Debranding is easy once you find infos how to do it...sadly there's nothing in english. I used a combination of Google Translate + some spanish/italian/polish sites and howto's for other Huawei models to convert my branded single sim ALE-L21 from C150B130 to dual sim C432B172.
Here's how i did it...proceed at your own risk. You shouldn't lose any data in this process (at least i didn't), but make a backup anyways. Also, your warranty will be void.
Please look at the Q&A section at end of the post; feel free to ask me if something isn't answered, but be prepared for an answer like "flash it again" because that's my first Huawei phone and i own it just for a week...i'm more of a Google Nexus guy.
----------------------------------------------------
Part 1: Unlocking bootloader
Stuff you'll need:
- Model number inside "Settings > About phone"
- Serial number inside "Settings > About phone > Status"
- IMEI inside "Settings > About phone > Status"
- Product ID by opening dialer and typing *#*#1357946#*#*
- "Updated Step by Step guide to Root P8 lite.pdf" file - http://ift.tt/1Nwthbc
- Minimal ADB and Fastboot from unlocking bootloader pdf
First you'll need to get your bootloader unlocking code:
1. Go to http://ift.tt/1hGfVR5 and click "Unlock Bootloader"
2. Register a Huawei ID account, repeat step 1, login and click "Unlock Bootloader" again; accept the terms and click Next
3. Enter your phone data and Press Submit; wait a little for the code to show up and save it somewhere safe in case you'll need it someday
Then you'll need to unlock your bootloader:
1. Open "Updated Step by Step guide to Root P8 lite.pdf" and do just step B
-----------------------------------------
Part 2: Flashing the unbranded firmware
Stuff you'll need:
- Minimal ADB and Fastboot from last part
- C432B132 Europe dual sim firmware - http://ift.tt/1P9m823
- Huawei Update Extractor - http://ift.tt/1m0TaCi
First we need to get img files out of Huawei's update.app:
1. Extract the firmware; you should have a folder with dload and CUSTOM
2. Open Huawei Update Extractor as administrator (otherwise you won't be able to extract directly into adb folder), browse (button with two dots) to dload folder from step 1 and open UPDATE.APP
3. Hold Ctrl and select BOOT.IMG, CUST.IMG, RECOVERY.IMG and SYSTEM.IMG; release Ctrl, right click on any marked file, click "Extract Selected" and find your ADB folder (should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot" or "C:\Program Files\Minimal ADB and Fastboot")
Now the most fun and...ehm...most dangerous thing - flashing the files:
1. Do B 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 from unlocking bootloader pdf file (to boot your phone into fastboot mode and get a cmd window with the right starting location)
2. Type:
press enter and wait until finish...it will take some time
press enter and wait
enter and wait again
enter and wait
and enter to reboot your phone
You may think that's the end...let me tell you - it's not. Your phone booted into an ugly version of EMUI with funny icons and "Settings > About phone" Build number says BalongC**B*** instead of the flashed ALE-L21C432B132. Let's fix that.
Fixing balong "bug":
1. Remember CUSTOM folder from extracted firmware? Copy it on your phone's internal storage or sdcard
2. Rename CUSTOM to dload
3. Run the Updater app, tap Menu, select "Local update", tap UPDATE.APP and wait until it finishes it's work and reboots
4. Go to "Settings > About phone" and check if it says the right build number (should be ALE-L21C432B132); if it's not, repeat the img file flashing process
-----------------------------------------
Part 3: Getting the latest firmware update via OTA and (optional) relocking bootloader
Stuff you'll need:
- "Updated Step by Step guide to Root P8 lite.pdf" file - http://ift.tt/1Nwthbc
- Minimal ADB and Fastboot from unlocking bootloader pdf
Getting the latest firmware:
1. Open Updater app, tap Check for updates and install it
2. Repeat step 1 until it says No updates; now you should be on B170, B172, B188 or something else, depends where you live
Relocking bootloader...some will say it's a waste of time; i did it anyways and you should too if you don't plan to root or flash custom recovery, custom kernels (doesn't exist yet) or custom roms (also doesn't exist). I also heard some shops/services won't void your warranty if you relock it (depends where you live tho). So, here we go:
1. Repeat pdf's step B - everything from 2 to 8, except you replace unlock with relock (so it should be "fastboot oem relock ****************", the stars are your unlock number)
2. There should be a green Bootloader Relocked text at the bottom of your phone screen.
----------------------------------------------------
Q&A:
Q: I have a ALE-L02, ALE-L04 or something else. Can i still do what you wrote?
