Resetting Honor to factory settings: 3 proven ways to return Android to its original state

Returning a smartphone Honor to factory settings may be required in a variety of situations: from preparing the device for sale to eliminating critical malfunctions Android. This process completely erases user data, applications, and personal settings, returning the system to the state it was in when it was first turned on. However, not all users know that there are several ways to perform a reset - and each of them is suitable for specific scenarios.

Some mistakenly believe that resetting through the settings menu and resetting through Recovery Mode are identical in result, but in practice these methods differ in the depth of cleaning and recovery capabilities. For example, if your Honor is blocked due to a forgotten pattern, a standard reset through the settings will not be available - you will have to use alternative options. And in cases where the system is damaged by viruses or incorrect updates, a complete flashing may be required via Fastboot.

In this article we will look at all current return methods Honor to the factory settings, including nuances for different models (from Honor 8X to Honor Magic 5), and we will also warn against typical errors that can turn a reset into a “brick”. We will pay special attention to the issues saving data and restoring after a reset - these points are often missed even by experienced users.

1. Preparing for the reset: what you need to do before resetting to factory settings

Before you begin the reset, it is critical to complete a few preparatory steps. Many users skip this stage, after which they are faced with the irretrievable loss of photos, contacts, or even the problem of activating the device due to a linked account Huawei ID.

First, create a backup copy of all important data. Even if you're planning on resetting because you're selling your phone, save copies to an external drive or to the cloud. Honor has a built-in backup tool: Settings → System → Backup → Backup data. Alternatively, you can use Google Drive or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root access).

Secondly, make sure you know the login and password for your Huawei account. After the reset, the device may require you to enter this data to unlock it (function FRP — Factory Reset Protection). If you have forgotten your password, restore it in advance on the official website Huawei.

Thirdly, check the battery level. The reset process should not be interrupted due to discharge - this can lead to software failures. Optimal level: not less than 50%.

Make sure you have a backup copy of your data|Remember/recover your Huawei ID password|Charge your phone to 50% or higher|Disconnect the memory card (unless you need to clean it)|Remove the SIM card (optional)-->

If you are resetting your phone due to a sale, do not forget log out of all accounts (Google, Huawei, social networks) and unlink device from services like Find My Device. This will save the new owner from problems with activation.

2. Method 1: Reset through the settings menu (the easiest option)

This is a standard method that is suitable if the phone turns onyou have access to the menu and you remember the unlock password. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version EMUI (shell Huawei/Honor), but the general scheme is the same.

Step by step instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to the section System and updates (or just System in new versions).
3. Select Reset → Reset settings.
4. Click Reset all settings (sometimes called Restoring factory settings).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password or PIN code for confirmation.
6. Confirm the action by pressing Reset phone or a similar button.

The process will take from 5 to 15 minutes. Upon completion, the phone will automatically reboot and offer to go through the initial setup, as after purchase.

On some models Honor (for example, Honor 20 Pro or Honor View 20) an additional item may appear Resetting network settings. It clears only Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings without affecting personal data. Do not confuse it with a full reset!

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is locked or does not turn on)

If you forgot the pattern key, PIN code or the phone freezes on the logo and does not boot, you will have to use recovery mode (Recovery Mode). This method works on all models Honor, but requires caution - incorrect actions can damage the firmware.

To enter Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it frozen).
2. Hold down the combination of buttons:
   • For most models: Volume up + Power.
   • For Honor 8/9/10: Volume up + Volume down + Power.
   • For Honor Magic series: Volume up + Power (hold for 10+ seconds).

When the logo appears on the screen Honor or EMUI, release the buttons.

In the menu Recovery control is carried out with the volume (move) and power (select) buttons. Next:

4. Select item Wipe data/factory reset (sometimes called Clear Data).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Yes or Factory data reset.
6. After cleaning is complete, select Reboot system now for reboot.
What to do if Recovery Mode does not open?

