The surprise addition in the MagicOS 10 update might just be the best software upgrade of the year.

HONOR has recently updated its current smartphones, including flagships like the Magic7 Pro and Magic V3 foldable, to the brand’s MagicOS 10 software overlay based on Android 16. While the major OS overhaul brings the usual suite of aesthetic tweaks and privacy enhancements, the most important change isn’t captured in the changelog headlines.

Notably, the big software upgrade coincides with a couple of updates to its own apps like Game Manager, which has quietly added a highly welcome feature which should provide a literal boost to gamers.

The capability we’re talking about is bypass charging, which has been added via the Game Space toolbox on compatible devices like the HONOR Magic7 Pro. It’s a game changer that transforms how these HONOR products handle power during intense sessions.

What is bypass charging and why does it matter?

If you aren’t familiar with the terminology, bypass charging is a power-management technology that allows the smartphone to draw electricity directly from the wall outlet, completely ignoring the battery. Instead of the current flowing into the battery cell and then to the motherboard, the power is routed straight to the unit’s internal components.

This is important for two key reasons: heat and health. Charging a battery generates significant heat — and running a AAA game generates even more. Doing both simultaneously usually results in thermal throttling, where the handset slows down to protect itself. By taking the battery out of the equation, you drastically reduce thermal buildup, keeping frame rates high and your hands cool. Furthermore, it saves your battery from the stress of micro-cycles (aka charging while draining), effectively prolonging the lifespan of the cell.

If HONOR is able to add such a much-asked-for feature to its devices via a software update, then there’s certainly no reason why other OEMs couldn’t add it to their own products. While gaming phones like the ASUS ROG Phone series and nubia’s Redmagic handsets typically have the feature out of the box, it is refreshing to see mainstream manufacturers catching up. Some OEMs like OPPO, Infinix, and realme have added it to their recent releases, but seeing it retroactively applied to existing flagships is a move we hope becomes industry standard.

How to access bypass charging on MagicOS 10

If you have an eligible smartphone, the feature isn’t enabled by default. Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Launch the HONOR App Market, and make sure that the Game Manager app is updated to the latest version.
2. Go to Game Manager under Settings > Apps, then click on Game Space.
3. After launching Game Space, add the apps or games you want to use with the bypass‑charging feature, then start the game or app through Game Space by tapping Start.
4. Swipe from the left to the center of the screen to access the Game Manager overlay within a game or app, then select Bypass Charging under the options.

Pro tip: Using the original charger and cable that came with your unit is recommended to make sure that correct voltage is supplied to your phone while playing and minimize battery fluctuations.

Does it actually work?

In our testing, the difference was night and day. The addition of bypass charging has allowed us to play PC-quality games like Red Dead Redemption 2 via a PC emulator on our HONOR Magic7 Pro without attaching a cooler to it. Previously, this would have turned the device into a pocket heater within minutes. With the power flowing directly to the board, the phone stayed surprisingly manageable.

However, do note that longer play sessions — especially those pushing emulation limits — will likely still need a physical cooler to prevent thermal throttling eventually, as the chipset itself still generates heat under heavy load.

The addition of bypass charging bodes well for fans of the brand, especially since gaming‑focused devices like the HONOR WIN series, launched to great success in China, will benefit the most from this feature. It proves the company is taking mobile gaming seriously, not just on hardware sheets, but in the practical software tools that actually affect how we play.

---