Easy Upgrade to Unapproved EMUI 5 Update - Huawei P9 Plus Guides, News, & Discussion

Sometimes Huawei releases an update package without approving it. For instance, my device (VIE-L29C636) is getting a B382 update, but the update isn't approved for installation. Here's how to update to those update packages.
NOTE: Using this method, you can also safely upgrade your device even if it is rooted, or has some files system partitions altered. (Of course after finished this process, your device will become unrooted and any alteration to the system partitions mentioned below will revert).
Prerequisites:
Your device is already running EMUI 5 (do not attempt this procedure on EMUI 4 ROM, as the partition layout may differ, and the various firmware (modem, sensor hub, etc.) may not compatible.
Unlocked Bootloader AND FRP.
Latest TWRP from OpenKirin (more on that, including download link, click here).
Huawei Update Extractor, for extracting UPDATE.APP.
imgtool, to convert the sparse android image into an ext4 raw image file.
Method:
Download your preferred update package from Firmware Finder app (Make sure to select the one which has 'FullOTA' designation on it. The package doesn't have to be a 'PV' package). Choose 'update.zip' and the other zip that has your region name on it (for instance, on my C636, look for the zip which has 'spcseas' on it's name). I will refer this 2nd zip as 'regional zip'.
Extract the 'UPDATE.APP' from both zip archive.
Using the Update Extractor on a Windows PC, Extract BOOT, SYSTEM, PRODUCT and VENDOR partitions from UPDATE.APP retrieved from 'update.zip', and extract CUST and VERSION from UPDATE.APP retrieved from your regional zip. You should end up with BOOT.IMG, SYSTEM.IMG, PRODUCT.IMG, VENDOR.IMG, CUST.IMG and VERSION.IMG.
Convert PRODUCT.IMG, VENDOR.IMG and VERSION.IMG to an ext4 image using imgtool, for example:
Code:
imgtool PRODUCT.IMG extract
Beware of overwriting the converted image. imgtool is hardcoded to output the converted file to 'extracted/image.img' folder. ALWAYS rename the image.img to something like 'product.ext4.img' after conversion.
Reboot your device to bootloader mode. Flash BOOT.IMG, SYSTEM.IMG and CUST.IMG via fastboot. For example:
Code:
fastboot flash boot BOOT.IMG
Reboot your device to recovery mode. Type
Code:
fastboot reboot
and hold the Vol Up button on your device to enter recovery mode.
Upload the *.ext4.img converted earlier to your device (doesn't matter where, but I recommend using a safe place like '/sdcard', or USB OTG or external micro SD card). you can use 'adb push', MTP or OTG to upload/copy the ext4.img files to your device.
for each *.ext4.img files, flash it to the appropriate named partitions in
Code:
/dev/block/platform/hi_mci.0/by-name/*
. You can use adb shell on your PC, and a command line program called dd on your device. For faster transfer, try to adjusting the block size to 8M. Example commands (execute from adb shell):
Code:
dd if=/sdcard/product.ext4.img bs=8M of=/dev/block/platform/hi_mci.0/by-name/product
dd if=/sdcard/vendor.ext4.img bs=8M of=/dev/block/platform/hi_mci.0/by-name/vendor
dd if=/sdcard/version.ext4.img bs=8M of=/dev/block/platform/hi_mci.0/by-name/version
Exit TWRP (reboot to system), wait for several minutes for the system to build up it's AOT cache, and enjoy your new EMUI 5 with newer security patch, newer kernel and various features and bug fixes .
EDIT: I apologize that IMGTOOL isn't available in binary form for windows. You can try to use Linux virtual machines to run the IMGTOOL. Any modern GNU/Linux distro should be able to run the IMGTOOL.

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Be Alert, by follow this so called "Easy Upgrade", you need to full backup of your data. It is because after upgrade, all data will be reset.

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jhleo1 said:
Be Alert, by follow this so called "Easy Upgrade", you need to full backup of your data. It is because after upgrade, all data will be reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case (upgrading from VIE-L29C636B370 to B382), it doesn't erase user data at all. And there is no reason it should erase the data.
But as always, backup your data before performing this procedure, in case something goes wrong.

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How to extract product version Vendors use imgtool..

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syaif fabian said:
How to extract product version Vendors use imgtool..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that IMGTOOL is only available as binary in GNU/Linux OS. I think you have to use a VM running a GNU/Linux distro to extract product.img, version.img and/or vendor.img using the IMGTOOL.

