Official support for the smartphone Honor 20 from the manufacturer has long ceased, leaving many users on version Magic UI 3.1 based on Android 10. However, the community of enthusiasts does not sleep, and today there are workers methods for installing newer versions of the operating system, including Android 12. This allows you not only to gain access to new interface functions, but also to increase the level of security of the device.
The process of updating to Android 12 on this device is not a trivial task and requires certain technical training. You will have to interact with the bootloader, custom recovery and system partitions. Errors at any stage can lead to the gadget not working, so carefully study the material before starting action.
In this article we will analyze all the stages: from unlocking the bootloader to installing custom firmware LineageOS or Pixel Experience. We will also look at the specific nuances of the operation of cameras and security modules on the new version of the software.
Preparatory stage and unlocking the bootloader
The first and most critical step is unlocking the bootloader. Without this action, installation of any modified images is impossible. Huawei and Honor have complicated this process by disabling the ability to receive an unlock code through official servers. Therefore, users have to resort to third-party methods or paid services.
You will need to install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. This is the basic toolkit for interacting with the device in debugging mode. Download Platform Tools from the official website of the developers and unpack the archive into a convenient directory on drive C.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader automatically voids the warranty (if it is still valid) and performs a full data reset (Wipe Data). All photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted.
First, activate developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message about enabling the mode appears, go to the menu System and updates → Developer options and activate the switch Debugging via USB.
Connect your smartphone to the PC via the original cable. Open a command line in the folder with ADB and enter the command to test the connection:
adb devicesA request for debugging permission will appear on the phone screen - confirm it. If the console displays the device serial number, the connection is successful. Next, put the phone into Fastboot mode, holding down the volume down button while connecting the cable, and run the command:
fastboot oem unlock☑️ Ready for firmware
Installing custom TWRP recovery
After successful unlocking, the standard recovery menu is replaced with a custom one. For Honor 20 (codename YAL-L21 or YAL-L22), the most stable version is considered to be TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). It allows you to install unsigned system images and create full backups of partitions.
Download the current image twrp.img, specially compiled for the Kirin 980 processor. Do not use versions for other models, as this may lead to the device being “bricked” due to incompatible partition tables. Place the file in the folder with ADB tools.
Switch the smartphone to Fastboot mode again and flash the recovery firmware with a temporary command. This is safe because it does not overwrite the permanent memory forever until the first installation:
fastboot boot twrp.imgAfter booting into the TWRP menu, the first thing to do is make a full backup of the current system. Select sections Boot, System, Vendor and Data, swipe to create an image. This is your insurance in case of unsuccessful installation of a new OS.
What to do if TWRP does not start?
If after the fastboot boot command the device freezes at the logo, the recovery version may not be suitable for your board revision. Try to find an alternative build of OrangeFox Recovery, which often has better support for Honor-specific drivers.
Now you need to prevent automatic overwriting of the stock recovery when the system first boots. In the TWRP main menu, select Advanced, then Terminal and enter the command to block the restoration of the stock image:
mount -o ro /vendor
dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery of=/sdcard/recovery.img
Selecting and preparing Android 12 firmware
At the moment, several Android-based firmware options are available for Honor 20 12. The most popular are LineageOS 19.1 and Pixel Experience. The first provides a clean interface with a minimal set of functions, while the second strives to replicate as much as possible the experience of using Google Pixel smartphones.
When choosing firmware, pay attention to the build status. Stable versions are marked as Stable, and test versions are marked as Nightly or Beta. For everyday use, it is recommended to install only stable releases, since nightly builds may contain critical bugs that affect the operation of communication or sound.
| Firmware name | Android version | Stability | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOS 19.1 | Android 12L | High | Lightweight, long battery life |
| Pixel Experience | Android 12 | Medium | Google services out of the box, Pixel interface |
| RisingOS | Android 12 | Low | Lots of visual effects, maybe warm up |
The downloaded archive with firmware (usually format .zip) must be moved to the internal memory of the smartphone. You will also need the package GApps (Google Apps) if you chose firmware without built-in Google services, for example, LineageOS. Download version package arm64, architecture 12.1, option pico or nano.
Installation process and initial setup
Now we move on to the most crucial moment - flashing the system. Make sure you are in the TWRP menu. Before installing a new system, you must clear old data to avoid file conflicts and cyclic reboots (bootloop).
