Database Info

Android Pay issues

OK, here goes. I am running COS 12.1, rooted, with an unlocked bootloader. I recently upgraded to Android Pay after using Google Wallet for NFC payments for years on my old GS4 and my OnePlus One.
At first, I was unable to add my payment card due to being rooted. Easily fixed, I unrooted using SuperSU to do a full unroot and was able to add my card and complete the app setup.
The showstopper is that whenever I try to use it at a merchant, I end up with a screen that says Confirm your password - you must unlock to use Android Pay. No matter how many times I enter my password it just keeps asking over and over. I disabled the quick unlock feature under lock screen settings just in case that was the issue, but it made no difference. An ongoing support case with Google just came back with the following:
"The specific error message that you saw means that your device can't support Android Pay's advanced security. It seems that the phone manufacturer has modified the operating system to the point where it is no longer compatible with our software. You may want to use Android Pay on a different device for the most secure payments."
So, has anyone running COS 12.1 had any luck with Android Pay? Thoughts, comments, suggestions are all welcome.

Hurricane Andrew said:
OK, here goes. I am running COS 12.1, rooted, with an unlocked bootloader. I recently upgraded to Android Pay after using Google Wallet for NFC payments for years on my old GS4 and my OnePlus One.
At first, I was unable to add my payment card due to being rooted. Easily fixed, I unrooted using SuperSU to do a full unroot and was able to add my card and complete the app setup.
The showstopper is that whenever I try to use it at a merchant, I end up with a screen that says Confirm your password - you must unlock to use Android Pay. No matter how many times I enter my password it just keeps asking over and over. I disabled the quick unlock feature under lock screen settings just in case that was the issue, but it made no difference. An ongoing support case with Google just came back with the following:
"The specific error message that you saw means that your device can't support Android Pay's advanced security. It seems that the phone manufacturer has modified the operating system to the point where it is no longer compatible with our software. You may want to use Android Pay on a different device for the most secure payments."
So, has anyone running COS 12.1 had any luck with Android Pay? Thoughts, comments, suggestions are all welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have also fyi - there is also another thread talking bout Android pay and what we got it working on and which roms it does not work with. Did you try it with root enabled?

playya said:
Yes I have also fyi - there is also another thread talking bout Android pay and what we got it working on and which roms it does not work with. Did you try it with root enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I first tried it with root enabled, then when that didn't work I did the full unroot. I will try with just disabling SU over the weekend and see what happens.

Hurricane Andrew said:
I first tried it with root enabled, then when that didn't work I did the full unroot. I will try with just disabling SU over the weekend and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah with stock no need to full unroot. you can have bootloader unlocked root added and all that. Its just when you set it up make sure its stock root and not by using the supersu zip file. My findings was when I flashed Supersu it did not work but if I flashed stock rom then let TWRP inject root it worked. Of course I unchecked the option in supersu set up Android Pay then found one of those coke machines that take Android pay and tested it out.

Is my phone bricked? Noob that tried to proxy update via Team MT and then rollbacked

Hello!
Some basic information:
phone region: FRD-L04
locked without twrp or any bootloader capabilities
I tried to update my Honor 8 to Nougat using the Team MT proxy method, which was successful in the sense that I had Nougat, but it was the beta version rather than B360. So with that in mind i tried to do a rollback to marshmallow, which was also successful, but I am now running in to the Google Verify Account security loop while setting up the phone again. It states that my phone was reset and to log in with a google account that was previously synced on the device. I log in with the only google account that was used on the phone and the question resets asking for a previously used account. Neither verifying automatically by phone # nor recovery email works.
I'm currently traveling in Japan and am trying everything I find by search(swipe keyboard bypass etc), but nothing seems to work.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Frank

