Smartphone Honor 20, released in 2019, still remains a popular device due to its excellent balance of performance and price. However, over time, even the most powerful device can begin to work slower, accumulate system garbage, or encounter software errors that cannot be fixed with a regular reboot. In such situations, the only correct solution is a complete return to the original state, known as Hard Reset. This procedure deletes all user data, application cache and changed system parameters, returning the device to its “out of the box” state.

The need to reset settings on Honor 20 may arise for various reasons: from selling the gadget to a new owner to critical failures in the operating system EMUI or Magic UI. It is important to understand that this process is irreversible without a prior backup. All your photos, contacts, instant messenger conversations and installed apps will be permanently deleted. Therefore, before starting any manipulations, it is critically important to save valuable information to cloud storage or to an external storage device.

In this article we will examine in detail the two main ways to restore factory settings: through the standard system menu and using recovery mode Recovery. We will also touch on important nuances related to Google account protection (FRP), which often become an obstacle for inexperienced users. Strictly following the instructions will allow you to safely resuscitate your smartphone.

Preparing the device for a full reset

Before you begin the active reset phase, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step may result in the loss of important data or the device being locked after reboot. Make sure the battery charge is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting internal memory requires stable power, and if the phone turns off at the most critical moment, it can damage system files.

The second critical step is creating a backup copy. In the ecosystem Huawei/Honor for this, a proprietary application HiSuite on a PC or a built-in cloud backup function is used. You can also manually copy media files to your computer via a USB cable. Don't forget to export your contacts to .vcf or synchronize them with your Google account.

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to sell your smartphone, be sure to delete your Google account and Huawei account before resetting. Otherwise, FRP protection will work, and the new owner will not be able to activate the device without your logins and passwords.

It is also recommended to remove the memory card microSDif it is installed. Although modern versions of Android usually ask whether to format the internal memory or card, it is better to play it safe and physically remove the media so as not to accidentally erase data from it. Check if you know the screen unlock password, as it will be required to confirm the reset operation.

☑️ Checklist before resetting

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Method 1: Reset through system settings

The easiest and safest method to return Honor 20 to the factory state is to use the built-in settings menu. This method is preferable if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you can freely navigate the interface. The algorithm of actions may differ slightly depending on the version of the shell Magic UI, but the general logic remains the same.

First, open the main application menu and find the icon Settings. Scroll down the list of options to the System or System and updatessection. Inside this section you need to find the item Reset. In some firmware versions it may be called Reset settings or located in the subsection Advanced.

After entering the reset menu, you will see an option Resetting your phone. By clicking on it, the system will show a list of data that will be deleted: accounts, applications, settings, media files. Please review this list carefully. If you are confident in your decision, click the button Resetting your phone at the bottom of the screen. The device will ask for confirmation in the form of entering a PIN code, pattern or password.

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Before pressing the final “Reset” button, take a screenshot of the current screen with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. This will help to quickly restore the connection with the peripherals after turning on the clean phone.

After confirmation, the phone will automatically reboot. A logo Honor and a progress indicator may appear on the screen. This process takes from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled. Do not touch the device during this time. Upon completion of the procedure, the smartphone will turn on as new, prompting you to select a language and connect to the Wi-Fi network.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery mode

If the smartphone is frozen, does not boot to the desktop, or the unlock password is forgotten, the only way out is to use the mode Recovery. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory, which allows you to manage the system bypassing the main Android interface. On devices Honor 20 enter this mode using a combination of physical buttons.

Turn off the smartphone completely. Make sure it is not in vibrate or sleep mode. Then simultaneously hold down the volume up button (Volume Up) and the power button (Power). Hold them until the logo appears on the screen Honor, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume button for a few more seconds.

You should get to the menu eRecovery or standard Recovery. Control in this mode is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down to move through items) and the power button (to confirm the selection). However, touch input often works on newer models. You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset (Erase data/reset settings).

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work correctly or not work at all. Be prepared to use the physical volume buttons to navigate the menu so you don't get confused by the options.

After selecting the reset option, the system may ask for confirmation by prompting you to enter a word yes using the volume buttons or simply press Factory reset again. Confirm the action. The process of formatting the data and cache partitions will begin. When finished, you will see a message Data wipe complete. Select the option Reboot system now to reboot.

What to do if the phone requires a password after resetting?

If after Hard Reset the device asks for the password from the previous Google account, this is FRP protection. You will have to enter the account details that were synced with your phone before the reset. Without this data, it is almost impossible to unlock the device in a legal way.

Problems with Google account and FRP protection

Modern Android smartphones are equipped with a security system Factory Reset Protection (FRP). This feature is designed to protect the owner's data in the event of theft or loss of the device. Its essence lies in the fact that after resetting the settings (especially through Recovery), upon first activation, the phone will require you to enter the username and password for the Google account that was previously linked to this device.

For owners Honor 20 this may come as a surprise, especially if the phone was bought used or you have forgotten your account information. The system will not allow you to skip this step. The activation screen will endlessly require authorization. This is not a bug, but a standard security feature that cannot be easily disabled without access to your account.

