Honor 9, released in 2017, still remains a popular smartphone thanks to its reliable hardware base and shell support EMUI. However, with the release of new versions Android device owners are faced with the question: how to update the firmware if official support from the manufacturer has been discontinued? In this article we will look at all possible methods - from standard OTA updates to manual installation of custom firmware.

It is worth clarifying right away: Honor 9 originally worked on Android 7.0 Nougat with a shell EMUI 5.1, and the latest official version is for it — Android 9 Pie (EMUI 9.1). But even if your device has not received over-the-air updates for a long time, there are ways to install more recent firmware - for example, through Magic UI (for models with support) or custom assemblies like LineageOS. The main thing is to properly prepare the device and follow the instructions.

Before you start updating, check the current software version: go to Settings → System → About phone. If you have EMUI 9.1 or newer, there will be no more official updates - but this does not mean that the smartphone is doomed to outdated firmware. Next, we will consider all the available options, their pros and cons, as well as pitfalls that are rarely mentioned in standard instructions.

📊 Which version of Android do you want to install on Honor 9?
Android 9 Pie (official)
Android 10 (Magic UI)
Android 11/12 (custom firmware)
I don’t know, I need advice

1. Checking the current firmware version and compatibility

Before looking for updates, make sure that your Honor 9 generally supports the target version Android. The device has several modifications, and their capabilities differ:

  • 📱 STF-L09 / STF-L19 —international versions with support Google Mobile Services (GMS). You can update to EMUI 9.1 (Android 9) officially.
  • 📱 STF-AL00 / STF-AL10 / STF-TL10 - Chinese versions without GMS, but with the ability to install Magic UI (based on Android 10).
  • 📱 Other modifications (for example, for specific operators) - may have restrictions. Check the markings on the box or in Settings → About phone → Model.

If your smartphone belongs to the Chinese line (STF-ALxx), you have a chance to upgrade to Android 10 via Magic UI 3.1 is the official firmware from Honor, but without Google services. For international versions (STF-Lxx), the maximum official version is Android 9, but you can consider custom firmware.

⚠️ Attention: If your Honor 9 was purchased from a telecom operator (for example, MTS, Beeline), the firmware may be blocked. In this case, official updates “over the air” may not arrive, and manual installation will require unlocking the bootloader.

To find out what updates are available for your model, go to Settings → System → Software update. If the system writes “Your software version is up to date", but you are sure that there is a newer firmware, try updating manually (more on this in the next section).

2. Official update via HiSuite (for EMUI/Magic UI)

If the OTA update (over the air) does not work, the safest way is to use a proprietary utility Huawei HiSuite. It allows you to install the latest official firmware without the risk of bricking the device. Here are the step-by-step guide:

  1. Download HiSuite s Huawei official website (Windows only). Install the app on your PC
  2. Connect Honor 9 to your computer via the original USB cable. Enable USB Debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → For Developers).
  3. Run HiSuite, wait until the app detects the device. Go to the "Update».
  4. If new firmware is available, click "Update". Follow the instructions on the screen. Do not disconnect the cable until the process is completed!

HiSuite will automatically select the firmware for your model and region. If the update is not found, try:

  • 🔄 Restart the phone and PC.
  • 🔌 Use another USB port (preferably USB 2.0 on the back panel of the system unit).
  • 📥 Download the firmware manually from the website Huawei (section "Support") and install through HiSuite in the "Recovery mode».

⚠️ Attention: If HiSuite offers to roll back the software version (for example, with EMUI 9.1 on EMUI 8.0), do not agree! This may lead to data loss and unstable operation of the device.

USB debugging is enabled

The original cable is used

Battery charge > 50%

VPN and disabled antiviruses on PC

Backed up important data-->

3. Manual update via Recovery (for experienced users)

If HiSuite does not find updates, but you are sure that there is newer firmware for your model, you can install it manually via recovery. This method is suitable for official firmware in the format .zip (for example, from the site Huawei or forums like XDA Developers).