I just did the same from b316 i couldnt get to b360 so i rollback to b131 and now i through hicare i can officially update to Nougat....
What i did was a SD-card upgrade by dialing *#*#2846579#*#* after i moved my 1st update package unzipped (the intermediate version b300 or whatever) to my dload folder in the SD card (i didn't wiped the SD card) then i did the same with the full update package. Once you are done with that you will back to marshmallow and then through HiCare you can update to Nougat.
For your problems with google account have to tried to factory reset and wipe everything? vol +- and power???

ftt28 said:
Hello!
Some basic information:
phone region: FRD-L04
locked without twrp or any bootloader capabilities
I tried to update my Honor 8 to Nougat using the Team MT proxy method, which was successful in the sense that I had Nougat, but it was the beta version rather than B360. So with that in mind i tried to do a rollback to marshmallow, which was also successful, but I am now running in to the Google Verify Account security loop while setting up the phone again. It states that my phone was reset and to log in with a google account that was previously synced on the device. I log in with the only google account that was used on the phone and the question resets asking for a previously used account. Neither verifying automatically by phone # nor recovery email works.
I'm currently traveling in Japan and am trying everything I find by search(swipe keyboard bypass etc), but nothing seems to work.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect you didn't follow huawei's method to rollback, did you?
If yes, you should be on B122 (given that u have the L04 model), correct me if i'm wrong.
Sent from my FRD-L04 using XDA Labs

takichiman said:
I suspect you didn't follow huawei's method to rollback, did you?
If yes, you should be on B122 (given that u have the L04 model), correct me if i'm wrong.
Sent from my FRD-L04 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, the last boot I did was to B122. I followed huawei's method and, after booting to the intermediate B300, I booted to B122 found on Huawei's website. (can't post link because of new account but it's B122 for FRD-L04)
After a little more searching it seems I triggered the android security feature which locks out phones for 72 hours if the phone's previous account has had their password reset.
My phones behavior seems to agree with this security loop so it seems my rollback was done correctly, but I will need to wait 72 hours to find out. Sorry for my overreaction and making of a thread; the fact that I'm traveling made me quite anxious. Thank you both for the replies and help!

Having trouble with SD card firmware updates.

Hello everybody,
Firstly, apologies about all text, no links.. But i'm new to the site and don't have enough posts to link yet.
So, i'm new to the Mate 9 (had Samsungs for quite a few years now... Overpriced battery sucking hogs that never last to 18 months withou massive issues) and I really haven't gotten into the custon side of/flashing etc since my original galaxy (dunut, before the s!) /HTC Desire, sgs3 days.... So i'm probably quite out of touch... But still capable to learn and especially follow a good guide!
Now, my thing is... I want to stay stock as I use Android pay quite a lot... Yet with my experience with optus they are ATROCIOUS at updates, every with volume sale items like the Galaxy s4, 5 &6 so I can only imagine that i'll never get an update with the mate 9.
I purchased my phone outright, but second hand.... So I don't think I'll have a warranty anyway.
So far I have gathered that I can only debrand if I unlock the bootloader (and pay remains broken even if it gets relocked with an original rom) so for me, at least for the time being, that's out.
My next option is to side load firmware from the SD card... I just want to keep up to date. There is some screen sensitivity issues that the newest firmware apparently addresses.. Not to mention camera updates and battery usage updates (already VERY impressed with the battery though, especially after my S6- Awful phone)
Trouble is, I can't get any update to complete! - They get to 5% and then fail!
The firmware models I've tried have slightly different numbers to what's on my Optus Mate 9... But I can't find any exact matches, so I'm kind of expecting this to be the cause of my failed updates, even when I've downloaded from the different sites following the guides.
Currently i'm running with this;
Model: MHA-L09
Build: MHA-L09C34B122
EMUI: 5.0
Android: 7.0
and I have tried these three updates from the Huawei... Note 2 full and one OTA. Also note the firmware/region differences... But it's as close as I can find.
2017.04.25 MHA L09BC346B181 FULL-MF
2017.04.25 MHA L09BC346B181 OTA-MF
2017.04.24 MHA L09BC34B170 FULL-MF
I've also followed these two guides (and another one with a B170 update), downloading the updates from each respective site in case the firmware was something different than what I could find. Note also that one tells you to put the dload folder into the device memory.. Which won't work, so I just did it in SD which enables the phone to recognise the update file.
(links not allowed sorry, removed and replaced with text, can probably google to see what I did, always fails on step 1)
From get droid tips, upgrade to B170 & B181
from stechguide, upgrade it B181
Not to mention having followed all the guides I could find on this forum.
I'm sorry if I've missed a discussion that already deals with this (or similar) or if it's really bleedingly obvious. I'm just at a bit of a loss here!
Thanks in advance.

