Sometimes a Huawei smartphone stops responding to touches, reboots endlessly, or is blocked by a forgotten pattern. In such situations, the standard settings menu becomes unavailable, and the only working solution is a forced reset. This procedure, known as Hard Resetreturns the device to its original state, erasing all user data.
Performing Factory Reset via physical buttons is a reliable method of resuscitation that works even with a damaged display or failures to load the operating system EMUI or HarmonyOS. However, it is important to understand that this process is irreversible: all photos, contacts and installed applications will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery if a backup copy has not been created.
This instruction describes a universal algorithm of actions for most modern Huawei models, but the nuances may vary depending on the firmware version. Before you begin, make sure that the device is charged at least 50%, since discharging the battery during the recovery process can lead to serious software errors.
Preparing the device for a full reset
Before you start pressing key combinations, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step may lead to the fact that after turning on you will encounter a blocking of your Google account or Huawei ID, which is difficult to bypass without the original data.
If you have access to the system, even with restrictions, try to synchronize important data with the cloud. Otherwise, the information will be lost forever. It is also worth removing the memory card microSDto avoid accidentally formatting it during the process of clearing the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure you know the password for your Google account or Huawei ID. After the reset, the system will require authorization to confirm ownership of the device (FRP protection).
Disconnect any USB cables from the smartphone before starting the procedure. Connecting to a computer or charger while entering recovery mode sometimes causes port initialization conflicts, which may prevent the menu from displaying.
It is also important to understand the difference between a normal restart and a deep reset. A normal reboot simply refreshes system processes, while Wipe Data affects user data partitions and the cache, returning the file system to a pristine state.
Before resetting, write down the IMEI of the device (dial *#06#) so that in case of problems with activation with your telecom operator, you will have all the necessary data at hand.
Entering Recovery mode on Huawei smartphones
The key step in the procedure is to correctly enter the service menu eRecovery or Recovery Mode. The algorithm of actions depends on the presence of a physical volume button and the type of fingerprint scanner, but the basic principle is the same for all models.
Turn off the smartphone completely. If the device freezes and does not respond to a long press of the power button, hold down the power key and the volume down button simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the screen is completely blank.
After turning off, simultaneously press the volume up button (Volume Up) and the power button (Power). Hold them until the Huawei logo appears. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button, but continue to hold the volume key until you enter the menu.
- 📱 On models with a scanner in the power button: hold down the power button (aka scanner) and volume up.
- 🔊 On models with a separate power button: use the classic "Volume +" and "Power".
- 🔄 If the menu does not appear: try connecting the device with a cable to the computer and repeat the procedure.
In some cases, especially on older versions EMUI, you may need to connect the USB cable to the PC before turning it on. This serves as a trigger to enter recovery mode rather than normal boot mode.
Navigation in the recovery menu
The recovery menu interface on Huawei may differ depending on the software version. On new devices with HarmonyOS and fresh EMUI control is often carried out through the touch screen, while on older models navigation is done exclusively with mechanical buttons.
If the touch does not work or you are in a text menu (black background with colored lines), use the volume buttons to move the cursor up and down. The power button in this mode performs the function of confirming the selection (analogous to Enter).
In the graphical interface eRecovery you will be prompted to select a language. It is recommended to choose Russian or English in order to accurately understand the essence of the operations being performed. An error in selecting an item can lead to unpredictable consequences.
⚠️ Attention: In the recovery menu, the touchscreen may work with a delay or require a stronger press. Don't panic if the screen doesn't respond instantly.
If you see a menu with options Reboot, Wipe data, Download latest version, then you have successfully reached the right environment. Your goal is to find the section responsible for clearing data.
Why is the menu in English?
If you were unable to select a language and the menu remains in English, don’t worry. Look for the item "Wipe data/factory reset". The word "Wipe" means erasing, and "Factory reset" means a factory reset.
The process of performing a Hard Reset
Once you have found the desired partition, the algorithm of actions becomes critical. On modern Huawei devices, the security system requires additional identification confirmation before erasing data.
