Please donate to keep this project alive!
If you find this project useful, please consider donating a small amount to help me cover the costs.
List of Donors
- Jacques Coetzee $50.00
- Florian Çadri $30.00
- Eduardo Alarcón $11.00
- Yannick Langer $10.00
- David Cigan $10.00
- Yannick Langer $10.00
- Arlis Nutter $10.00
- Nicole Schimandl $5.00
- Armand Gueit $5.00
- Paul Carter $5.00
- Sherif Shalaby $5.00
- Bruno A. Brunori $5.00
- Chenchu Murugulla $5.00
- Christopher Lu $5.00
- Laurent Bonfils $2.22
About Project:
The First Ever Android 9.0 is an AOSP (Android Open Source Project) dedicated to all Huawei P20 Pro users with Unlocked Bootloader!
You can get a full Google Pixel 3 Experience on your device. This ROM also contains some useful tools.
Features:
- One-click Upgrade Process
- Super Smooth Android 9.0
- Based on AOSP
- Evira Kernel for AOSP
- Fast USB charging
- Built-in Huawei Camera app
- Google Pixel 3 Experience
- Unlimited Google Drive storage
- Google Lens and Adaptive Icons
- Magisk Manager 18.0 (ROOT)
- AdGuard DNS Adblock
- Google Ad services disabled
Latest Version:
First Ever Android 9.0 10-12-2018
for Huawei P20 Pro (Charlotte)
What works
- Almost everything
What doesn't work
- NFC disabled (I’m still looking for a solution)
- RAW format files in Huawei Camer app
Things to improve
- None
Change Log:
Changes to the previous version
Critical
- Android security patch level 5 december 2018
- Battery life improvements
- Performance improvements
- Notifications fixed (please confirm)
- Gestures: Double-tap to check phone fixed
- ‘OK Google’ fixed
Updates
- Updating Magisk to version 18.0
- Updating Google GApps 9.0 to version 20181210
Other
- None
Disclaimer
This Guide is only for Huawei P20 Pro (Charlotte) CLT-L09 and CLT-L29 devices!
I am not responsible for any damage caused to your phone.
You are installing a custom ROM at your own risk.
Make sure to take a complete backup of your data before starting up the processes.
Make sure you follow all the instructions carefully, without skipping any steps!
Step-by-step Installation Guide: PDF File (coming soon)
Step 1 - Before you start - Bootloader
A bootloader is a piece of software that runs every time your phone starts up.
It tells the phone what programs to load in order to make your phone run.
Some bootloaders contain an extra layer of security that checks to make sure that it only loads an operating system that passes its approval process.
A locked bootloader means you can’t install this operating system!
Unfortunately, Huawei has closed the Bootloader Unlock program on its devices, including those under the Honor brand. Currently only one website provide Bootloader Unlock Codes for Huawei P20 Pro in the amount of €30!
If you don’t want to pay for Unlocking the Bootloader – SIGN THIS PETITION!
Step 2 - How to Unlock Bootloader
- You have to provide device’s unique 15-digit IMEI and Serial Number
- If you can’t find it, open Dialer app and type: *#06#
- Buy a Bootloader Unlock Code Here, and wait for an email with code
- Extract AndroidPlatformTools-P20Pro.zip file directly to root C:\ drive
- Open a CMD window and type: CD C:\APT-P20Pro\
- Turn off your Huawei P20 Pro device
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and connect your phone to the PC
- Your device will boot into Fastboot mode
- Type in a CMD: fastboot oem unlock 0123456789ABCDEF (use your code)
- Press the Volume Up button to select ‘Yes, Unlock bootloader’
- Press the Power button to accept
- Your phone Bootloader is now unlocked!
Step 3 - Downloads
Step 4 - Check OEM unlocking
Make sure the ‘OEM unlocking‘ is Enabled, go to:
‘Settings‘ > ‘System‘ > ‘Advanced‘ > ‘Developer Options‘ > ‘OEM unlocking’
If you can’t see the ‘Developer Options‘, please follow this steps:
- Launch the ‘Settings‘ app from the app drawer or the notifications shade
- Swipe all the way down and tap on ‘System‘
- Tap on ‘About phone‘ and constantly tap on ‘Build number‘
- You should see a message: ‘You are now a developer‘
- Go back and tap on ‘Developer Options‘
If you can’t enable the ‘OEM unlocking‘ in ‘Developer Options‘, go to Step 2!
