Forgotten PIN code on a smartphone Huawei is a situation that even experienced users face. Unlike a pattern or fingerprint, a digital password has no hints, and after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device is locked for 30 seconds, then a minute, five minutes... and may eventually require a hard reset. But don’t rush to panic: in 80% of cases, unlocking is possible without data lossif you follow proven algorithms.

In this article we will look at all current methods of resetting the PIN code on Huawei (including models with EMUI 13/14 and HarmonyOS, from official methods through Huawei ID to technical solutions using ADB and Fastboot. We will pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer is silent about: why some methods stop working after updates, how to bypass the Google account lock (FRP) and what to do if the phone does not respond to charging. Important: reset methods through third-party services (like “unlock by IMEI”) on 99% are scams - we will not consider them.

1. Unlocking via Huawei ID (official method)

The most reliable and legal method is using a linked account Huawei ID. It works on all devices with EMUI 5.0+ i HarmonyOS, but there is a critical condition: the phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). If you have previously logged into your account and have not disabled the function Find device, the chances of success are 100%.

Action algorithm:

  • 🔄 After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the PIN, a button will appear on the screen Forgot your password? (or Forgot password). Click on it.
  • 📧 Enter the email or phone number associated with Huawei ID. A letter with a confirmation code will be sent to the specified address.
  • 🔐 Enter the code on the lock screen and follow the instructions to create a new PIN.
  • 📱 If the letter does not arrive, check the folder Spam or request a resend in 1 minute.

What to do if the “Forgot your password?” button does not appear? This means that:

  • 🚫 Function Find device is disabled in the settings.
  • 🌐 There is no Internet connection (check if the network indicator is on).
  • 🔄 The device is running outdated version EMUI (below 5.0).
⚠️ Attention: If you previously changed the password from Huawei ID and do not remember it, restore access via official website. Without a valid account, unlocking through this method is impossible.
📊 What Huawei smartphone do you have?
P40/P40 Pro
Mate 40/Mate 50
Nova 9/Nova 10
Another flagship
Budget model

2. Using Google Find My Device (for older models)

Until 2019 (before Google’s ban on cooperation with Huawei), all the company’s smartphones supported services Google Mobile Services (GMS). If your device is released until May 2019 (for example Huawei P30, Mate 20), you can reset the PIN via Find My Device from Google. For new models (starting from Mate 30 and P40) this method does not work.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Go to the website Find My Device from a computer or another phone.
  2. Login using the same Google account that is linked to the blocked one Huawei.
  3. Select your device in the list (if it is displayed).
  4. Click Block device and enter new temporary password (it will replace the old PIN).
  5. Confirm the action. After 1-2 minutes, a field for entering a new password will appear on the phone screen.

Why may the method not work?

  • 📵 The device is not connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data are disabled).
  • 🔄 The function is disabled on the phone Find device in Google settings.
  • 🚫 The Google account has been deleted or not linked to the phone.
💡

If you have access to the SIM card from a locked phone, insert it into another device and check the SMS - sometimes Google sends a confirmation code for unlocking to the number linked to the account.

3. Reset via Recovery mode (Hard Reset)

If the previous methods did not work, there remains a radical method - full reset via Recovery Mode. This method will delete all data from the device (photos, contacts, messages), but unlocks it. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for Huawei (relevant for EMUI 9.0+ and HarmonyOS):

  1. Turn off phone by long pressing the power button (10–15 seconds).
  2. Hold the combination of buttons:
    • For most models: Volume up + Power.
    • For Huawei P30/P40/Mate 30: Volume up + Volume down + Power.
  • Hold the buttons until the logo appears Huawei and menu Recovery.
  • Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select the item Wipe data/factory reset.
  • Confirm the action by selecting Yes.
  • After reset select Reboot system now.

    • Possible problems and solutions:

    Problem Cause Solution
    Recovery menu does not open Wrong combination buttons Try alternative combinations (see instructions for your model)
    Phone freezes on the logo Partition is damaged boot Repeat the reset or flash the stock firmware via Fastboot
    After the reset, the old PIN is required FRP protection is activated Login to the Google/Huawei account that was linked before the reset
    ⚠️ Attention: On some models (Huawei Y6 2019, Nova 5T) after Hard Reset may require you to enter your login and password from Huawei ID, even if you have not used it. If the account is not linked or forgotten, unlocking will become impossible without contacting the service center.

    4. Unlocking via ADB (for advanced users)

    If your phone has USB debugging (USB Debuggingenabled and you have access to your computer, you can try resetting the PIN via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method only works if you have previously enabled debugging on the device!

    What you will need:

    • 🖥️ Computer with installed drivers Huawei (download from official website).
    • 🔌 USB cable (original, undamaged).
    • 🛠️ Utility ADB (included Android SDK).

    Instructions:

    1. Connect your phone to the computer.
    2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
    3. Enter the commands in order: 
      adb devices

      (your device should be displayed)

      adb shell

      su
      

      rm /data/system/gesture.key
      

      rm /data/system/password.key
      

      rm /data/system/locksettings.db
      

      rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
      

      rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
      

      reboot

    4. After rebooting, the phone will be unlocked, but the data will be saved.

    Method limitations:

    • 🚫 Does not work on HarmonyOS 2.0+ (the structure of system files has been changed).
    • 🔒 Required rights root on some firmware.
    • 🛡️ On new models (Mate 50, P50) Huawei blocks access to su via ADB.
    What to do if ADB does not see the device?

    1. Check if the drivers are installed Huawei HiSuite (download from the official website).

    2. Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one).

