Have you deleted an important application from Honor 20 and don’t know how to get it back? Don't panic - in 90% of cases, apps can be restored without complex manipulations. Smartphones on Android (including models Huawei/Honor with services HMS) offer several ways to recover deleted software: from standard functions Google Play to manual recovery via ADB. The main thing is to act consistently and take into account the firmware features of your device.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods: from the simplest (reinstallation from the store) to advanced (restoring from a backup or system cache). We will pay special attention to the nuances Honor 20 of the model, which due to limitations Google Mobile Services (GMS) requires a specific approach. If you used AppGallery instead of Play Market, the solutions will be different - we have taken this scenario into account.

Before you begin, check:

  • 🔍 Do you have a backup copy of your data (via HiSuite, Google Account or third-party utilities)?
  • 📱 Are services installed on the device Google or only HMS Core?
  • ⚙️ Was the settings reset after uninstalling the application?

The answers to these questions will narrow down the range of possible solutions.

1. Recovery via Google Play (for devices with GMS)

If your Honor 20 supports Google Play Market (models with GMS, released before May 2019 or flashed with custom firmware), the easiest way is to return the application through the installation history. This method works even if you don’t remember the name of the app.

Instructions:

  1. Open Google Play Market.
  2. Tap on your profile avatar in the upper right corner → Manage applications and device.
  3. Go to the tab Management → Installed → Not installed.
  4. Find the desired application in the list and click Install.

⚠️ Attention: If the application was uninstalled a long time ago (more than 1 year), it may not appear in the history. In this case, try to find it by searching by name.

📊 Which application store do you use on Honor 20?
Google Play
AppGallery
APKMirror
Other sources

Additional features Play Market:

  • 🔄 Auto-update: Enable in the store settings, so that applications are restored automatically after flashing.
  • 📥 Family Library: If the application was purchased through a family account, check the section Library.
  • 🔍 Filters: Use sorting by date installations (Latest) to quickly find removed software.

💡

If the app doesn't appear in your history, try signing in to the same Google account you used when you first installed it. The history is tied to the profile, not to the device.

2. Recovery via AppGallery (for devices with HMS) There is also a history of installations here, although the functionality is more modest.

Models Honor 20 based on HMS Core (without GMS) are deprived of access to Google Play, but have an alternative - AppGallery. There is also a history of installations here, although the functionality is more modest.

How to return the application:

  1. Open AppGallery.
  2. Go to the section My (profile icon at the bottom right).
  3. Select Manage applications → Deleted.
  4. Find the software you need and tap Install.

Restrictions AppGallery:

  • ❌ History is stored only 30 days (versus 1 year in Google Play).
  • ❌ There is no search function for deleted applications - only scrolling the list.
  • ❌ Not all applications are available in the catalog (especially Google services).

What to do if the application is not in the AppGallery?

If the app is not in the catalog, try:

1. Install the APK manually from trusted sources (for example, APKMirror).

2. Use alternative stores (Petal Search, Aptoide).

3. Download .apk via a browser from the official website of the developer (for example, Telegram, VK offer direct links).

⚠️ Attention: Installing an APK from unverified sources may lead to infection with malware Software. Always check the hash of the file (for example, via SHA-256) on the developer's website.

3. Restoring from a backup copy

If you regularly create backups through HiSuite, Google Drive or third-party utilities (for example, Titanium Backup), the chances of returning a deleted application with all data are maximum. Let's consider three scenarios:

Backup method How to restore Features
Google Account
  1. Go to Settings → System → Backup.
  2. Enable Auto recovery.
  3. Reinstall the application from Play Market —the data will be restored automatically.
 Works only for applications that support Android Backup Service (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram).
HiSuite (Huawei)
  1. Connect your phone to the PC via HiSuite.
  2. Select Backup → Restore.
  3. Tick the Applications and data.
 Restores all applications from a backup, and not selectively.
Titanium Backup (root)
  1. Install Titanium Backup (required root).
  2. Go to the tab Backups.
  3. Select the application and tap Restore.
 Saves all data (including cache and settings). Does not work on new versions of Android without root access.

⚠️ Attention: Restoring from a backup HiSuite will overwrite the current application data If after creating a backup you. added new files (for example, chats in instant messengers), they will be lost.

Charge the phone to at least 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|Free up 1-2 GB of memory|Disable antivirus (may block the process)-->

4. Manual recovery via ADB (for experienced users)

If the application was System (for example, Camera, Gallery) and deleted with rights root, you can return it via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires technical skills and is only suitable for users who have experience working with the command line.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. Enable on your phone USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number → tap 7 times → return to Settings → System → For developers).
  3. Connect Honor 20 to the PC and execute in the terminal: 
    adb devices

    (your device should be displayed).

  4. Download the APK of a remote system application (for example, from APKMirror) and install using the command: 
    adb install -r -d --fastdeploy file_name.apk

List of commands for working with packages:

  • 📌 Viewing all installed packages: 
    adb shell pm list packages -f
  • 📌 Uninstalling an application (if you need to repeat the installation): 
    adb uninstall com.example.package
  • 📌 Viewing package information: 
    adb shell dumpsys package com.example.package

⚠️ Attention: Installing modified APK system applications can lead to Blocking Huawei services (for example, AppGallery or HMS Core). Use only original files from official sources.

