Unlocking Your Huawei: A Comprehensive Guide to Network and Bootloader Unlocking

Huawei smartphones, known for their innovative technology and powerful features, are often locked to specific carriers or have a locked bootloader. This can restrict users from switching networks or installing custom ROMs and firmware. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of unlocking your Huawei device, covering both network unlocking and bootloader unlocking. It’s crucial to understand that unlocking your device carries inherent risks, such as voiding your warranty and potentially bricking your device if the process isn’t followed correctly. Therefore, proceed with caution and follow each step meticulously.

Understanding the Types of Unlocking

Before diving into the how-to, it’s essential to distinguish between two main types of unlocking:

• Network Unlocking: This refers to removing the SIM lock, allowing you to use your Huawei device with any carrier.
• Bootloader Unlocking: This unlocks the bootloader, granting you permission to flash custom recoveries, ROMs, and kernels, allowing for deep customization of your device’s software.

I. Network Unlocking Your Huawei Device

Network unlocking is usually simpler than bootloader unlocking. The exact method varies depending on your carrier and region. Here’s a breakdown of the most common approaches:

A. Contacting Your Carrier

This is the most legitimate and often the safest way to unlock your Huawei phone. Many carriers will unlock your device free of charge if you meet specific criteria, such as:

• Your contract has expired.
• You have paid off your device in full.
• You’ve been a customer for a certain period.

Steps to Contact Your Carrier:

1. Locate Your Carrier’s Contact Information: Visit their website or your billing statement to find their customer service phone number or email address.
2. Prepare Necessary Information: You’ll likely need your account information, device IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it), and your phone number.
3. Contact Customer Service: Explain that you want to unlock your Huawei phone. Provide the required information and ask about their unlock policy and procedure.
4. Follow Their Instructions: If you’re eligible for an unlock, they’ll likely provide you with an unlock code or remote instructions for unlocking.

Things to keep in mind:

• Some carriers may take several business days to process your request.
• Make sure that the unlock is performed on the correct device.

B. Using Third-Party Unlocking Services

If your carrier won’t unlock your device, or you need a faster solution, third-party unlocking services can be an option. However, choose these carefully because some are unreliable or fraudulent. Here’s how to proceed:

Steps for Using Third-Party Services:

1. Research and Choose a Reputable Service: Look for established services with good customer reviews and transparent pricing. Be cautious of services offering unrealistically low prices.
2. Provide Your Device Details: You’ll need to provide your phone model, carrier, and IMEI number.
3. Pay for the Unlock Service: Prices vary based on your device and carrier.
4. Receive and Enter the Unlock Code: Once they process your request, you’ll receive an unlock code. Typically, you’ll need to insert a SIM card from a different carrier, and the device will prompt you for the unlock code.

Important Considerations:

• Risk of Scams: Research the service thoroughly to avoid fraud.
• Cost: Third-party services often charge a fee.
• Potential Delays: The unlocking process can take several hours or even days.

C. Using a SIM Unlock App (Less Common and Often Ineffective)

There are various apps on the Play Store that claim to unlock your device. However, these are often unreliable and rarely work. They may be malicious and contain viruses or malware. This method is not recommended.

II. Bootloader Unlocking Your Huawei Device

Unlocking the bootloader allows for more profound customization, but it’s a more complex procedure and carries a higher risk. Huawei officially discontinued providing bootloader unlock codes, making this process more challenging. However, workarounds and alternative methods exist. Here’s what you should know.

A. Understanding the Risks of Bootloader Unlocking

Before proceeding, be aware of the potential risks:

• Voiding Your Warranty: Bootloader unlocking almost always voids your manufacturer’s warranty.
• Bricking Your Device: Incorrect procedures can render your device unusable.
• Security Risks: Modifying your phone’s software can introduce security vulnerabilities.
• Data Loss: Unlocking the bootloader typically wipes all data from your device.

B. Preparation Before Unlocking

These preparatory steps are crucial to minimize potential issues:

1. Backup Your Data: Back up all your important data (photos, videos, contacts, etc.) to a computer or cloud storage.
2. Charge Your Device: Ensure your device is at least 80% charged to avoid power-related issues during the process.
3. Download Necessary Tools: You’ll likely need the following:
• Huawei USB Drivers: Install the appropriate drivers for your device from Huawei’s website.
• ADB and Fastboot Tools: Download the Android SDK Platform Tools, which contain ADB and Fastboot. You can find them on the Android Developer website.
• TWRP Recovery (Optional but Recommended): If you intend to flash custom ROMs, download the TWRP recovery image for your device model.
4. Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging:
   • Go to Settings -> About Phone.
   • Tap on Build Number multiple times (usually 7) until you see a message saying “You are now a developer!”.
   • Go back to Settings -> System (or Developer Options directly, depending on the EMUI version).
   • Enable Developer Options.
   • Enable USB Debugging.
   • Also, enable OEM unlocking if present (it might not be present on all Huawei phones).