Sorry,
This is for Australian firmware. Optus.

Use this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/how-to/guide-mate-9-flash-update-package-t3593108
I don't get why sites write down guides on how to update, when we in fact can't update using DLOAD. Only 2 offline firmwares have been released so far, for C636 and AL00. But that guide up there will let you update to 181.

Thanks for that,
I'd obviously misunderstood what's available already... Figured since I don't have the 10x zoom available like the latest release, I was behind.

ante0 said:
Use this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/how-to/guide-mate-9-flash-update-package-t3593108
I don't get why sites write down guides on how to update, when we in fact can't update using DLOAD. Only 2 offline firmwares have been released so far, for C636 and AL00. But that guide up there will let you update to 181.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, new users are led the wrong way by reading these guides.
The dload method probably worked with older devices so the Mate 9 articles seem to be created by copy and paste and replacing the older devices name with "Mate 9". Voila! There's your new shiny article about the Mate 9 and people klick it.

Yeah. I got sucked in. Noob mistake.
Sorry for polluting the board with my stupidity!
Very out of touch with behind the scenes android.
Thanks for taking the time guys

Since you don't want to unlock your bootloader you are stuck to only one method. And that is the Firmware Finder method and try to push the latest C34B170 FULL-MF to your System Updater and hope it is authenticated. The other link mentioned by ante0 is for unlocked bootloader users only using TWRP and modified recovery images.

Saw that. Figured I'm just stuck as is for now. I'll check out what you're referring to!

Leighm0 said:
Since you don't want to unlock your bootloader you are stuck to only one method. And that is the Firmware Finder method and try to push the latest C34B170 FULL-MF to your System Updater and hope it is authenticated. The other link mentioned by ante0 is for unlocked bootloader users only using TWRP and modified recovery images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New Mate 9 owner here, have been trying to update from MHA-L29C636B172 to MHA-L29C636B180 using the Firmware Finder method and push to OTA.
System update has picked up the new version but every time I try to download and update, it gets to 100% and then tells me I need to update Package 1 which is the same size, it downloads that, tells me I need to update Package 2, same size, downloads that, Package 3 etc, etc in a never ending loop! I’ve tried using both the smaller update package and the full package. I built up an update file of over 5GB trying to do it this way and it never gets to the authentication stage!
Although I’ve always unlocked my bootloader, flashed custom recoveries and roms on my previous Android devices I’m not keen to take that path yet.
In a nutshell, am I doing something wrong or should I just wait for the official authenticated firmware update to pop up on my phone? Thanks.

Texan1 said:
should I just wait for the official authenticated firmware update to pop up on my phone? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMHO yes you should. Don't let FF/FH turn into an obsession, just enjoy your phone.
Sent from my MHA-L29 using XDA Labs

Texan1 said:
New Mate 9 owner here, have been trying to update from MHA-L29C636B172 to MHA-L29C636B180 using the Firmware Finder method and push to OTA.
System update has picked up the new version but every time I try to download and update, it gets to 100% and then tells me I need to update Package 1 which is the same size, it downloads that, tells me I need to update Package 2, same size, downloads that, Package 3 etc, etc in a never ending loop! I’ve tried using both the smaller update package and the full package. I built up an update file of over 5GB trying to do it this way and it never gets to the authentication stage!
Although I’ve always unlocked my bootloader, flashed custom recoveries and roms on my previous Android devices I’m not keen to take that path yet.
In a nutshell, am I doing something wrong or should I just wait for the official authenticated firmware update to pop up on my phone? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you start download.. pause it then go turn off the proxy and then go back to the update and resume. Then you won't get the incremental download loop.

