Note: This information is preserved as a historical snapshot. The Mate 8’s development scene is now largely archived.
[Guide/Info] Huawei Mate 8 Custom ROMs (2021 Update) – LineageOS 17.1/18.0 & Beyond Device: Huawei Mate 8 (Codename: next ) Status in 2021: Legacy (Android 6.0/7.0 stock final). Bootloader unlocking is the main hurdle. ⚠️ CRITICAL PRE-REQUISITE (2021 Reality) Huawei officially stopped providing bootloader unlock codes in mid-2018. If your Mate 8 was not unlocked before ~2019, you CANNOT install any custom ROM today (2021). No workaround exists (paid DC-unlock tools stopped working for Kirin 950 after EMUI 8 updates). If you have an already unlocked bootloader, proceed.
Best Stable Custom ROMs (2021) | ROM | Android Version | Stability | Best For | Download Source | |------|----------------|-----------|----------|------------------| | LineageOS 17.1 | Android 10 | Daily Driver | General use, battery life | XDA (OpenKirin) | | LineageOS 18.1 | Android 11 | Stable with minor bugs | Latest features | XDA / Telegram | | Resurrection Remix 8.6 | Android 10 | Good | Customization | XDA | | OmniROM 10 | Android 10 | Very stable | Stock-like AOSP | XDA (OpenKirin) | (All require OpenKirin’s Treble-based approach or specific device trees)
Recommended: LineageOS 17.1 (Android 10) – 2021 Setup What works: huawei mate 8 custom rom 2021
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Calls, SMS, Mobile data Camera (both rear/front – basic functions) Fingerprint sensor Audio & video playback GPS
Known issues (2021):
VoLTE (not supported on custom ROMs for Kirin 950) Netflix Widevine L3 (no HD streaming) Occasional SIM detection delay on reboot Note: This information is preserved as a historical snapshot
Installation steps (for unlocked devices only):
Update to stock EMUI 8.0 (Firmware NXT-L29C432B582 or equivalent) – mandatory for new partition layout Flash TWRP 3.5.0 (Kirin 950 specific version from OpenKirin) Wipe: Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (do not wipe Vendor) Download: lineage-17.1-20210220-UNOFFICIAL-next.zip (from OpenKirin’s AFH) Flash ROM + OpenGapps ARM64 Android 10 pico/nano Format Data (type ‘yes’) – important to avoid encryption bootloop Reboot – first boot takes 3-4 minutes
Performance & Daily Driver Verdict (2021) Yes – as a daily driver if: Bootloader unlocking is the main hurdle
You already have an unlocked bootloader You don’t need VoLTE or banking apps that detect unlocked bootloader You want Android 10/11 on a 2016 device
Battery life: 5-6 hours SOT (similar to stock EMUI 8) Benchmark (Geekbench 5): ~330 single / ~1450 multi (slightly below stock due to missing Huawei’s GPU Turbo)