How To Unlock Bootloader In Honor 9 Phone May 2026

Before you spend a dime on codes, prepare your device:

Works on many HONOR 9 variants, even on EMUI 8/9, using a credit-based system (~4 credits = ~€4).

| Your Skill Level | Best Method | Cost | Risk | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Beginner/User | DC-Unlocker | ~$4.50 | Low (software only) | | Advanced/Developer | PotatoNV | Free | High (hardware short) | | Hopeful | Official Huawei | Free | Impossible (Dead end) |

Final verdict: For 99% of HONOR 9 owners, DC-Unlocker is the logical choice. It costs less than a coffee, takes five minutes, and requires no tools aside from a USB cable. For the tinkerer who wants to learn hardware-level flashing, PotatoNV is a fun weekend project.

Remember: Unlocking the bootloader is the gateway to keeping a 2017 phone usable in 2026. Without it, your HONOR 9 is stuck on outdated Android 9. With it, you can run modern Android 13/14 custom ROMs. Good luck

Official bootloader unlocking for the was discontinued by Huawei in

. Because the official web portal no longer generates unlock codes, you must now use third-party hardware or software methods. HUAWEI Global HONOR 9 (STF) How to Unlock Bootloader in HONOR 9 phone

chipset, which is compatible with a popular open-source tool called ⚠️ Critical Warnings : This process will factory reset your phone. Back up all data first. Hardware Risk : The most reliable modern method (PotatoNV) requires opening the phone to access a "testpoint" on the motherboard. : Unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty Method 1: PotatoNV (Recommended/Open-Source)

This method is free but requires physical disassembly of the device. 1. Preparation Huawei HiSuite HUAWEI USB COM 1.0 drivers : Download the latest release of PotatoNV from GitHub 2. Disassemble the Phone Power off the device.

Use a hairdryer to heat the back cover and carefully peel it off using a plastic card. Locate the Honor 9 STF (refer to images on the PotatoNV GitHub for the exact pin location). 3. Unlocking Procedure Connect a USB cable to your PC (but not the phone yet). Use metal tweezers to short-circuit the testpoint to the metal shield on the motherboard.

While holding the short, plug the USB cable into the phone. Wait 3 seconds, then release the tweezers. Device Manager on your PC. It should show HUAWEI USB COM 1.0 . Select your device from the list. Select the bootloader type (usually "Kirin 960"). In the "Unlock code" field, enter any 16-character string

. The phone will reboot, and the screen should indicate the bootloader is unlocked. Method 2: Paid Third-Party Services

If you are uncomfortable opening your phone, some paid tools claim to unlock the bootloader via software, though they often require older security patches to work. Unlock bootloader form - HUAWEI Community Before you spend a dime on codes, prepare

Unlocking the bootloader on an is no longer supported officially by Huawei/Honor, as they terminated their unlock code service in July 2018. However, since the HONOR 9 uses the Kirin 960 chipset, unofficial community-developed methods still work if you are willing to perform hardware modifications. Current Status of Unlocking

Official Method: Terminated. The official HUAWEI Community confirms they no longer have tools to generate codes.

Unofficial (Recommended): PotatoNV is an open-source tool specifically for Kirin 960 devices like the HONOR 9.

Third-Party Services: Some paid services (like DC-Unlocker) may still provide codes, but their reliability varies and they are often considered high-risk. Review of the Best Available Method: PotatoNV

This is the most reliable current method, though it is highly technical.

Hardware Requirement (Testpoint): You must physically remove the back cover of the phone to access the motherboard. Once you have your 16-digit code:

Procedure: You short a specific "testpoint" on the board to the shield while connecting it to a PC to enter a low-level "USB COM 1.0" mode.

Software: Use the PotatoNV tool to generate a new 16-character unlock code and write it to the device.

Final Step: Once the code is written, you use standard ADB/Fastboot commands (fastboot oem unlock [YOUR_CODE]) to finalize the unlock. Critical Warnings How to Unlock Bootloader in HONOR 9 phone?, How To

Once you have your 16-digit code:

  • Prepare PotatoNV:
  • The Test Point (Critical Step):
  • Flash the Unlock:
  • Final Unlock:

    • Pros: Completely free. Does not rely on DC-Unlocker’s servers.
    Cons: Requires physical disassembly and risk of shorting the wrong pin. Not for beginners.

  • Connect and Detect:
  • Read Bootloader Code:
  • Unlock using Fastboot:
  • Verify: Reboot to fastboot and type fastboot oem get-bootinfo. It should return: Bootloader unlocked: YES.

    • Pros: Works reliably on EMUI 8/Android 8 and 9. No hardware disassembly.
    Cons: Costs money (€4). The software looks dated but is legitimate.

    Sites like Ministry of Solutions, Global Unlock Solutions, or FunkyHuawei (now defunct) offer remote bootloader unlock using your IMEI.
    Cost: ~$15–$50. You give them remote access to your PC, or they send you a custom unlock script.

    Device: Honor 9 (STF-L09/AL00) Difficulty Level: Intermediate to High (Due to OEM policy changes) Status: Official codes are no longer available; third-party paid services are required.