Step 5 - Install TWRP Recovery via Fastboot
- Extract AndroidPlatformTools-P20Pro.zip file directly to root C:\ drive
- Open a CMD window and type: CD C:\APT-P20Pro\
- Turn off your Huawei P20 Pro device
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and connect your phone to the PC
- Your device will boot into Fastboot mode
- Continue ONLY if the ‘PHONE’ status is ‘UNLOCKED’, or go to Step 2!
- Type in a CMD:
fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk twrp-3.2.1-0-charlotte-mod.img - Now the TWRP Recovery will be installing on your Huawei P20 Pro device.
- To reboot your device, type in a CMD: fastboot reboot
Step 6 - Disable Storage Encryption in TWRP
Please backup all your files before proceeding!
- Turn off your Huawei P20 Pro device
- Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons until the Huawei logo disappears – it will boot into TWRP Recovery
- In TWRP press the Wipe button, then press the Format Data button
- Type: yes and press the blue Accept button on the keyboard
- Press the Home button then the Reboot > Recovery buttons and wait
- Back in TWRP Recovery, connect your phone to PC by USB 2.0 port
- Copy the RemoveEncryption-P20Pro.zip file to your phone root folder
- In TWRP press the Install button
- Navigate to /sdcard then choose the RemoveEncryption-P20Pro.zip
- Swipe to confirm Flash and wait until the installation process is finished
- Press the Home button then the Reboot > Recovery buttons and wait
- Back in TWRP press the Wipe button, then press the Format Data button
- Type: yes and press the blue Accept button on the keyboard
- Your Data Partition is now decrypted!
Step 7 - Current ROM Backup
- In TWRP Recovery press the Backup button
- Select Partitions to backup – Kernel partition or all partitions
- Swipe to Backup and wait to complete the backup process
- Press the Home button to back to the TWRP main menu
Step 8 - Android 9.0 Pie Installation
To generate (YourPhoneNumber) folder do a backup in step 7!
- Connect your phone to the PC
- Extract the FirstEver-Android-9.0-charlotte-20181210.rar on your computer and copy the FirstEver-Android-9.0-charlotte-20181210 folder into \Backup\TWRP\BACKUPS\(YourPhoneNumber)\ folder on your phone
- In TWRP Recovery press the Restore button
- Choose the FirstEver-Android-9.0-charlotte-20181210
- BEFORE YOU FLASH – UNCHECK KERNEL PARTITION !!!
- Swipe to Restore and wait until the restore process is finished
- Press the Home button then press the Reboot > System buttons
- Done!
If you phone bootloop after installation (CLT-L29), follow these steps:
- Download the Kernel-CLT-L29C605.zip file and extract to C:\APT-P20Pro\
- Turn off your Huawei P20 Pro device
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and connect your phone to the PC
- Your device will boot into Fastboot mode
- Type in a CMD: fastboot flash kernel Kernel-CLT-L29C605.img
- To reboot your device, type in a CMD: fastboot reboot
(Optional) Step 9 - Downgrade to stock EMUI 8.1
If for some reason you do not like Android 9.0, you can downgrade to stock EMUI 8.1!
- Turn off your Huawei P20 Pro device
- Press the Power button to turn on your device
- Press and hold the Volume Up button to enter Huawei eRecovery
- Press the Download latest version and recovery button
- Press the Download and recovery button
- Connect to your WiFi network
- Your system will be downgraded to stock EMUI 8.1 or 9 (when available)
(Optional) Step 10 - How to fix a "Bricked" phone
Some CLT-L29 users raported that this ROM can soft “brick” your phone.
If your phone is stuck in EMUI eRecovery, this is how you can fix it,
(Source: XDA by smohanv)
Getting the device ready
- Download EMUI 9.0 from: here
- Unzip the file UPDATE.APP from Update.zip
- Using EMUI extraction tool extract following image files from UPDATE.APP. Download tool from: here
- Extract, CUST.img, KERNEL.img, RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img and System.img and copy these files in the same folder where you have ADB tools Download ADB tools from: here. Unzip files. You will find a file cmd-here.exe. Run this file to get to open command prompt in your PC to the same folder where you have this ADB tools extracted.
- Put your phone in to Fastboot mode (Switch off your phone, Press and hold volumn down button and connect USB with PC)
- Flash the image files in the same order with fastboot commands as below:
fastboot flash cust cust.img
fastboot flash kernel kernel.img
fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img
fastboot flash system system.img - Now flash custom recovery. Download custom recovery from: here
fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk twrp-3.2.1-0-charlotte-mod.img
- Now restart your device with command below:
fastboot reboot
As soon issued this command, pull out of USB cable and keep holding volume up button until Huawei logo comes up disappear. It will now boot in to TWRP recovery.
