Smartphone Honor 9X, released in 2019, has long remained a popular device thanks to its Kirin 810 processor and pop-up camera. However, over time, even the most reliable gadgets begin to work slower, freeze, or produce software errors. In such situations, the most effective solution is often a full reset to factory settings, which deletes all user data and returns the system to its original state.
The Reset procedure is necessary not only in the presence of serious glitches, but also before selling the device, so that the new owner does not gain access to your personal photos, contacts and accounts. It is important to understand that resetting settings is an irreversible action that erases all information from the phone’s internal memory. Therefore, before starting any manipulations, it is critically important to create a backup copy of your data.
In this article we will examine in detail the two main ways to perform this procedure: through the standard Android settings menu and using a combination of physical buttons (Hard Reset). We will also discuss the nuances of working with a Google account and Huawei ID so that after a reboot you do not encounter a device lock.
Preparing for the data reset procedure
Before you begin deleting data, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step may result in permanent loss of important information or the phone being locked by the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security system. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%, as a sudden power outage during formatting can damage the system partitions.
Back up your contacts, messages and media files. Owners Honor 9X can use the built-in application Optimization or the Huawei Cloud cloud service. Also be sure to check Google Drive sync for photos and calendar. If you have valuable files in a folder Download or in the internal memory, copy them to a computer or external drive.
⚠️ Attention: Be sure to unlink your Google account and Huawei ID before resetting if you plan to sell the phone. Otherwise, the new owner will need your password to activate the device.
Write down or remember the passwords for all accounts you use. After the system is cleared, the phone will ask you to enter the account information that was last authorized on the device. This is a standard anti-theft measure, and it will be extremely difficult to bypass it without original data.
☑️ Preparing to reset Honor 9X
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest method of returning to factory settings is to use the built-in EMUI shell interface. This method is suitable for cases when the phone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you can get to the main menu. The system itself will correctly close all applications and clear the cache before formatting.
First, open the application Settings on the desktop. Scroll down the list to the very end and find the item System and updates. In some firmware versions, this section may be called simply System. Inside this menu, you need to select the option Resetwhich is usually located at the bottom of the list of options.
On screen Reset you will see several options. We are interested in item Reset phone. When you click on it, the system will show a detailed list of what will be deleted: photos, music, downloaded applications, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. If you are confident in your decision, press the red button Reset settings at the bottom of the screen.
Before pressing the final button, take a screenshot of important settings, for example, access point settings or static IP address, so as not to enter them again manually.
The phone will ask you to confirm the action by entering a pattern, PIN code or screen unlock password. After successful authentication, the cleanup process will begin. The screen will go dark, the device will reboot, and a logo Honor with a progress indicator will appear. This process may take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of full memory.
⚠️ Attention: Do not press the volume or power buttons during the formatting process to avoid interrupting the recording of system files.
Using the settings menu is the preferred method, as it ensures that all user profiles and encrypted ones are correctly deleted data.
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone freezes, does not boot to the desktop, or you have forgotten the screen lock pattern, the only option is Recovery Mode. On Honor 9X this mode is entered by using a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off. This method is more aggressive and allows you to restore functionality even in the event of serious software failures.
Turn off the phone completely. Hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Keep them pressed until the brand logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume key until the menu eRecovery or standard Recovery appears.
In the recovery menu, control is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down to move) and the power button (to confirm the selection). Some versions of EMUI support touch screen control. You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset (Erase data/reset settings) and confirm the selection.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in English?
You need to select the Wipe data item. The system may then ask you to enter the word “yes” for confirmation. Use the on-screen keyboard or volume buttons to enter letters if the sensor does not work.
After selecting the reset item, the system may ask for confirmation again to prevent accidental pressing. Select Yes or Factory data reset. The process of formatting the data partition will begin. Upon completion of the operation, select the item Reboot system now to reboot the phone in normal mode.
| Option | Soft Reset (Menu) | Hard Reset (Buttons) |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only on the working screen | For any software state |
| Complexity | Low | Medium |
| Risk errors | Minimal | Average (human factor) |
| Removing SD card | No (usually) | Depends on the version of Recovery |
Protection FRP and Google accounts
One of the most important features of modern Android smartphones, including Honor 9X, is factory reset protection (FRP - Factory Reset Protection). This function links the device to the last entered Google account. If you performed a Hard Reset, but did not delete the account from the settings in advance, the phone will require you to enter the password for this account when setting it up for the first time.
