HW-Key Tool (Huawei)

HW-Key Tool — Huawei & Honor Device Specialist

6 min read

What is HW-Key Tool?

HW-Key Tool is a Huawei/Honor-focused repair tool specializing in the unique security challenges of Huawei's HiSilicon Kirin chipset devices. Since Huawei stopped providing bootloader unlock codes in 2018, third-party tools like HW-Key Tool became essential for Huawei repairs.

Huawei Security Challenges

Kirin Chipset: Huawei's proprietary HiSilicon Kirin SoC (K710/K810/K820/K990/K9000) uses a different architecture than MTK or QC. Standard GSM tools often lack Kirin support
No Bootloader Unlock: Since mid-2018, Huawei no longer provides official unlock codes. TestPoint (hardware point) or Kirin EDL mode required
Huawei ID (FRP): Huawei implements both Google FRP and Huawei ID lock — two separate cloud locks that both survive factory reset
EMUI/HarmonyOS: Huawei's custom OS adds proprietary security layers on top of Android

HW-Key Tool Functions

Function	Detail
Huawei ID Removal	Remove Huawei account lock (Huawei's equivalent of iCloud lock) via TestPoint or exploit methods
Google FRP Bypass	Google FRP removal on Huawei/Honor devices running EMUI 8-14 and HarmonyOS
Bootloader Unlock	Unlock bootloader without official Huawei code — via TestPoint (short specific pads on the board to enter download mode)
Flash/Downgrade	Firmware flash and EMUI version downgrade (often needed to bypass security that was patched in newer updates)
IMEI Repair	Kirin-specific IMEI write operations
Network Unlock	Carrier lock removal for Huawei devices

TestPoint Explained

TestPoint is a hardware-level technique unique to Huawei/Kirin devices. By shorting specific test pads on the phone's motherboard (with tweezers or a test clip) while connecting USB, the device enters a special download mode that bypasses all software-level security. This requires disassembling the phone. Different Huawei models have different TestPoint locations documented in hardware guides.

Supported Huawei/Honor Models

Huawei P series: P10-P50 (Kirin-powered)
Huawei Mate series: Mate 10-Mate 50
Huawei Nova series: Nova 2-Nova 11
Huawei Y series: Y5-Y9 (budget line, some MTK)
Honor: Honor 8-Honor 90, Honor X series, Honor Magic series
Tablets: MatePad, MediaPad M/T series

How to Use HW-Key Tool for Huawei/Honor: Step-by-Step

Purchase HW-Key credits from Code-GSM
Download, install, and log in
Connect Huawei/Honor device via USB:
- ADB mode: Enable USB Debugging in Developer Options (Settings → About → tap Build Number 7 times)
- Fastboot mode: Power off → hold Vol Down + USB connect
- Test Point mode: For dead devices — connect specific pads on the motherboard
Read Info — verifies model, security patch, Kirin chipset version, Huawei ID lock status
Select operation: FRP Remove, Huawei ID Bypass, Flash, Screen Lock Remove, Read Bootloader Code
Execute

Tutorial: Huawei Test Point Connection

For bricked Huawei devices that won't enter Fastboot mode:

Open the device and locate the motherboard
Find the test point pads — search for your exact model's test point diagram online
Short the test points with a thin wire or tweezers while connecting USB
Device enters download mode — HW-Key Tool detects it
Release the short once detected
Proceed with flash or unlock operation

Huawei-Specific Challenges

Huawei closed bootloader unlocking in 2018 — no official unlock codes available
Kirin 710+ devices (Kirin 810, 980, 990, 9000) have advanced security making many operations difficult
HarmonyOS devices use different partition structures than Android-based EMUI
Test Point is often the only way to access a fully bricked Huawei device

Browse HW-Key Tool at Code-GSM

Huawei / Honor Connection Modes

Mode	How to Enter	Used For
Fastboot Mode	Power off → hold Vol Down + Power. Or `adb reboot bootloader`. Huawei shows Fastboot menu on screen	Firmware flash (if BL unlocked — no longer supported officially since 2018)
Recovery Mode (eRecovery)	Power off → Vol Up + Power. Huawei shows "eRecovery" or "EMUI Recovery"	Factory reset, OTA update, ADB sideload (if enabled)
ADB Mode	Settings → Developer Options → USB Debugging	FRP bypass via ADB on older EMUI versions, data commands
Kirin EDL / TestPoint	Hardware short on PCB test point. Shows as "HiSilicon" USB device or "MTP" until recognized by HW-Key Tool	Low-level Huawei operations — IMEI repair, Huawei ID bypass, deep flash. Model-specific test point locations required

Troubleshooting HW-Key Tool / Huawei

Problem	Cause	Solution
Huawei FRP bypass fails on EMUI 10/11/12/HarmonyOS	Huawei's EMUI/HarmonyOS has patched many ADB and USB bypass paths over time	Update HW-Key Tool to latest version. EMUI 10+ and HarmonyOS require newer bypass methods. Check the supported EMUI version list. Some very new HarmonyOS versions may not yet have a bypass method
Huawei bootloader unlock no longer available	Huawei stopped providing unlock codes in mid-2018 — the official unlock service is discontinued	Physical test point access to Kirin mode is the only path on these devices. Some models have publicly documented test points. Contact Code-GSM for the specific method available for your Huawei model and Android/EMUI version
Huawei ID (FRP equivalent) remains after factory reset	Huawei ID is a separate cloud lock from Google FRP. Requires dedicated bypass	HW-Key Tool's Huawei ID removal function handles this. Both Google FRP and Huawei ID may need removal. They are separate operations
Device shows "Verification Failed / Cannot connect to server" during bypass	Huawei's server verification for some new methods requires internet connectivity during operation	Ensure the PC has a stable internet connection during the operation. HW-Key's server-assisted bypass methods require the PC to be online while executing

Frequently Asked Questions — HW-Key Tool / Huawei

Q: Why can't I unlock the Huawei bootloader anymore?
A: Huawei discontinued its official bootloader unlock service (via unlock.huaweidevice.com) in May 2018, shortly after the US trade restrictions. No official path remains. Third-party tools (including HW-Key) use hardware test points on the PCB to access low-level service modes.

Q: What is the difference between Huawei ID and Google FRP on Huawei?
A: Google FRP requires the previously synced Google account after factory reset. Huawei ID (Huawei's own service) additionally requires the Huawei account credentials. On HarmonyOS devices, Google services are absent — only Huawei ID lock applies. Both must be removed separately on EMUI-with-GMS devices.

Q: Does HW-Key support HarmonyOS (Huawei's own OS)?
A: HW-Key Tool is updated regularly. EMUI (Android-based) is broadly supported. HarmonyOS support is model-specific and version-specific — verify support for your exact device in the release notes before ordering.

Q: My Huawei shows "This phone has been locked" after full factory reset — is that FRP or something else?
A: On older Huawei models this message indicates Huawei ID lock (similar to Samsung Knox Guard or Mi Account). It is activated server-side after factory reset. HW-Key provides Huawei ID removal for supported models.

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