In the last period, Huawei smartphone updates are very big. EMUI 9.1 and the EROFS file system are to blame
If you have a Huawei smartphone updated to EMUI 9.1 (the latest version of Huawei’s user interface pending the release of EMUI 10) you will have noticed that the latest software updates have a special feature: they are very large. Even updates that bring simple improvements or security patches are 3-4GB in size, even bigger than the usual change from one version of the operating system to the next (e.g. from Android 9 to Android 10). What is the cause? Is it a virus hidden inside EMUI 9.1?
Nothing of the sort. You can rest assured, the culprit is the new EROFS file system that made its debut right with EMUI 9.1. Huawei has developed a new file system to speed up the opening of apps and improve system responsiveness. But it’s not all sunshine and roses. The file system has made the release of updates more complicated: every time it is necessary to rewrite the whole system, even just to make a small change. The natural consequence is the increase in the size of the updates released for Huawei smartphones.
Huawei smartphone update, are there any dangers?
It is good to specify that there is no danger for users: the large size of the latest updates for Huawei smartphones does not hide viruses that take control of the smartphone. And no spyware or special software is installed either.
Some users have also speculated that the Chinese company is getting ahead by installing parts of HarmonyOS, the operating system unveiled in early August that will be used for all Huawei eco-system devices. But even this is a hoax: the Chinese company has repeatedly stated that for the next few years it will continue to use Android on its phones, and barring imminent catastrophes no switch to HarmonyOS is planned.
What should we expect for the future
Will Huawei take a step back and return to the old file system? No way. Huawei relies a lot on the EROFS file system and we’ll find it in the EMUI 10, which will be released in early September along with the update to Android 10. Most likely in the coming months there will be an optimization of the system so that the size of the updates will be more appropriate. Downloading 3-4GB each time to make an update is quite problematic, especially for users who live in areas where there is no fiber.