Important: Make sure that you download the firmware specifically for your model (STF-L09, STF-AL00 etc.) etc.). Installing an inappropriate version will lead to brick (inoperability) of the device!

Instructions:

  1. Download the firmware from format update.zip (for example, with profile forum). Check the hash of the file (MD5) for compliance with the original.
  2. Move the file to the root directory of the internal memory or to an SD card (not to folders!). data-i="137">Turn off the phone. Press
  3. Turn off your phone. Clamp Volume up + Powerto enter recovery (eRecovery).
  4. Select "Update from SD card" (or a similar item), specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.
  5. Wait for completion (10-20 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Attention: If the error "Verification failedappears during the process, then the firmware is not suitable for your model or is damaged. Do not try to bypass the verification - it may. disrupt the operation of the device.
What to do if the recovery does not see update.zip?

If the file is not displayed in eRecovery, check:

1. The name is correct (it should be update.zip, without additional ones). characters).

2. The file is copied to the root of the memory (not to the folder).

3. The SD card is formatted in FAT32 (not NTFS or exFAT).

If the problem persists, try using an OTG flash drive with the firmware file.

4. Updating to Magic UI (only for Chinese versions)

Owners of Chinese versions Honor 9 (STF-AL00/AL10) can upgrade to Magic UI 3.1 based on Android 10. This is the official firmware from Honor, but without Google services. To install it:

  • 📥 Download the firmware Magic UI for your model from official Chinese website (search by device code).
  • 🔄 Use the installation method via HiSuite (Recovery section) or recovery (as in the previous section).
  • 🔓 After installation, you may need to unlock the bootloader (if the firmware is not certified for your region).

The main disadvantage Magic UI is the lack of Google Play Services. However, they can be installed manually via Googlefier or similar tools. Also note that some applications (for example, banking) may not work without official Google certification.

Advantages of Magic UI:

  • ✅ More recent version of Android (10 instead of 9).
  • ✅ Optimization for the Chinese market (sometimes better performance).
  • ✅ New shell features (for example, improved “Digital Well-being” mode).

⚠️ Attention: Installing Magic UI to the international version Honor 9 (STF-Lxx) will lead to loss of IMEI and network problems. This method is suitable only for Chinese models!

5. Installing custom firmware (LineageOS, AOSP)

If official methods are not suitable, but you want Android 11/12, you can consider custom firmware like LineageOS or HavocOS. These are unofficial assemblies, therefore they require unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery (TWRP).

Requirements:

  • 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (via Huawei Bootloader Unlock).
  • 🛠 Installed TWRP Recovery (version for Honor 9).
  • 📄 Data backup (installing custom firmware erases the internal memory!).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock [code] (code can be obtained on the website Huawei after registering the device).
  2. Install TWRP via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
  3. Boot into TWRP (Volume up + Power), make a backup section NVRAM (important for IMEI!).
  4. Flash custom firmware (for example LineageOS 18.1 for Android 11) and GApps (if you need services Google).

Firmware Android version Pros Cons
LineageOS 18.1 11 Stable operation, regular updates Some functions are missing EMUI (for example, Knuckle Gestures)
HavocOS 12 Many customization settings There may be bugs with the camera or Bluetooth
Pixel Experience 11/12 Pure Android with Pixel functions Weak optimization for Kirin 960

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may lead to loss of functions like VoLTE or Wi-Fi CallingBefore installing the firmware, check the reviews on XDA Developers about the stability of a specific build for Honor 9.
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Before installing custom firmware, save the IMEI! Make a backup folder TWRP make a backup folder /nvram - this will help restore the network if something goes wrong.

