ensure stable performance, full feature support, and consistent user experience across HarmonyOS devices, which is crucial for academic efficiency.
I would greatly appreciate it if the Zotero team could share:
Whether there are any plans to develop native Zotero apps for HarmonyOS (covering computers, phones, and tablets) in the near future?
If there are no current plans, what are the key considerations or challenges (such as technical barriers, resource constraints, or market analysis)?
Thank you for your dedication to developing such an excellent tool. I look forward to your response and hope to see Zotero fully support HarmonyOS devices soon!
Best regards,
A Zotero User
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/498486/#Comment_498486
A quick reminder—Zotero (the go-to reference manager for academics/researchers) is developed by the Firefox team. If we get Firefox on HarmonyOS, it’ll lay the groundwork for a native Zotero app too!
However, Zotero leverages various essential components of the Firefox codebase (at least the desktop version, I don't know about the mobile apps). That's why the availability of Firefox is a requirement.