The need to return the device to its original state arises for various reasons: the phone has started to work slowly, you are planning to sell the gadget, or you are faced with a screen lock. The process that users often call “formatting” is actually a complete reset of all data to factory settings (Factory Reset). For smartphone owners Huawei i Honor this procedure has its own characteristics associated with the EMUI shell or the new HarmonyOS.
It is important to understand that formatting deletes absolutely all user information: photos, contacts, applications and files. Before starting any manipulations, you must make a backup copy of your data if the device is still available for use. Ignoring this step will lead to irretrievable loss of information, which will subsequently be extremely difficult to recover without specialized software.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for clearing memory on Chinese brand smartphones. You'll learn how to reset through the settings menu, how to enter recovery mode if your phone won't turn on, and how to bypass FRP protection. We will also look at the nuances of working with the service HiSuite and the features of deleting a Google account before selling the device.
Preparing the device for a full reset
Before initiating the cleaning process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. This ensures that the system shuts down gracefully and that no errors occur when rebooting. The most critical point is the battery charge. Make sure the charge level is at least 50%, or better yet, fully charge your smartphone to 100%. A sudden power outage while writing system files can damage the bootloader.
The second important step is unlinking accounts. Modern Huawei smartphones are equipped with FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection. If you don't sign out of your Google account or Huawei ID before resetting, the phone will require you to enter the password from the previous owner after turning it on. This is designed to protect against theft, but can be a problem when selling legally.
⚠️ Attention: If you have forgotten the password for your Google Account, please restore access to it before resetting. Otherwise, the phone will turn into a “brick” that requires complex unlocking through a service center.
Do not forget to remove the microSD memory card, if installed. Although modern versions of Android typically ask permission to format an external card, physically removing it eliminates the risk of accidentally deleting personal archives or photos stored on the drive. It is also recommended to disable the “Find my device” function in the security settings.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Method 1: Reset through the Android settings menu
This is the safest and easiest method available to every user whose phone is functioning normally and is unlocked. The interface may differ slightly depending on the shell version EMUI or Magic UI, but the logic of actions remains the same. You will need to go to the main device settings menu.
Find the section responsible for the system. In older firmware versions it may be called simply “System”, in new ones it may be called “System and Updates”. Inside this item you need to find the option Reset or Restore and reset. This is where software status management tools are concentrated.
Select item Reset settings. The system will show a list of data that will be deleted. Please read it carefully. If everything is correct, click the “Reset settings” or “Reset phone” button. The device may ask you to enter your screen unlock PIN or account password to confirm the operation.
Before pressing the reset button, take a screenshot of important Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings if you are not using cloud synchronization. This will speed up the setup of the phone after turning it on.
After confirmation, the cleaning process will begin. The screen will go dark and the Huawei logo will appear with a progress bar. Do not touch the device at this time. The initial boot after a reset may take up to 5-10 minutes, since the system reinitializes the memory partitions.
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone freezes, does not turn on, or you have forgotten the pattern, the standard method through the settings will not work. In this case, you must use Recovery Mode. This method allows you to format your Huawei phone even when the screen is locked.
To enter recovery mode, you must completely turn off the device. Then you need to hold down the key combination. On most Huawei models, this is the simultaneous holding of the button Volume up and the button Power. Keep them pressed until the brand logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume up.
You will be taken to the menu eRecovery or classic Android Recovery. Control here is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down to move) and the power button (to confirm the selection). Some new models with a touch screen allow you to control the menu directly by touch.
| Action | Control buttons | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Move up | Volume + | Selecting a menu item above |
| Moving down | Volume - | Selecting a menu item below |
| Confirmation | Power (or touch) | Launch the selected function |
| Exit the menu | Reboot the system | Normal launch of Android |
In the menu list, select item Wipe data/factory reset (Erase data/reset settings). The system will ask for confirmation, often requiring you to enter a word yes using the volume buttons. After confirmation, the partition formatting will begin data, where all user files are stored.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
If you see hieroglyphs instead of English text, try selecting the item with the gear or globe icon to change the language. If changing the language is not available, be guided by the position of the items: reset is usually second or third in the list, and confirmation requires entering “yes”.
Using the HiSuite service for formatting
Huawei has developed an official utility HiSuite for managing smartphones from a computer. This method is convenient because it allows you not only to reset the settings, but also to first create a complete backup copy of the system on your PC’s hard drive. This is especially true if the phone's touch screen works intermittently.
Install the HiSuite app on your computer and connect your smartphone with a USB cable. On the phone screen you will need to enable USB debugging and confirm the connection. In the app interface, go to the “Tools” section and select the option System Restore.
The app will offer to download the latest firmware version, if necessary, and will perform a clean installation. This method is considered the most reliable for eliminating software errors, since it not only clears data, but also checks the integrity of system files. The process takes longer than a normal reset.
⚠️ Attention: When using HiSuite, make sure that a stable device driver is installed. Interrupting the cable connection during flashing may result in a boot error.
Features of deleting a Google account (FRP)
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection is closely related to the Google account. After resetting the settings via Recovery Mode (method 2), the first time you turn on the phone, you will be asked to enter the login and password for the Google account that was previously synchronized with the device. This is a security measure against theft.
If you plan to sell the phone, required delete your account manually before resetting. Go to Settings → Users and accounts (or “Accounts”). Select the desired Gmail address and click “Delete Account.” Only after this can you do a Factory Reset.
If the phone was purchased secondhand and someone else’s account is on it, it is impossible to legally use the device without the previous owner’s password. Official Huawei service centers require a receipt of purchase to remove the block. Third-party FRP bypass methods often violate the warranty and may be unstable.
Deleting your Google account before resetting is the only guaranteed way to avoid an FRP lock when selling your device.
Solving problems after formatting
After the phone is formatted and turned on, you may encounter some system behavior. The first start-up always takes longer than usual. The system optimizes applications and indexes files. Do not be alarmed if the smartphone warms up slightly in the first 15 minutes.
Sometimes users complain that after a reset some functions do not work, for example, fingerprint or face unlock. In this case, you need to re-register your biometric data in your security settings. The old encryption keys were deleted along with the data.
If the phone is stuck on the Huawei logo after a bootloop, try entering Recovery mode again and clearing the cache (Wipe cache partition). This will not delete data (which is already erased), but it will clear temporary files that may have been damaged during an update or crash.
- 📱 Check for software updates immediately after setup to eliminate possible bugs.
- 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without breaks.
- 📶 Reconfigure APN access points if the mobile data does not work automatically.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my microSD card be deleted when formatting the phone?
By default, the system does not format the external card memory unless you specifically select this option. However, for complete safety, it is recommended to physically remove the card before starting the reset procedure.
Is it possible to recover a photo after a Factory Reset?
Data recovery after a hard reset on modern encrypted smartphones is almost impossible without professional equipment. If you did not have a backup in the Huawei cloud or Google Photos, the data is considered lost.
The phone asks for the account password after resetting, I don’t remember it. What to do?
You need to restore access to your account through the Google or Huawei website on your computer. Without entering correct data, the device will not unlock due to FRP protection.
How long does the formatting process take?
The cleaning procedure itself takes from 2 to 5 minutes. However, initial setup and optimization of the system after a reboot may require another 10-15 minutes of time.
Will the warranty disappear after resetting the settings?
No, a soft reset to factory settings is a standard feature of the device and does not void the manufacturer's warranty if it has not been flashed to custom software.