A: Don't even try because you'll brick your phone. ALE-L04 for example got a totally different chipset (Qualcomm Snapdragon 615) than ALE-L21 (HiSilicon Kirin 620).
Q: I don't want dual sim. Why should i flash it?
A: Because why not? You get a bonus functionality and you won't lose anything even if you never intend to use it. Huawei also planned P8lite to be a dual sim phone, so it's possible you'll get updates faster than people with the single sim variant.
Q: I don't live in Europe. Why should i flash that firmware?
A: Well, you can always find an appropriate firmware on carbontesla website, but be prepared you won't be able to fix the balong bug. Only a few firmware packs include the vendor patch (CUSTOM folder).
Q: Huawei Update Extractor gives me errors why i try to extract img's. What should i do?
A: You didn't listen and didn't run it as administrator. One workaround would be extracting the img's somewhere else (for example new folder on desktop) and then copy/paste them into adb folder. Do as you wish.
Q: I get errors when i type "fastboot flash xxxxx xxxxx.img". What should i do?
A: First look if you typed it correctly, then check if you have the right files - BOOT.IMG, CUST.IMG, SYSTEM.IMG and RECOVERY.IMG (there are multiple RECOVERY files, make sure you get the one without any numbers in it's name) and repeat the command. The last resort would be running "fastboot reboot-bootloader" and retrying the command that gives you errors. By the way - if you can't run fastboot at all, then try opening cmd as administrator.
Q: Why won't you root or play with custom roms/kernels?
A: Honestly, the P8lite english dev scene is pretty dead (for now) and even my 6 years old Xperia X10 forums are more active than this one. Funny because the phone is far away from being bad...maybe the reason is our exotic chipset. It's just not worth to be a pre-alpha tester on the device you use every day.
Q: Why isn't there any proper link formatting?
A: XDA doesn't allow me yet because of the low post count. I'll change the post once i'm allowed to insert links.
Q: You broke my phone, i will beat/curse/sue you!
A: Ok, that's not a question. Anyways, not my fault, i said you proceed at your own risk.
Here's how i did it...proceed at your own risk. You shouldn't lose any data in this process (at least i didn't), but make a backup anyways. Also, your warranty will be void.
Please look at the Q&A section at end of the post; feel free to ask me if something isn't answered, but be prepared for an answer like "flash it again" because that's my first Huawei phone and i own it just for a week...i'm more of a Google Nexus guy.
----------------------------------------------------
Part 1: Unlocking bootloader
Stuff you'll need:
- Model number inside "Settings > About phone"
- Serial number inside "Settings > About phone > Status"
- IMEI inside "Settings > About phone > Status"
- Product ID by opening dialer and typing *#*#1357946#*#*
- "Updated Step by Step guide to Root P8 lite.pdf" file - http://ift.tt/1Nwthbc
- Minimal ADB and Fastboot from unlocking bootloader pdf
First you'll need to get your bootloader unlocking code:
1. Go to http://ift.tt/1hGfVR5 and click "Unlock Bootloader"
2. Register a Huawei ID account, repeat step 1, login and click "Unlock Bootloader" again; accept the terms and click Next
3. Enter your phone data and Press Submit; wait a little for the code to show up and save it somewhere safe in case you'll need it someday
Then you'll need to unlock your bootloader:
1. Open "Updated Step by Step guide to Root P8 lite.pdf" and do just step B
-----------------------------------------
Part 2: Flashing the unbranded firmware
Stuff you'll need:
- Minimal ADB and Fastboot from last part
- C432B132 Europe dual sim firmware - http://ift.tt/1P9m823
- Huawei Update Extractor - http://ift.tt/1m0TaCi
First we need to get img files out of Huawei's update.app:
1. Extract the firmware; you should have a folder with dload and CUSTOM
2. Open Huawei Update Extractor as administrator (otherwise you won't be able to extract directly into adb folder), browse (button with two dots) to dload folder from step 1 and open UPDATE.APP
3. Hold Ctrl and select BOOT.IMG, CUST.IMG, RECOVERY.IMG and SYSTEM.IMG; release Ctrl, right click on any marked file, click "Extract Selected" and find your ADB folder (should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot" or "C:\Program Files\Minimal ADB and Fastboot")
Now the most fun and...ehm...most dangerous thing - flashing the files:
1. Do B 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 from unlocking bootloader pdf file (to boot your phone into fastboot mode and get a cmd window with the right starting location)
2. Type:
Code:
fastboot flash system system.imgCode:
fasboot flash recovery recovery.imgCode:
fastboot flash boot boot.imgCode:
fasboot flash cust cust.imgCode:
fastboot rebootYou may think that's the end...let me tell you - it's not. Your phone booted into an ugly version of EMUI with funny icons and "Settings > About phone" Build number says BalongC**B*** instead of the flashed ALE-L21C432B132. Let's fix that.