    3. Turn on the mode Charging only → File transfer when connecting.

    4. Reinstall ADB via SDK Manager in Android Studio.

    5. On some Windows 10/11, you need to disable driver signature verification (via gpedit.msc).

    5. Bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after Hard Reset

    If you reset via Recovery, but after turning on the phone requires you to enter your login and password from Huawei ID or Google - this protection has worked (Factory Reset Protection). It is activated automatically if an account has been linked to the device. You can bypass it legally only by knowing your login information. FRP (Factory Reset Protection). It is activated automatically if an account has been linked on the device. You can bypass it legally only by knowing your login information.

    Official solutions:

    • 📧 Restore access to Huawei ID via recovery page (email or phone number is required).
    • 🔑 If Google account - use page Google recovery.
    • 📞 Contact Huawei service center with documents for the phone (warranty card, receipt). They can remove the link to the account using IMEI.

    Unofficial methods (at your own risk) risk!):

    • 🛠️ Use FRP Bypass APK (requires a memory card and access to the menu Emergency Call).
    • 🔧 Custom firmware Recovery (TWRP) and deleting FRP files manually.
    • 📡 Flashing via Fastboot (suitable for EMUI 8–10).
    ⚠️ Attention: Unofficial methods of bypassing FRP can lead to bootloader failure or IMEI blocking. Huawei actively combats such methods, and on new firmware they often stop working. If the phone is on warranty, it is better to contact the service.

    6. Alternative methods: SIM card, call, Safe Mode

    Sometimes. Unlock Huawei can be done using non-standard methods, without resorting to a reset. These methods do not work on all models, but it’s worth trying them before taking radical measures.

    Method 1: Emergency Call

    • 📞 On the lock screen, press Emergency call (Emergency Call).
    • 🔢 Enter the code: ##2846579## or ##4636##.
    • 🔧 If the engineering menu opens, find the section ProjectMenu → Background Settings → Log settings and try to disable the lock.

    Method 2: Safe Mode

    • 🔄 Hold the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
    • 🛡️ Hold your finger Turn off the power until the prompt to go to appears Safe Mode.
    • 📱 In safe mode, try uninstalling an application that might be blocking the screen (for example, a third-party locker).

    Method 3: SIM card with PIN code

    • 📱 Insert a SIM card with a PIN code into your phone activated SIM PIN code (not to be confused with the phone PIN code!).
    • 🔢 When turned on, the device will ask you to enter the SIM PIN - after successful entry, the main screen may also unlock.

    Make sure that the phone is charged at least 50%

    Save IMEI (dial *#06# on another phone)

    Check whether Huawei ID or Google account is linked

    Prepare a backup copy of important data (if you have access)

    Specify the phone model to choose correct instructions-->

    7. What to do if nothing helps?

    If all of the above methods did not work, there are two options left:

    1. Contact the service center Huawei.
      • 📍 Find the nearest center on official card.
      • 💰 Unlocking cost: from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles (depending on the model).
      • ⏳ Duration: 1–3 days (may require sending to a regional center).
  • Reflash the phone via Fastboot.
    • 🖥️ You will need a computer, USB cable and stock firmware for your model.
    • 🔧 Look for instructions on the firmware on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA.
    • ⚠️ Risk: incorrect firmware can turn the phone into a “brick”.

    Warning about scammers: There are many offers on the Internet to “unlock Huawei by IMEI for 500 rubles." This is a 100% scam: no legitimate service provides such services remotely. Fraudsters will either send a virus or ask for payment for a “check”, and then disappear. The only safe way is the official service or self-unlocking according to the instructions above.

    💡

    If the phone is blocked after purchasing it in person, there is a high risk that it is blacklisted by IMEI (stolen/lost). Check the status on the website. data-i="255">or through the service Roskomnadzor or through the service *#06#.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about unlocking Huawei

    Is it possible to unlock Huawei without losing data?

    Yes, if:

    • 🔑 You have linked and remember the password for Huawei ID (method 1).
    • 🖥️ USB debugging is enabled on your phone and you have access to ADB (method 4).
    • 📱 The device is older than 2019 and supports Google Find My Device (method 2).

    In all other cases, the data will be lost.

    Why does the phone ask for the old PIN after resetting via Recovery?

    This means that protection is activated FRP (Factory Reset Protection). It is associated with the linked account Huawei ID or Google. To remove the request, you need to:

    1. Log in to the account that was linked before the reset.
    2. If you don’t remember the data, restore access through the official ones. services.
    3. If the account is not yours (the phone was purchased second-hand), contact the previous owner or service center with proof of purchase.
    Does unlocking through the engineering menu work on new Huaweis?

    On models with EMUI 11+ i HarmonyOS the engineering menu (##2846579##) is usually locked or does not contain options for resetting the PIN. The exception is some budget models (Huawei Y6p, Y7a), where the menu can open, but there is no functionality for unlocking the screen.

    Is it possible to unlock Huawei via HiSuite?

    The official utility Huawei HiSuite does not provide functions for resetting the PIN code. It is intended only for:

    • 📂 Data backup.
    • 🔄 Firmware updates.
    • 📱 File management (with the phone unlocked).

    If the phone is locked, HiSuite it simply won’t be seen.

    What to do if after unlocking the IMEI disappears or there is no network?

    This is a typical problem after incorrect reset or firmware. Solutions:

    1. 📶 Reflash the module NVRAM via Fastboot (look for instructions for your model).
    2. 🔧 Restore IMEI through the engineering menu (if available): enter ##3646633## → Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information → Phone 1 → enter AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" i AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2".
    3. 🛠️ Contact the service center - they will restore the IMEI using the data from the box.

    ⚠️ Restoring IMEI manually may be illegal in some countries (including Russia), if the phone does not belong to you.