If the button combination does not work, try:

1. Connect the phone to charge for 10 minutes - sometimes a low battery blocks the entrance to Recovery.

2. Use a different combination (for example, for older models Honor 7 you may need Volume down + Power).

3. If the screen remains black, but the phone vibrates, the display may be damaged - try connecting it to the PC and using ADB to reset.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices, after resetting via Recovery you may need to re-activate via Huawei ID. If you do not remember your account details, the phone will become a “brick” - it will be difficult to unlock it (you will need to contact a service center).

4. Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔹 The phone does not respond to buttons and does not log in Recovery.
• 🔹 Required reflash the device after an unsuccessful update.
• 🔹 You need to bypass FRP lock (only for an unlocked bootloader!).

To work you will need a computer with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot i cable USB Type-C. Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools from the official website Android Developers.
2. Turn on on your phone USB Debugging (if it still works): Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Return to Settings → System → For Developers → USB Debugging.
3. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm permission to debugging.
4. Open a command line in the folder with platform-tools and enter:

   adb devices

   Make sure that the device is detected.

5. Reboot the phone into mode Fastboot:

   adb reboot bootloader

6. To do a complete reset, run:

   fastboot erase userdata
   fastboot erase cache
   fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Commands fastboot erase completely delete data from the partition userdata (including internal memory). If your goal is only to reset settings without losing files, use instead:

fastboot flash stock_recovery recovery.img
fastboot reboot recovery

(after downloading the official recovery.img for your model).

On devices with a locked bootloader (bootloader) some commands Fastboot may not work. In this case, you will need official unlocking through the service Huawei (the service is paid and is not available for all regions).

Through the settings menu|Via Recovery Mode|Via Fastboot/ADB|Never reset|Another method-->

5. Reset features on different Honor models

Although the general reset logic is the same, some models Honor have nuances. The table below shows the key differences for popular devices:

Model	Combination for Recovery	Reset features	Is Huawei ID required after a reset?
Honor 8/9/10	Volume up + Volume down + Power	In Recovery there is an item Download latest version to restore the firmware	Yes (if linked)
Honor 20/20 Pro	Volume up + Power	Supports eRecovery to download the official firmware	Yes
Honor Magic 3/4/5	Volume up + Power (hold for 15+ seconds)	Uses Magic UI instead EMUI, but the Recovery menu is similar	Yes (required)
Honor 70/80/90	Volume up + Power	Recovery via Huawei Mobile Services may require two-factor authentication	Yes
Honor Play	Volume down + Power	Frequent problems with FRP locking after reset	Yes (high risk of blocking)

On devices with Google Mobile Services (for example, Honor 50 for the European market), after the reset you may additionally need to enter your account data Google. This is part of the protection FRPthat cannot be bypassed legally without the data of the original owner.

6. What to do after the reset: data recovery and setup

After returning to factory settings, the phone Honor will start with a welcome screen, just like after purchase. It is important here to perform the initial setup correctly to avoid problems in the future.

Recovery steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network. Without the Internet, you will not be able to download updates and restore backups.
2. Login to your Huawei account (if required). If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery function on the website. data-i="220">🖥️ Via Huawei.
3. Recover data:
   • 📱 From backup Huawei Cloud (if it was created).
   • 🖥️ Via Google Drive (contacts, photos, some settings).
   • 💾 From an external drive (if you made a local copy).

Update the firmware. After the reset, it is recommended to check for updates: Settings → System → Software update.

Configure security:

• 🔒 Set a new PIN code or pattern.
• 👆 Set up fingerprint/face unlocking.
• 🛡️ Enable Find My Device in settings Huawei ID.

If after a reset the phone works slower than before, this is normal - the system needs time to optimize (usually 1-2 days). If lags persist, check:

• 🔄 Availability of firmware updates.
• 🧹 Memory full (delete unnecessary files).
• 🛠️ Operation of background processes in Settings → Applications → Running.

💡

If photos are missing after resetting, check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails - sometimes thumbnails are saved even after cleaning.

7. Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Honorwhich lead to additional problems. Here are the most common ones:

Error 1: Interrupting the reset process

If you remove the battery or forcefully turn off the phone during the reset (especially through Recovery or Fastboot), this can lead to damage to system files. In the best case, the phone will simply reboot and prompt you to repeat the reset. At worst, it will turn into a “brick” with a black screen.

