Changing an account on an Honor phone while saving all data: a complete guide 2026

Changing an account on smartphones Honor (especially after separation brand s Huawei) often raises questions among users. The main problem is the risk of losing personal data: photos, correspondence, application settings, or even access to purchases in AppGallery. Unlike devices running “pure” Android, phones Honor use their own ecosystem Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), which adds nuances when changing an account.

Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply log out of the profile in the settings - but this leads to blocking functions like cloud storage or synchronization. Others try to reset their phone to factory settings, not realizing that without proper preparation, this will delete all data beyond recovery. In this article we will look at three official methods change your account to Honor with saving information, and also tell you how to get around common errors and what to do if the system requires confirmation of the old profile.

We will pay special attention to models on EMUI 13/14 i MagicOS (for new flagships like Honor Magic 5 Pro), since the algorithm of actions there differs from older versions. If you plan to sell your phone or give it to another person, here you will find instructions on how completely delete your data without the risk of leaking personal informationbut at the same time keep copies for the new device.

Why can’t you just quit account?

On smartphones Honor (as well as on Huawei), the account Huawei ID is integrated into the system deeper than the Google account on other Android devices. It manages not only the application store AppGallery, but also:

• 🔐 Data encryption — some files are tied to an ID and become inaccessible after exit;
• ☁️ Cloud storage — photos, contacts and notes are synchronized via Huawei Cloud;
• 🎮 Licenses for games/applications - purchases in AppGallery linked to the profile;
• 📱 System functions - for example, Huawei Share or Multi-Screen Collaboration required authorization.

If you just click “Log out” in the account settings (Settings → Huawei ID), then:

1. Applications using HMS (for example, Petal Maps or Huawei Health), will stop working;
2. Access to cloud backups will disappear;
3. Some system functions (such as Fast authorization) will be blocked.

Moreover, on models with EMUI 12+ when you try to add a new account, the system may request a password from old profile - this is a measure of protection against theft. Without proper preparation, you risk being left with a “brick.”

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MagicOS 7.0+ (for example, Honor Magic V2), settings are automatically reset when you change your account. Digital Balance i Parental Control. If these functions are critical, export their configuration in advance via Settings → System → Backup.

Preparation for changing accounts: backup copying

Before any manipulations with the profile be sure to save the data. On Honor this can be done in three ways:

1. Cloud backup (Huawei Cloud)

The most reliable method, but requires free space in the cloud (5 GB is given for free). How to make a backup:

1. Open Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud → Backup;
2. Select data categories: Contact, Messages, Photo/Video, Applications;
3. Tap "Backup" and wait for it to complete (may take up to 30 minutes).

✅ Pros: Data is synchronized automatically, accessible from any device.

❌ Cons: the settings of some applications are not copied (for example, WhatsApp or banking apps).

2. Local backup to a memory card

Suitable if you do not have a stable Internet connection or do not trust the cloud. Instructions:

1. Insert microSD into the phone (be sure to format it in FAT32 or exFAT);
2. Go to Settings → System → Backup → Local backup;
3. Select data to save and specify the path to the memory card;
4. After completion, check the file Backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.hbk in the root directory of the SD.

🔹 Important: such a backup can only be restored on devices Honor/Huawei with the same version EMUI!

3. Manual export of critical data

The cloud does not save some data. They need to be exported separately:

• 📞 Contacts: Contacts → ⋮ → Management → Export/Import → Export to .vcf file;
• 📸 Photo/Video: copy folders DCIM and Pictures to PC;
• 💬 Messages: use applications like SMS Backup & Restore;
• 🎮 Game saves: check if the game supports cloud synchronization (for example, Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail).

Make a backup in Huawei Cloud|

Export contacts to a .vcf file|

Copy photos/videos to a PC or disk|

Record application passwords (banking, social networks)|

Check licenses for purchases in AppGallery|

Unlink your phone from services (Google Pay, Samsung Pay)-->

If you use Google account in parallel with Huawei ID, do not forget to synchronize its data (Settings → Accounts → Google → SynchronizationThis is relevant for devices Honor with Google services (for example, models for the European market).

Method 1: Replacing the account without resetting (official method)

This method works on EMUI 10.1 and later, including MagicOS. It allows you to add a new profile without deleting the old one, but with some restrictions.

Step 1. Adding a second account

1. Open Settings → Users and accounts → Adding an account → Huawei ID;
2. Enter the new profile data (if it doesn’t exist - create it here);
3. Confirm login via SMS or email.

