The question of when Android 12 will be released on a smartphone Honor 20remains one of the most discussed in the community of owners of this device. After the separation of the brands, software release policies underwent significant changes, which caused confusion among users. Many expected that flagship models from previous years would receive support for the new operating system, but the reality turned out to be more complicated. Huawei And Honor Software release policies have undergone significant changes, causing confusion among users. Many expected that flagship models from previous years would receive support for the new operating system, but the reality turned out to be more complicated.
The official position of the company changes frequently, and update schedules may shift without prior notice. It is important to understand that Honor 20, released in 2019, is already at a mature age in terms of the smartphone life cycle. However, the technical characteristics of the device, in particular the processor, theoretically allow it to work with newer versions of Android. Users should closely monitor official announcements in the application HiSilicon Kirin 980, theoretically allow you to work with newer versions of Android. Users should closely monitor official announcements in the application Support.
In this article we will analyze the current situation in detail, analyze technical limitations and consider possible scenarios for the development of events. You will find out whether you should wait for the official update or whether it’s time to think about changing your device. We will also touch on the topic of custom firmware as an alternative path for enthusiasts.
Official status of updates for the Honor 20 series
Currently, official support Honor 20 from the manufacturer is almost complete. The company Honor after gaining independence focused resources on new lines of devices, such as series Magic and Number (starting with the 50th model). Old devices released under the auspices of Huaweiare often left without major Android updates, receiving only security patches.
Users can check the availability of updates manually through the device settings. To do this, you need to go to the menu Settings → System → Software update and click the check button. If the servers do not offer downloading a new version, it means that it has not been officially released for your region or a specific modification of the device.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to force install firmware from another model (for example, Honor 20 Pro) through recovery mode. This can lead to complete failure of the device (brick), since the hardware configurations of cameras and sensors may differ.
There is a common misconception that all flagships receive updates within three years. In practice, this period is often reduced to two years for mid- and high-end devices released before 2020. Android 12 requires certain changes in the system kernel and drivers, which the manufacturer may not port to older chipsets.
Technical limitations of the Kirin 980 processor
Heart Honor 20 is the chipset HiSilicon Kirin 980. This is a powerful 7-nanometer processor, which at one time competed with the best solutions from Qualcomm i Samsung. However, the architecture of this chip and the closed nature of the ecosystem HiSilicon impose serious limitations on the ability to update.
The main problem is the lack of open source driver codes for new versions of Android. It is difficult for custom firmware developers and engineers themselves to adapt new system functions to old hardware without complete documentation. This is especially true for the artificial intelligence and image processing (ISP) subsystem, which are critical to the operation of the camera. Honor It is difficult to adapt new system functions to old hardware without complete documentation. This is especially true for the artificial intelligence and image processing (ISP) subsystem, which are critical to the camera's performance.
- 📱 Core architecture: The combination of Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores is still relevant, but task scheduler optimization in Android 12 may not work correctly on older cores.
- 📷 Camera module: Photo processing algorithms in the new OS require new ISP drivers, which may be incompatible with the current firmware version.
- 🔋 Energy efficiency: New versions of Android are often more resource-demanding, which can lead to accelerated battery drain on older hardware.
However, experience shows that Kirin 980 is able to work stably with shells based on Android 11 and even 12 in the hands of third-party developers. The only question is whether the official brand is ready to spend resources on supporting an aging device. Most likely, the answer will be negative due to economic infeasibility.
Before any manipulations with the software, be sure to make a full backup of your data through the HiSuite application on your computer. This is the only reliable way to save contacts and photos.
Differences between EMUI and Magic UI
It is important to understand the difference between the software shells, as this affects the ability to receive updates. Honor 20 initially came with a shell EMUI, but later many devices received the update to Magic UI. After the separation of the companies Honor began to develop Magic UI as an independent product, and then switched to MagicOS.
