If you are determined to run a newer version of Android, your only real option is a GSI (Generic System Image).
Because Huawei was one of the first manufacturers to fully support Project Treble (separating the system partition from the vendor partition), you can technically flash a generic Android image.
Pros:
Cons:
EMUI/HarmonyOS packs significant bloatware—from Huawei Cloud to Petal Search. A clean custom ROM like LineageOS removes all of this, freeing up RAM and CPU cycles. Users report a 15-20% improvement in multitasking on custom AOSP builds. huawei matepad 10.4 custom rom
The Huawei MatePad 10.4, powered by a Kirin 710A / 820 chipset (depending on variant), lacks official custom ROM support due to Huawei’s locked bootloaders and discontinued unlock code service. This paper investigates the technical obstacles, including ARM TrustZone, HiSilicon’s proprietary boot flow, and lack of kernel source transparency. We explore potential workarounds (e.g., using project Treble GSI) and conclude that while generic system images may boot, full hardware support (Wi-Fi, audio, accelerometer) is unlikely without Huawei’s proprietary blobs.
The first boot can take 5-10 minutes. Do not force restart. If you are determined to run a newer
If you are on the Chinese firmware, you might be able to upgrade to HarmonyOS 3 or 4. However, for global users, this upgrade path is often blocked or requires complex flashing of "change" files to trick the updater.
While HarmonyOS isn't a "Custom ROM" in the traditional sense, it offers a much smoother experience than the stock Android 10 EMUI that many global MatePad 10.4s are stuck on. If you can find a safe guide to upgrade to the China HarmonyOS version (and live with the Chinese bloatware that you can disable), it is often a better experience than risking a bricked device with a GSI. The first boot can take 5-10 minutes
If you own the Chinese variant (BAH3-W09) or a global unit running pure HarmonyOS, installing Google Play Store is a hacky process involving backup apps and "Googlefier." A custom ROM based on AOSP (Android Open Source Project) restores native GMS support, allowing seamless access to YouTube, Gmail, Drive, and the Play Store without workarounds.