Error 2: Forgotten Huawei ID

Many users do not remember the account details Huaweilinked to the phone. After resetting, the device may be locked and require you to enter your login and password. If you cannot restore access, the only way out is to contact the service center Huawei/Honor with proof of purchase.

Error 3: Using unofficial firmware

When resetting via Fastboot some users try to flash custom Recovery (for example TWRP) or unofficial firmware. This may lead to:

• 🚨 Loss of IMEI (the phone will no longer connect to the network).
• 🔋 Rapid battery discharge due to unoptimized software.
• 🔒 Account blocking Huawei for license violation agreements.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Kirinprocessors (for example, Honor View 20), unofficial firmware often leads to loss of performance due to the lack of drivers for the neural processor (NPU).

Error 4: Incomplete cleaning before selling

If you are resetting your phone for sale, it is not enough to simply return to factory settings. You need to:

• 📲 Log out of all accounts (Google, Huawei, social networks).
• 💳 Delete linked bank cards in Huawei Pay or Google Pay.
• 📡 Disable the function Find My Device.
• 🔄 Reset twice (sometimes after the first reset fragments of data remain).

8. Alternative reset methods (if all else fails)

If standard methods do not work (for example, the phone does not respond to buttons or the reset is interrupted), you can try alternative solutions:

Method 1: Reset via HiSuite

Official utility Huawei HiSuite allows you to reset if the phone is detected by the computer, but does not respond to commands. Instructions:

1. Download and install HiSuite from the official website Huawei.
2. Connect the phone to the PC via USB.
3. In the app select System recovery → Reset to factory settings.
4. Follow the instructions of the wizard (confirmation will be required on the phone if it is turned on).

Method 2: Firmware update via eRecovery

On some models Honor (for example, Honor 20 or Honor 9X) in the menu Recovery there is an item Download latest version and recovery. It allows you to download the official firmware and install it over the current one, which is equivalent to a deep reset. To do this, you will need a stable Wi-Fi connection.

Method 3: Contacting a service center

If the phone:

• 🔴 Does not turn on at all (no reaction to charging).
• 🔴 Stuck on the logo Honor even after resetting through Recovery.
• 🔴 Requires Huawei IDwhich you do not remember.

then independent actions can aggravate the problem. In this case, it is better to contact an authorized service center. The average cost of diagnostics is from 500 to 1,500 rubles (depending on the region).

What to do if the phone does not turn on after a reset?

If the screen remains black after a reset:

1. Try charging the phone for 30-60 minutes (the battery may have drained during the process).

2. Hold the power button for 20-30 seconds to force a reboot.

3. If the logo Honor appears, but further loading does not proceed, try repeating the reset via Recovery.

4. If all else fails, this may indicate a hardware failure (for example, damage to the flash memory).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about resetting Honor to factory settings

Is it possible to restore factory settings without losing data?

No, a hard reset always deletes user data (photos, messages, applications). However, you can create a backup before resetting via Settings → System → Backup or manually copy the files to your PC.

Why does Honor ask for the old Huawei ID password after resetting?

This is a function protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection). If an account was linked on the phone Huawei, after the reset you will need to enter its data to confirm ownership. If you do not remember your password, restore it on the website Huawei or contact support.

Will factory settings reset the operator lock (SIM-lock)?

No, resetting to factory settings does not affect SIM-lock (carrier lock). To unlock, you will need an official code from the operator or specialized equipment (which is often illegal).

Is it possible to reset Honor if you have forgotten the pattern key?

Yes, but not through the settings menu. Use Recovery Mode (a combination of buttons when the phone is turned off) or, if the phone is synchronized with Huawei ID, try to unlock it through the service Find My Device on the website Huawei.

Why did Honor become slower after the reset?

This is a temporary phenomenon. After the reset, the system needs 1-2 days to optimize background processes. If lags persist, check:

• Firmware updates available.
• Internal memory full.
• Applications running in the background (Settings → Applications → Running).

Disabling animation in the developer settings will also help.