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@jnakoda
Thank you so much my friend. I was in great trouble as my System Update, File Explorer and Huawei ID apps was deleted from phone due to some experiment. I followed your guide and successfully flashed rom again and boom I got all files back.
Now going to experiment this on B382 firmware
And for those who are curious about this, I successfully used this process for 'meafnaf' region on P9 Plus (VIE-L29)
Once again thanks a lot @jnakoda
---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 PM ----------
syaif fabian said:
How to extract product version Vendors use imgtool..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
imgtool is for converting .img files to ext4 raw image files.
To extract files, you need to use "Huawei Update Extractor" which is mentioned in OP.
---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 PM ----------
jhleo1 said:
Be Alert, by follow this so called "Easy Upgrade", you need to full backup of your data. It is because after upgrade, all data will be reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I confirm in my case (reflashing VIE-L29C185B380), data was not removed. But its better to backup your data first.

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faakher said:
@jnakoda
Thank you so much my friend. I was in great trouble as my System Update, File Explorer and Huawei ID apps was deleted from phone due to some experiment. I followed your guide and successfully flashed rom again and boom I got all files back.
Now going to experiment this on B382 firmware
And for those who are curious about this, I successfully used this process for 'meafnaf' region on P9 Plus (VIE-L29)
Once again thanks a lot @jnakoda
---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 PM ----------
imgtool is for converting .img files to ext4 raw image files.
To extract files, you need to use "Huawei Update Extractor" which is mentioned in OP.
---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 PM ----------
I confirm in my case (reflashing VIE-L29C185B380), data was not removed. But its better to backup your data first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Evening i had tried the guide but in my VIE-L09 doesn't work. What can i do? Bootloop infinity

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This is easier: https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/eva-nocheck-recovery-flash-unapproved-t3705125
Image works on P9 Plus too. Used it for VIE-L09C432B380.

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great post, but as a simple user, i have no idea how to do this steps.
i have a p9 plus c605 b361 and rooted, and i cant update to anything

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Every time I want to update to a newer version do I need to repeat the steps?
Or I can directly install new updates from finder without confirmation?

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maahmd said:
Every time I want to update to a newer version do I need to repeat the steps?
Or I can directly install new updates from finder without confirmation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heeey...anyone here ?!!?

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For Windows users, you can use https://github.com/KinglyWayne/simg2img_win (works great).

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maahmd said:
Every time I want to update to a newer version do I need to repeat the steps?
Or I can directly install new updates from finder without confirmation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AYahooo said:
For Windows users, you can use https://github.com/KinglyWayne/simg2img_win (works great).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what this is ?!
---------- Post added at 06:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:45 PM ----------
Steve2016 said:
This is easier: https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/eva-nocheck-recovery-flash-unapproved-t3705125
Image works on P9 Plus too. Used it for VIE-L09C432B380.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version? EVA L09: eva_l09b391_nocheckrecovery.img, or EVA L19: eva_l19b391_nocheckrecovery.img ??

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maahmd said:
What version? EVA L09: eva_l09b391_nocheckrecovery.img, or EVA L19: eva_l19b391_nocheckrecovery.img ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this Recovery by Atarii really work on VIE too - it's logical that you use for VIE-L09 the L09 version of this recovery

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Steve2016 said:
This is easier: https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/eva-nocheck-recovery-flash-unapproved-t3705125
Image works on P9 Plus too. Used it for VIE-L09C432B380.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tecalote said:
If this Recovery by Atarii really work on VIE too - it's logical that you use for VIE-L09 the L09 version of this recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this but I have a version vie-l29c185 So I do not know which version I chose

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maahmd said:
I know this but I have a version vie-l29c185 So I do not know which version I chose
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you would say earlier which version you have and if you would search a little bit, then you can find L29:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75234976&postcount=62

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Tecalote said:
If you would say earlier which version you have and if you would search a little bit, then you can find L29:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75234976&postcount=62
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i well try this or this now https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9-plus/how-to/easy-upgrade-to-unapproved-emui-5-update-t3649532

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maahmd said:
i well try this or this now https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9-plus/how-to/easy-upgrade-to-unapproved-emui-5-update-t3649532
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try it with the Link I give you.
There's no risk. If it works is good, if not, nothing will be changed. (only Recovery, which can be changed after)

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Tecalote said:
Try it with the Link I give you.
There's no risk. If it works is good, if not, nothing will be changed. (only Recovery, which can be changed after)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i will do it now if it does not work ..do you have a download link RECOVRY bised for p9 plus ?
Or I will pull it out of the update file
I'll tell you the result

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maahmd said:
Ok i will do it now if it does not work ..do you have a download link RECOVRY bised for p9 plus ?
Or I will pull it out of the update file
I'll tell you the result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what you mean now
Download the Nocheck Recovery for L29 from the Link I give you
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75234976&postcount=62
and do the instructions from the OP
https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/eva-nocheck-recovery-flash-unapproved-t3705125
But with the RIGHT Firmware for your VIE-L29 device (3 zips from Firmware Finder /FullOTA)
After updating Firmware Bootloader is closed and Root is gone.
You have to open again (Factoryreset low-level wipe - if it doesn't do 100% do it manually from settings /advanced settings /backup restore /Factoryreset with wipe of internal storage - this is important! ) and flash TWRP and Root again