Select item Wipe, then Advanced Wipe. Check the boxes Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Vendor and Data. Do not select the Internal Storage partition, otherwise you will delete the firmware file itself. Swipe to clear.
⚠️ Attention: Never format the partition
Datavia the Format Data menu (entering the word yes) unless you plan to encrypt the device again from scratch. Usually a regular Wipe Data is enough to change the firmware.
Return to the main menu and press Install. Find the Android 12 firmware archive and select it. If you need to install several files (firmware + GApps + Magisk), use the Add More Zipsbutton. Follow the order: first the system, then the add-ons.
Start the installation by swiping at the bottom of the screen. The process may take from 5 to 15 minutes. In the installation logs you will see the progress of unpacking files. Upon completion, a message Successfulwill appear. Press the button Reboot System.
The first boot of a new system always takes longer than usual - up to 10 minutes. During this time, the Android logo or boot animation may appear on the screen. Do not panic and do not try to force reboot the device if less than 10 minutes have passed.
Obtaining root access and Magisk modules
Many users install custom firmware for the opportunity to obtain superuser rights. For Android 12, the de facto standard is Magisk. It allows you not only to gain full access to the system, but also to hide root access from banking applications through the Zygisk function.
To install Magisk, download the current APK file from the official GitHub repository. Rename the file extension from .apk to .zip. Boot back into TWRP (usually a combination of the power and volume up buttons when turning on) and install this archive in the same way as the system firmware.
If after installing Magisk the phone does not boot, boot into TWRP, go to Advanced → Terminal and enter the command "magisk --remove-modules", then reboot. This will disable all modules in safe mode.
After the system boots, install the Magisk application. When you launch it for the first time, it will prompt you to complete the installation and reboot. Agree. Now you have full control over your device. You can install modules to change system fonts, control processor speed, or improve sound.
However, it is worth remembering that having root access reduces the overall security of the device. Malware gaining access to the superuser can cause irreparable harm. Use administrator rights only when it is really necessary for the operation of specific applications.
Possible problems and their solutions
The transition to unofficial Android 12 firmware Honor 20 may be accompanied by a number of specific problems related to the features of Kirin hardware. The most common complaint is the camera not working correctly. The native camera application from the stock firmware may not launch or display a black screen.
To solve this problem, it is recommended to install the Google Camera (GCam) port. Find a version adapted specifically for Kirin 980 processors. Often such assemblies contain the necessary configuration files (xml) that unlock the potential of Sony IMX586 sensors.
Another common problem is the operation of the proximity sensor and auto-brightness. If the screen does not go dark during a call, check for calibration files in the /persistsection. Sometimes a patch is required Fix Persist via TWRP to restore the correct operation of the sensors.
⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications may refuse to work on an unlocked bootloader, even if Root is hidden. In such cases, the only way out is to return to the stock firmware and re-lock the bootloader (if the code is still valid).
Users also note increased battery consumption in the first days of use. This is normal, as the system optimizes background processes and recompiles applications (ART optimization). Usually, after 3-5 days, the battery life will stabilize.
The main difficulty when installing Android 12 on Honor 20 is not the firmware process itself, but the search for compatible drivers for the camera and modem, which often break in nightly builds.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to return to the official Honor firmware after installing Android 12?
Yes, it is possible. You will need to download the full stock firmware image (dload method) or use the Huawei eRecovery tool. However, if you have locked your bootloader back, the process may be more difficult. Be sure to save a copy of the section cust before starting experiments.
Will Google Pay contactless payments work?
Google Pay does not work by default on an unlocked bootloader. However, using the MagiskHide Props Config module and Play Integrity Fix, it is possible to fool the security check system. But there is no guarantee of 100% performance, since Google is constantly updating detection methods.
Will the IMEI be erased when flashing the firmware?
When custom firmware is installed correctly via TWRP, the modem and nv_data partitions are not affected, so the IMEI is preserved. Losing IMEI is only possible when manually repartitioning the partition table or flashing incompatible modem images.
Why does the fingerprint not work after the update?
The fingerprint scanner in Honor 20 is optical and is closely related to the kernel version and vendor drivers. Make sure you are using firmware that says "Fingerprint working" in the description. In some early builds of Android 12, this function was disabled by the developers.