Honor Note 8 - Google Integration ROM

[mwarner]

Having just imported an Honor Note 8, I thought I would create a ROM that met my requirements and share it with the wider community. The aim is to provide a more stock Android experience, removing the restrictions present on Chinese ROMs and replacing Huawei apps and services with those from Google. With this in mind, I went about creating the Google Integration ROM.

Features:

- Replaced the EMUI Launcher with the Google Now launcher
- Updated the integrated Google Services & added the relevant services to sync Google Contacts and Calendar.
- Added in a set of base Google Applications (Contacts, Dialler, Messenger, Gmail, Maps, Calendar etc), replacing built-in Chinese oriented Huawei apps where necessary
- Removed unwanted Chinese & Huawei apps and services
- Removed the overly aggressive Power Genie and Phone Manager to ensure apps are not closed in the background and notifications missed.

The ROM is not rooted - this is by design.

NOTE: It is a requirement to start from the same build that the ROM is based on (B027 for V1, B029 for V2.x and B332 for V3.0). We can revert to a Stock ROM by booting into eRecovery and updating via WiFi.

IMPORTANT: To ensure all notifications are received, install all required apps and then set up the device as per the instructions on my Blog post.

Version 3.1

- Based on B332 with a modified dpi of 440. Please flash the alternative bootloader (link below) if you wish to regain 560dpi.
- If you wish to have a 7 icon tray area, change Settings / Display / View Mode to Normal
- Phone Manager included
- Apps in the CUST partition have been removed except for Backup and the Huawei App store (for Backup updates)
- Google apps updated, further Huawei apps and services pruned.
- Fixed issue where we are presented with multiple options for the Launcher on startup

Please ensure you are on Stock B332 with a compatible TWRP before flashing.

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V3-1.zip

Version 3.0

- First release based on Android 7 / EMUI5
- Based on B332
- Stock DPI only, versions with & without Phone Manager available

Please ensure you are on Stock B332 with a compatible TWRP and a mountable data partition before flashing

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V3-0 Manager.zip
Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V3-0 No Manager.zip

If you wish to switch between the default 560dpi and the more compressed 440dpi modes, then I have created two packages that change the scripts in the boot.img to change the dpi.

B332 440dpi Boot Image.zip
B332 560dpi Boot Image.zip

Version 2.2

- Replaced the Huawei Dialler & Contacts with those from Google
- Added Google Music, YouTube & Clock
- Removed Huawei Clock, Video, Music and Gallery (Chinese) & the SIM toolkit
- Removed the Chinese CDROM image which appears when plugging into a desktop
- Released as 440dpi only

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V2-2.zip

Version 2.1

- Added Google Photos
- Removed AutoNavi, Stock Firmware Update app, Chinese Speech Service & Hi Board app.
- Created a 440dpi version (modified boot.img) in addition to a stock 560dpi version (Tablet mode with 6 columns of icons)

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V2-1.zip
Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V2-1-440dpi.zip

Version 2.0

- Based around Stock B029

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V2.zip

Version 1.0

- Based around Stock B027

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V1.zip

Tutorial

I have written up a tutorial on my Blog which explains how I created this ROM and hence how you too could create a Custom ROM for the Note 8 to meet your specific requirements.

Honor Note 8 Custom ROM Tutorial

 

[chrispyutec]

Having just imported an Honor Note 8, I thought I would create a ROM that met my requirements and share it with the wider community. The aim is to provide a more stock Android experience, removing the restrictions present on Chinese ROMs and replacing Huawei apps and services with those from Google. With this in mind, I went about creating the Google Integration ROM.

Features:

- Replaced the EMUI Launcher with the Google Now launcher
- Updated the integrated Google Services & added the relevant services to sync Google Contacts and Calendar.
- Added in a set of base Google Applications (Gmail, Maps, Messenger, Calendar, Keep etc), replacing built-in Chinese oriented Huawei apps where necesary
- Removed unwanted Chinese & Huawei apps and services
- Removed the overly aggressive Power Genie and Phone Manager to ensure apps are not closed in the background and notifications missed.

The ROM is not rooted - this is by design.

Version 1.0

- Based around Stock B022

Honor_Note_8_GoogleIntegration_V1.zip

Tutorial

I have written up a tutorial on my Blog which explains how I created this ROM and hence how you too could create a Custom ROM for the Note 8 to meet your specific requirements.

Honor Note 8 Custom ROM Tutorial

I would love to try this ROM, but I'm not sure how to root and install TWRP. Done all this on many other phones but this is my first Chinese phone.

Man I really want this ROM!!!!!

 

[cashif]

Thanks for the ROM but as you mentioned, it is based on B022 which is almost 6 months old.

Already, Nougat Beta is out for HN8, is it possible for you to cook a bloatware-free Rom from it. Will be much appreciated.



PS: And preferably a rooted version.

