Sometimes, flashing a new firmware on Huawei smartphones or tablets can be challenging, especially when the stock recovery is broken or the device is soft-bricked. This guide will show you how to flash official Huawei firmware (UPDATE.APP) without using an SD card or relying on the stock recovery.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  1. A Windows PC
  2. USB drivers for your Huawei device installed on your PC
  3. Your Huawei device with at least 50% battery charge
  4. A compatible USB cable

Also read how to install Google Apps on your Huawei Android smartphone or tablet

Required Software

  1. Official Huawei Firmware for your specific model
  2. Huawei Update Extractor (v0.9.9.5 or later)
  3. Huawei Multi-Tool by Team MT

Step-by-Step Flashing Process

Part 1: Extracting Firmware Files

  1. Download and install both Huawei Update Extractor and Huawei Multi-Tool.
  2. Extract the downloaded firmware until you find the UPDATE.APP file.
  3. Open Huawei Update Extractor and load the UPDATE.APP file.
  4. Extract the following files from UPDATE.APP:
    • BOOT.img
    • CUST.img
    • RECOVERY.img
    • SYSTEM.img
    • USERDATA.img
  5. Copy or move these extracted image files to the Huawei Multi Tool by Team MT/Unbrick directory.

Part 2: Flashing the Firmware

  1. Boot your Huawei device into Fastboot mode:
    • Power off the device
    • Press and hold Volume Down + Power buttons simultaneously
    • Release when you see the Fastboot screen
  2. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable.
  3. Launch the Huawei Multi-Tool.
  4. Type 6 and press Enter to access the Unbrick menu.
  5. Type N and press Enter to continue.
  6. Type 2 and press Enter to confirm that the files are in the /Unbrick directory.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to flash the stock firmware.
  8. Once flashing is complete, your device will reboot automatically.

Post-Flashing Steps

  1. After the device boots up, go to Settings > System > System Update.
  2. Check for and install any available official updates.

Troubleshooting

  • If the device is not detected in Fastboot mode, try using a different USB cable or port.
  • Ensure you have the latest USB drivers installed for your Huawei device.
  • If you encounter errors during flashing, double-check that you've extracted the correct image files and placed them in the correct directory.

You've successfully flashed your Huawei device with official firmware without using an SD card or stock recovery. This method can be particularly useful for recovering soft-bricked devices or when the stock recovery is not functioning.

Remember to always use official firmware for your specific model to avoid compatibility issues.