Step 2. Transferring data to a new account

• ☁️ Go to Huawei Cloud and manually transfer backups from the old account to the new one;
• 📱 Reinstall the applications via AppGallery (licenses will be saved if linked to the device);
• 🔄 Synchronize contacts and calendars via Settings → Synchronization.

Step 3. Removing the old one account

After transferring the data:

1. Go to Settings → Huawei ID;
2. Select the old account and click "Delete";
3. Confirm the action with a password from new profile.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Honor 90, Honor X9a), after deleting the main account, do not interrupt the process - this will take up to 5 minutes. If the phone is stuck on the logo for longer than 10. minutes, perform forced reboot (hold Power + Volume up for 15 seconds).

✅ Advantages of the method: does not require a reset, saves all settings systems.

❌ Disadvantages: not all data is transferred automatically (for example, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings will have to be configured again).

Method 2: Reset to factory settings while saving data

If the first method did not work (for example, due to EMUI restrictions), you will have to do hard reset, but with a preliminary backup. This method is suitable for devices with MagicOS 7.0+ or if you are transferring the phone to another person.

Step 1. Full backup

Use both methods from the section about backup (cloud + local backup). Make sure to copy:

• 📁 Folders Download, Documents and Android/data (application files are stored here);
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (they can be exported via application WiFi Password Viewer);
• 🎵 Music and downloads from instant messengers (Telegram, Viber).

Step 2. Exit all accounts

1. Delete Huawei ID in Settings → Huawei ID → Delete account;
2. Delete Google account (if any) in Settings → Users and accounts → Google;
3. Unlink the device from services: Find My Device, Huawei Mobile Services.

Step 3. Reset settings

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings;
2. Select "Delete" all data" and confirm;
3. After reboot, perform the initial setup with new Huawei ID.

Step 4. Data recovery

• ☁️ Restore the backup from Huawei Cloud;
• 📁 Copy the files from the memory card or PC back;
• 🔄 Reinstall the applications and log into them with new credentials.

Data type	Save after reset?	How restore
Contact	❌ No	Import from .vcf or Huawei Cloud
Photo/Video	❌ No	Copy from SD/PC or from clouds
Applications	❌ No	Reinstallation via AppGallery
Wi-Fi settings	❌ No	Manual input or import via configuration files
SMS messages	❌ No	Recovery via SMS Backup & Restore

⚠️ Attention: On devices with EMUI 13.1+ after Resetting may require confirmation of ownership through the old account (function Factory Reset Protection). If you do not remember the password, contact support Honor with a receipt of purchase - they will help you unlock the phone within 3-5 days.

Method 3: Bypassing account locking (if you forget your password)

If you do not remember the data from the old one Huawei ID, and the phone requires them when you change your account, there are several legal ways to solve the problem.

1. access to Huawei ID

The most correct option:

1. Go to the website account.huawei.com;
2. Click "Forgot your password?" and enter the email or phone number associated with your account;
3. Follow the instructions to reset your password (you will need access to your email or SMS).

If you do not have access to mail/phone:

• 📄 Provide a scan of the phone purchase receipt to support Honor;
• 🆔 Attach a screenshot from the IMEI of the device (*#06#);
• 🕒 Deadline for consideration of the request - until 72 hours.

2. Reset via Recovery mode (for advanced users)

⚠️ This method deletes all data is only suitable if you have a full backup!

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone;
2. Hold Power + Volume up until the logo appears Honor;
3. To the menu Recovery select Wipe data/factory reset (control - volume and power buttons);
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reboot.

🔹 Important: On some models (Honor 80 Pro, Honor Magic4) after resetting via Recovery, you may still need to enter the old account data. This is. is associated with hardware binding Huawei ID to the chip Kirin.

What to do if after resetting the phone asks for the old password?

If you reset, but the device still requires the old Huawei ID data, this means that protection is activated. FRP (Factory Reset Protection). In this case:

1. Contact the service center Honor with documents for the phone.

2. If the phone was purchased second-hand, ask the previous owner to remove the device from his account via account.huawei.com → Devices.

3. Models with Kirin 9000/9000S (for example, Honor Magic V) may require firmware via HiSuite, but this will void the warranty.

3. Using HiSuite (official). utility)

app HiSuite from Huawei allows you to control your phone from a PC and in some cases reset the lock:

1. Download HiSuite from the official website consumer.huawei.com;
2. Connect the phone to the PC via USB (turn on USB debugging v Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times);
3. Select "System Restore" and follow the instructions. HiSuite Select "System Restore" and follow the instructions.

🔹 Limitation: On new models (Honor Magic5 and newer), the reset function may be blocked. HiSuite may be blocked.