Check file names in TWRP (Advanced > File Manager) are readable under folder sdcard. If file names are appearing as a junk, it means that you need to decrypt your data partition. Follow the steps below:
Wipe > Format data
Hit home button and Reboot > Recovery
Download and copy RemoveEncryption-P20Pro.zip file in to sdcard folder (Internal storage). This file can be downloaded from here.
Flash RemoveEncryption-P20Pro.zip
Hit home button and Reboot > Recovery
Wipe > Format data
Hit home button and Reboot > Recovery
NOW YOU ARE READY TO FLASH OFFICIAL EMUI 8.1 OR 9.0 (as you like). You have no root exploit available for 9.0 at the moment and also Google Pay will see the device as rooted because of unlocked bootloader.
Follow the steps below:
- Download the EMUI version that you need from the link.
- Create a folder ZIPS-HERE in the same folder where you have ADB tools (as explained in the section above) and put both update.zip and update_all_hw.zip in this ZIP-HERE folder.
- Download update_data_public.zip from this link and copy to the same ZIPS-HERE folder: link
- Download this nocheck.img file and copy it in to the same folder ZIPS-HERE: link
- Issue following commands (you can copy and paste in the command window)
adb push ZIPS-HERE/update.zip /data/update/HWOTA/update.zip
adb push ZIPS-HERE/update_all_hw.zip /data/update/HWOTA/update_all_hw.zip
adb shell “echo –update_package=/data/update/HWOTA/update_data_public.zip >> /cache/recovery/command”
adb push ZIPS-HERE/nocheck.img /data/update/nocheck.img
adb shell “echo –update_package=/data/update/HWOTA/update.zip > /cache/recovery/command”
adb shell “echo –update_package=/data/update/HWOTA/update_all_hw.zip >> /cache/recovery/command”
adb shell “echo –update_package=/data/update/HWOTA/update_data_public.zip >> /cache/recovery/command”
adb shell dd if=/data/update/nocheck.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery_ramdisk
adb reboot recovery
Download First Ever Android 9.0 for Huawei P20 Pro (Charlotte) – Version: 10-20-2018 – Size: 2.63 GB
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Using the Direct link may cause website down due to overload, try not to use it. Please report all broken links here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is UBR and why did you use a RAR archive, not ZIP?
Coming soon!
Where can I copy the unpacked UBR folder?
Coming soon!
Why does the TWRP Recovery not see UBR?
Coming soon!
Why do I get an error when installing UBR in TWRP Recovery?
Coming soon!
Will I lose all my files after upgrading to Android 9.0?
Coming soon!
Can I restore my previous system EMUI 8.1?
Coming soon!
Why does my phone not pass the SafetyNet check?
Coming soon!
Can I change the Bootloader Logo?
Coming soon!
Is it possible to update UBR and keep apps and settings?
Coming soon!
Can I upgrade the official EMUI 8.1?
Coming soon!
Summary
Huawei and other OEMs are locking down their devices and installing various pieces of bloatware onto our smartphones. Do you really need additional app stores, modified heavy user interfaces, applications that you will never use and the manufacturer prevents them from being uninstalled?
Now you have a choice – replace the outdated manufacturer’s OS with the latest Android 9.0 Pie!
“The First Ever Android ROM gets the crown for the best custom ROM for the Nexus 5 so far in 2018.” – KDCloudy
Please read the FAQ section before you ask a question in the comments below.
Repeated questions will be deleted!
Welcome to the official First Ever Android 9.0 for Huawei P20 Pro project site!
All questions regarding version 9.0 should be placed below in the comments section.
You can download the latest version from 25 October 2018 [20181025] coming soon!
Rules
Bots will be blocked, spammers will be blocked, hate speech and vulgar language is not tolerated.
Hi, I’m stuck at the decrytion step, when I plug the phone into the laptop while in twrp, the phone isn’t seen by my laptop so I can’t copy the decryption zip onto the phone
Thanks for this.
I think this is not the end of the road,its just the beginning!
Please check the Step-by-step Installation Guide and let me know if everything is clear.
The project files will be available for download tomorrow!
Thank you for all donations!
Every thing is clear, can’t wait to try it.
Should it be flash recovery_ramdisk? Getting a partition length get error
Yes, my mistake – corrected!
Absolutely brilliant. Well done.
I tried to restore from your backup but I get an Ramdisk error now my phone wont boot anything just into erecovery, I did a Wipe and tried ti download latest version but I get an error no Package found.
Any suggestions
I will take a look on this later…
What is your phone model?
hello
i have the same problem, and my p20 pro not start now
I’m having the same problem, have you solved it?
For CLT-AL00, I still get a bootloop if I restore with kernal
Are you restoring Kernel for CLT-L29 or stock for CLT-AL00?
