Huawei P8 Lite (huawei-alice)
| This device runs a Downstream kernel. Some UIs will not work, and most features (3D acceleration, audio, etc.) may be broken. |
|
P8 Lite with XFCE4 | |
| Manufacturer | Huawei |
|---|---|
| Name | P8 Lite |
| Codename | huawei-alice |
| Model | ALE-L01, ALE-L02, ALE-L21, ALE-L23, ALE-CL00, ALE-TL00, ALE-UL00 |
| Released | 2015 |
| Type | handset |
| Hardware | |
| Chipset | HiSilicon Kirin 620 (Hi6220) |
| CPU | Octa-core (8x 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | 500 MHz Mali-450 MP4 |
| Display | 5 inch 16:9, 720x1280 60 Hz IPS LCD, 24 Bit (16777216 colors) |
| Storage | 8/16/32 GB |
| Memory | 2/3 GB LPDDR3 |
| Architecture | aarch64 |
| Software | |
Original software The software and version the device was shipped with. |
Android (EMUI) 5.0.2 |
Extended version The most recent supported version from the manufacturer. |
Android (EMUI) 6.0 |
| Optional software | Android (LineageOS) (Unofficial) |
| 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. |
3.10.108 |
Unixbench score Unixbench Whetstone/Dhrystone score. See Unixbench. |
2193.0 |
| Device package |
|
| Kernel package |
|
Flashing Whether 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
|
Battery Whether charging and battery level reporting work. |
Untested
|
Screen Whether the display works; ideally with sleep mode and brightness control. |
Works
|
Touchscreen |
Works
|
| Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Untested
|
Audio Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons. |
Untested
|
Camera |
Untested
|
| Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Works
|
Bluetooth |
Untested
|
GPS |
Untested
|
| Modem | |
Calls |
Untested
|
SMS |
Untested
|
Mobile data |
Untested
|
| Miscellaneous | |
FDE Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr. |
Untested
|
| Sensors | |
Accelerometer Handles automatic screen rotation in many interfaces. |
Untested
|
| This device is based on the Kirin 620. See the SoC page for common tips, guides and troubleshooting steps |
| This page is about the Kirin 620-based (hwALE-H) variants of the Huawei P8 lite. |
Users owning this device
- Bastindo (Notes: cracked screen, bootloader unlocked with PotatoNV)
- Blender Addict
- Hacker420 (Notes: Dying battery and dead WiFi/BT.)
- Hazel609
- Jojo autoboy (Notes: Technically a Huawei Y6II (CAM_L21))
- Kaloyan Donev (Notes: Fried WiFI/Bluetooth, broken trances for power on button)
- Knuxify (Notes: unlocked with PotatoNV, dead wifi/bluetooth (currently unavailable))
- Madhaxbro (Notes: ALE-L21, runs LineageOS + OrangeFox. Ready for testing. 3Ah LiPo cell with original BMS. NFC is gone. Housing almost closes. The SoC is mainline. This phone is a mess. Joker360 got Android Oreo to work, at least.)
- Notnoelchannel
- R0rt1z2 (Notes: Unlocked with PotatoNV)
- Unx (Notes: Ported)
- Werti (Notes: PMOS installed, but freezes after splashscreen)
Supported variants
- 503HW (Huawei LUMIERE, Japan) - Untested.
- ALE-L01 (Global/Europe? Single SIM?) - Untested.
- ALE-L02 (Asia, Single SIM?) - Untested, should work.
- ALE-L03 (Latin America?, Single SIM?)
- ALE-L21 (Global/Europe?, Dual SIM) - Boots User:Unx's kernel.
- ALE-L22 (Asia?, Dual SIM?)
- ALE-L23 (Latin America?, Dual SIM?) - Untested, should work.
- ALE-TL00 (China Mobile) - Untested, should work.
- ALE-UL00 (China Unicom) - Untested, should work.
Boot modes
Fastboot - hold while connecting a USB host
Recovery - hold + without a cable inserted
Huawei eRecovery - connect a USB host or charger, then hold +
DFU (Factory) mode (test point method) - disassemble your device, connect the appropriate pad to ground, then connect the device to USB - See #Testpoint for details.
DFU (Factory) mode (alternative method, assembled) - destroy the boot chain by executing # dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/disk/by-partlabel/FASTBOOT in a root shell on the device, or (in Fastboot, only if critical fblock is not enabled) - by executing $ fastboot erase FASTBOOT on a connected USB host, or flashing a blank image
WARNING: You will need to flash the FASTBOOT partition using PotatoNV if you try this. Expect the unexpected! After a reboot, your device will display only a status LED code and boot straight to Factory mode. There is no other way to recover it from this state. |
With Android's kernel configuration, partition labels are found under /dev/block/bootdevice/<mmc controller>/by-name/ instead. |
UART mode - disassemble your device, connect the appropriate pad to ground, then connect the device to USB - See #Serial console.
JTAG mode - Needs investigation.
Bootloader unlocking
The bootloader can be unlocked using PotatoNV. To unlock the bootloader, you will need to disassemble the device.
