Changing IMEI on Honor smartphones: Complete guide

Smartphone owners Honor often face the need to restore the unique device identifier after unsuccessful experiments with the firmware or when purchasing a used gadget with incorrect data. Despite the fact that in modern versions of the shell, access to factory settings is significantly limited, the technical ability to change still exists for advanced users. This procedure requires not only in-depth knowledge of Android architecture, but also an understanding of the legal consequences of such actions in your country. Magic UI And EMUI access to factory settings is significantly limited, the technical ability to change IMEI still exists for advanced users. This procedure requires not only in-depth knowledge of Android architecture, but also an understanding of the legal consequences of such actions in your country.

The process of modifying system parameters is closely related to obtaining superuser rights, which automatically voids the device warranty. Before you begin any manipulations with NV memory, where network identifiers are stored, you need to weigh all the risks. Incorrect data recording can turn your Honor into a “brick”, completely depriving it of the ability to register in cellular networks.

This article examines the technical aspects of the procedure, the necessary tools and methods for bypassing security restrictions introduced by manufacturers. We do not encourage breaking the law, but provide information solely for educational purposes to restore the functionality of devices for which the identifier has been lost for technical reasons.

Legal aspects and risks of changing the identifier

Changing IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a controversial procedure from the point of view of the legislation of many countries. In a number of countries, including Russia, counterfeiting or changing the serial number of a device is classified as an administrative or even criminal offense if this is done to bypass the locks of stolen phones. Telecom operators keep strict records white lists, and a mismatch between the hardcoded number and the database can lead to blocking of the device on the network.

⚠️ Attention: Changing IMEI in order to use a stolen device or bypass operator blocking is illegal. These instructions are intended only to restore the original number of a device lost due to a software failure.

In addition to legal risks, there are serious technical consequences. Smartphone manufacturers Honor implement security mechanisms that can permanently block the communication module if tampering is detected. This means that even if a new value is successfully written, the phone may stop seeing SIM cards or work only in emergency call mode.

It is also worth considering that any manipulations with system partitions require root access. Gaining root privileges on modern Honor models often requires unlocking the bootloader, which is no longer officially supported by the company. The use of third-party hacking utilities creates security vulnerabilities, making the device accessible to malware.

Preparation of the device and necessary software

The success of the operation is 90% dependent on the correct preparation of the workplace and the smartphone itself. You will need a computer running Windows, since most specialized utilities for working with chipsets do not have versions for macOS or Linux. It is critical that you use an original USB cable that can transfer data and not just charge the battery. HiSilicon or Qualcomm do not have versions for macOS or Linux. It is critical to use a genuine USB cable that can transfer data and not just charge the battery.

Be sure to create a complete backup of your data before you begin any action. The procedure will affect system partitions, and loss of contacts, photos or messages is inevitable if there is an error. It is recommended to use cloud services Honor Cloud or local copying to a PC through debugging mode.

You will need specific drivers for your processor. For older Honor models, these can be drivers HiSilicon USB To PC, and for new ones - universal Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers, depending on the revision of the board. Incorrectly installed drivers will result in the computer simply not seeing the phone in the desired mode.

Obtaining root access and unlocking the bootloader

Without superuser rights (Root), access to files storing IMEI is closed at the system kernel level. On smartphones Honor this task is complicated by the fact that the company has closed the servers for issuing bootloader unlock codes. Users have to resort to paid unlocking services or look for vulnerabilities in specific firmware versions.

The most common method for gaining access is to use utilities like DC-Unlocker or HCU Client. These apps allow you to send a special command to the bootloader, allowing write access to system partitions. The process usually looks like this:

• 📱 Connect the switched off phone to the PC by holding down the combination of buttons (most often Volume- and Nutrition) to enter the Fastboot.
• 💻 Launch the client app on your computer and select your device model from the list.
• 🔓 Press the Unlock button, wait for confirmation of success and reboot the phone.

After unlocking the bootloader, you need to install custom recovery, for example, TWRP. This will allow you to get full Root access through installing the archive Magisk.zip. Only after this the system will allow applications to make changes to protected memory areas.

What to do if the bootloader will not unlock?

If the official methods do not work, you can try the "Test Point" method. To do this, you will need to disassemble the phone case and short-circuit certain contacts on the board when connecting to a PC. This method is dangerous and requires soldering skills.

Engineering menu and coding via terminal

One ​​of the oldest and most reliable ways to change the identifier is to use the engineering menu. However, on modern versions of Android, access to it is often blocked by developers. You can try to log in by typing a special code in the dialer, for example, ##2846579## or ##4636##.

If the menu has opened, go to the section ProjectMenu → Network Setting → IMEI Information. Here you will see fields for entering a new number. Entering an incorrect checksum may result in a validation error.