6. common errors when updating

When updating Honor 9 users often encounter common problems. Here are the most common and ways to solve them:

  • 🔴 Error "System update failed" - usually means that the firmware is not suitable for your model (STF-Lxx or STF-ALxx) and download the correct version.
  • 🔴 Stuck on Honor logo - may be incorrectly flashed boot.imgTry to reflash via fastboot or return. stock recovery.
  • 🔴 Loss of IMEI after firmware - restore backup /nvram or use tools like ChimeraTool (requires root).
  • 🔴 Google Play does not work — for Magic UI you need to manually flash GApps or use Googlefier.

If after the update the phone stops turning on (“brick”), try:

  1. Press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds (emergency reboot).
  2. Connect to HiSuite and try to restore using the "Emergency recovery mode».
  3. Reflash the stock firmware via fastboot (instructions are available at XDA).

⚠️ Attention: If after an unsuccessful update Honor 9 not responds to buttons and is not detected by the computer, do not try to disassemble it yourself! In such cases, re-soldering of the data-i="256">-chip is required, which is only possible at a service center. eMMC-chip, which is only possible at a service center.
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Before any update (especially custom) check the compatibility of the firmware with the model Honor 9 by device code (STF-xxx). An error at this stage is the main cause of "bricks".

7. Optimization of work after the update

After a successful update Android on Honor 9 recommended perform several steps for stable operation:

  • 🧹 Reset to factory settings (if updated via custom recovery). This will remove conflicting files of the old firmware. Path: Settings → System → Reset.
  • 🔋 Battery calibration — after updating, discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption. Repeat 2-3 times.
  • 🛡 Disabling unnecessary services — EMUI/Magic UI disable them in Settings → Applications → Startup.
  • 📱 Checking sensors - sometimes after the firmware the gyroscope or compass stops working. You can check it through the app Sensor Test.

If after updating to Android 10/11 the smartphone begins to slow down, try:

  • Disable animation: in Settings for developers set "Animation scale" to 0.5x or Off
  • Use lightweight launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.
  • Limit background application activity via Settings → Battery → Launching applications data-i="293">).This is due to limitations of the processor Settings → Battery → Launch applications.

⚠️ Attention: On Honor 9 With Android 11+ Games with high requirements may not work correctly (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile). This is due to processor limitations Kirin 960 and Mali-G71 drivers.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about updating Honor 9

Is it possible to update Honor 9 to Android 12 officially?

No, official support for Honor 9 is limited Android 9 Pie (EMUI 9.1). For Chinese versions (STF-ALxx) is available Android 10 via Magic UI, but this is not the official global firmware. Newer versions can only be installed via custom firmware (for example, Android can only be installed via custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 19 for Android 12), but they may be unstable.

Why doesn’t HiSuite see my device?

The problem may be the following:

  • The drivers are not installed Huawei on the PC (download them from the official website).
  • A non-original USB cable is used (try the cable included in the kit).
  • The mode is enabled “Charging only” (switch Settings → Connection to PC to “File transfer”).
  • Antivirus blocks HiSuite (add the app to exceptions).

How return the old firmware if the new one works poorly?

To roll back to the previous version:

  1. Download the required firmware (for example, EMUI 8.0) from the site Huawei.
  2. Use HiSuite in mode “Recovery” or flash through fastboot.
  3. Reset the data (Wipe Data in recovery), otherwise failures may occur.

⚠️ Rolling back to an older version Android (for example, from 9 to 7) can lead to problems with Google Play Services and banking applications.

Will Honor 9 receive security updates?

Officially, no. The latest security patch for Honor 9 was released in 2020However, custom firmware. (for example, LineageOS) regularly receive security updates from the community. You can also manually install patches via Magisk (requires root).

Is it possible to update without losing data?

When updating via OTA or official updating via OTA or HiSuite the data will be saved. However:

  • When manually flashing via recovery (especially custom) all data will be erased.
  • When changing version Android (for example, from 9 to 10), it is recommended to do a reset, otherwise lags are possible.

Always make a backup via HiSuite, TWRP or cloud services before updating!