The smartphone Honor 20s attracted the attention of users with its price-quality ratio, becoming one of the popular devices in the middle segment of its time. However, for many owners the issue of software support for the device is now relevant, since compatibility with modern applications and data security depend on the version of the operating system. Initially, the device entered the market with a pre-installed Magic UI shell, which was based on a specific version of the kernel Android.
Owners are often faced with uncertainty as to which version their gadget can be officially updated to. Huawei, which at that time was the owner of the Honor brand, had a specific update schedule, which depended on the sales region and the specific model. Understanding this The final official version for Honor 20s is Android 10 (Magic UI 3.1)is critical for planning the future use of your smartphone, especially if you expect to work with banking applications or new games.
In this article we will analyze in detail the history of updates for this model, the technical limitations of moving to new versions systems and ways to check the current status of your device. You will also learn about the risks of installing third-party software and how to optimize the operation of your smartphone on the current firmware version.
The initial version of the system at the start of sales
When Honor 20s it first appeared on store shelves, it was running the Magic UI 2.1 shell. This version of the interface was built on the basis of Android 9 Pie. For its time, this was a completely modern solution, providing smooth operation and access to the main functions of the Google ecosystem.
Users who bought a smartphone in the first months after release received a stable system with a set of proprietary functions from Honor. The interface was distinguished by its visual ease and the presence of gesture controls, which were just gaining popularity at that time. However, immediately after the release, it became obvious that the life cycle of the device will require further updates to maintain relevance.
If you bought a used Honor 20s, be sure to check the firmware version in the settings, as some early batches may have remained on the factory Android 9 without subsequent updates.
It is worth noting that even on the launch version Android 9 the smartphone demonstrated good performance thanks to the Kirin 710 processor. System optimization made it possible to use RAM efficiently, although modern heavy applications were already beginning to require newer versions of the kernel for full functionality.
Official updates and the path to Android 10
Honor did not leave the owners Honor 20s without attention and released a major update that raised the version of the operating system to Android 10. Along with the kernel update came a new version of the shell - Magic UI 3.1. This change brought not only visual innovations, but also improvements in security and privacy management.
The update process to Android 10 was available through the standard settings menu or the HiCare application (in some regions). Users could receive the new version over the air (OTA), which was the most secure method. The transition to the tenth version of Android significantly extended the life of the device, improving work with notifications and a dark theme.
☑️ Checking update availability
It is important to understand that the update to Android 10 was the last major update of the kernel version for this model. Subsequent service packs contained only security fixes and minor stability improvements, but did not change the major OS version number. This is standard practice for mid-price smartphones of that period.
⚠️ Attention: Updating to Android 10 may take a significant amount of time and lead to temporary heating of the case. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50% before starting the installation.
Possibly whether to get Android 11 or later
Many users are wondering whether it is possible to update Honor 20s to Android 11 or newer versions officially. Unfortunately, Honor did not include this model in the list of devices claiming to receive Android 11. Official support was limited to version 10, which is a common situation for devices released in 2019.
The lack of official support for new versions of Android is due to the technical limitations of the Kirin 710 processor and the manufacturer’s line update policy. After the separation of the Huawei and Honor brands, the situation with updating old models became even more difficult, as priorities shifted to new devices.
Why not Android 11?
Manufacturers usually support devices for 2-3 years with major updates. Honor 20s received two major updates (from 9 to 10), which corresponds to the average norm for its class, but further support was discontinued.
However, enthusiasts can try to install custom firmware (Custom ROM) based on Android 11 or 12. However, this path requires unlocking the bootloader, obtaining superuser rights (Root) and carries high risks. There are practically no official tools for unlocking the Honor bootloader now.
Checking the current version and installing updates
To find out exactly what version of the system is installed on your Honor 20s, you need to go to the settings menu. The path to this information is standard for all EMUI and Magic UI devices. You will be able to see not only the Android version, but also the build number of the security patch.
To check, follow these steps: go to Settings, scroll down and select System. Next, click on section Software update. This menu will display the current version and a button to search for new updates.
| Parameter | Value for Honor 20s | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | 9.0 or 10.0 | Settings → System → About phone |
| Shell | Magic UI 2.1 or 3.1 | Settings → System → About phone |
| Build number | Depends on region (Cxxx) | Settings → System → About phone |
| Security Patch | Monthly/Quarterly | Settings → System → Software Update |
If the system reports that you are using the latest version, but you doubt it, you can try clearing the update application cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Software update → Memory and click Clear cache. After that, repeat the check.
The official update path is always safer than the manual one. Using third-party apps for firmware can lead to loss of warranty and inoperability of the phone.
Risks of installing custom firmware
The desire to get a fresh one Android on an old device often pushes users to install custom firmware. For Honor 20s this process is complicated by the fact that the Honor brand (during Huawei's ownership) closed the possibility of officially unlocking the bootloader several years ago.
Without an unlocked bootloader, it is impossible to install_recovery_mode other than stock, and therefore load third-party firmware. There are paid services and utilities that promise unlocking, but their use carries the risk of turning your smartphone into a “brick.”
⚠️ Attention: Installing unofficial software will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may lead to inoperability of banking applications due to SafetyNet protection being triggered.
Even if you manage to find a way to install custom firmware, you may encounter unstable operation of the camera, communication module, or rapid battery drain. Drivers for specific Honor hardware are often poorly optimized in third-party assemblies.
Optimizing work on the current version of Android
Even staying on Android 10, you can ensure comfortable operation of the smartphone if you configure it correctly. The Magic UI 3.1 system is still quite functional and can cope with most everyday tasks if used correctly.
First of all, it is recommended to disable or limit the background activity of rarely used applications. This can be done through the menu Settings → Applications → Launching applications. Uncheck apps that should not run in the background to free up RAM.
- 🧹 Regularly clear your storage of junk files through the built-in Phone Manager application.
- 🚀 Disable animations in the “For Developers” menu to speed up the visual response of the interface.
- 🔋 Use power saving mode if maximum performance in games is not required.
It is also worth reviewing the set of installed widgets on the home screen. An excess of active widgets (weather, news, exchange rates) can significantly load the processor and reduce the battery life of the device.
Developer mode
To enable the developer menu, go to About phone and quickly click on the build number 7 times. A message will appear that you have become a developer.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to officially update Honor 20s to Android 11?
No, Honor has not released official updates to Android 11 for the 20s model. The latest official version is Android 10 with Magic UI 3.1 shell.
Why are security updates not coming?
Support for the model has ended. Security updates are only released for newer devices or those included in the extended support app. For Honor 20s, the update cycle is complete.
Will banking applications work on Android 10?
Yes, most banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) continue to support Android 10. Problems may arise only in the distant future, when the minimum application requirements increase to Android 11 or 12.
How to find the exact build number of the firmware?
The build number is indicated in the menu Settings → System → About phone. It consists of numbers and letters indicating the region and patch version (for example, 10.1.0.1xx).
Is it worth buying Honor 20s in 2026-2026?
Purchasing a used device is only possible at a very low price and for simple tasks (calls, instant messengers). For active work with modern applications, the lack of new security updates makes it a less attractive choice.