My phone model is CLT-AL00, when I restore your ROM with kernel partition, I get a bootloop, and I didn’t restore the L29 kernel. Should I try it?
Can you boot into TWRP Recovery?
Yes, flash a stock Kernel for L29 and let me know it it works or not.
It bricked my phone…I have a CLT-L09 and once I restored it it lunched google initial page than it rebooted and bricked…
Shell I install the CLT.L29 Karnel?
Yes, you can flash the Kernel-CLT-L29C605.zip for CLT-L29 and this should help.
Worked on my CLT-L04 model.
Thank you for sharing the information with us!
Did you flash it with my Kernel or without?
Hi hi, The Evira Kernel isn’t compatible with my CLT-L04. Once I restored your ROM, I hit the home button within TWRP and installed the AOSP Kernel located: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=11410932744536989886
My backup has exactly the same Kernel!
LOL interesting…
My phone is bricked, I get a bootloop and I don’t know to solve this. Help me!
1. Did you make a backup?
2. What is the Build number of your phone? (Settings > System > About Phone)
I do not know what my build number is, but my device is from Latin America and I was previously running the Android Pie beta
I was able to get the build number.
CLT-L29 9.0.0.108(C432E5log)
Download and flash KERNEL.img, SYSTEM.img and RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img
from EMUI 9 Beta via Fastboot.
fastboot flash kernel KERNEL.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk recovery_ramdis.img
All files can be downloaded [Here]
I did it. I think we’re making progress. Now the device freezes when I try to boot, but I can get into the original recovery.
Now boot into Huawei eRecovery and click “Wipe data/factory reset”.
I think this will solve the problem.
After the above process, I was able to start reinstalling the rom. After redoing the whole process the moment I restore the ROM I get the following message: Error opening: ” (No such file or directory)
My “ok google” is functional….
I have no Caller id Screen and can’t stop the call 🙁 any solution?
Thanks!!
Go to: Settings -> Apps & notifications -> Default apps -> change the Phone app to Phone (from Google)
Seem to have an issue with notifications not coming through. This is my bigest issue at the moment. Especially noticeable with whatsapp. Other than that I am very Happy!
Any updates about nfc? I use it very often …
Any updates about location service? Does not work in some apps.
I’m moving to a new place – no Internet access until November 24!
Have no USB-C nor adapter audio in the Play Music APP only, kinda odd.
Im on CLT-l29
Installed successfuly on an CTL-AL00.
Thanks for your work!
ps: I was on LineageOS before and keep the same kernel.
How did you install it? Why do I have to install all 9.0 cards in the device unlock interface? 8.1 can be launched for comments.请问是如何安装的,为什么我安装所有的9.0都卡在设备解锁界面呢,8.1可以启动啊,求指教
Hello, please follow the step-by-step Installation Guide! 🙂
My phone model is p20, Can i use it?
Honestly, I don’t know… it is possible that it will work or it will brick your phone.
Any reason you aren’t making the source code available?
Some of us may actually want to review your changes and also possibly contribute to the ROM… and personally, I would rather have a rom signed with my own keys.
if you could make the source code available + platform_manifests / local_manifests that would be great! (shouldn’t be hard to setup gitlab or github for this rom…
take care
I’m back with a new battery life test! (for the upcoming version) 🙂
Smartphone was not used at night time and connected only to 5GHz WiFi network (no SIM card).
It’s still 100% after 7h !!!
Hi
First I want to thank you for your work, I have problems with hotspot, it won’t work when I turn it on than after I turn it off the wifi stop working it won’t detect any of my wifi networks, also I have problems with receiving messages I received 2 of 10 messages , I followed the steps correctly even I reinstalled 3 times and I have the same problems , is the new update version coming soon?
Thank you
I know, there is a problem with Hotspot, but you can work around it (temporary).
1. Restart your phone
2. Turn on and off WiFi
3. Turn on Hotspot
4. It it doesn’t work, turn it on again (and again, and again)
Hey FirstEver
I wanted to know what were the upcoming changes with the new version coming up?
I daily drive your Android Pie ROM on my Huawei P20 Pro and I just like it.
I flashed stock EMUI 9.0 but the usual unofficial TWRP (twrp_clt_0.1.img by @zxz0O0) doesn’t show proper files and folder. It shows encrypted names. My phone is unencrypted (i skipped all PIN setting screen when started after flashing EMUI 9.0).
Hope the TWRP modded by you works better. Could you please share your TWRP file named as twrp-3.2.1-0-charlotte-mod.img.
Thanks in advance.
