Smartphone Honor 8X (model JSN-L21/L22/L23) was released in 2018 with a pre-installed EMUI 8.2 base Android 8.1 Oreo. Despite the age of the device, many users still actively use it - and are faced with the need to update the firmware. Official support for updates from Huawei/Honor for this model has long been discontinued, but this does not mean that your smartphone is doomed to remain on an outdated version of Android.

In this article we will look at all current update methods Honor 8X from standard OTA updates (if they are still available) to manual firmware via HiSuite, TWRP and custom firmware. We will pay special attention preparing the deviceto avoid “bricks” (turning the phone into a “brick”), and we will also analyze typical mistakes and their solutions. If you have never flashed a smartphone before, don’t worry: we will give step-by-step guide with explanations for beginners.

⚠️ Important: The update process can reset the phone settings to factory settings. In advance make a backup copy important data (photos, contacts, messages). Also make sure that the battery charge is at least 60% - this is critical to avoid failures during the firmware.

1. Checking the current version of Android and available updates

Before you start updating, you need to understand what version of the firmware is installed on your Honor 8X and whether there are official updates for it. Even if support for a model has been discontinued, sometimes undistributed patches remain in regional servers.

To check the Android version:

  1. Open Settings → About phone.
  2. Find items EMUI Version i Android Version.
  3. Write down or take a photo of this data - they will be useful for selecting the correct firmware.

To check available OTA updates:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Software update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. If the system finds update, follow the instructions on the screen. Do not interrupt the process —this may cause a failure.

⚠️ Attention: If your Honor 8X has already been updated to EMUI 9.1 (Android 9 Pie) —this is the latest official version for this model. Further updates are only possible through unofficial firmware (we'll talk about them below).

📊 Which version of Android do you want to install on Honor 8X?
Android 9 Pie (official)
Android 10 (custom)
Android 11 (custom)
I don’t know what to choose

2. Preparing your phone for an update: backing up and unlocking

You cannot proceed with the firmware without preparation! Incorrect actions can lead to data loss or failure of the phone. Here's what you need to do required:

  • 📱 Create a backup copy:
    • Photo/video - copy to PC or to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
    • Contacts - sync with your Google account or export to a VCF file.
    • Messages - use apps like SMS Backup & Restore.
    • Applications and their data - use Titanium Backup (requires root) or manually save files from the folder /Android/data/.
  • 🔋 Charge the phone: Minimum 60%, better than 80%. Connect to the network while the firmware is being installed.
  • 🔌 Prepare the cable and PC: Use the original USB cable (not cheap Chinese analogues!). Install drivers on your computer HiSuite or ADB.
  • 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (if necessary): Unofficial firmware requires unlocking bootloader. This erases all data!

If you plan to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or HavocOS), you need to unlock the bootloader. To do this:

  1. Get unlock code on the official Huawei website (you will need a Huawei ID account and phone IMEI).
  2. Enable Developer mode (click on Build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).
  3. Activate USB debugging and OEM unlocking in the developer settings.
  4. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command in ADB: 
    fastboot oem unlock [your_unlock_code]

Made a backup copy of the data|Charged the phone ≥60%|Installed the HiSuite/ADB drivers|Downloaded the required firmware|Checked the compatibility of the firmware with the model JSN-L21/L22/L23-->

⚠️ Attention: Unlock bootloader irreversibly resets the phone to factory settings and may void the warranty (if it is still valid). Also, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the trigger SafetyNet.

3. update via HiSuite (for EMUI 9.1)

If your Honor 8X has not yet updated to the latest official version (EMUI 9.1 / Android 9 Pie), you can try to do it through proprietary software HiSuiteThis method is safer than manual firmware, but it does not always work - it depends on the region. and the status of Huawei servers.

Instructions:

  1. Download and install HiSuite from official website.
  2. Connect the phone to the PC via a USB cable (select mode File transfer).
  3. Run HiSuite and wait until the app detects the device.
  4. Go to section Update → Check for updates.
  5. If an update is found, follow the instructions on the screen. Do not disconnect the cable until the process is completed!

What to do if HiSuite does not find the update?

  • 🔄 Try changing the region in the phone settings (for example, to Germany or India).
  • 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile data.
  • ⏳ Try again in a few days - sometimes updates appear with delay.
💡

If HiSuite displays the error "Could not connect to the server", try disabling the antivirus or firewall on your PC - they may block the connection.

⚠️ Attention: After updating via HiSuite, the phone may automatically reboot several times - this is normal, do not try to interrupt the process, even if it takes 20-30 minutes.

4. Manual update via Recovery (for advanced users)

If an official update is not available, but you have found suitable firmware (for example full update package for your model), you can install it via Stock Recovery. unlocking the bootloader, but is only suitable for official firmware in the format .zip.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download the firmware from a trusted source (for example, from the forum XDA Developers or website Firmware Finder). Make sure that the files are intended for your model (JSN-L21, L22 or L23).
  2. Copy the firmware file (usually called update.zip) to the root directory internal memory phone or SD card.
  3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Powerto enter Recovery Mode.
  4. V recovery menu select:
    • Wipe data/factory reset (if a full reset is required).
    • Apply update from SD card (or Apply update from internal storage).
    • Specify the path to the file update.zip.
  • Wait for the installation to complete (may take 10-15 minutes).
  • Restart your phone via Reboot system now.

