How to completely remove Android on Honor: unlocking, flashing and consequences

Removing standard firmware Android on smartphones Honor is a process that requires not only technical skills, but also an understanding of all possible consequences. Unlike a regular factory reset, a complete system wipe involves deleting all system files, replacing the bootloader, and installing alternative software. This may be necessary to experiment with custom firmware, remove built-in software from the manufacturer, or restore “bricks” after unsuccessful updates.

However, it is important to understand: Honor (like most Chinese brands) actively blocks the possibility of free modification of devices. Unlocking the bootloader was officially supported only on a limited number of models until 2020, and today requires bypassing protections through engineering modes or exploits. Moreover, after removing the original firmware, you lose the warranty, OTA updates and risk getting an inoperable device (“brick”).

This article will analyze in detail all stages of the process - from preparation to installation of an alternative OS - but let's start with the main thing: on 90% of modern Honor models (2021 and newer), complete removal of Android without the risk of losing the device is impossible due to Huawei Kirin hardware protection. If your goal is simply to clear your system of junk, consider alternatives at the end of the article.

1. Why can’t you just remove Android as a regular app? Android on smartphones is not just an operating system, but a complex of several layers: low-level software that runs the system. On Honor it is locked by default and requires an official unlock code (which is no longer issued in 2020).

Android on smartphones Honor is not just an operating system, but a complex of several layers:

• 📱 Bootloader - low-level software that runs the system. On Honor it is locked by default and requires an official unlock code (which has been discontinued since 2020).
• 🛡️ TrustZone is a hardware security module that checks the integrity of the system every time it is turned on. If changes are detected, it can block the device.
• 🔄 Recovery section —a service area for recovery. Even if you delete the main firmware, the device will try to recover from this partition.
• 📦 Built-in applications —many services Huawei/Honor (for example, HwOve or Huawei Mobile Services) are integrated into system processes and are not deleted without rights superuser.

Simply formatting the partition /system via fastboot is not enough: without the correct firmware the device will not boot. Moreover, the chips Kirin (used in most Honor models) implement protection eFuse, which is triggered when an attempt is made to downgrade the firmware or install uncertified software. This means that after an unsuccessful modification, it may be impossible to return the device to its original state.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Kirin 980/990/9000 (for example, Honor 20 Pro, Honor 30, Honor V30), an attempt to unlock the bootloader through unofficial methods may lead to irreversible IMEI blocking loss of network functions.

2. Preparing the device: what you need to do before you start

If you still decide to continue, first prepare your device and backups. This stage is critical: without it, you risk losing data or getting a “brick.”

Make a full backup of data (photos, contacts, messages)

Write down IMEI (dial *#06#)

Check the processor model (Kirin/Qualcomm)

Download firmware and tools (ADB, Fastboot, HiSuite)

Charge the phone at least 70%

Prepare an OTG cable (in case of emergency recovery)-->

First determine exact model your device and processor version. This can be done:

• 🔍 Through settings: Settings → About phone → Model i EMUI/Magic version UI.
• 🛠️ Via the engineering menu: type ##2846579##, then select ProjectMenu → Background Settings → Hardware Info.
• 💻 Via ADB: connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:

  adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi

Pay special attention bootloader version. On new devices (for example, Honor 50, Honor 70, Honor Magic 4) it is used Fastboot Locked 2.0, which cannot be unlocked using standard methods. Check its status with the command:

fastboot oem get-bootinfo

⚠️ Attention: If you see Locked: yes i FRP: yesin the response, this means that the bootloader is locked and Factory Reset Protection is active. An attempt to bypass it without an official code will lead to the device being blocked after a reset.

3. Officially Supported Methods: unlocking the bootloader (if still available)

Until 2020 Huawei (brand owner Honor) provided an official way to unlock the bootloader through the website emui.huawei.com. Today this service is closed, but for older models (for example, Honor 8X, Honor 10, Honor View 20) you can still find working methods.