Common errors and how to avoid them

When changing an account to Honor users often encounter typical problems: Here's how to solve them:

1 "Could not add an account: the limit has been exceeded. devices"

🔹 Reason: One Huawei ID can be used on a maximum of 5 devices (on some tariffs - 10).

🔧 Solution:

• Remove unnecessary devices from your account on the website account.huawei.com → Devices;
• If the limit is exhausted, create a new Huawei ID or contact support to increase the limit (identity confirmation will be required).

2. "Data was not restored from the cloud"

🔹 Reasons:

• Insufficient space on the phone;
• The backup was created on a different version of EMUI;
• Synchronization failed.

🔧 Solution:

1. Check the free space in Settings → Memory (you need at least 2 GB);
2. Update Huawei Cloud c AppGallery;
3. Try to restore data via Wi-Fi (not via mobile data).

3. "Applications from AppGallery do not work after changing the account"

🔹 Cause: Application licenses are tied to the old one Huawei ID.

🔧 Solution:

• Remove problematic applications;
• Install them again via AppGallery under a new account;
• If the application is paid, check if it supports license transfer (for example, via Settings → My orders to AppGallery).

4. "The phone asks for the password from the old account after resetting"

🔹 Reason: Activated FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

🔧 Solution: See the section about bypassing the blocking.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MagicOS 7.1+ when changing account The function is automatically disabled Huawei Share (fast file transfer between devices). To restore its operation, go to Settings → Connections → Huawei Share and re-activate the option.

Specifics for different models Honor

The algorithm for changing an account may differ depending on the model and firmware version. Let's consider the key features:

Model/Series	EMUI/MagicOS version	Features of changing an account	Recommended method
Honor Magic5/Magic6	MagicOS 7.1–8.0	Requires confirmation via SMS when adding a new account. Supports data transfer via Phone Clone.	Method 1 (without reset)
Honor 90/100	MagicOS 7.0	When resetting, it may request a password from the old account even after logging out.	Method 2 (reset + backup)
Honor X7/X8/X9	EMUI 12–13	No support Google Services, all data is linked to Huawei ID.	Method 1 or 3
Honor Play 40/50	EMUI 10.1	There is no function for adding a second Huawei ID. A mandatory reset is required.	Method 2
Honor View 20/30	EMUI 9–10	Supports Google accounts. You can use them for backup.	Any method

For models until 2020 (for example, Honor 8X, Honor 10) may require firmware rollback to an earlier version of EMUI to bypass restrictions on changing accounts. However, this is risky and will void the warranty.

The new flagships (Honor Magic V2, Honor Magic6 Pro) have implemented a function Cross-Device Migrationthat allows you to transfer data between devices Honor without linking to an account. To use it:

1. On the old phone: Settings → System → Data transfer → Send;
2. On the new phone: Settings → System → Data transfer → Get;
3. Bring the devices close to each other and follow the instructions.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to change the account on Honor without losing data?

Yes, if you use it first method (adding a new account without resetting) and make a backup copy in advance. However, some settings (for example, Wi-Fi passwords or data for individual applications) will still have to be configured again.

What happens if you just exit Huawei ID without deleting it?

The phone will remain operational, but you will lose access to:

• Cloud backups;
• Purchases in AppGallery;
• Functions like Huawei Share or Multi-Screen Collaboration.

In addition, confirmation by SMS or email may be required the next time you log in.

How to transfer WhatsApp data when changing an account?

WhatsApp linked to the phone number, not the Huawei ID. To save correspondence:

1. Make a backup of chats in WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup;
2. Copy the backup file (/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt14) to your PC;
3. After changing your account, install WhatsApp again and restore chats from a local copy.

⚠️ If you change your phone number, use the "Change number" function in the WhatsApp settings.

Can I use a Google account instead of Huawei ID on Honor?

Depends on the model:

• 📱 Devices for the European market (for example, Honor 90 5G) support Google Mobile Services (GMS). Here you can use your Google account as your main one.
• 📱 Devices for China/Asia (for example, Honor Magic5 for the local market) only work with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). A Google account can be added, but it will have limited functionality.

To check GMS support, go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Market. If it is not there, your device only works with HMS.

What should you do if payments (Huawei Pay, banking applications) stop working after changing your account?

The problem is related to linking payment services to Huawei ID. Solution:

1. Remove and re-add bank cards to Huawei Pay;
2. In banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.), log out of your account and log in again;
3. If used Google Pay —check that the Google account has not been deleted;
4. For Samsung Pay (on some models) fingerprint re-registration will be required.

⚠️ Some banks (for example, VTB or Alfa-Bank) may block access when changing the device. In this case, contact the bank's support.