Brand smartphones Honor are famous for their stability and convenient Magic UI interface, but over time, even the most reliable device can start to work slower or have software failures. In such situations full data reset becomes the only effective solution to restore the functionality of the gadget. The formatting procedure is also necessary before selling the device or transferring it to another user to ensure complete confidentiality of your personal information.
The process of clearing the internal memory is radically different from simply deleting files or clearing the application cache. When you initiate formatting, the system completely erases the user partition, returning the phone to the state it was in right after you purchased it from the store. It is important to understand that this process is irreversible, so the preparation phase plays a critical role in successfully completing the operation without losing important contacts and photos.
In this guide, we will detail the three main methods of performing this procedure: through the standard settings menu, using hardware buttons in Recovery mode, and through third-party software on the computer. Each of the methods has its own characteristics and application scenarios, which depend on the current state of your device and access to the interface.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before taking active steps to clear the memory, you must complete a number of mandatory preparatory steps. Ignoring this step may result in the loss of valuable information or the device being blocked after a reboot due to Google and Huawei security systems. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50%, and ideally connect your smartphone to a power source for the entire duration of the procedure.
The most important step is to create a backup copy of all data. Owners Honor can use the built-in cloud storage or application HiSuite on the computer to save contacts, messages, call history and system settings. Also, do not forget to manually copy photos and videos to external media or to a cloud service, since automatic backup does not always include large media files.
⚠️ Attention: If your Google account or Huawei ID is activated on your phone, be sure to log out of it before resetting. Otherwise, after formatting, FRP protection (Factory Reset Protection) will work, and the device will ask for the password from the last used account, without which it will be impossible to log in.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Check the presence of a SIM card and a microSD memory card. If you plan to sell the phone, physically remove them. If the memory card remains in the device, make sure that the option to format the external storage is not selected in the reset menu if you want to save data on it. Double checking these settings will save you time in recovering lost files.
Method 1: Reset through the Android settings menu
This is the simplest and safest method, which is suitable for devices that are in working order and have access to the desktop. The interface Magic UI or EMUI is intuitive, and all the necessary points are located in a logical sequence. You don't need to connect a cable or remember complex key combinations.
First, open the main menu and go to section Settings. Scroll down the list to the item, which may be called System and updates or simply System, depending on the firmware version. Inside this section, find the option Reset or Recovery and reset. This is where all software status management tools are concentrated.
Select item Reset settings (Reset Phone). A detailed list of data that will be deleted during the process will appear on the screen: applications, settings, accounts and files in the internal memory. The system will warn you again about the consequences. If you are confident in your decision, press the button Reset phone settings or Erase all data.
Before pressing the final reset button in settings, take a screenshot of the screen with the list of deleted data data. This will help you later remember which applications and settings were on the phone for faster recovery.
The device may require you to enter a pattern, PIN or lock screen password to confirm the operation. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized release by unauthorized persons. After confirmation, the phone will automatically reboot and begin the cleaning process, which may take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of full memory.
| Action | Menu path | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Reset settings | Settings → System → Reset | High (all data) |
| Reset network settings | Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings | Low (only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) |
| Reset application settings | Settings → Applications → Menu → Reset application settings | Medium (app settings) |
Method 2: Hard Reset via the Recovery menu
Using the mode Recovery is necessary in cases where the smartphone does not boot, freezes on the logo, or you have forgotten the screen unlock password. This method works at the bootloader level and does not require access to the Android operating system. It is a more “hard” formatting option.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the device completely. Then simultaneously press and hold the Volume Up button (Volume Up) and the Power button (Power). Keep them pressed until the logo appears on the screen Honor, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume until a white menu with a blue or black background appears.
What to do if it is not included in Recovery?
On some new models with an updated version of Android, logging into Recovery is only possible when connected USB cable to computer. Try holding down the volume and power buttons after connecting the cable to the PC or charger.
