Honor 20 Lite is a popular mid-range smartphone released in 2019 year. Despite the fact that the model is no longer new, many users continue to actively use it. One of the key questions that concerns owners: what version of Android is installed on the Honor 20 Lite out of the boxis it possible to update it to a more recent one, and how to do this without the risk of “bricking” the device?

In this article we will figure out which firmware versions are supported Honor 20 Lite (model STK-LX1/STK-LX3), how to check the current version of Android and EMUI, and also consider official and alternative update methods. We will pay special attention to typical problems after the upgrade and ways to solve them.

Official versions of Android for Honor 20 Lite

The smartphone Honor 20 Lite came out with a pre-installed Android 9.0 Pie and proprietary shell EMUI 9.1. Later, the device received one major update to Android 10 (with the transition to EMUI 10), but official support for newer versions (Android 11+) from Huawei/Honor not provided. This is due to the company's policy of limiting updates for budget and mid-budget models.

Here is the chronology of official firmware for Honor 20 Lite:

  • 📦 Out of the box: Android 9.0 Pie + EMUI 9.1 (firmware version: 9.1.0.150-160)
  • 🔄 First update: Android 9.0 Pie + EMUI 9.1.1 (bug fixes, optimization)
  • 🆙 Major update: Android 10 + EMUI 10.0 (version: 10.0.0.170 and higher)
  • ❌ Subsequent versions: Android 11/12/13 are not officially supported

It is important to understand that even within Android 10 updates for Honor 20 Lite were released with delays (sometimes 3-6 months after the release of a new version of EMUI). This is due to the prioritization of Huawei's flagship models.

📊 Which version of Android would you like to see on the Honor 20 Lite?
Android 11
Android 12
Android 13
The current version is enough for me

How to check the current version of Android and EMUI

To find out what firmware version is installed on your device your Honor 20 Lite, follow these steps:

  1. Open the application Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Scroll down and select About phone.
  3. At the top of the screen you will see:
    • 📱 Device model (for example, STK-LX1)
    • 🤖 Android version (for example, 10)
    • 🎨 EMUI version (for example, 10.0.0.170)

If there is no item in your menu About phone, try an alternative path: Settings → System → System update → Settings (⚙) → About phone.

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A screenshot of the screen with the firmware version will be useful if you are looking for custom firmware or contacting a service center.

Is it possible to update Honor 20 Lite to Android 11/12/13?

Officially - no. Huawei/Honor stopped supporting Honor 20 Lite after the release of Android 10. However, there are several alternative ways to get a more recent version of the OS:

  • 🔧 Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience require unlocking the bootloader and having root access.
  • 📲 GSI images (Generic System Image). Suitable for experienced users, but may be unstable.
  • ⚠️ Unofficial. EMUI portsThey are risky due to possible bugs and security problems.

Before trying alternative methods, please note:

⚠️ Attention: Installing unofficial firmware will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may lead to data loss or bricking of the device!
Update method Required skills Risks Benefits
Official OTA Beginner No Stability, support
Custom firmware (LineageOS) Advanced Loss of warranty, bugs Android 11/12, new functions
GSI image Expert Unstable operation Latest version of Android

How to update Honor 20 Lite using the official method

If your device has not yet received the latest official firmware (Android 10), follow these steps:

Back up your data|Connect to Wi-Fi|Charge the battery to 50%+|Free up 3-5 GB of memory-->

  1. Go to Settings → System → System update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. If an update is available, click Download and install.
  4. Wait for the download to complete (may take 10-30 minutes depending on the Internet speed).
  5. After downloading, click Install and confirm reboot.

If the update is not found, try:

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone and repeat the test.
  • 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes Huawei servers are blocked by providers).
  • 🕒 Wait 1-2 days - sometimes updates are rolled out in stages.
⚠️ Attention: If, after updating to Android 10, the phone starts to heat up or quickly discharges, perform a factory reset (Settings → System → Reset). This often solves optimization problems.

Problems after the update and their solutions

Even official updates sometimes lead to failures. Here are the most common problems on Honor 20 Lite after upgrading to Android 10 and ways to fix them:

  • 🔋 Rapid battery drain:
    • Disable unnecessary background processes in Settings → Applications → Autorun.
    • Reset battery statistics (Settings → Battery → ⚙ → Optimization batteries).
  • 📶 Problems with the mobile network:
    • Reinstall the SIM card.
    • Reset the network settings (Settings → Wireless networks → Reset network).
  • 🎵 No sound in the speaker:
    • Check whether the Do Not Disturb mode is activated.
    • Clear the application cache Media v Settings → Applications.

