Updating an Honor phone to Android 11: official and unofficial methods

Updating the operating system on smartphones Honor to Android 11 can significantly improve performance, add new features and increase the security level of the device. However, the process has its own nuances: not all models support the official update, and some will require the use of alternative methods. In this article we will analyze all available methods - from standard OTA update to manual firmware via Fastboot or custom recovery.

It is important to consider that Honor models released after the split from Huawei (2020) may have update restrictions due to changes in company policy and the lack of Google services. For example, smartphones in the Honor 30 or Honor V40 series did not officially receive Android 11 through standard channels, but there are unofficial firmwares for them. We'll look at each option in detail so you can choose the best path for your model.

1. Checking the Honor model's compatibility with Android 11

Before you start updating, make sure that your smartphone Honor supports Android 11. The official list of models that received the update includes:

• 📱 Honor 20, Honor 20 Pro, Honor 20 Lite (in most regions)
• 📱 Honor View 20 (in Europe and Asia)
• 📱 Honor 10, Honor 10 Lite (only in some countries)
• 📱 Honor 9X, Honor 9X Pro (with regional restrictions)

Models released after 2020 (for example Honor 50 or Honor Magic 3), originally came with a newer version of Android and do not require updating to version 11. To check the current software version, go to Settings → About phone → EMUI version. If it says EMUI 11 or Magic UI 4.x, your device is already running Android 11.

To clarify the compatibility of a specific model, we recommend using the official website Honor or database XDA Developers, where users share their update experience. Please note: even if the model is supported, in some regions the update may be blocked due to firmware features (for example, for Chinese versions of devices).

⚠️ Attention: If your Honor was purchased in China, there is a high probability that it runs on a version of EMUI without Google services. Updating to Android 11 in this case may lead to loss of functionality of some applications.

2. Preparing the phone for updating

Regardless of the selected update method, the device must be prepared. This minimizes the risk of failures and data loss.

Battery charge ≥ 50%|Data backup|Free up ≥ 5 GB of memory|Disable antivirus/firewall|Remember account passwords-->

First of all, create a backup copy of your important data. To do this:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and copy files (photos, videos, documents) manually.
2. Use the built-in function Settings → System → Backup copying to save contacts, SMS and settings.
3. Install the application Honor Backup from AppGallery for a full backup.

Free up at least 5 GB of memory —the update requires space to unpack files. Remove unnecessary applications, clear the cache in Settings → Memory → Cleanup. Also disable VPN, antivirus apps and firewalls - they may block firmware loading.

If you plan to use Fastboot or custom recovery, additionally:

• 🔧 Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Number assembly (press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
• 🔧 Install drivers Huawei/Honor on your PC (you can download from the official website).
• 🔧 Prepare a cable USB Type-C original production - cheap cables can cause errors when updating the firmware.

3. Official update via OTA (over the air)

The easiest and safest method is to update over the air (OTAIt is suitable for models that officially support Android 11. Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to a stable network Wi-Fi (updating via mobile data may result in additional tariffs).
2. Go to Settings → System → Software update.
3. Click Check for updates. If a version with Android 11 is available, the system will prompt you to download it.
4. Confirm the download and wait for completion (may take from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the Internet speed).
5. After downloading, click Install and wait until the device reboots.

If the update is not found, try the following:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and check again.
• 🔄 Delete the cache applications Software update in Settings → Applications.
• 🔄 Use a VPN with a server in Europe (some updates are released for European users first).

If OTA update is not available, but your model officially supports Android 11, try the method using HiSuite (about it in the next section).

⚠️ Attention: On some models Honor after updating to Android 11 it may root access is lost or the magnetic compass stops working (for example, in Honor 9X). This is due to changes in the system kernel.

4. Update via HiSuite (official utility)

HiSuite - a app from Huawei/Honor for managing a smartphone. from a PC. It allows you to install official firmware, even if the OTA update is not available. Download the latest version of the utility from official website.

Update instructions:

1. Install and run HiSuite on your PC. data-i="125">Connect your phone with a cable
2. Connect your phone with a cable USB Type-C (select mode Transfer files on the smartphone screen).
3. B HiSuite press Update → Check for updates.
4. If new firmware is available, follow the instructions on the screen. The utility will automatically download and install the update.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works even when locked OTA.
• ✅ Saves user data (but we recommend making a backup!).
• ✅ Suitable for system recovery after failures.

If HiSuite does not find the update, try:

• 🔧 Reinstall the utility with administrator rights.
• 🔧 Use a different USB port or cable.
• 🔧 Temporarily disable the antivirus on the PC.

Honor model	OTA support	HiSuite support	Notes
Honor 20 Pro	Yes	Yes	Update to EMUI 11 (Android 11) available in all regions
Honor 10 Lite	Partially	Yes	Some countries require VPN to download
Honor 9X (China)	No	Yes (Magic only UI)	Without Google services, Russification required
Honor View 20	Yes	Yes	Version for Europe - EMUI 11, for China - Magic UI 4.0

5. via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If official methods do not work, you can install Android 11 via FastbootThis method is suitable for advanced users and requires unlocking the bootloader. All data will be deleted!

