A smartphone Honor 10, released at one time as a flagship device, may eventually begin to work slower or accumulate software errors. Sometimes the only correct solution to restore system stability is a complete return to its original state. This procedure, known as Hard Reset, deletes all user data and returns the software to the form in which it was when purchased.
The need to perform a reset can arise for various reasons: from a banal transfer of the device to a new owner to serious failures in the operating system Android or shell EMUI. It is important to understand that this process is irreversible without prior backup, so it should be approached consciously and carefully. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods and nuances that will help you safely clear the device’s memory.
Before starting any manipulations, make sure you understand the consequences. Contacts, photos, messages and installed applications can be deleted. If your goal is simply to speed up your phone, you might want to try less drastic optimization methods first, which we'll also mention below. However, if the decision is made, follow the instructions as closely as possible.
Preparing the device for a full reset
The first and most critical step is to save important information. Since factory reset erases the internal drive without the possibility of recovery using standard means, creating a backup copy is mandatory. You can use cloud services, such as Google Drive or proprietary cloud Huawei, and also transfer files to your computer via a USB cable.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to a low battery may damage system files and make it impossible to turn on the phone.
You also need to unlink the device from protection accounts. In modern versions Android the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection system is in effect. If you do not log out of your Google account efore resetting, after turning on the phone will require you to enter a password from the previous owner. This is done to protect against theft, but can become an obstacle for you.
☑️ Preparing to reset Honor 10
Don't forget to check for important data in instant messengers. The history of correspondence in WhatsApp or Telegram is not always saved automatically in the general cloud of the system, so it is worth creating a local copy of chats within the applications themselves. This will take a few minutes, but will save valuable information.
Method one: Reset through system settings
The easiest and safest way to return Honor 10 to the factory state is to use the built-in settings menu. This method is available if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you can unlock the device. The interface EMUI is intuitive, which minimizes the risk of errors.
First, open the main menu and find the icon Settings. Scroll down the list to the System or Advanced settingssection, depending on the firmware version. This is where the tools for managing memory and device status are hidden. Select Reset.
The screen will display several options for returning to the original settings. You are interested in the option Reset settings (sometimes it is called “Reset phone”). The system will warn you that all data will be deleted. If you have already made a backup, press the button Reset settings or Reset phone.
Before pressing the final button, check again whether you have copied photos and videos to the DCIM folder to the computer, as the gallery will be completely cleared.
After confirmation, the system may request you to enter a security code, pattern key or account password. This is the final security check. Once you enter the correct details, the cleaning process will begin, which will take anywhere from a few minutes to ten minutes. The phone will reboot automatically.
Method two: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
Situations are different: sometimes the phone freezes on the screensaver, the screen does not respond to presses, or you forgot the lock pattern. In such cases, the standard menu is not available, and you have to use the recovery mode - Recovery Mode. This method works at the bootloader level and does not require access to the system.
To enter this mode on Honor 10, first turn off the device completely. If the phone is frozen and does not turn off in the usual way, hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot and immediately proceed to the next step. Press the Volume Up and Power.
buttons simultaneously until the logo appears Honor, and then release the Power button while continuing to hold the Volume button. After a few seconds, you will see a white menu with black text - this is eRecovery or standard Recovery. Navigation here is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is confirmed with the power button.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Do not try to poke menu items with your finger, use only physical volume control buttons.
In the menu list, find the item Wipe data/factory reset (Erase data/reset settings). Confirm your choice. The system will then ask for confirmation of the action, often requiring you to enter a word yes or select an item Factory data reset. After the process is completed, select the option Reboot system now to reboot.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the switched off phone with a USB cable to a computer or charger, and then repeat the login procedure. On some firmware versions, this is a prerequisite.
Comparison of reset methods and their features
Both methods considered lead to the same result - a clean system state, but have different usage scenarios. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right path in a particular situation. Below is a table comparing the key parameters of both methods.
| Characteristics | Through Settings | Via Recovery (Buttons) |
|---|---|---|
| System access required | Yes | No |
| Touch screen operation | Required | Not required |
| Risk of user errors | Minimum | Medium (due to button navigation) |
| Execution time | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
Using the settings menu preferable because the interface is more user-friendly and contains hints. However, the method with buttons is a universal “lifeline” for devices with a damaged display (if it at least somehow displays a picture) or a locked system. Hard Reset using buttons ignores any software screen locks, except for the Google account.
It is worth noting that after resetting via Recovery, the phone may take a little longer than usual to boot when first turned on. This is normal as the system re-optimizes applications and creates the necessary cache files. Don't be alarmed if the screen hangs on the logo for more than a minute.
Initial setup after reset
After the procedure is successfully completed and rebooted, you will see a welcome screen, as if you had just taken the phone out of the box. You have to go through the initial setup stage Android. Select a language, connect to the network Wi-Fi and accept the terms of the license agreement.
One of the important steps is logging into your Google account. If you performed the reset to sell your phone, you can skip this step or create a new local account. If you still have the phone, enter your main account information to restore contacts and install applications from Play Market.
The system may offer to restore data from a backup copy. If you have previously created a backup in the cloud Google or on servers Huawei, select the desired restore point. This will automatically return settings, the list of applications and some personal data, saving time on manual installation.
The first launch after the reset may take up to 15 minutes due to system optimization - do not interrupt the process and let the phone finish setting up.
Please note that old backup copies of applications may not be suitable if the version Android has changed significantly. In this case, the applications will be installed in a “clean” form, and you will have to configure them again. This is even better in terms of performance, since there will be no garbage left in the system from old versions of apps.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties. One of the common problems is the appearance of a request to enter a password for your Google account after a reset (FRP lock). This happens if you did not sign out of your account in the phone settings before resetting.
To solve this problem, you need to enter the email and password that were synchronized with the device before the reset. If you have forgotten this information, it may take time to regain access through the account recovery procedure on the Google website. It is impossible to bypass this protection using legal methods without account data.
Another situation is that the phone gets stuck in a bootloop after a reset. This may indicate a damaged system partition or a previously unsuccessful firmware update attempt. In this case, you may need to flash the device via a computer using a utility dload or specialized software.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and names of menu items may differ slightly depending on the version of EMUI (9, 10 and later). If you do not find an exact match of the name, look for semantic analogues in the "System" section.
It is also worth considering that after the reset, some functions that require identity verification (for example, banking applications or logging into government services) will require re-verification. Prepare in advance the necessary documents or access to a phone number to receive SMS codes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting?
By default, resetting affects only the internal memory of the device. However, some menus may have a "Empty SD card" checkbox. Please read the warnings carefully before clicking the confirm button. If there is no such checkmark, the files on the flash drive will remain safe, but to be safe, it is better to remove the card before the procedure.
Is it possible to reset the settings if the screen is broken and does not work?
If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG adapter. This will allow you to manage the interface and go into the settings to reset. If there is no image, only Recovery mode through the buttons will help, but you will not be able to see which option you are selecting, which makes the procedure risky.
Will a reset remove Android system updates?
No, a factory reset only returns settings and deletes user data. The operating system version and installed firmware updates will remain the same as they were at the time of the reset. To roll back the Android version, a complete flashing of the device is required.
How long does the Honor 10 reset process take?
The data clearing procedure itself usually lasts from 3 to 7 minutes. However, the subsequent first download and optimization of applications may take another 5-10 minutes. The total time during which the phone cannot be used is approximately 15 minutes.
What should I do if the phone asks for an account password that I do not remember?
This is FRP protection. You need to regain access to your Google account through any other browser or device on google.com. Without entering the correct data from the last synchronized account, you will not be able to unlock the phone after the reset.