If after updating your phone starts to slow down, try:

  1. Clear system cache (Settings → Memory → Clear cache).
  2. Disable animation in developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 times) → For developers → Animation scale (turn off)).
What to do if the update is stuck on the logo?

If the phone does not turn on after the update (stuck on the Honor or EMUI logo), try:

1. Hard reset: hold down the power button + volume up for 10-15 seconds.

2. Login Recovery: hold down the power + volume up, then select Wipe data/factory reset (will delete all data!).

3. Flashing via eRecovery: hold power + volume up, select Download latest version and recovery (Wi-Fi required).

If all else fails, contact a service center.

Alternative update methods: custom firmware

If you are not satisfied with Android 10, you can try installing unofficial firmware. The most stable options for Honor 20 Lite:

  • 🐉 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) are minimalistic firmware without unnecessary applications.
  • 📱 Pixel Experience (Android) 12) - interface, like on Google Pixel.
  • 🔄 EMUI 12 (unofficial port) - retains the corporate style of Huawei.

To install custom firmware you will need:

  1. Unlock the bootloader (via the official Huawei website or unofficial methods).
  2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
  3. Make a full backup of the current system.
  4. Flash new firmware and GApps (if Google services are needed).
⚠️ Attention: On Honor 20 Lite with a processor Kirin 710 some custom firmware may not support the camera or mobile network. Before installation, read the reviews on the forums (for example, XDA Developers).

It is better to look for step-by-step guide on the firmware on thematic resources, since the process may differ depending on the firmware version and device region. Here are the basic commands for working with TWRP (entered via adb or recovery terminal):

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

fastboot reboot recovery


adb sideload lineage-18.1-20230501.zip

Comparison of Android 9 and Android 10 on Honor 20 Lite

Many users doubt whether to upgrade from Android 9 to Android 10. Here are the key differences that will help you make a decision:

Characteristics Android 9 (EMUI 9.1) Android 10 (EMUI 10)
Interface Classic EMUI with bright colors More minimalistic design, dark theme
Performance Stable, but less optimized Better multitasking, less battery drain
Security Security updates until 2020 Security updates until 2021
Camera features Basic modes (HDR, portrait) Additional effects (AI retouching, night mode)
Application support Some new applications may not be installed Better compatibility with modern applications

If you actively use your phone for photography or installing new apps, upgrading to Android 10 is justified. If you are satisfied with the current stability and there are no problems with performance, you can stay on Android 9 - the difference is not critical.

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Updating to Android 10 gives an increase in security and optimization, but does not add revolutionary features. For most users, the difference will be noticeable only in the details.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Android on Honor 20 Lite

Is it possible to roll back Android 10 back to Android 9?

Technically, yes, but it is a complex process. You will need:

  1. Find the official Android 9 firmware for your model (STK-LX1 or STK-LX3).
  2. Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked).
  3. Flash via fastboot or eRecovery.

Risks: data loss, possible problems with IMEI or modem. We recommend contacting a service center.

Why is the update to Android 10 not coming?

Possible reasons:

  • Your model (STK-LX3) may have a different update schedule than STK-LX1.
  • The device was purchased in a different region (for example, European firmware vs. Asian).
  • The phone has custom firmware installed or the region has been changed.

Solution: try updating via HiSuite (official software from Huawei) or manually download the firmware from the site Huawei Update Extractor.

Will Honor 20 Lite receive security updates?

Officially - no. The latest security patch for Honor 20 Lite was released in 2021. However:

  • Some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) receive monthly security updates.
  • You can manually install APK files of critical applications (for example, Chrome, Google Play Services) with the latest corrections.

For protection, we recommend:

  • Install an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes).
  • Do not download applications from unverified sources.
  • Disable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security).
Is it possible to install Google Mobile Services (GMS) on Honor 20 Lite after updating?

On Huawei/Honor devices released after May 2019 (including Honor 20 Lite), no official support for GMS due to US sanctions. However, there are workarounds:

  1. Via LZPlay (utility for automatic installation of GMS). Does not work on all firmware.
  2. Manual installation:
    • Download Googlefier or GSpace (alternative launchers with GMS).
    • Install APK files Google Play Services, Google Play Store and Google Services Framework manually.

Risks: unstable operation some applications (for example, Google Pay, YouTube), possible synchronization errors.

How to check if the bootloader is unlocked on Honor 20 Lite?

To find out the status of the bootloader:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Hold Volume down + Powerto enter Fastboot Mode.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and enter the command: 
    fastboot oem get-bootinfo
  4. If the response contains the line locked —the bootloader is locked. If unlocked - unlocked.

Unlocked devices display a warning when booting Your device has been unlocked and can't be trusted.