By the way, when you unlock bootloader on mate 9, then flash a full firmware (either the update and rebrand guide, Firmware finder or funky) your bootloader gets locked again. So no real harm done.

Leighm0 said:
Once you start download.. pause it then go turn off the proxy and then go back to the update and resume. Then you won't get the incremental download loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks @Leighm0, but still getting the 'authentication failed' message once downloaded. Is there anything I can do to prevent that and get the update through?

Texan1 said:
Thanks @Leighm0, but still getting the 'authentication failed' message once downloaded. Is there anything I can do to prevent that and get the update through?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, thats Huawei not authenticating the update for your device yet... you just have to wait. Took me about 3-4 weeks from the time of release before B182 got approved for my C636 device.
I just randomly check every week till its finally approved - I try not to keep checking as its pointless and a waste of bandwidth.

Leighm0 said:
Nope, thats Huawei not authenticating the update for your device yet... you just have to wait. Took me about 3-4 weeks from the time of release before B182 got approved for my C636 device.
I just randomly check every week till its finally approved - I try not to keep checking as its pointless and a waste of bandwidth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks @Leighm0. Unsure what the point of Firmware Finder and the proxy is then? If it allows you to find the firmware earlier, but you still can’t install it because Huawei need to authenticate it first, why not just check for updates using the built in system updater?

Good question... Wondering that myself.
Sent from my MHA-L09 using XDA Free mobile app

Texan1 said:
Thanks @Leighm0. Unsure what the point of Firmware Finder and the proxy is then? If it allows you to find the firmware earlier, but you still can’t install it because Huawei need to authenticate it first, why not just check for updates using the built in system updater?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope - I still had to get FF Proxy to push it to system updater.. just needs to be authenticated by Huawei first. OTA did not show up under the standard "check for updates" options.. it might have shown up, but how long do I need to wait for that ? My device is not available in Australia, would it even get OTA updates if it werent for FF proxy?
Next time a firmware comes out, I could do a test to see if it does even get it by normal methods - and that is to push with FF Proxy, wait for the update to be authorized... then cancel it... turn off FF Proxy and wait for it to show up in my system updater naturally.. see how slow Huawei are at pushing it? Be interesting to see.
The above would probably not be relevant to an Australian sold model/device - it should get OTA updates when they are pushed out..

Leighm0 said:
Nope - I still had to get FF Proxy to push it to system updater.. just needs to be authenticated by Huawei first. OTA did not show up under the standard "check for updates" options.. it might have shown up, but how long do I need to wait for that ? My device is not available in Australia, would it even get OTA updates if it werent for FF proxy?
Next time a firmware comes out, I could do a test to see if it does even get it by normal methods - and that is to push with FF Proxy, wait for the update to be authorized... then cancel it... turn off FF Proxy and wait for it to show up in my system updater naturally.. see how slow Huawei are at pushing it? Be interesting to see.
The above would probably not be relevant to an Australian sold model/device - it should get OTA updates when they are pushed out..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, ok, well explained mate. So there is a delay between FF and OTA finding the update and then there is a delay as to when Huawei decide to authenticate it.
Are firmware and when Huawei decide to authenticate based on model number? Geographic regions? Mobile carrier?
Mine was purchased via Hong Kong and is the MHA-L29C636 model which I believe is the version JB HiFi sell as well.