Disassembly
The back cover is attached with clips, and can be taken off with some fiddling. There's a bit of glue around the battery, but you can remove it by wedging in a plastic card. See the iFixit teardown guide for this device for more detailed instructions on disassembling it.
Testpoint
The test point for this device is located under the bottom metal shield and speaker. You will need to remove them to get to it - the shield (and the top speaker screws) are standard Philips-heads, the bottom ones are torx. Connect the two points marked in red with a pair of tweezers to activate it. See the picture at #Serial console for details.
PotatoNV
Follow the guide in the PotatoNV README to unlock the bootloader. Select the Kirin 620 bootloader. Note that you need a Windows PC to run the PotatoNV software. Make sure you install the Factory mode (testpoint) drivers.
WARNING: The firmware used by PotatoNV has fblock disabled already. The release version for ALE-L21 can fail when trying to flash some or all partitions. It returns the message remote: 'command not allowed' to fastboot. Needs more investigation. There could also be a bug involved. |
See Unlocking Bootloaders#Huawei for details about critical unlocking on HiSilicon SoCs.
Downgrade exploit
It could also be possible to unlock the bootloader without opening the device by following this bootloader unlock guide on XDA developers. Effectively, the process is just downgrading to Android 5 then rooting the device then getting the OEM unlock key that way. This does work on the ALE-L21. PotatoNV should work better, though.
| WARNING: This method has only been tested on alice, no guarantees for any other Kirin 620 boards. You probably will need the appropriate firmware. It will also break the OS downgrade prevention, as it uses a fake version number that is higher than the latest official release. Use with caution. |
Installation
| You will need an SD Card to install postmarketOS to this device. |
Follow Installation/Using pmbootstrap, with the following parameters:
- release channel: edge
- vendor: huawei
- device: alice
Downstream kernel
Known Issues
Kernel is ancient. Kernel reports can_graphical=false. Only lightdm works because of this, with a workaround that can be found here. Update 25/1/2026: The workaround for can_graphical=false no longer seems to work, as even the greeter cant boot up on the device. Needs more research.
Serial console
According to schematics, UART should be available on the test points:
The schematics also mention some JTAG pins, however they appear to be hidden behind the shielding, and are on the other side of the motherboard (not the one that's immediately accessible after taking off the back cover). TODO. See Serial debugging/Cable schematics.
Notes
Development
- pmaports!1234 Initial (closed, not merged) merge request
- pmaports!1306 Initial merge request
Mainline status and components
It may be possible to mainline this device, as its SoC is supported in the mainline kernel.
| Element type | Element | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | HiSilicon Kirin 620 (Hi6220) | DTS in mainline | |
| Graphics | Mali-450MP4 | Seems to have a node in the DTS? | |
| Charger | HI6521/BQ2419X | BQ24190 is supported in mainline | |
| PMIC | HI6552 | Appears to be supported in mainline | |
| Touchscreen | CYTTSP5 | Supported in mainline. | |
| USB switch | FSA9685 | Not supported in mainline | |
| NFC | NXP PN547 | Supported in mainline | |
| Audio codec | MAX98925, TFA9895 | Supported in mainline | |
| WiFi, Bluetooth | BCM4343/HI1101 | ||
| Accelerometer | ST_LIS3XH/ROHM_KX023 | Both supported in mainline (first one not exactly, but should be the same as other ST accelerometers in mainline). Second one is confirmed to be used. | |
| Proximity/light sensor | TAOS_TMD27723 | Variant of the TMD2772 which is supported in mainline | |
| Compass/magnetic | AKM09911 | Not supported in mainline | |
| Hall effect sensor | AK8789 | Not supported in mainline | |
| Primary camera | OV13850 | Mainline has support for an OV13858 | |
| Secondary camera | OV5648 (foxconn) | Supported in mainline | |
| Display | BOE NT35521 | Mainline has a driver for a similar panel in a Sony device |
There are many cameras (OV5648, IMX134, S5K4E1GA, OV13850, IMX328, OV8856, IMX219, HI843S) and displays (OTM1902B, OTM1282B, NT35521, LPM070W425C) listed in the defconfig; these were present on my device.
Getting the camera/display used on your device
$ cat /sys/k3_camera/pri_sensor && echo ""
$ cat /sys/k3_camera/sec_sensor && echo ""
$ cat /sys/class/graphics/fb0/lcd_model
Photos
-
Test point location
Useful software
Recovery builds
- Latest official OrangeFox Recovery build Recommended for alice. Based on TWRP.
- Custom TWRP 3.2.3-0 build Also works.
Firmware tools
- Latest version of oeminfo-huawei Tool for digesting Huawei OEMInfo data.
Device support
device-huawei-alice Deviceinfo.
linux-huawei-alice Downstream kernel fork. Experimental!
firmware-huawei-alice Firmware.
Links
Source code
- Downstream kernel (LineageOS)
- Recent version of TWRP
Specifications
- GSMArena (has ads)
Similar devices
- Honor 4c / Huawei G Play Mini (CHM, shine?)
- Honor 4x / Huawei Glory Play 4X (CHE, cherry(_pro); Che2, cherry_plus)
- Huawei Y6II/Honor 5A (huawei-cambodia)