💡

ADB allows you to restore even those applications that are not displayed in stores. However, system utilities (for example, Huawei Mobile Services) may require flashing the full firmware.

5. Restoring through the system cache (without root)

Android stores cached versions of installed applications in a folder /data/app. If the application was recently uninstalled, its files may remain in the cache. To access them you do not need rootrights, but you will need a file manager with support for system folders (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

  1. Install a file manager with access to root (or use built-in Explorer with superuser rights).
  2. Go to the path: 
    /data/app/com.package name-1

    (replace com.package name with the real application ID).

  3. Copy the files base.apk and folder lib to a safe place location.
  4. Install APK through any file manager.

How to find the package name of a remote application:

  • 🔍 If you remember the name, find it in Google Play —the identifier is indicated in the URL (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
  • 📋 Use online package databases, for example APKMirror or APKCombo.

⚠️ Attention: The files in /data/app can be encrypted. If an error occurs during installation INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_NO_CERTIFICATES, it means. the cache is damaged - try another method.

6. Restoring after resetting

If you have done hard reset (Settings → System → Reset, all user applications will be deleted only through:

  1. Google Account: When setting up for the first time after a reset, the system will offer to restore data from the last backup. Select the desired profile and check the box Applications.
  2. HiSuite: Connect your phone to the PC, launch HiSuite and select Recover data → Applications.
  3. Manual installation: If there is no backup, download APK files manually from official sources and install them.

What to do if the recovery does not work:

  • 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
  • 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the backup is not loaded due to provider blocking).
  • 🔧 Update HiSuite to the latest version (old versions may not support new firmware Honor 20).

After resetting the settings on Honor 20 with EMUI 10+ firmware, the system automatically restores only those applications that were installed through AppGallery. apps from Google Play or APK will have to be installed manually.

7. Alternative methods: cloud services and third-party utilities

If standard methods do not work, try the following tools:

Service/Utility How use Pros Cons
ApkExtractor Extracts APK of installed applications on another device for transfer. Does not require root. Does not restore data.
DroidKit Software for PC, recovers deleted data (including APK) without backup. Works without root. Paid (from $30).
Google Drive If the APK was saved to the cloud, check the folder Downloads or Backups. Free. You need to remember the file name.

⚠️ Attention: apps like DroidKit or Dr.Fone often advertised as “magic solutions”, but in practice they only recover data that has not been overwritten. If a lot of time has passed after deletion, the chances are minimal.

Frequent errors and their solutions

When restoring applications, users Honor 20 often encounter the following problems:

  • 🚫 "The application is not compatible with the device":
    • Check the processor architecture (Honor 20 uses ARM64).
    • Download APK only for Android 9/10 (EMUI 9/10).
  • 🔒 "Installation blocked":
    • Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
    • Disable Play Protect in settings Google Play.
  • 🔄 "The application constantly restarts":
    • Clear the cache (Settings → Applications → [Name] → Memory → Clear cache).
    • Reinstall the APK from the official website.

If the error persists, check the integrity of the firmware. On Honor 20 s Applications damaged by system files may not be installed even with the correct actions. In this case, only flashing via eRecovery or Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions will help.

Is it possible to restore a deleted application along with data (for example, saves in games)?

Yes, but only if you have a backup. Google Account saves the data of some applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram), and Titanium Backup (requires root) - all installed apps Without backup, return user data (save, save). chats, settings) is impossible.

I deleted a system application (for example, Camera). How to get it back?

System utilities are restored only through:

  1. Reflashing the device (via eRecovery or Fastboot).
  2. Installing the original APK via ADB (see section 4).
  3. Restoring from a backup HiSuite (if a copy was created before deletion).

⚠️ Removing system applications may interfere with stability. EMUIIf errors occur after recovery, reset the settings.

Why is there no history of deleted applications in AppGallery?

Probable reasons:

  • More 30 days has passed since deletion.
  • You are logged into another account Huawei ID.
  • The application was not installed through AppGallery, and manually (APK).
  • Synchronization with is disabled on the device HMS Core.

Check the synchronization settings: Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud → Data synchronization.

Is it possible to restore an application deleted by another user (for example, a child)?

Yes, if:

  • The application was installed via Google Play or AppGallery —check the history (sections 1 and 2).
  • There is a backup copy (section 3).
  • You know the name of the app - download the APK from the official source.

If the application was deleted a long time ago and there are no backups, it is impossible to restore it, however, you can install an analogue from the store.

After restoration, the application does not exist. opens. What should I do?

Try in order:

  1. Clear the cache and data (Settings → Applications → [Name] → Memory).
  2. Reinstall the application (uninstall and install again).
  3. Check compatibility with version EMUI (on Honor 20 update firmware based on Android 9/10).
  4. Update services Google Play or HMS Core (depending on the type of firmware).
  5. Reset the settings (if the error is critical).

If the problem persists, check your device for viruses (for example, via Dr.Web or Malwarebytes).