Texan1 said:
Ah, ok, well explained mate. So there is a delay between FF and OTA finding the update and then there is a delay as to when Huawei decide to authenticate it.
Are firmware and when Huawei decide to authenticate based on model number? Geographic regions? Mobile carrier?
Mine was purchased via Hong Kong and is the MHA-L29C636 model which I believe is the version JB HiFi sell as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how Huawei do their authentication approvals.. but it's not model number.. as someone with same model as mine got theirs authenticated 3-4 weeks before mine did (they were in different country). Could be region and or mobile carrier.. who knows.
Mine was purchased from Thailand and is the LON-L29C636 but is not sold anywhere here in Australia. Correct your model is indeed sold by JB Hi-fi.. so would think you get yours approved same time as those who bought here in AU from JB. But again this could be wrong and they could base authentication on something else... Maybe serial number groupings or who knows?!?!

Leighm0 said:
Not sure how Huawei do their authentication approvals.. but it's not model number.. as someone with same model as mine got theirs authenticated 3-4 weeks before mine did (they were in different country). Could be region and or mobile carrier.. who knows.
Mine was purchased from Thailand and is the LON-L29C636 but is not sold anywhere here in Australia. Correct your model is indeed sold by JB Hi-fi.. so would think you get yours approved same time as those who bought here in AU from JB. But again this could be wrong and they could base authentication on something else... Maybe serial number groupings or who knows?!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iirc they go by IMEI.

Download Full Package (system update)

I noticed some annoying bugs in Emui, so I thought "hey, why don't reinstall the OS" I tried it over HiSuite but it didn't worked out. After that i noticed the "download the full current package" button in System update. The button does nothing, is this normal? I'm just confused asf, the Mate 9 is my first device so idk. I also noticed that Huawei isnt offering the full roms anywhere where the public can find it easily. OnePlus & Samsung did a better job there... Is there even an easy way to reinstall the OS or update it manually?

idealfall1 said:
I noticed some annoying bugs in Emui, so I thought "hey, why don't reinstall the OS" I tried it over HiSuite but it didn't worked out. After that i noticed the "download the full current package" button in System update. The button does nothing, is this normal? I'm just confused asf, the Mate 9 is my first device so idk. I also noticed that Huawei isnt offering the full roms anywhere where the public can find it easily. OnePlus & Samsung did a better job there... Is there even an easy way to reinstall the OS or update it manually?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It is normal when System Update doesn't download "full package", cause it checks current and choose not download same version.
And yes. Huawei doesn't offer full ROMs in easy places. They post all ROMs on HiCloud (Huawei Cloud Resource) silently. In a few cases they can post ROMs on Huawei official site, but it is too rare.
Huawei thinks that no necessary to told everyone that new version is coming, cause they are using method with OTA updates.
And no. There is no easy way to reinstall OS or update manually, but with some exceptions.
Current free method uses modified recovery to force update. It requires bootloader unlock procedure (unlock forces factory reset procedure). Additionally method requires some knowledge how whole process is running.
There is paid method also. It is easy in general and you should DNS setup only. But a few percents are choosing pay for service what helps people to install free ROMs.

5[Strogino said:
;73023612]Yes. It is normal when System Update doesn't download "full package", cause it checks current and choose not download same version.
And yes. Huawei doesn't offer full ROMs in easy places. They post all ROMs on HiCloud (Huawei Cloud Resource) silently. In a few cases they can post ROMs on Huawei official site, but it is too rare.
Huawei thinks that no necessary to told everyone that new version is coming, cause they are using method with OTA updates.
And no. There is no easy way to reinstall OS or update manually, but with some exceptions.
Current free method uses modified recovery to force update. It requires bootloader unlock procedure (unlock forces factory reset procedure). Additionally method requires some knowledge how whole process is running.
There is paid method also. It is easy in general and you should DNS setup only. But a few percents are choosing pay for service what helps people to install free ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks, than I will wait for the next OTA

