The need to completely reset the settings on a smartphone Honor may arise for various reasons: from a banal desire to clear the memory to selling the device or eliminating critical system errors. The formatting process, or "Hard Reset", returns the operating system to its original state, removing all user data, applications and saved passwords. This is a radical, but often the only effective way to revive a device that is unstable.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to realize that formatting is an irreversible action. All photos, contacts, messages and installed apps will be destroyed without the possibility of simple recovery through the recycle bin. That is why the first and most important step should be to create a backup copy of your data on an external drive or in cloud storage. Without this step, you risk losing valuable information forever.
There are two main ways to perform a reset: through the operating system's graphical interface and using the menu Recovery. The first option is suitable if the smartphone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you can get to the settings menu. The second method is used when the device is frozen, does not boot to the desktop, or is locked. The choice of a specific method depends on the current technical condition of your Honor.
⚠️ Attention: The shell interface Magic UI or EMUI may differ slightly on different models and versions of Android. The location of menu items sometimes changes after firmware updates, so focus on the meaning of the actions, and not just the exact name of the buttons.
Preparing the device for a full reset
Before starting the formatting mechanism, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps may result in the phone being locked by security after rebooting. This is a Google security system that requires you to enter the account that was synced with the device before the reset. If you do not remember the password, access to the phone will be lost. FRP (Factory Reset Protection). This is a Google security system that requires you to enter the account that was synced with the device before the reset. If you don't remember your password, you will lose access to your phone.
Be sure to check the battery level. The process of erasing data and reinstalling system files may take from 10 to 30 minutes. If the charge drops below a critical level at this moment, there is a risk of damaging the system partition and turning the smartphone into a “brick.” The optimal battery charge is at least 60-70% before starting any manipulations with the firmware.
It is also worth removing the memory card MicroSD and SIM-card. Although modern versions of Android usually ask whether you need to format the internal memory or SD card, it's better to be on the safe side. Accidentally erasing a flash drive with photos will be an unpleasant surprise. In addition, removing the SIM card ensures that the process will not be interrupted by an incoming call, which is theoretically possible, although unlikely in reset mode.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Reset settings through the smartphone menu
If your device Honor functions normally, this is the easiest and safest way. You don't need additional buttons or a computer. Just follow the path in the system settings. The action algorithm is standardized for most models, including series Honor 9, 10, 20, 50 and others.
Open the “Settings” application and scroll the list to the very bottom. Find "System and Updates" (or just "System" on older versions). Inside this section, you are interested in the “Reset” option. By clicking on it, you will see several options, but the ones you want are “Reset phone settings” or “Reset all settings”. Do not confuse them: a full reset deletes data, and a factory reset only returns the settings (sound, network) to factory settings, leaving the files.
A warning will appear on the screen about what data will be deleted. The system will ask you to confirm the action again. You will need to enter your screen unlock password or pattern. Once confirmed, the process will begin and may take some time. The phone will automatically reboot, and you will see the initial setup screen, as when you first turned it on from the store.
Formatting via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
When the phone does not respond to touches or does not boot, recovery mode comes to the rescue. Recovery. This is a low-level environment built into the device's memory, independent of the underlying operating system. This mode is entered by using a combination of physical buttons until the logo loads.
To enter the recovery menu on most smartphones Honor you must completely turn off the device. Then hold down the volume up button (Volume Up) and the power button (Power) at the same time. Hold them until the brand logo appears, after which you can release the Power button while continuing to hold the volume. If your device has a separate assistant button (common on older models), the combination may vary, but the volume and power method is standard.
In the menu Recovery touch control usually does not work. Navigation is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down), and selecting an item is done by briefly pressing the power button. You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset. Once selected, the system may require you to enter the word “yes” to confirm, or simply click “Factory reset” again. Wait for the message “Data wipe complete” and select Reboot system now.
| Action | Button combination | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Enter Recovery | Volume + and Power (hold) | Launch the recovery menu |
| Navigation in the menu | Volume + / Volume - | Move the cursor |
| Confirm selection | Power (short press) | Execute command |
| Force reboot | Power (hold 10 sec) | Turn off the screen / Reboot |
Remove Google account before sale
One of the most common reasons for formatting is to prepare the device for sale or transfer to another user. In this context, it is critical to not just erase data, but also unlink the device from your digital profile. The protection mechanism FRP was created precisely so that the stolen phone cannot be used after the reset.
If you simply do a Hard Reset without first deleting the account, the new owner will be faced with a requirement to enter your Google password. Without this, he won't even be able to connect to Wi-Fi. Therefore, the algorithm of actions should be as follows: go to “Settings” → “Users and accounts” (or “Accounts”). Select your Google account and click “Delete account.”
After successfully deleting your account from the system, you can begin formatting in any convenient way. This ensures that the phone does not ask for old credentials when you first activate it. It is also recommended to check for the presence of other accounts, for example Huawei ID or Honor ID, and log out of them in the same way.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting an account is only possible if you have access to the settings menu. If you have forgotten your screen unlock password and cannot log in, standard account deletion is not possible. In this case, formatting via Recovery will lead to FRP blocking, which is extremely difficult to remove without account data.
Solving problems after formatting
After completing the reset procedure and the first boot, users may encounter a number of typical situations. For example, the phone may get warm during the first 30-60 minutes of operation. This is normal: the operating system Android indexes files, updates applications in the background, and optimizes the database. Let the device sit on charge with the lock screen on.
Another common problem is the lack of connection or internet immediately after the reset. Check if the SIM card is installed correctly. Sometimes after formatting, the settings of the access point are reset APN. If the Internet does not work, go to the mobile network settings and make sure that the correct operator is selected and data transfer is active. In some cases, you need to manually enter APN parameters, which can be found on your operator's website.
If, after formatting, the phone goes into an endless reboot (bootloop), this may indicate damage to the system files or incompatibility of the previously installed custom firmware. In such cases, a normal reset is not enough. You need to flash the device via a computer using a utility HiSuite or specialized recovery software.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long does the Honor formatting process take?
Usually the process of erasing data takes from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the internal memory and the speed at which it fills. However, the first boot and initial system setup may take another 10-15 minutes. The total time rarely exceeds 30 minutes.
Is it possible to recover deleted photos after a reset?
Data recovery after formatting (Factory Reset) is almost impossible with modern methods. When reset, the encryption keys are destroyed and the data becomes unreadable. Specialized recovery software helps extremely rarely and only if nothing has been recorded on the phone since the reset.
What to do if the phone asks for a Google account after the reset?
This is FRP protection. You need to enter the username and password for the account that was synchronized with the phone before the reset. If you changed your password, wait 24 hours before attempting to log in. If the account is someone else's or you don't remember it, you will need to contact the service center with a purchase receipt to confirm ownership.
Will the operating system be deleted during formatting?
No, the Android operating system and the Magic UI/EMUI shell will remain in place. Formatting affects only the user data section. The phone will return to its out-of-the-box state with the firmware version that was installed at the time of the reset.
Do I need to remove the SIM card before resetting?
Removing the SIM card is not necessary, but it is advisable. This ensures that during the reset process you will not receive an SMS with a confirmation code or an important call, which could theoretically interrupt the process, although modern Android systems are resistant to such interruptions.