C. Unlocking the Bootloader (Using Third-Party Tools – Since Huawei Doesn’t Officially Provide Codes)

Since Huawei stopped providing unlock codes, you’ll have to use third-party tools. Here’s a generalized overview of the process. The specific tool and steps will vary depending on the tool you choose, always proceed with caution and follow the tool’s instructions.

Step 1: Choosing a Third-Party Tool

There are several third-party tools available, but their reliability can vary. Carefully research before choosing. Options may include:

• Paid Services (Generally More Reliable): These often provide a more user-friendly experience and tend to work well on a wide range of devices.
• Free Tools (Less Reliable): These might work for older devices, but their effectiveness can be inconsistent, and the risk of encountering issues is generally higher.

Step 2: Installing the Selected Tool

Follow the instructions provided by the specific tool you select. This usually includes installing the tool on your computer.

Step 3: Connecting Your Huawei Phone to Your Computer

1. Connect your Huawei phone to your computer via USB cable.
2. Make sure the drivers installed correctly. You can verify this by opening the device manager on your computer and searching for “Android Phone” or similar entry. If it has an error, you will need to fix the driver install.
3. Ensure that you allow USB debugging authorization when prompted by your phone.

Step 4: Running the Bootloader Unlock Tool

1. Follow the specific instructions provided by your chosen third-party tool.
2. This generally involves using a button on the tool to trigger the bootloader unlock process.
3. You might have to put your phone into fastboot mode manually. This usually involves powering off the device and then holding the power button and volume down button at the same time until a screen appears.
4. The tool will send the commands necessary to unlock your device.
5. Warning: this part of the process can be very risky. If the unlock process is interrupted, your phone could become unusable. Do not disconnect your phone during this time and do not turn off your computer.

Step 5: Verifying Bootloader Unlock

1. After completion, restart your device.
2. If the process was successful, you will see a message saying “Your device is unlocked” on the boot screen.
3. You can also verify the bootloader status by opening a command prompt or terminal window on your computer. Then execute the following commands in sequence:

adb devices

This will list any connected devices.

adb reboot bootloader

This will boot your phone into the bootloader/fastboot mode

fastboot oem get-bootinfo

This command will return the current bootloader status of your device. If unlocked, you will see an unlock status message

D. Installing TWRP Recovery (Optional)

If you intend to flash custom ROMs or kernels, installing TWRP recovery is crucial. Here’s the generalized approach:

1. Download the correct TWRP recovery image for your specific device model to your computer.
2. Boot your device into the bootloader mode (fastboot).
3. Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer. Navigate to the folder where you have the TWRP image stored.
4. Run the following command:

fastboot flash recovery your-twrp-image-name.img

Replace “your-twrp-image-name.img” with the actual name of your downloaded TWRP image file

5. After the flash has completed, you can restart your device
6. You can access the TWRP recovery by booting the phone while holding down the power button and volume up button (the button combination might be different depending on your device).

III. Important Considerations and Troubleshooting

• Read Instructions Carefully: Before you begin any unlocking process, read the instructions from the service you are using carefully. Each device and each method will have specific instructions you should adhere to.
• Device Compatibility: Not all methods work for every Huawei device model. Check compatibility before proceeding.
• Driver Issues: Problems with USB drivers can interfere with the unlocking process. Make sure to install the correct drivers and that they are working.
• Unlock Errors: If you get errors, carefully review the error message to see what went wrong. Double-check all the steps and settings. You might have to restart your device and computer and try again.
• Research: When it comes to bootloader unlocking especially, always research, do not simply trust online videos or tutorials.
• Seek Assistance: If you’re unsure about any step, seek assistance from tech forums or communities specializing in Huawei devices.
• Backup, Backup, Backup: As a reminder, do not proceed with bootloader unlocking unless you are ok with losing data. It is best to assume that you will lose your data. This step is mandatory.

IV. Conclusion

Unlocking your Huawei device can offer numerous benefits, including network freedom and customization options. However, it’s a process that requires careful consideration, research, and meticulous execution. Whether you’re network unlocking or bootloader unlocking, understand the potential risks involved. Always proceed with caution, and if you are ever unsure of any of the steps, it’s best to stop and do more research or seek help from tech experts or communities. With the proper approach, you can successfully unlock your Huawei device and enjoy all the benefits it brings.

Disclaimer: Unlocking your device carries risks, including voiding the warranty and potential device damage. This guide is for informational purposes only, and you are responsible for any consequences of your actions.