5[Strogino] said:
Yes. It is normal when System Update doesn't download "full package", cause it checks current and choose not download same version.
And yes. Huawei doesn't offer full ROMs in easy places. They post all ROMs on HiCloud (Huawei Cloud Resource) silently. In a few cases they can post ROMs on Huawei official site, but it is too rare.
Huawei thinks that no necessary to told everyone that new version is coming, cause they are using method with OTA updates.
And no. There is no easy way to reinstall OS or update manually, but with some exceptions.
Current free method uses modified recovery to force update. It requires bootloader unlock procedure (unlock forces factory reset procedure). Additionally method requires some knowledge how whole process is running.
There is paid method also. It is easy in general and you should DNS setup only. But a few percents are choosing pay for service what helps people to install free ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you serious ??
@idealfall1
The easy place to download firmware is firmware finder on Google play store they have all Huawei firmware for all model...
Or we have this site
http://hwmt.ru/oth/HWFF/info/view.php?find_model=
Find your model number and download it.
And for finish we have a very very easy way to force re-installing firmware without root or flash recovery or paid solution or unlock bootloader... It's the 3 button method !!!
Create a folder in external SD card, call him dload and put firmware (update.app) in, turn off your phone press volume down + volume up + power in the same time and voilà
Sorry for my bad english

Lykeul said:
Are you serious ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely.
Lykeul said:
The easy place to download firmware is firmware finder on Google play store they have all Huawei firmware for all model...
Or we have this site
http://hwmt.ru/oth/HWFF/info/view.php?find_model=
Find your model number and download it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huawei Firmware Finder is private project of enthusiasts. They don't host any firmware and only help people to find ROM in HiCloud. But question from idealfall1 was why Huawei isnt offering the full roms anywhere where the public can find it easily. Other manufacturers do it.
Lykeul said:
And for finish we have a very very easy way to force re-installing firmware without root or flash recovery or paid solution or unlock bootloader... It's the 3 button method !!!
Create a folder in external SD card, call him dload and put firmware (update.app) in, turn off your phone press volume down + volume up + power in the same time and voilà
Sorry for my bad english
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have Mate 9? Did you try install something with 3-button method? I tried many times. It is not working.
In case of Mate 9 Huawei added special tag "UPDATE_ONLINE" in rom. And most roms are with this tag will not install via 3-button...

5[Strogino] said:
Absolutely.
Huawei Firmware Finder is private project of enthusiasts. They don't host any firmware and only help people to find ROM in HiCloud. But question from idealfall1 was why Huawei isnt offering the full roms anywhere where the public can find it easily. Other manufacturers do it.
Do you have Mate 9? Did you try install something with 3-button method? I tried many times. It is not working.
In case of Mate 9 Huawei added special tag "UPDATE_ONLINE" in rom. And most roms are with this tag will not install via 3-button...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have ONE MHA-L29C185 and I upgraded my phone with this method so maybe work for him,

Lykeul said:
Yes I have ONE MHA-L29C185 and I upgraded my phone with this method so maybe work for him,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are right, so it is very good news!
5 or 6 months nobody can't install roms via 3-button. There are only 3 service ROMs with tag "offline_update".
What exact version do you have? I will download and check for tag.

5[Strogino said:
;73024144]Absolutely.
Huawei Firmware Finder is private project of enthusiasts....
...It is not working. In case of Mate 9 Huawei added special tag "UPDATE_ONLINE" in rom. And most roms are with this tag will not install via 3-button...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, conclusion time. Mate 9 users cannot update via 3-button because of this special flag/string. Does the firmware finder work? It's technically an online update, right? I'm a little bit confused... Firmware Finder found for me some FWs from june... Can I install them? Sorry I'm not looking through this mess xD

When I buy it they are in b126 version and upload on b138 but if the 3 button method don't work for update firmware like you say may be can work for him because he want flash the same version of firmware, are you fellow my reasoning ?