Parameter	Description	Requirements
IMEI 1	Primary identifier for the first SIM	15 digits, unique
IMEI 2	Identifier for the second SIM	15 digits, different from IMEI 1
Serial Number	Device serial number	Alphanumeric code
MAC Address	Network adapter address	Format XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX

If the engineering menu is not available, you can use the terminal with root access. To do this, install a terminal emulator application and enter commands to overwrite the file efs or use the utility xiaomi_tool (which sometimes works on Honor). The command might look like this:

su
echo "new_imei" > /dev/block/mmcblk0p..

Finding the correct path to the memory block is the hardest part, as it varies depending on the processor model and kernel version. An error in the path will lead to writing data to the wrong sector, which is fatal for the system.

Use of specialized software (SN Writer and analogues)

For processor-based devices MediaTek, which are often found in budget and mid-range Honor models, there is a utility SN Writer Tool. This app works in conjunction with VCOM drivers and allows you to directly access the phone's NVRAM storage.

The algorithm for working with SN Writer requires switching the phone to Meta Mode. This is usually done using a combination of buttons when connecting the cable or through the ADB: adb shell echo 1 > /proc/usb_factorycommand. After connecting, the app reads the current data and allows you to download a file with new parameters.

⚠️ Attention: When using SN Writer, be sure to uncheck the "Write IMEI" item if you want to change only the serial number, and vice versa. Double writing can damage the NVRAM structure.

For processors Qualcomm an analogue is used - QPST or EFS Professional. These tools are more complex and require EFS dump files that must first be read from the device, edited in a HEX editor, and written back. An error in the HEX code, even one byte, can make the modem inoperable.

There are also universal combines like Maui Meta or MCT Bypassthat automate the process. However, their device database is rarely updated, and support for new models Honor with the latest security patches may not be available.

Restoring native IMEI after a failure

A frequent problem is not changing the number to someone else’s, but restoring the native IMEI after resetting or flashing, when the fields become empty or contain zeros (000000000000000). In this case, the phone will not be able to make calls, although Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may work.

First, check the sticker under the battery (if it is removable) or the original box from the smartphone. The factory one is always indicated there IMEI. If the box is lost, sometimes the number can be found on the purchase receipt or in the personal account of the telecom operator, if the phone was previously registered on the network with this identifier.

The recovery process is similar to the change, but instead of a fictitious number, you enter a legal factory number. This is the only legal use case for these instructions. After recording, be sure to reboot the device and check the display of the number by dialing the code *#06#.

• 🔍 Make sure that the entered numbers match the sticker on the case down to the last unit.
• 📶 Check the registration on the network: the 4G/LTE icon should appear 1-2 minutes after loading.
• 📞 Make a test call to the operator's support number to check the call progress.

If, after restoring the IMEI, the phone continues to write “Emergency calls only,” the entire NVRAM partition may be damaged. In this case, you may need to flash a Full Dump, which contains all factory calibrations.

Frequent errors and ways to resolve them

Even if you follow all the instructions, users often encounter errors. The most common of them is Fail or Error 101 when trying to write. This almost always indicates a problem with the drivers or insufficient access rights.

Another problem is the IMEI “flashing” after a reboot. This means that the app wrote the data to a temporary partition or cache rather than to permanent NVRAM. The solution lies in correctly selecting the COM port in the device manager and using the Meta/Engineering mode rather than the usual ADB.

⚠️ Attention: If the phone goes into an endless reboot (Bootloop) after manipulating the IMEI, do not panic. Try going into Recovery Mode and doing a Wipe Data/Factory Reset. In extreme cases, flashing the stock firmware via Fastboot will help.

It is also worth mentioning the problem of mismatch between the modem and firmware versions. If you recorded the IMEI on one version of Android and then updated, the new baseband may not pick up the old data. In such cases, it is recommended to reflash the modem separately.

Why is IMei displayed as Null?

This is a sign that the EFS partition is damaged or the nv_data.bin file is missing. Restoration is only possible from a backup copy or by flashing the full image of the device.

Is it possible to change IMEI without root access on Honor?

On modern models with Android 10 and higher, this is almost impossible without unlocking the bootloader and getting Root. Old methods through the engineering menu are closed with security patches.

Is there a risk of blocking the phone by the operator for changing the IMEI?

Yes, if the new number is already listed in the database as stolen or cloned. Operators use monitoring systems (for example, VR automated control systems in the Russian Federation) that track duplicate identifiers.

What is NVRAM and why is it important?

NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) is a non-volatile memory that stores radio module calibration data, including IMEI, MAC address and frequency settings. Damage to this section deprives the phone of communication.

How to find the native IMEI if the box is lost?

Try to look in the phone settings (if it is still displayed), in your Google account (section "Find device"), in the purchase receipt, or contact the service center with your passport and device.

Is it safe to use apps like Chamelephon?

Using third-party software always carries risks. Such applications may contain malicious code or may not work correctly with your specific chipset, causing the modem to break down.