    • Possible errors and solutions:

    Error Cause Solution
    Verification failed Damaged firmware file or model mismatch Download the firmware again, check the phone model
    E:footer is wrong Wrong file format or unofficial firmware Use only official ones .zip for recovery
    Phone stuck on the logo after flashing Incompatible firmware or interrupted process Repeat the firmware or return to the previous version
    What to do if the phone does not turn on after the firmware?

    If after a manual update Honor 8X does not start (black screen, stuck on the logo), try:

    1. Go to Recovery Mode and do Wipe cache partition.

    2. Repeat the firmware installation.

    3. If it doesn’t help, flash the phone via Fastboot (see the next section).

    If the phone does not respond at all (the charging indicator does not light), there may be a hardware failure - contact a service center.

    5. Installing custom firmware (Android 10/11) via TWRP

    For those who want to get the most out of Honor 8X there is an option to install unofficial firmware on the base Android 10 or even Android 11. This gives access to new functions, but requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP Recovery.

    What you will need:

    • 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (see section 2).
    • 📱 Installed TWRP Recovery for Honor 8X (version must match the model!).
    • 🖥️ Firmware in format .zip (for example, LineageOS 17.1 or HavocOS).
    • 🔋 Battery charge ≥70%.

    Installation instructions:

    1. Download the firmware and GApps (Google services, if they are not included in the firmware) on PC.
    2. Connect the phone to the PC and copy files to the internal memory.
    3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Powerto enter TWRP.
    4. Do TWRP do Wipe:
      • Dalvik / ART Cache
      • System
      • Data
      • Cache
  • Click Install and select the firmware file. Confirm installation.
  • After installing the firmware GApps (if necessary).
  • Reboot your phone via Reboot System.

    • ⚠️ Attention: Custom firmware may contain bugs (for example, non-working NFC or problems with the camera). Before installation be sure to check the reviews on the forums about a specific assembly!

    💡

    Installing custom firmware voids the phone's official warranty and can lead to problems with banking applications (due to SafetyNet).

    6. Rollback to the previous version of Android (downgrade)

    Sometimes after the update the phone starts to slow down, overheat or errors occur in the operation of applications. In such cases, you can return the previous version of the firmware - this process is called downgrade.

    When a downgrade may be required:

    • 🐢 The phone began to work slower after the update.
    • 🔥 Overheating or rapid battery drain.
    • 🚫 Important functions do not work (for example, mobile network or GPS).
    • 🔒 You need to return the official firmware for warranty repair.

    How to downgrade:

    1. Download full firmware package the desired version (for example, JSN-L21 8.2.0.160(C432) for EMUI 8.2).
    2. Unpack the archive and find the file update.app.
    3. Create a folder dload on the SD card and place it there update.app.
    4. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Volume down + Powerto start the forced update.
    5. Wait for the process to complete (the phone will reboot several times).

    ⚠️ Attention: Downgrading can lead to data loss, so be sure to make a backup copy before starting. Also, after downgrading, you may need to reset your settings (Factory Reset).

    7. Solving common errors when updating

    The firmware process does not always go smoothly. Here are the most common errors and how to fix them:

    Error Possible cause Solution
    ERROR: remote: oem unlock is not allowed The bootloader is not unlocked or the code is incorrect Get the correct unlock code on the Huawei website
    The phone does not turn on after the firmware (black screen) Incompatible firmware or interrupted process Flash your phone via Fastboot or contact the service
    E:unknown command [log] TWRP Damaged recovery or incorrect version Reinstall the current version of TWRP for your models
    Constant reboots (bootloop) Conflict between firmware and kernel or incorrect wipe Do a full reset (Wipe Data) and repeat the firmware

    If your Honor 8X after unsuccessful firmware does not respond to buttons, try emergency recovery mode:

    1. Disconnect the phone from charging.
    2. Press Volume down + Power to 10-15 seconds.
    3. If the phone vibrates, release the buttons and wait for it to load into Fastboot Mode.
    4. Connect to the PC and flash the official firmware via Fastboot.

    8. data-i="284">Is it possible to update Honor 8X to Android 12?

    Is it possible to update Honor 8X to Android 12?

    Officially - no, the latest version for this model is Android 9 Pie. However, there are unofficial ports Android 12 from independent developers (for example, based on LineageOS 19), but they can work unstable. We recommend testing it first Android 11as it is more optimized for Honor 8X.

    Why does HiSuite not see my Honor 8X model?

    This may be due to:

    • Old version HiSuite (update the app).
    • Lack of drivers (install Huawei USB Drivers manually).
    • Non-original cable (use a proprietary USB cable from Huawei/Honor).
    • Blocking by antivirus (add HiSuite to exceptions).

    If all else fails, try using another PC or laptop.

    How to check if the bootloader is unlocked on Honor 8X?

    Turn off the phone and hold down Volume down + Powerto enter Fastboot Mode. If at the bottom of the screen you see the message PHONE Unlocked —the bootloader is unlocked. If PHONE Locked —it is locked.

    You can is it possible to update Honor 8X without a computer?

    Yes, but only if:

    • Available OTA update (check in Settings → Software update).
    • You install the firmware via Stock Recovery (you need a file update.zip on the SD card).

    For custom firmware or manual update via Fastboot computer required.

    Where to download official firmware for Honor 8X?

    Official firmware can be found at:

    ⚠️ Download firmware only from trusted sources - viral or damaged files may "kill" the phone!