How to change the country on an Honor smartphone: 5 proven methods

Changing the country on smartphones Honor is a task that users face when moving, buying a device abroad, or wanting to access regional services. Unlike many Android devices, phones Honor (especially those on EMUI or MagicOS) are strictly locked to a region, which can block the installation of applications, software updates, or even the operation of the mobile network. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to change the country - from official to bypass, taking into account the features of the firmware and potential risks.

It is important to understand that changing the region on Honor is not always equivalent to a complete “reflashing” of the device for another market. Some methods only allow you to deceive individual services (for example, Google Play or AppGallery), while others require deep changes in the system. We analyzed methods for models from Honor 7X to Honor Magic6 Pro, taking into account the differences in interfaces EMUI 12+ and MagicOS 7/8.

If you purchased a phone in another country and encountered with problems (for example, there is no Russian keyboard or local banking applications do not work), these instructions will help you adapt the device to your needs. However, remember: some actions may lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation —we will warn you about this in advance in the relevant sections.

1. Official method: change the country through the Honor settings

The safest method is to use the built-in tools EMUI/MagicOS. It's suitable if you're physically in a new country and want to sync your device region with your current location. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings → System and updates → Region and language.
2. Click on Region (or Country/Region in MagicOS).
3. Select the desired country from the list. If your region is not available, try the closest one (for example, for Kazakhstan they sometimes choose Russia).
4. Confirm the change and reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example, Honor 50 or Honor X9) this method may be blocked if the device was purchased as part of an operator app (for example, with reference to AT&T or Vodafone). In this case, the system will display an error "Changing the region is prohibited by operator policy".

After changing the region through the settings:

• 📱 The list of available languages will be updated (Russian may appear if it was not there).
• 🔄 System applications will restart (AppGallery, Huawei Mobile Services).
• 📡 Mobile network settings may change (for example, local APNs will appear).
• ⚠️ Some pre-installed applications (for example Petal Maps) may stop working if they do not support the new region.

2. Changing the country through a SIM card: deceiving the system

If the official method did not work, you can “deceive” the system by inserting a SIM card from a local operator. This method is especially effective for devices with dual SIM-slot (For example, Honor Magic4 Pro or Honor X7). Algorithm of actions:

1. Buy prepaid SIM card local operator (for example, MTS for Russia, T-Mobile for the USA).
2. Insert it into the first slot (slot 1) - this is what usually determines the region.
3. Reboot your phone.
4. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access point name (APN) and select automatic setup.
5. Wait 5-10 minutes - the system should detect a new region over the operator's network.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Does not require root access or unlocking the bootloader.
• 📶 Often unlocks additional LTE/5G frequencies.
• 💳 You can use a virtual SIM (eSIM) if the device supports.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, EMUI 13 on Honor X9a), the system can “remember” the first region and ignore the new SIM. In this case, only resetting to factory settings will help. with inserted. local SIM.

Make sure that slot 1 is free|Buy a SIM from a local operator|Check the phone's frequency support|Make a backup of your data|Charge the phone to at least 50%-->

3. Using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions

VPN does not change the country of the device at the system level, but allows you to bypass it restrictions in Google Play, AppGallery and some applications (for example, Netflix or YouTube). This method is suitable if you need to temporarily access content from another region.

Instructions:

1. Install a VPN application. (we recommend ProtonVPN, NordVPN or 1.1.1.1).
2. Connect to the server in the desired country (for example, Germany for European Google Play).
3. Clear the cache Google Play Store (Settings → Applications → Google Play Market → Storage → Clear cache).
4. Close all applications and restart your phone.
5. Open Google Play —a new country should appear at the bottom of the screen.

📌 Method limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work for system functions (for example, it will not change the interface language).
• 🔄 When changing the VPN server, you may need to clear the cache again.
• 💳 Not all banking applications work via VPN (for example, SberBank Online can block access).

For AppGallery (Huawei app store) VPN does not always work, since the service is tied k Huawei ID. In this case, creating a new account indicating a different country during registration will help.

4. Reset to factory settings linked to the new region.

A radical but effective method is to completely reset the device and then configure it for a new country. This helps if the previous methods did not work, but has risks: you will lose all your data, and on some models you may need to FRP unlocking (Factory Reset Protection).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Do it backup copy of data (photos, contacts, messages) via Huawei Backup or Google Drive.
2. Insert local operator SIM card into slot 1.
3. Go to Settings → System and updates → Reset → Reset all settings.
4. After rebooting, select the desired country during the initial setup.
5. Connect to Wi-Fi and wait until the setup is complete.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with EMUI 10 and below after the reset, you may be required to enter the login and password from the previous account Huawei ID (even if you did not use it!). If you do not remember the data, use Huawei ID recovery service.