 

[mwarner]

Edit: Sorry, I did base it on B027 and not on B022, as stated initially! I have edited the first post accordingly.

I have put the Stock ROMs (in UPDATE.APP) format on Androidfilehost here.

 

[mwarner]

Added Version 2.0, based around B029

 

[chrispyutec]

Edit: Sorry, I did base it on B027 and not on B022, as stated initially! I have edited the first post accordingly.

I have put the Stock ROMs (in UPDATE.APP) format on Androidfilehost here.

How do we install this in UPDATE.APP format?

 

[mwarner]

How do we install this in UPDATE.APP format?

The Stock ROMs are in UPDATE.APP format - all Custom ROMs, such as mine, are posted as TWRP flashable Zip files.

You will need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader of your device (either through DC-Unlocker or, if you have had an Honor Id attached to the phone for 14 days then via Honor's website)
2. Install TWRP
3. Flash my firmware

There are a number of tutorials out there that may help you if you are not familiar with the process.

 

[Flavio]

So can I dirty flash this over a stock B029 ROM with root or should I unroot first?

And does Xposed work with this ROM?

 

[tiggrr1]

Many thanks for this, just downloading v2.0 to try. Sounds very promising

 

[mwarner]

So can I dirty flash this over a stock B029 ROM with root or should I unroot first?

And does Xposed work with this ROM?

I haven't tried either Xposed or dirty flashing - or, indeed, root as yet. I suspect a dirty flash will work, but will retain some of the apps and services I have deleted.

 

[tiggrr1]

First impressions are very good.
Nice clean interface and so far notifications seem to be working
Only problem I have (sorry) is that I thought v2 was based on B029, I'm on B027 and it wants to update.
If I hit update it reboots and does something in twrp so fast I can't see it and upon reboot is still B027.

No real biggie to me just letting you know.

It's a keeper so much better than standard THANK YOU very much.

 

[moviehunter2009]

I want to try it but ver 2 is 029 or 027?
You have to make it clear this because i have 027 and i dont want to flash 027 again.

 

[mwarner]

It is based on B029. I suspect the firmware version is embedded somewhere within another partition and that is what is being picked up. I only flash System and Boot, both from B029, but there are other partitions too.

Thanks for the heads up - I may have to flash additional partitions to cope with users coming from an older Stock build. If you are already on a B029 firmware then it will say this in Settings.

Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk

 

[Flavio]

I haven't tried either Xposed or dirty flashing - or, indeed, root as yet. I suspect a dirty flash will work, but will retain some of the apps and services I have deleted.

Perhaps you can update the first post with the Apps and services you have deleted?

 

[mwarner]

Perhaps you can update the first post with the Apps and services you have deleted?

The entire process is written up in my Blog post, which linked to at the bottom of the first post.

Mike

Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk

 

[tiggrr1]

My mistake, sorry mwarner.

I flashed v2.0 over a B027 install, that is why it wanted to update all the time (I think you guessed that).
I have done it correctly this time V2.0 over B029 and it is not trying to update any more. Sorry for any confusion caused.

All my notifications seem to be working fine, contacts and emails (gmail) all working.
Google voice working fine too.

You have made the phone what it should be for international users.

---------- Post added at 10:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 AM ----------

I'm getting the hang of this now, just installed v2.1 all working fine here too

 

[mwarner]

I flashed v2.0 over a B027 install, that is why it wanted to update all the time (I think you guessed that).
I have done it correctly this time V2.0 over B029 and it is not trying to update any more.

Yes, if you want to flash this ROM then you really should be on Official B029 first. I have had a look at unpacking the other partitions, but as B029 is purely an update from B027 it is really quite tricky - various files get patched over existing B027 files, and i'm not sure what would happen if you flash B029 over B029.

Bottom line is, install Stock B029 first.

By the way, if you haven't tried the 440dpi version 2.1, then that is BY FAR my favourite.

Unless I find any big issues with V2.1 ROM, I will leave things as they are until a non-Beta EMUI 5 ROM becomes available and start on V3.0.

 

[zaliva]

Hi, Could you do the same thing like v2.1 with b320 firmware?

 

[chrispyutec]

Yes, if you want to flash this ROM then you really should be on Official B029 first. I have had a look at unpacking the other partitions, but as B029 is purely an update from B027 it is really quite tricky - various files get patched over existing B027 files, and i'm not sure what would happen if you flash B029 over B029.

Bottom line is, install Stock B029 first.

By the way, if you haven't tried the 440dpi version 2.1, then that is BY FAR my favourite.

Unless I find any big issues with V2.1 ROM, I will leave things as they are until a non-Beta EMUI 5 ROM becomes available and start on V3.0.

Do you mind posting a few pics of 440dpi?

Thanks!

 

[mwarner]

Released V2.2. This is in 440dpi only, as it suits the display size of the device so much better. If there is demand for a 560dpi version I will consider creating one.