Fixing balong "bug":
1. Remember CUSTOM folder from extracted firmware? Copy it on your phone's internal storage or sdcard
2. Rename CUSTOM to dload
3. Run the Updater app, tap Menu, select "Local update", tap UPDATE.APP and wait until it finishes it's work and reboots
4. Go to "Settings > About phone" and check if it says the right build number (should be ALE-L21C432B132); if it's not, repeat the img file flashing process
-----------------------------------------
Part 3: Getting the latest firmware update via OTA and (optional) relocking bootloader
Stuff you'll need:
- "Updated Step by Step guide to Root P8 lite.pdf" file - http://ift.tt/1Nwthbc
- Minimal ADB and Fastboot from unlocking bootloader pdf
Getting the latest firmware:
1. Open Updater app, tap Check for updates and install it
2. Repeat step 1 until it says No updates; now you should be on B170, B172, B188 or something else, depends where you live
Relocking bootloader...some will say it's a waste of time; i did it anyways and you should too if you don't plan to root or flash custom recovery, custom kernels (doesn't exist yet) or custom roms (also doesn't exist). I also heard some shops/services won't void your warranty if you relock it (depends where you live tho). So, here we go:
1. Repeat pdf's step B - everything from 2 to 8, except you replace unlock with relock (so it should be "fastboot oem relock ****************", the stars are your unlock number)
2. There should be a green Bootloader Relocked text at the bottom of your phone screen.
----------------------------------------------------
Q&A:
Q: I have a ALE-L02, ALE-L04 or something else. Can i still do what you wrote?
A: Don't even try because you'll brick your phone. ALE-L04 for example got a totally different chipset (Qualcomm Snapdragon 615) than ALE-L21 (HiSilicon Kirin 620).
Q: I don't want dual sim. Why should i flash it?
A: Because why not? You get a bonus functionality and you won't lose anything even if you never intend to use it. Huawei also planned P8lite to be a dual sim phone, so it's possible you'll get updates faster than people with the single sim variant.
Q: I don't live in Europe. Why should i flash that firmware?
A: Well, you can always find an appropriate firmware on carbontesla website, but be prepared you won't be able to fix the balong bug. Only a few firmware packs include the vendor patch (CUSTOM folder).
Q: Huawei Update Extractor gives me errors why i try to extract img's. What should i do?
A: You didn't listen and didn't run it as administrator. One workaround would be extracting the img's somewhere else (for example new folder on desktop) and then copy/paste them into adb folder. Do as you wish.
Q: I get errors when i type "fastboot flash xxxxx xxxxx.img". What should i do?
A: First look if you typed it correctly, then check if you have the right files - BOOT.IMG, CUST.IMG, SYSTEM.IMG and RECOVERY.IMG (there are multiple RECOVERY files, make sure you get the one without any numbers in it's name) and repeat the command. The last resort would be running "fastboot reboot-bootloader" and retrying the command that gives you errors. By the way - if you can't run fastboot at all, then try opening cmd as administrator.
Q: Why won't you root or play with custom roms/kernels?
A: Honestly, the P8lite english dev scene is pretty dead (for now) and even my 6 years old Xperia X10 forums are more active than this one. Funny because the phone is far away from being bad...maybe the reason is our exotic chipset. It's just not worth to be a pre-alpha tester on the device you use every day.
Q: Why isn't there any proper link formatting?
A: XDA doesn't allow me yet because of the low post count. I'll change the post once i'm allowed to insert links.
Q: You broke my phone, i will beat/curse/sue you!
A: Ok, that's not a question. Anyways, not my fault, i said you proceed at your own risk.
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