Honor model	Does it support reset with changing region	Is SIM required to change country	Risk of FRP blocking
Honor Magic6 Pro	Yes	Yes (slot 1)	Low
Honor 90	Yes	Yes	Medium
Honor X9a	Yes, but Huawei ID may be required	Yes	High
Honor 50	Partially (depending on the firmware)	Yes	Medium
Honor 7X (2017)	No (blocking operator)	—	High

What to do if, after resetting, the phone requires the old Huawei ID?

If the device asks for the previous account data, and you don’t remember them:

1 Try to recover your password through the official Huawei website.

2. If the account is not yours (for example, a used phone), contact the previous owner to unlock it.

3. On some models, firmware via eRecovery (hold Volume up + Power with the phone off) helps.

4. As a last resort, you will need to contact the service center with proof of purchase.

5. Changing the region through the engineering menu (for advanced)

This method is suitable for advanced users and requires caution. Through engineering menu (##2846579##) you can manually change some region parameters, but this can lead to unstable operation of the device.

Instructions:

1. Open the application Phone and enter the combination: ##2846579##.
2. In the menu that appears, select ProjectMenu → Background settings → Country/Region.
3. Enter the country code manually (for example, RU for Russia, US for the USA).
4. Save changes and reboot phone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to:

• 📵 Loss of the mobile network.
• 🔋 Rapid battery drain.
• 🔄 Looped reboot (bootloop).

This method is recommended only if you understand the risks and are ready for potential firmware recovery via Huawei Multi-Tool or HiSuite.

6. Alternative methods: firmware and modifications

If none of the above methods help, radical measures remain: flashing the device for a different region or using custom solutions. These methods require unlocking the bootloader and may void your warranty.

Option 1: Install custom firmware

• 🔧 Unlock the bootloader through the official Huawei service (unlock code required).
• 📥 Download the firmware for your model in the desired region (for example, from the forum XDA Developers or 4PDA).
• 🖥️ Install the firmware via Fastboot or TWRP.

Option 2: Using Magisk modules

For devices with root-rights you can install modules that simulate changing the region:

• 🔄 Module FakeGApps to deceive Google Play.
• 🌍 Module RegionFaker for system applications.

⚠️ Attention: Flashing can lead to:

• 🚨 Loss of IMEI (and as a result - lack of mobile network).
• 🔋 Problems with battery (fast discharge).
• 📵 Inoperability of the camera or sensors.

Before flashing the firmware, be sure to check the compatibility of the files with your model HonorFor example, the firmware for Honor View 20 (model PCT-AL10) not suitable for Honor View 20 (model PCT-L29), even if the devices are externally identical.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change the country on Honor without a SIM card?

Yes, but not on all models. On devices with MagicOS 7+ (for example, Honor Magic5), sometimes it is enough to reset to factory settings and select a new region during the initial setup. However, on older firmware (EMUI 9–11) without a local operator SIM card, changing the region may be blocked.

Why did some applications stop working after changing the country?

Some applications (for example, Huawei Pay, Petal Maps or banking services) are tied to the account region Huawei IDIf the new region is not supported by these services, they may stop functioning. Huawei ID with the desired country or use alternative applications (for example, Google Maps instead of Petal Maps).

How to return the original region if updates stop coming after the change?

If after changing the country the device stops receiving software updates, try:

1. Return original SIM card and reset the settings.
2. Manually install the firmware via HiSuite (selecting the version for your original region).
3. Contact the service center Honor to restore the original configuration.

Please note: installing firmware yourself from another region may lead to loss of warranty.

Will Google Play work after changing the region on Honor?

Yes, but with reservations:

• If you changed the region through the settings or SIM card, Google Play can automatically update the account country (confirmation of the payment method is required).
• If you used a VPN, the region in Google Play will change only while you are connected to the VPN.
• On some models (for example, Honor X8 without Google services) you will have to install Google Play manually via GSpace or ChatPartner.

Is it possible to change the country on an Honor purchased in China?

Chinese versions Honor (for example, Honor Magic4 Pro CN) are strictly tied to the region and often do not support changing the country through standard settings. In this case, it will help:

• Flashing to a global version of the software (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• Use Multi-SIM adapter with a local SIM card in the slot. 1.
• Installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOSif it is available for your model).

⚠️ Please note that Chinese devices may not support some LTE/5G frequencies in others countries.

If none of the methods worked, perhaps your model Honor has a hardware lock to the region (for example, devices for the market USA with a locked bootloader). In this case, the only way out is to contact an authorized service center or consider purchasing a device with global firmware.