If your device was released before 2020, try the following algorithm:

1. Get the unlock code:
   • 🌐 Go to emui.huawei.com (service may not be available in some regions).
   • 📝 Enter your account information Huawei linked to the phone, and information about the device (IMEI, serial number, model).
   • 🔑 The code will be sent by email within 1–14 days (in practice, it often arrives within a few hours).

fastboot oem unlock [your_16-digit_code]

fastboot oem get-bootinfo

For devices 2020 and newer the official method is not works. In this case, you will have to use unofficial methods, which we will consider later. However, remember: on Kirin 990 chips and newer (Honor 30, Honor V40, Honor Magic 3) bypassing protection often leads to loss of IMEI and network functions.

Until 2019

2019–2020

2021–2022

2023 or later

I don’t know-->

4. Unofficial methods: bypassing protection on new devices

If official unlocking is not available, there are two main ways:

1. Exploits for specific models (for example, Honor 50 or Honor X30).
2. Using engineering protocols (for example, Diag Port or EDL Mode).

Let's consider both options in more detail.

4.1. Exploits for unlocking the bootloader

Some models have vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass bootloader signature verification. For example, for Honor 8X (model JSN-L21) there was an exploit via fastboot oem unlock with empty code. For newer devices (for example, Honor 20 Lite), methods sometimes work using testpoint - special contacts on the board, the closure of which puts the device into mode EDL.

An example command for checking the vulnerability (does not work on all models):

fastboot oem unlock-go

If the command is executed without errors, the bootloader will be unlocked. However, this method does not work on most 2021+ devices.

4.2. EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode)

Mode EDL allows you to flash the device at a low level, bypassing bootloader checks. To activate it you will need:

• 🔌 Testpoint — physical access to the board (you need to disassemble the phone and short-circuit the contacts).
• 💻 Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 — driver for PC (if the chip is Qualcomm).
• 📥 Firmware in .mbn format (for example, for Honor 9X or Honor 10i).

Process:

1. Connect the phone to the PC in mode EDL (via testpoint or command adb reboot edl, if supported).
2. B an entry should appear in the device manager Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Use the tool QFil or MiFlash to flash the file prog_emmc_firehose.mbn.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Kirin mode EDL is often blocked at the hardware level. An attempt to activate via testpoint can lead to operation eFuse and irreversible blocking.

5. Installing custom firmware: alternatives to Android

After successfully unlocking the bootloader, you can install alternative firmware. However, the choice for Honor is extremely limited due to the closed nature of the platform Huawei.

To install custom firmware:

1. Download the appropriate firmware (for example, from XDA Developers).
2. Place the file .zip on an SD card or internal memory.
3. Reboot to recovery (for example, TWRPif available for your model).
4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (check Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install firmware via Install → Select ZIP.

6. Risks and how to minimize them

Even with successful firmware you face with a number of problems:

• 📵 Loss of IMEI —on devices with Kirin 980/990 this happens in 30–50% of cases.
• 🔋 Battery problems —custom firmware may incorrectly display the charge level.
• 📡 Lack of network — without original communication module drivers (for example, Balong on Kirin), mobile data and calls may not work.
• 🔒 Blocking Huawei account — when changing the firmware, the device may require the original account data.

To reduce risks:

• 🔄 Use firmware specially adapted for your model (not universal ports).
• 📋 Before flashing the firmware, save the partition nvme or modemst1/2 (IMEI and calibration data are stored there).
• 🔌 Flash only through a stable power supply (preferably with a connected memory).

7. Alternatives to completely uninstalling Android

If your goal is not experiments, but cleaning the system from unnecessary applications or improving performance, consider safer methods:

• 🧹 Debloating - removing built-in applications Huawei/Honor without changing the firmware. For this you need root access (for example, through Magisk). List of packages safe to remove:

  com.huawei.android.hsf
  com.huawei.appmarket
  com.huawei.browser
  com.huawei.himovie
  com.huawei.music

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings - deletes all user data, but retains the original firmware. Path: Settings → System → Reset.
• 🛠️ Using Launcher — installing an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) will hide the standard one interface Magic UI.
• 📱 Secondary account —creating a new user in Android (in the settings) will allow you to work in a “clean” environment without unnecessary applications.

For debloating without root, you can use ADB commands. For example, to disable unnecessary applications:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.browser

8. What to do if the device has become a “brick”

If after manipulation the phone does not turn on (freezes on the logo, flashes a red indicator or does not respond to buttons), try the following steps:

1. Hard reset:
   • Press Volume up + Power on 10–15 seconds.
   • If the menu appears Fastboot, select Reboot to recovery.