This is done so that an attacker who steals the phone cannot simply reset it and use it as a new one. If you have forgotten the password for your Google account, recover it in advance via a computer or other smartphone on google.com. Without this data, it will be almost impossible to unlock the device in a legal way.
- 🔐 Always log out of your Google account before selling:
Settings → Users and accounts → Google → Delete account. - 📱 Check for other accounts: Huawei ID, Samsung Account (if used) or social network accounts with administrator rights.
- 🌐 Make sure the date and time on the device are correct before logging into your account, otherwise authentication servers may reject the connection.
Owners Honor 9X should also take into account the specifics of the lack of Google services in new Huawei firmware, however, this model was initially supplied with a full set Google services, so standard FRP protection is active here and works normally.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes after performing a reset, users encounter unexpected situations. For example, the phone may get stuck on the logo when booting (bootloop). In most cases, this means that the formatting process was interrupted or the system partition was damaged. Try performing the Hard Reset again, making sure the battery is fully charged.
Another common problem is no connection or Wi-Fi after a reset. This may be due to the fact that the reset brought back the old modem configuration files. In this case, resetting the network settings will help. Go to Settings → System and updates → Reset → Reset network settings. Please note that this item does not delete personal files, but only resets the connection settings.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone goes into a cyclic reboot after three reset attempts, the flash memory or system firmware is probably damaged. Re-flashing via a computer is required.
A situation may also arise when the touch screen does not respond in Recovery mode. In this case, try using the volume buttons to navigate. If this does not help, there may be a hardware problem, and diagnostics are required at a service center.
If after resetting the phone heats up and discharges quickly, let it run for 1-2 hours in the background. The system indexes files and optimizes applications, which creates a load on the processor.
Setting up Honor 9X after a reset
After a successful reboot, you will see the welcome screen. Select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Google account. The system will offer to restore data from a backup copy. If you created a backup in the Huawei or Google cloud, you can restore contacts, call history and installed applications in a couple of clicks.
You should not install all applications at once. Start with the basic set: instant messengers, browser, antivirus. Observe the operation of the device throughout the day. If the phone works stably, does not overheat and does not discharge abnormally quickly, you can gradually return the rest of the software and media files.
Be sure to check for system updates. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update. Installing the latest firmware version can fix bugs that were present in the old version and may have caused your decision to reset.
- 🚀 Enable the "Optimization" option in the support application to speed up the system after the first launch.
- 🛡️ Set up biometric protection: fingerprint or facial recognition in the section
Security. - 📲 Check the operation of the proximity and light sensors by making a test call.
Returning to factory settings is a powerful reboot for your smartphone. For Honor 9X this procedure often becomes a second wind, allowing you to extend the comfortable life of the device for another year or two. The main thing is to act carefully and not neglect creating backup copies.
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card during a reset?
By default, the standard reset procedure through the settings menu does not affect the external memory card. However, when using Recovery mode, some versions of the software may provide an option to format the SD card. Always remove the memory card before starting the procedure to ensure the safety of the data on it.
How long does it take to completely reset Honor 9X?
The data formatting process itself usually takes from 5 to 10 minutes. However, the first boot after a reset may take longer - up to 15-20 minutes, as the system performs initial setup and optimization of memory partitions.
What should I do if the phone asks for a password for an account that I deleted?
If you deleted the account from the phone settings, but reset the device to factory settings, the system may ask for a password for the last account that was synchronized. You need to enter exactly the data (email and password) that were used on the device before the reset, even if the account is now removed from the list.
Is it possible to reset the settings if the screen is broken and the sensor 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 the screen is completely black, only a Hard Reset through the buttons will help, but you will not be able to see the confirmation of the actions, which increases the risk of an error.
Does a reset remove Android system updates?
No, a factory reset only returns user data and application settings to their original state. The Android operating system version and security patch level remain the same as those installed at the time of the reset. Rolling back to an older version of Android is not possible with a simple reset.