Required tools:

• 🛠️ ADB and Fastboot (download from Android Developers site).
• 🛠️ Official firmware for your model (look for XDA or Pro-Team).
• 🛠️ Bootloader unlock code (obtained on the official website Honor after registration).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Unlock the bootloader:

   adb reboot bootloader
   fastboot oem unlock [your_unlock_code]

   Attention: this will reset the phone to factory settings!
2. Download and extract the firmware to the folder with fastboot.
3. Connect the phone in the mode Fastboot (Hardware → Fastboot when downloading).
4. Run the command to flash the firmware:

   fastboot flash system system.img
   fastboot flash boot boot.img
   fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
   fastboot reboot

After rebooting, the device will run on pure Android 11 without additional add-ons. To restore functionality, you may need to install GApps (Google services) via TWRP.

What to do if Fastboot does not see the device?

1. Check the cable connection and USB port (it is better to use USB 2.0).

2. Install drivers Huawei/Honor manually through Device Manager.

3. Run the command prompt as administrator.

4. Try a different version ADB/Fastboot (for example, 1.4.3 instead of the latest).

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on some models Honor (for example, Honor 20 Pro) may lead to loss of warranty and blocking of encryption functions (for example, Huawei Pay will stop working).

6. Installing custom firmware (LineageOS, AOSP)

If official firmware with Android 11 is not available, you can install a custom build, for example LineageOS 18.1 (based on Android 11). This method requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Higher performance (no unnecessary software from Honor).
• 🚀 Regular security updates.
• 🚀 Possibility installation Google Apps or alternative services.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty.
• ⚠️ Possible bugs with the camera or sensors (depending on the model).
• ⚠️ Lack of some proprietary functions Honor (for example, GPU Turbo).

Installation instructions LineageOS 18.1:

1. Download the firmware and GApps (for example, Open GApps Nano) for your architecture (arm64 or arm).
2. Reboot the phone in TWRP (Hardware → Recovery).
3. Make a full reset (Wipe → Advanced Wipe, select Dalvik, System, Data, Cache).
4. Install the firmware and GApps via Install.
5. Reboot the system.

List of supported models Honor for LineageOS 18.1:

• 📱 Honor 8X (unofficial assembly).
• 📱 Honor 9 Lite (with bugs in the camera).
• 📱 Honor View 10 (stable version).

7. errors when updating

When updating Honor to Android 11, let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error	Cause	Solution
Update not found in HiSuite	Servers are overloaded or the firmware is not for your region	Use VPN (Europe) or download the firmware manually
Fastboot: FAILED (remote: Command not allowed)	The bootloader is not unlocked	Get the unlock code on the Honor website and repeat the procedure
Phone stuck on the logo after flashing	Incompatible firmware or installation error	Install the firmware again via TWRP or Fastboot
Error 2002 in HiSuite	Damaged firmware files	Reinstall HiSuite and download the firmware again

If after the update there is no sound, the camera does not work or there is no mobile network:

• 🔧 Reset the settings to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
• 🔧 Reflash the modules vendor and radio via Fastboot.
• 🔧 Install the patch for your model (look for 4PDA or XDA).

For models with problems after the update (for example, Honor 9X with a GPS bug) sometimes rolling back to a previous version of Android and then updating again helps.

8. Optimizing Android 11 after updating

After a successful update, we recommend performing several steps to improve performance:

• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge and charge the phone 2-3 times in a row.
• 🔋 Turn on Adaptive brightness i Dark theme to save battery.
• 🔋 Disable unnecessary ones background processes in Settings → Applications → Autorun.

To speed up work:

• ⚡ Turn on GPU Turbo in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
• ⚡ Use Developer Options to limit animation (Settings → System → For developers → Animation speed, select 0.5x).

If after the update appeared lags, try:

1. Clear cache in Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Disable Honor Assistant and other pre-installed applications.
3. Install Greenify to hibernate background applications.

For models without Google services (for example, Chinese versions), install Google Installer from AppGallery or use alternatives: Petal Search, Aurora Store.

Frequently asked questions

Can I roll back from Android 11 back to Android 10?

Yes, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and installing the old firmware via Fastboot. Please note that when rolling back, problems with the operation of some applications may occur, and data will be deleted. For models Honor 20 and newer, rolling back may block access to some functions. (for example, Huawei Mobile Services).

Why did the camera stop working after updating to Android 11?

This is a typical problem for custom firmware or unofficial updates. Solutions:

• Install a patch for the camera (look for 4PDA for your model).
• Use alternative software, for example GCam (correct configuration required).
• Roll back to the official firmware if the camera is critical.

How to check that the update to Android 11 was successful?

Go to Settings → About phone and look:

• Android version - should be 11.
• EMUI/Magic UI version — 11.x.x or 4.x.x respectively.
• Security patch level —date must not be older than 2022–2023.

Also check for new Android features 11: Permissions for one-time use, Notification bubbles, Screen recording.

Is it possible to update Honor 8X to Android 11?

Officially - no, so how Honor 8X received the latest update to Android 9. However, there are unofficial firmware based on LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11). To install them you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader.
2. Install TWRP.
3. Flash custom firmware and GApps.

Please note that NFC, a wide-angle camera and some sensors may not work.

What to do if after the update the phone begins to discharge quickly?

This is a common problem after major updates. Try:

• Calibrate the battery (full discharge/charge cycle 2-3 times).
• Disable Adaptive battery in Settings → Battery.
• Limit background activity of applications in Settings → Applications → Battery.
• Reset settings to factory settings (make a backup first!).

If the problem persists, check the battery via AccuBattery —replacement may be required.