To avoid problems, always sign out of your Google Account before selling or giving away your phone. Go to Settings → Users and accounts, select your Google profile and click Delete account. Only then can you safely perform a reset. If the problem has already occurred, the only solution is to restore access to the account through the Google website on another device.

Action Risk of FRP blocking Required data for unlocking
Reset via the settings menu Low (usually not required) Lock screen password
Reset via Recovery (buttons) High (required) Google login and password
Flashing via PC High Google login and password

There is a myth that skipping the Wi-Fi connection the first time you set up will help bypass security. On modern versions of Android and shells Magic UI this method does not work, since the system forcibly requires a network to check activation servers. Attempts to hack FRP using third-party software can lead to complete inoperability of the motherboard.

📊 Have you encountered Google account being blocked after a reset?
Yes, it was difficult to solve
No, I remembered the password
No, I logged out of my account in advance
Until I reset the phone

Initial setup after reset

After successful completion of the procedure Hard Reset and reboot, you will see a welcome screen. Now your Honor 20 clean. The first stage is choosing a language and region. Next, the system will prompt you to connect to a Wi-Fi network. This is a required step to activate most services and check for security updates.

The next step is to sign in to your Google account. If you reset the phone for yourself, just enter your details. If you sold the device, the new owner must go through this stage. After authorization, the system will offer to restore data from a backup copy. If you created a backup in the Google or Huawei cloud, you can get back your contacts, call history, and even the arrangement of icons on your desktop.

Pay attention to the security settings. Immediately after the reset, it is recommended to set a new unlock method: fingerprint, facial recognition or secure PIN. The fingerprint sensor is Honor 20 built into the side power button, which is very convenient. Go to Settings → Biometric data and password to configure.

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Restoring from a backup may take a long time depending on the amount of data and Internet speed. It's better to leave your phone connected to charging and Wi-Fi overnight.

Don't forget to check for system updates. Even though you have reset the settings, the firmware version may have become outdated during use. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update and click Check for updates. Installing fresh patches will close security vulnerabilities and improve stability.

Frequent errors and solutions

The reset process usually goes smoothly, but Sometimes users encounter unexpected difficulties. One of the most common problems is getting stuck on the logo after a reboot. If the animation lasts more than 20 minutes, there may be a problem with the system file writing process. In this case, a forced reboot will help: hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds until it vibrates.

Another situation is that the phone resets, but immediately after booting it starts to slow down or give errors again. This may indicate that the problem is not in the software but in the hardware, such as a faulty flash memory. Also, the reason may be a damaged updated firmware file, which was automatically pulled up during the reset.

⚠️ Attention: If the phone reboots cyclically (bootloop) after the reset, do not try to do Hard Reset again repeatedly. This may make the situation worse. Try flashing the device officially through the HiSuite app on your computer.

Sometimes users complain that after the reset the connection is lost or Wi-Fi does not work. This is often solved by simply resetting the network settings, which can be done again in a working system: Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings. This will not delete your photos, but will return the factory settings for the modem and wireless modules.

In rare cases, on older devices, the time and date may not be displayed correctly after a reset. Check the setting Auto-setting the time in the corresponding menu. If it is turned on, but the time is incorrect, turn it off, set it manually, and then turn it on again after checking your Internet connection.

Why does the phone heat up after a reset?

In the first hours after the reset, the system indexes files, optimizes applications and downloads updates in the background. This puts a high load on the processor, which causes heat. This is normal and will go away after 1-2 days of active use.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Will information be deleted from the memory card when resetting the settings?

By default, resetting the settings affects only the internal memory of the device. The data on the memory card microSD should be preserved. However, if during use you formatted the card as internal memory (adoptable storage), then the data on it is encrypted with the phone key and will become unreadable after the reset. In normal storage mode, the card will remain untouched.

Is it possible to interrupt the reset process if it takes too long?

It is highly not recommended to interrupt the formatting process if the progress indicator is moving, even slowly. A power interruption may damage the partition dataand the phone will stop booting. Wait up to 30-40 minutes. If the phone is completely frozen and does not respond to buttons for more than an hour, then you can try a forced reboot, but this is a risk.

Reset removes Android system updates?

No, Hard Reset returns only user settings and data to the factory state, but does not roll back the operating system version. If you updated Honor 20 to the latest available version of Android before resetting, then after the procedure you will be left with the same version, but “clean”, without installed software.

What should I do if I forgot the password for my Huawei account after the reset?

A Huawei account, like Google, may be required to activate some functions or restore data from Huawei Cloud. If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery procedure on the official website cloud.huawei.com. Without access to your account, you will not be able to restore backups stored in the Huawei cloud, but you can unlock the phone itself if you do not bind via FRP (which most often concerns Google).

Will a reset affect the device's warranty?

A software reset to factory settings is a standard feature provided by the manufacturer. It does not affect warranty obligations. However, if during the reset process or subsequent manipulations you try to get root access or install custom firmware, this will void the warranty. By itself Factory Reset safe for warranty status.