EMUI developed by the company Huawei and is closely related to their services (HMS). Magic UIalthough visually similar, has a different infrastructure of updates and Google services (GMS), which are back on new Honor devices. For older models, such as Honor 20, the transition to a new update branch may be blocked precisely because of differences in licensing services.
| Characteristics | EMUI (Huawei) | Magic UI / MagicOS (Honor) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Services | Absent (on new models) | Present |
| App Store | AppGallery | AppGallery + Google Play |
| Android base | Android 10/11 | Android 11/12/13 |
| Support for older models | Limited to security patches | Priority to new devices |
Users Honor 20 often find themselves in an intermediate position: the device is technically capable of working with new functions, but the software ecosystem does not provide for migration to the latest versions. MagicOS. This creates a situation where the phone remains on the version Android 10 with shell Magic UI 4.0, which is the final version for this model in the official segment.
Why does Honor not update old phones?
The main reason is economic. Developing and testing an update to an older model requires hundreds of engineering hours. It is more profitable for the company to use these resources to promote new flagships in order to stimulate sales. In addition, old HiSilicon chipset drivers are difficult to adapt to Google's new security requirements.
Alternative ways to install Android 12
If the official update does not arrive, advanced users can turn to the developer community. The platform XDA Developers is the main source of custom firmware, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ports MIUI. These firmwares are often based on pure Android 12 or even newer versions.
The process of installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader). It is worth noting that after the separation of brands, the company Honor closed the possibility of obtaining unlock codes for old devices through the official website. This makes installing third-party software extremely difficult and sometimes impossible without the use of paid unlocking services.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may interfere with the operation of banking applications. The Google Pay service (or its analogues) may stop functioning due to SafetyNet protection.
For those who have decided to take this step, there is a certain procedure. First you need to find a working version of recovery (for example, TWRP), compatible specifically with your model (LRA-L29, LRA-AL00 etc.). Then the firmware image is downloaded and installed through recovery mode.
☑️ Preparing to install custom firmware
Optimizing the current version of the system
Even without updating to Android 12, yours Honor 20 can work quickly and stably. The shell Magic UI based on Android 10 is quite optimized for everyday tasks. The main thing is to configure the system correctly and remove unnecessary load on the processor and memory.
It is recommended to disable automatic updates of heavy applications in the background and limit the operation of services that you do not use. It's also worth checking your animation settings. Reducing the animation scale in the menu For developers will visually speed up the interface.
To access advanced settings, you must activate developer mode. Click seven times in a row on the build number in the menu Settings → About phone. After this, a new section will appear in the main settings menu.
Settings → System and updates → For developersIn this section, find the items "Window Animation", "Transition Animation" and "Animation Duration". Set the value 0.5x instead of the standard 1x. This is a simple trick that makes the interface more responsive without losing functionality.
Regularly clearing the application cache and disabling unnecessary system services can extend the comfortable use of a smartphone on an old version of Android for another 1-2 years.
Forecasts and conclusion
To summarize, it is possible with a high degree of probability claim that the official update to Android 12 for Honor 20 will no longer be released. The company's policies and the technical difficulties of adapting the chipset Kirin 980 to new standards make this scenario practically impossible to implement in the official field.
However, this does not mean that the phone is useless. It's still capable of handling most tasks: social media, navigation, multimedia, and even light gaming. If you critically need the features of the new OS, such as improved privacy controls or new widget designs, your only option is to buy a more modern device from the line Honor 50 and above.
Keep an eye on official communication channels, but don’t get your hopes up. It is better to focus on optimizing the current state of the device or wisely choosing a new smartphone that will be relevant in the coming years.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update Honor 20 to Android 12 via the HiCare application?
No, the application HiCare (or Support) offers only those software versions that are officially approved for your model and region. If Android 12 is not on the list, then the official path is closed.
Will Honor 20 receive security updates?
Security updates for this model are released irregularly and, most likely, have already been discontinued. The last major patch update was in 2021-2022. New vulnerabilities may remain unpatched.
Will performance decrease if you somehow install Android 12?
Yes, most likely. Unofficial ports often work unstable, the camera may shoot worse, and battery consumption will increase significantly due to the lack of driver optimization for the new kernel version.
What is the difference between Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro in terms of updates?
There is practically no difference. Both models are built on the same processor Kirin 980 and have a similar support policy. If the update is not released for one model, with a 99% probability it will not be released for another.
Is it worth buying Honor 20 in 2026-2026?
Buying this device is only advisable as a second phone or for very budget use. The lack of prospects for OS updates and the end of security support make it a risky choice as a primary device.