Select item Wipe data. In the submenu that opens, click on Factory reset. The system will issue a warning that all data will be deleted. Confirmation often requires you to enter a word yes using the on-screen keyboard.
At this point, you may be asked for your lock screen password or PIN code. This is protection against unauthorized reset by attackers. If you have forgotten your screen lock password, this method may not work and you will need to flash the firmware via your computer.
Sequence of actions:1. Wipe data
2. Factory reset
3. Entering the word "yes"
4. Entering the unlock password (if required)
5. Waiting for completion
After confirmation, the formatting process will begin. A progress bar or just a logo can be displayed on the screen. Under no circumstances try to interrupt this process by pressing buttons.
☑️ Control of the reset process
Completing the reset and initial setup
When the cleaning process is completed, the system will automatically return you to the main recovery menu. Now you need to select the item Reboot, and then Reboot system.
The first boot after the reset will be much longer than usual. The smartphone can hang on the logo from 5 to 15 minutes. This is normal behavior as the system optimizes applications and creates new file system partitions.
After booting, you will see a welcome screen, just like when you turn on a new phone for the first time. You have to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log into your account. Here the FRP protection that we mentioned earlier will work.
| Stage | Action | Expected time |
|---|---|---|
| Entering Recovery | Pressing buttons | 10-20 seconds |
| Formatting | Erasing data | 2-5 minutes |
| First boot | Initializing the system | 5-15 minutes |
| Setup | Entering user data | 10-20 minutes |
Make sure the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network when setting up for the first time. This is necessary to check access rights and load basic services.
The first boot after a Hard Reset always takes longer than usual. If the phone hangs on the logo for more than 20 minutes, there may be a firmware failure.
Possible problems and solutions
The procedure does not always go smoothly. Users often encounter the fact that after a reset, the phone requires an account that they do not remember, or does not turn on at all.
If the device reboots cyclically (bootloop) after a reset, the system partition may be damaged. In this case, simple Wipe data is not enough. Try selecting the item in the Recovery menu Download latest version and recoveryif it is available.
If the touch screen does not work in recovery mode, use the hardware buttons. If the volume button also does not work, you will need to connect to a PC and use the utility HiSuite or DC-Phoenix for flashing.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the model (P30, P40, Mate 20, Nova 9) and the version of the EMUI/HarmonyOS shell.
Sometimes after a reset the network disappears or the sound does not work. These are rare software failures that can be treated by resetting or updating the software through the menu System update directly in Recovery mode.
What to do if you have forgotten your Google account?
If after a reset the phone asks you to enter your old Google account, but you don’t remember it, you can restore access through the recovery form on the Google website from another devices. It is impossible to bypass this protection using legal methods without a password.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the memory card when resetting using the buttons?
Usually, when you select the item Factory reset only the internal memory of the device is formatted. The memory card microSD remains untouched. However, it is strongly recommended to physically remove it before the procedure to eliminate any possibility of error or accidental formatting if the menu offers the option to clear the entire storage.
Is it possible to reset the phone if the screen is black and does not work?
If the display does not show an image, but the phone responds to vibration or sound, performing a blind reset is extremely difficult due to the need for confirmation (entering the word "yes" or password). In this case, it is better to connect the phone to the computer and try to restore it through the HiSuite app in the "System Recovery" mode.
Will the Android version be reset to an older one?
No. Hard Reset returns the settings to factory settings, but does not roll back the operating system version. If you updated to Android 12 or HarmonyOS 2.0, after the reset you will still have the same version, but without user data and settings.
Why do you need to enter the lock screen password when resetting?
This is a security measure for Android 5.0 and above. It prevents data theft by resetting the phone. If an attacker steals a device, he will not be able to simply reset it and sell it, since without the unlock password the Wipe data procedure will not start.
What to do if after resetting the phone says “No SIM card”?
Try to reboot the device again. If the problem persists, remove the SIM card tray, clean the contacts, and reinsert it. In rare cases, after a deep reset, it is necessary to update the basic network settings through the settings menu or re-flash the modem.