The CPU usage of this ROM is extremely high… All cores run at the maximum frequency, and the CPU usage is above 30% of the system itself… Battery dies quickly when using the phone, please fix this!
It will be fixed in next build.
The new ROM build 10-12-2018 will be available on Monday! 🙂
Changes:
– Battery life improvements
– Performance improvements
– NFC disabled (I’m still looking for a solution)
– Gestures: Double-tap to check phone
– Notifications fixed (please confirm)
Please check if Netflix works!
RAR Benchmark
hey what are the changes? can’t wait to test it out
nice and thank you
Hi
Thank you for your hard work, is the new update rom will be here for download?
Also did you able to fix the Hotspot?
Thank you
You ask if Netflix works: I have only sound and subtitles showing, no video
nice and thank you
Where I can get it?
Hi where is the new ROM posted. Would like to flash and test.
Hi
I am on stock EMUI 9.0 (unlocked bootloader). Anyway, I have lost the benefit of Google Pay hence don’t care about NFC not working. I would rather move to your ROM. Having waited so long I would like to pick up your latest version. Where can I get your ROM version of 10/12/2018. Thanks.
You can download the latest verion! 🙂
Using the Direct link may cause website down due to overload, try not to use it.
Please correct the title. It is spelt as “Download First Ever Android 9.0 for Huawei P20 Pro (Charlotte) – Version: 10-20-2018 – Size: 2.63 GB”. The date mentioned to be corrected to 10-12-2018.
I followed every single steps and also carefullyed unchecked “kernel”. I was running official EMUI 9.0. After flashing this ROM via TWRP my device didn’t start for a long time. I flashed Kernel-CLT-L29C605.img and this time my device booting to stock eRecovery and never booted to system. Tried factory resetting and no use.
Sorry for spell mistake. Hope my message is clear.
Hello, this problem was reported yesterday, apparently the new ROM does not work on all CLT-L29 devices.
Please don’t install it unless you know how to restore the official system!
UPDATE
Tutorial how to fix a “bricked” Huawei P20 Pro on XDA.
Hi Marcin,
Just wondering: do advise not to install this rom on CLT-L29, also not when you know how to restore stock / unbrick, using your guide on XDA? In other words, do you know of any reason why installation of this rom might result in bricked device?
New version works great on my CLT-L04 Canadian. Thank you.
I still have problems with push notifications, i.e. mainly with WhatsApp and Google Photos. Latest version of your ROM installed, CLT-L29C432, clean flash.
Works perfect CLT-L04 for me ! hope you will find a patch for nfc soon ! thx a lot !
Hey firstever!
My front facing speaker doesn’t work I’m on clt-l04 i’m i the only one ? Only the bottom one works
Thx
Hello
I tried this version and last one, in both versions, I missed some text messages,from my wife and some friends, and clients sent me messages but I never received they showed me the messages on their phones but it never showed up in my phone or retrieve it, also on yelp business, whatsupp, Facebook I didn’t receive push notifications, this is a great rom I really love it I wish It could be 100% reliable in the next version , battery is insane and all the good features probably this is the best rom I ever tried,
Thank you
I copied RemoveEncryption-P20Pro.zip to the root of the phone and in TWRP install this zip file. This process end normally. Then I reboot to recovery and Wipe and Format data which fails with:
– mke2fs -t ext4 -m 0 /dev/block/sdd60 process ended with ERROR: 1
– Unable to wipe data
– Unable to format to remove encryption
What can I do?
This was due to me flashing a different TWRP version by accident, never mind.
Stuck at the decryption step, my laptop doesnt see my phone whilst in twrp so I can’t copy the zip
Try a different computer, it happened to me with my laptop it won’t detect my phone, but the desktop did detect it
Experiencing the same issue as other users have reported where push notifications are not coming through for e.g. Whatsapp. Might have something to do with the fact that ‘Background restriction’ is greyed out, as in it can’t be modified, under App Settings > Whatsapp > Advanced > Battery > Manage battery usage.
Fixed this by removing Whatsapp from ‘Ignore Battery Optimisation’.
Loving this rom! Using your December patch and Netflix is working fine.
I was gifted my p20pro and never used it till now. Does anyone have any info on getting the dual loudspeaker to work?
Is this working with the huawei P20?
No, it doesn’t.
A new ROM (February 2019) is coming this week!
Great!
Hi. Does the Always On Display work? Can it display third party notifications such as Whatsapp, Gmail etc?
In the next few weeks I expect the birth of my first child – keep this in mind 🙂
All updates may appear with a long delay!
This rom is amazing the only real broken things i see is the NFC, USBC audio (only works with adapter) and the lack of dual speakers