In the Recovery menu, control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down to move) and the power button (to confirm the selection). Find the item Wipe data/factory reset and confirm your choice. The system may request confirmation again by prompting you to enter a word yes or by selecting a confirmation item. After this, the process of cleaning the partition will begin data.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen most often does not work. Do not try to poke at the display, use only physical navigation buttons, otherwise you may accidentally select the wrong item or reboot the device without resetting.
After completing the procedure, when a message appears on the screen Data wipe complete, select item Reboot system now. The first startup after a Hard Reset will be lengthy, since the system needs to reinitialize all files and data structures. Be patient and do not interrupt the power supply at this moment.
Method 3: Formatting via a computer and HiSuite
If the smartphone screen is broken or the sensor does not respond, but the device is detected by the computer, you can use a proprietary utility HiSuite. This method is convenient because it allows you to visually control the process and first create a complete backup in the PC interface before formatting.
Install the HiSuite app on your computer and connect your phone with a USB cable. A request may appear on your smartphone screen to allow USB debugging or driver installation - confirm these actions. In the main app window on your computer, find the section Tools or System Recovery.
Select the function System Restore (System Recovery). The app will prompt you to download the latest firmware version, if necessary, and then perform a reset. This method is good because it not only clears data, but can also reinstall system files, correcting errors caused by damaged memory sectors or virus software.
Follow the instructions on the monitor screen. The process will take longer than a standard reset as it involves steps to verify the integrity of the firmware. Make sure that the USB cable is working properly and the connection is stable, as a loss of connection during flashing can lead to serious bootloader errors.
Setting up your phone after formatting
After the reset is successfully completed, the device greets you with an initial setup screen, just like a new phone out of the box. You have to go through the standard initialization procedure: select a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network and sign in to your Google account. At this stage, the system may offer to restore data from a backup.
Honor offers convenient data migration tools, such as Phone Clone. If you have an old phone (not even Honor), you can quickly transfer contacts, messages, calendar and applications to the new one. This significantly speeds up the process of returning to normal use of the gadget after cleaning.
Pay attention to the security updates section immediately after setup. Since you did a factory reset, your phone may have an older version of security patches. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update and install all available updates to protect against new vulnerabilities.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of Magic UI (4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and higher). If you do not find the exact name of the item, look for synonyms or check the official user manual for your specific model.
The first startup after a reset always takes longer than usual. Do not panic if the phone “thinks” for several minutes on the welcome screen - this is a normal process of indexing files.
Solving common problems when resetting
Sometimes the formatting procedure may encounter obstacles. One of the most common problems is the Google account deletion error known as FRP Lock. If you reset your phone using the buttons without deleting your account first, the system will be blocked. This can only be solved by entering the correct login and password from the last synchronized account.
Another problem is a cyclic reboot (bootloop) after a reset. This may indicate a damaged system partition or hardware failure, such as worn out flash memory. In such cases, a simple reset will not help, and you will need to reflash the device through the mode Fastboot or contact a service center.
If the phone heats up after formatting, this is normal in the first hours of use. The system performs background optimization of applications and indexing of media files. However, if heating is accompanied by rapid battery drain after a day, check to see if there is a malicious application installed that you accidentally returned from a backup.
Is it possible to cancel the formatting process after it has started?
No, it is impossible to cancel the process. Once the writing of zeros to the memory cells has begun, a power interruption will damage the file system and the device brick. Wait until the procedure is completed.
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting?
By default, only the internal memory is reset. However, in the Recovery menu there is a separate item for formatting the SD card. Be careful when choosing options so as not to accidentally erase photos from the flash drive.
What to do if the phone asks for a Huawei ID password after resetting?
This is anti-theft protection. You need to enter the password for the Huawei account that was synchronized with the device. If you have forgotten it, use the password recovery procedure on the official website cloud.huawei.com.
How long does it take to completely reset Honor?
Usually the process takes from 5 to 15 minutes. The time depends on the amount of data that needs to be erased and the speed of the smartphone's internal memory. Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems frozen.
Will the warranty disappear after formatting?
No, a soft reset to factory settings is a standard feature of Android and does not void the device's warranty. The warranty is void only if the app code is tampered with (rooting) or physical damage.