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Hate EMUI? Get stock Android on your HUAWEI/HONOR phone with OpenKirin
- OpenKirin is a new project that brings stock Android ROMs to a variety of HUAWEI and HONOR devices.
- It currently supports 17 phones and tablets running EMUI 8.
- HUAWEI will shut down its bootloader unlock service on July 22, so act fast if you want to flash the ROMs.
Huawei’s EMUI Android skin has improved massively since the Ascend P6 days, offering a variety of useful features. But if you still prefer the look and feel of stock Android, the OpenKirin project is for you.
Spotted by XDA-Developers and GizChina, the project delivers stock Android ROMs to selected HUAWEI/HONOR devices running EMUI 8. Currently supported ROMs are LineageOS, Resurrection Remix OS, and CarbonOS.
Supported phones range from high-end devices (Mate 10 Pro, HONOR View 10) to budget-focused handsets (HONOR 6X, P10 Lite). Check out the full list of devices in the images below.
Many phones running EMUI 8 have support for the Project Treble system. The system, mandated by Google for Android Oreo and beyond, makes it much easier for manufacturers to update their phones to newer versions of Android.
Project Treble also simplifies the process for end-users wanting to flash their phones to a so-called generic system image — essentially a stock version of Android. Thus, it streamlines much of the work being done by the team to bring this project to life.
Interested in flashing your device to an OpenKirin-backed version of Android? You can get started by requesting a bootloader unlock code from HUAWEI, though this service is shutting down on July 22 — you should act soon if you’re thinking about it.
We’re expecting alternative ways to unlock the bootloader after HUAWEI’s service is closed, but until then, you’ll need to use the official method. Otherwise, click the button below to visit the project website.