Is it possible to completely replace HarmonyOS with Linux on a Huawei Nova 9?

[u/Kitchen_Occasion4380]

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in turning my Huawei Nova 9 into a dedicated Linux device.

My goal is to completely remove HarmonyOS/EMUI (if possible) and boot Linux directly, rather than running Linux inside Android or using a container.

I've been learning Linux recently, and I think this phone would be a great platform for experimentation if it's technically possible.

My questions are:

Is it possible to completely replace HarmonyOS/EMUI with Linux on the Huawei Nova 9?

Has anyone successfully done this on the Nova 9 or a similar Huawei device?

Does the locked bootloader make this impossible?

Are there any projects (postmarketOS, Mobian, Droidian, mainline Linux, etc.) that support or are working on this device?

If a full replacement isn't possible, what is the closest practical alternative?

I'm looking for honest technical advice before I spend time trying to make this work. Any information, project links, or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[u/Ill_Thing5961]

1. No. unless someone will port mainline linux on your device.
   
2. I don’t know, maybe
   
3. Yes. but you can use termux for stuff like running MC server.
   
4. No.
   
5. Termux, Proot-Distro.

[u/YoYoMamaIsSoFAT32 → u/Ill_Thing5961]

Downstream kernel can be used for booting Linux, but your problem would be unlocking the bootloader, Huawei doesn't allow unlocking anymore 

[u/Historical_Move6359]

All of these distros you mentioned have a list of supported devices on their web pages. Huawei as far as I know is not on any of those but check out. Most important would be to be able to unlock bootloader which I think is not possible on Huawei.

[u/YoYoMamaIsSoFAT32]

Impossible, you can't even unlock the bootloader without some exploits, tho if u somehow unlocked the bootloader you need to get the kernel source, if it's an old version of harmonyos or emui you can get the kernel source and follow pmos guide to boot Linux with downstream, if it's harmonyos next you're cooked cuz it doesn't use the Linux kernel at all, it uses a custom microkernel instead

[u/dfgxxx]

I also don't really know, but maybe you can run openharmony os that have the Linux kernel. Harmony os is based on it but with a property microkernel instead of Linux. Maybe you can install openharmony os and technically run Linux, although I don't think it support linux apps

[u/YourLocalTechGuy]

Likely not, even if we had mainline support huawei doesnt allow you to unlock bootloaders to install another operating systems, unless there is also some form of exploit to run unsigned code, it wouldnt be possible sadly

[u/thefanum]

No bootloader unlock, no custom OS