Always follow the ROM maintainer’s exact instructions—wiping or flashing steps can differ.
Before pulling the trigger, you must weigh the compromises of leaving official Huawei software:
The Huawei Nova 5T (also sold as Honor 20 in some regions) has an active modding community that provides custom ROMs to replace or augment the stock EMUI system. Custom ROMs can add newer Android versions, remove vendor bloatware, enable customization, and improve performance or battery life—but they also carry risks (bricking, voiding warranty, security/privacy differences).
Still contains Huawei telemetry, does not upgrade the base Android version, and feels visually identical to stock software. Prerequisites Before Flashing Nova 5t Custom Rom
But it also launched right as Huawei’s trade ban in the US began to tighten. For many, the Nova 5T was the last great Huawei phone they ever bought. Today, in 2024, running the stock firmware on this device is a relic of a bygone era. The software is stale, Google Mobile Services (GMS) are missing by default, and updates have long ceased.
For the Nova 5T, is arguably the king of stability. It focuses on extending the system and improving the interface over the base LineageOS code.
Transfer the ROM .img or .zip file to your phone's internal storage or an OTG drive. In TWRP, go to . Still contains Huawei telemetry, does not upgrade the
When researching custom ROMs for the Nova 5T (codename: / YAL-L21 ), you will notice two distinct types of developments: Native ROMs and GSIs. 1. Project Treble and GSIs (Generic System Images)
This is the primary method to get a custom ROM experience on your Nova 5T. Before we begin, please read this important disclaimer:
Select > Format Data (type 'yes' to confirm). This removes EMUI encryption. Reboot your system. Known Issues and Workarounds Today, in 2024, running the stock firmware on
→ Format Data (type "yes").
To install a custom ROM, you must use third-party hardware or software testpoint methods.
You need a customized recovery image like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) to flash the ROM files.
Use privacy-focused ROMs like GrapheneOS (if supported) or LineageOS to limit data tracking.