idealfall1 said:
Ok, conclusion time. Mate 9 users cannot update via 3-button because of this special flag/string. Does the firmware finder work? It's technically an online update, right? I'm a little bit confused... Firmware Finder found for me some FWs from june... Can I install them? Sorry I'm not looking through this mess xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're using FF, you must know that it forces ROM to system update.
Workflow is simple:
1. Find ROM
2. Force to system update
System Update will download ROM by self, like update is coming from Huawei officially.
But Huawei prevents this trick on very new ROMs and additionally checks for authorization.
In it's turn, FF can check ROM too, tries to reproduce Huawei's routine.
So, if you want install latest rom, you have to use method with modified recovery to force update.
If you want install old ROM - force update via FF.
P.s. We are all huaweied
---------- Post added at 06:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------
Lykeul said:
When I buy it they are in b126 version and upload on b138 but if the 3 button method don't work for update firmware like you say may be can work for him because he want flash the same version of firmware, are you fellow my reasoning ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Good idea.

Three button reset does not work with the Mate 9.
It just doesn't.
You can only factory reset if you're on stock.
That applies to ALL stock firmware as far as I know.

Unlock bootloader confusion

Hey Guys,
I have been googling for a while now and I seem to constantly come across conflicting and at times worrying posts which has very much left me stuck right were I am. I just recently purchased a Mate 9 in the hope I would be able to, like all my previous mobiles install a custom rom and tweak it to my specific needs. This however hasn't been the case.
Firmware:
System 8.0.0.046
Dataver MHA-L09 8.0.0.371(C34)
Things that have been tried:
1. No I didn't get a boot unlocker code from the Huawei
2. Yes I have contacted them personally via two different channels and both returned with a we are happy to give it to you, that's not an issue, but this code doesn't exist anymore.
3. DC-Unlock tool didn't detect my mobile in manufacture mode, in which I found another forum post stating to use HCU 3.22 client instead which worked to the point of detecting my mobile, but told me that the current security patch not supported.
4. Contacting DC-Unlock, told me there is no ETA on getting this patch level to work
5. I have read people downgrading to a previous version, unlocking and then installed the custom rom via HiSuite, this doesn't give me that option.
6. I have read people downgrading to a previous version, unlocking and then installed the custom rom via firmware finder.
6.1 Issues with this is that I seen someone claim to upgrade to version 8.0.0.3.75, which is higher then mine, which enabled the rollback feature, is this correct?
6.2 Issues with this is that I have read that gpu turbo has been enabled and many have warned that rolling back to a pre-gpu turbo enabled firmware will brick you mobile and would result in a motherboard needing to be replaced for nearly the cost of the mobile itself.
I am tempted to try another site which I can't remember the name of, which if you pay considerably more then DC-Unlock. at least if they can't get the code, would be refunded. but I think that site is down now as I feel they were playing on people who didn't know how to have done it for free via the Huawei site back in 2018.
So I want to know is there a safe way to unlock my bootloader I think my only option is option 6 but just want more details from others who have done it this way before, or have I pretty much exhausted all my option and just bite the bullet and upgrade to 9.0.1.187 and possibly further through the OTA update process and just enjoy the mobile for what it is and it's limitations?
Thanks again.

You can try the spoofing method here on xda I updated from 8 to 9 with that, as long as firmware finder says your imei is approved

mucski said:
You can try the spoofing method here on xda I updated from 8 to 9 with that, as long as firmware finder says your imei is approved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, I can already upgrade to 9, my system updates app is just waiting for me to accept. The issue is that I don't want to go forward. I really want to go backwards, so I can unlock my bootloader first. I'm already at the stage where I have tried most if not all the safe ways to unlocking my bootloader, but with my currently installed android version I can't. The only way forward for me it seems is the firmware finder app and SD force flash back to EMUI 5 aka Android 7 to use DC-Unlocker to unlock it first, then that gives me the freedom of installing the official Android 9 or openkirin.
I just worried as some people have stated that if you attempt a downgrade after a specific point, something about GPU turbo being enabled in later firmwares, which will brick your mobile.
I just want to hear from others who have done this successfully or if it's not possible in my case.