Smartphones Honor (previously part of the brand Huawei) work on the basis of the operating system systems Android, but with a proprietary shell Magic UI. Knowing the exact firmware version may be necessary to install applications, updates, or diagnose problems. However, finding this information is not always obvious - especially on models with a customized interface.

In this article we will look 5 proven wayshow to find the Android version on your phone Honor - from standard settings to alternative methods through the engineering menu or PC. We’ll also find out why some devices display incorrect OS version (for example, Android 10 instead of real Android 11) and how to fix it.

1. Through standard phone settings

The fastest way is to use the section About phone in the settings menu. On most models Honor (including Honor 50, Honor 70, Honor Magic4) the path looks like this:

  1. Open the application Settings (gear icon).
  2. Scroll down and select About phone.
  3. Click on the line Software information.
  4. Look for items EMUI version (shell) and Android version (base OS).

On some firmware Magic UI the path may differ. For example, on Honor 8X or Honor 10 Lite you need to go to Settings → System → About phone → Software version. If you don’t find the section, use the search in settings (magnifying glass at the top of the screen) and enter the request “version”.

Phone model number|Magic UI version|Android version|Last update date-->

⚠️ Attention: On Devices Honor with Google Mobile Services (GMS) version of Android may be displayed correctly, but on models without GMS (for example Honor 30 Pro+ for the Chinese market), outdated information is sometimes shown. In this case, use alternative methods.

2. Through the engineering menu (USSD codes)

If the standard settings do not give the full picture, you can use service codes. They work on all smartphones Honor, regardless of version Magic UI. The most useful combinations:

  • 📱 ##4636## - will open a menu Testing, where in the section Information about phone there will be a line Android OS version.
  • 🔧 ##2846579## —engineering menu (on some models requires entering a password, by default 1234 or 0000).
  • 📊 *#06# - will show IMEI, which can be used to check the model and firmware compatibility.

After enter the code ##4636## you will see technical data, including Linux kernel version (for example, 4.19.113) and build number (for example, MagicUI 7.1.0.130). This data will be useful if you plan to root the device or install custom firmware.

What to do if the code does not work?

If nothing happens after entering the code, check:

1. Correct typing (no spaces, case is not important).

2. Absence of unnecessary characters (for example, random periods or commas).

3. On some firmware, the engineering menu is blocked - in this case, only a PC will help (see section 5).

3. Using applications from Google Play

If you need it extended information about the firmware (for example, the security patch level, bootloader version or processor information), install one of the specialized applications:

  • 📲 CPU-Z - shows the Android version, processor model, information about the battery and sensors. Free, without unnecessary water.
  • 🛠️ AIDA64 — a detailed report on the system, including API Level (for example, 30 for Android 11).
  • 🔍 DevCheck —a convenient interface with a section Softwarewhere all software versions are indicated.

Example data from CPU-Z for Honor 9X:

ParameterValue
Android version10 (Q)
EMUI version10.1.0.123
Number buildHLK-LGRP4-OVS 10.1.0.123
Security patch levelMay 5, 2021

The advantage of this method is data visualization. For example, in AIDA64 you can export the report to a file and send it to technical support. diagnosing problems.

📊 How do you usually check the Android version?
Through settings
Through the engineering menu
Applications (CPU-Z, AIDA64)
I don’t know how to do this

4. Through a computer (ADB and HiSuite)

If the phone does not turn on or is stuck on the logo, but connects to the PC, the Android version can be found through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or proprietary utility Huawei HiSuite.

Method 1: HiSuite (official method)

  1. Download and install HiSuite from the official website.
  2. Connect the phone to the PC via USB (turn on USB debugging to developer settings).
  3. In the HiSuite app, go to the section Device information.

Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)

If HiSuite does not recognize the device, use ADB commands:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.sdk

The first command will return the Android version (for example, 12), the second - the API number (for example, 31).

⚠️ Attention: On devices Honor with a locked bootloader (bootloader) some ADB commands may not work. In this case, only unlocking through the official service will help.

5. By phone model (if the device does not turn on)

If the smartphone does not respond to buttons or is stuck in bootloop, the Android version can be determined by model. this:

  1. Find the model on the case (for example, STK-LX1 for Honor 10) or on the box.
  2. Go to the site support Honor.
  3. Enter the model in the search bar and open the section Updates.
  4. Look at the latest available firmware version - it corresponds to the current (or maximum possible) version of Android.

Example for Honor 20 Pro (model YAL-L41):

  • Last update: Magic UI 4.0 (based on Android 10).
  • If your phone has Magic UI 3.1, then the Android version is 9 Pie.
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If you can’t find the model on the site, try entering it into a search engine with the request “specs” (for example, “Honor View 20 specs”). On sites like GSMArena or PhoneArena, the Android version at the time of release and available updates are always indicated.

Why may Honor display the wrong version of Android?

Some users are faced with the fact that the phone settings indicate, for example, Android 10, although in fact the firmware is installed on the base Android 11. This is due to the features of the shell. Magic UI:

  • 🔄 Incomplete update: If the firmware was interrupted, the system may roll back to the previous version, but the old label will remain in the settings.
  • 📦 Regional firmware: On Chinese versions Honor (without GMS) sometimes hide the real version of Android due to Google restrictions.
  • 🛠️ Custom firmware: After installing unofficial software (for example, LineageOS) the version in the settings may not be displayed correctly.

To fix the problem:

  1. Update your phone to the latest official firmware via Settings → Software update.
  2. If there are no updates, check the version via ADB (see section 4).
  3. On Chinese models, install Googlefier (application for unlocking GMS) - this can restore the correct display of the version.
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If after the update in the settings there is still an old version of Android, but the build number has changed, it means that the firmware was installed correctly, and the problem is only in the display. This does not affect the operation of the system.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to update Android on Honor if support has ended?

Officially - no. But there are alternatives:

  • Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or HavocOS) via TWRP.
  • Use firmware port from another region (for example, the European version into Chinese Honor).
  • Check unofficial forums (for example, XDA Developers) for patches.

⚠️ Risk: unofficial firmware may lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation.

How to find the Android version on Honor without turning on the phone?

If the device does not respond, try:

  1. Connect to PC and use HiSuite (sometimes it detects the model even when it is turned off).
  2. Go to recovery mode (press Power + Volume Up) and look at the information in the menu.
  3. Find model on the case/box and check the specifications on the manufacturer's website.
What is Magic UI and how is it related to Android?

Magic UI is proprietary. shell from Honor, built on Android. She adds:

  • Unique interface design.
  • Additional functions (for example, GPU Turbo for games).
  • Optimization for processors Kirin.

Version Magic UI does not always match the Android version. For example, Magic UI 7.0 can run on Android 11 or 12 - it depends on the model.

Is it possible to roll back the Android version on Honor?

Technically yes, but:

  • 🔙 Official rollback is possible only through HiSuiteif the previous firmware is available.
  • ⚠️ On most models, rollback is blocked by security policy (for example, on Honor 50 s Magic UI 5.0+).
  • 🛠️ An alternative is to install custom firmware with the desired version of Android (requires unlocking the bootloader).
Why did the phone slow down after the update?

Possible causes and solutions:

ProblemSolution
Insufficient memoryClear the cache in Settings → Memory or reset to factory settings.
Application conflictUpdate all apps via AppGallery or remove unnecessary ones.
Firmware errorReinstall the update via HiSuite or manually (file UPDATE.APP).