Huawei Honor 8 (huawei-frd)
The Huawei Honor 8 has been updated to Android 8 in some regions, while others are stuck on Android 7.0.
Android 8 uses a different partition layout and kernel.
This port is based on Android 7.0 kernel and probably won't work on devices updated to Android 8. |
If you have a device that got the Android 8 update you might need to make a port based on the Android 8 kernel. Take a look at huawei-warsaw for information on dealing with the Android 8 partition layout.
This device runs a Downstream kernel. Some UIs will not work, and most features (3D acceleration, audio, etc.) may be broken. |
![]() Honor 8 running xfce4 on framebuffer | |
Manufacturer | Huawei |
---|---|
Name | Honor 8 |
Codename | huawei-frd |
Model |
|
Released | 2016 |
Type | handset |
Hardware | |
Chipset | HiSilicon Kirin 950 |
CPU |
4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Mali-T880 MP4 |
Display | 1080x1920 IPS LCD |
Storage | 32/64 GB |
Memory | 3/4 GB |
Architecture | aarch64 |
Software | |
Original software The software and version the device was shipped with. |
Android 6.0 |
Extended version The most recent supported version from the manufacturer. |
Android 7.0 or 8.0 |
FOSS bootloader | no |
postmarketOS | |
Category | downstream |
Mainline Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline. |
no |
pmOS kernel The kernel version that runs on the device's port. |
4.1.18 |
Device package |
![]() |
Kernel package |
![]() |
Flashing It is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher . |
Partial
|
---|---|
USB Networking After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system). |
Works
|
Internal storage eMMC, SD cards, UFS, ... |
Works
|
SD card Also includes other external storage cards |
Untested
|
Battery Charging and battery level reporting works |
Partial
|
Screen Display works. Ideally with sleep mode and brightness control. |
Works
|
Touchscreen |
Works
|
Touchpad Build in Touchpad |
Untested
|
Stylus |
Untested
|
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Broken
|
Built-in DVB TV tuner/DVB device |
Untested
|
Audio Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons. |
Untested
|
Camera |
Broken
|
Camera Flash |
Works
|
IR TX |
Untested
|
IR RX |
Untested
|
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Untested
|
Bluetooth |
Untested
|
Ethernet |
Untested
|
GPS |
Untested
|
NFC Near Field Communication |
Untested
|
Modem | |
Calls |
Untested
|
SMS |
Untested
|
Mobile data |
Untested
|
Miscellaneous | |
FDE Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr. |
Untested
|
USB-A Full-sized USB-A port works (Usually applicable to SBCs and laptops). |
Untested
|
USB OTG USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching |
Works
|
HDMI/DP Video and audio output with HDMI or Display Port works. |
Untested
|
Sensors | |
Accelerometer Auto screen rotation works in desktops e.g. Phosh or Plasma Mobile |
Untested
|
Magnetometer Sensor to measure magnetism |
Untested
|
Ambient Light |
Untested
|
Proximity |
Untested
|
Hall Effect Also known as flip cover sensor |
Untested
|
Haptics |
Untested
|
Barometer Sensor to measure air pressure |
Untested
|
Power Sensor Sensor to monitor current, voltage and power. Not fuel gauge! |
Untested
|
Contributors
- Sandelinos
Maintainer(s)
- Sandelinos
Users owning this device
- DomHeadroom (Notes: Locked bootloader)
- Eriki73 (Notes: locked bootloader)
- Sandelinos (Notes: Android 7 partition layout)
Unlocking the bootloader
Huawei has stopped providing unlock codes for their devices so you'll need to pay for a code from a 3rd party or use PotatoNV, which requires removing the back cover with a hairdryer. See Unlocking_Bootloaders#Huawei. For whatever reason, the command fastboot boot <file.img>
does not work after unlocking the bootloader with PotatoNV. ("Command not allowed")
How to enter flash mode
With the device powered off, hold
and plug in the USB.Installation
- Unlock the bootloader.
- Follow the Installation guide to flash rootfs.
- (optional) install TWRP
- TWRP from twrp.me is only compatible with devices updated to Android 8.
- Here is a TWRP compatible with Android 7.0 devices
- Flash TWRP to recovery partition
- fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-1-frd.img
- Boot into TWRP and install twrp to boot partition (We'll overwrite recovery with postmarketOS kernel later)
- Flash the kernel to the recovery partition
- The boot partition is just 32 MB, while the boot.img we get from pmbootstrap is ~35 MB.
- If you unlocked your bootloader with PotatoNV fastboot won't be able to flash to the boot partition even if it fit.
- pmbootstrap flasher flash_kernel --partition recovery
Additional Info
Battery charging and level reporting works. charging-sdl is untested, since the postmarketOS kernel does not fit on the boot partition.
To control flashlight, write a value between 0-9 to /sys/class/leds/torch/brightness.
- 0 = off
- 1-6 = white
- 7-9 = orange
See also
- pmaports!2247 Initial merge request
- Kernel source copied to GitLab
- Kernel source on Huawei's site