Forgot your Honor 10 i password: how to unlock Android without losing data

Forgotten password on Honor 10 i is a situation that even experienced users face. The smartphone is blocked after several unsuccessful entry attempts, and access to photos, messages and applications is denied. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking requires a mandatory connection to iTunes, Android offers several ways to solve the problem - from standard functions to technical workarounds.

It is important to understand: unlocking methods depend on the version of Android, the presence of a Google account, root status and even whether Find My Device has been enabled (search for device). In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from the safest (with data preservation) to extreme measures (full reset). You will also learn how to avoid being blocked in the future and what to do if the phone requires a password after flashing.

Before you start, check:

• 🔄 Do you have a backup copy of your data (for example, in Huawei Cloud or Google Drive)?
• 📧 Is a Google account linked to the phone (even if you don’t remember it)?
• 🔧 Is there access to a computer with drivers installed HiSuite or ADB?

If the answer to at least one question is positive, the chances of unblocking Honor 10 i without data loss are much higher. Let's start with the most gentle methods.

1. Unlocking via Google account (Smart Lock)

This method works if the function Smart Lock (smart lock) is enabled on the phone or a Google account is linked. On Honor 10 i with EMUI 9.x–10.x, after 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password, a button Forgot your password? appears - its presence depends on the firmware version.

Instructions:

1. On the screen lock, enter the wrong password 5 times in a row.
2. A message will appear Try again in 30 seconds and a button Forgot pattern/password (or similar).
3. Click on it and enter the details of the Google account that was linked to the phone.
4. After successful authentication, the device will unlock and you can set a new password.

⚠️ Attention: If two-factor authentication (2FA) was enabled on your phone, you may need a code from SMS or application Google Authenticator. If access to them is lost, this method will not work.

If there are no buttons, try an alternative way: Forgot your password? no, try the alternative way:

• 📱 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or a mobile network (if the blocking allows).
• 🔗 Go to the page Find My Device from another device.
• 🔍 Log in using the same Google account as on Honor 10 i.
• 🔑 Select the device in the list and press Lock, then enter a new temporary password.

2. Password reset via HiSuite (official Huawei software)

Huawei HiSuite - a proprietary utility for managing Honor/Huawei smartphones. It allows you to reset the lock password, but only if two conditions are met:

• 🖥️ The latest version is installed on the computer HiSuite (you can download from the official website).
• 🔌 The phone was previously connected to this PC and debugging is enabled in the settings via USB (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 taps) → For developers → USB debugging).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect Honor 10 i to your computer via USB cable (original!).
2. Run HiSuite and wait until the app recognizes the device.
3. In the main menu, select Backup → Restore.
4. Follow the wizard's instructions by selecting option Remove screen lock password.

⚠️ Attention: If USB debugging was not enabled in advance, HiSuite will not be able to access the phone. In this case, the method will not work.

Install HiSuite on PC|Connect the phone with the original cable|Check that USB debugging is enabled|Log in to HiSuite using the same Huawei account as on the phone-->

3. Unlocking via ADB (for advanced users)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) —a tool for managing Android devices via the command line. It allows you to reset your password, but requires you to set up USB debugging first. If you have never connected your phone to ADB, this method will not work.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB).
2. Connect Honor 10 i to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB (press Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Enter the commands in order:

   adb devices

   (your device should be displayed)

   adb shell
   su
   rm /data/system/gesture.key
   rm /data/system/password.key
   rm /data/system/locksettings.db
   rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
   rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
   reboot

After rebooting the phone is unlocked, but some settings may be reset (for example, fingerprints).

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that:

1. Drivers for Honor 10 i are installed (can be downloaded via HiSuite).

2. USB debugging is enabled in the developer settings.

3. The original cable is used (low-quality cables may not transfer data).

4. In the command line you are in the folder with ADB (for example, C:\platform-tools).

4. Hard reset (Hard Reset) - a last resort

If none of the previous methods worked, it remains a complete reset.This will delete all data from the phone, including photos, messages and installed applications. On Honor 10 i the reset is performed via Recovery Mode.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press and hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press simultaneously Volume up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until logo Honor.
3. Release the buttons - you will be taken to eRecoverySelect Wipe data/factory reset (use Volume buttons to navigate and Power button to confirm).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
5. Once completed, select Reboot system now.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Honor 10 i After resetting, you may be required to enter your Google account password (FRP protection). If you do not remember your account details, the phone will remain locked!

Unlocking method	Required conditions	Is data saved?	Complexity
Smart Lock / Google	Linked Google account, network access	Yes	⭐
HiSuite	USB debugging enabled, PC with HiSuite	Yes	⭐⭐
ADB	USB debugging, root access (optional)	Yes	⭐⭐⭐
Hard Reset	No requirements	No	⭐
Service center	Receipt or proof of ownership	Depends on master	⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after a reset

If after a hard reset Honor 10 i requires you to enter your Google account information (this is called FRP lock), and you do not remember them, additional steps will be required. This protection mechanism appeared in Android 5.1 and later to make it more difficult to steal devices.

Official bypass method:

• 📧 Restore access to your Google account via recovery page (use backup email or phone).
• 🔑 If the account cannot be restored, contact Huawei support service with proof of purchase (receipt, box with IMEI).

Unofficial methods (at your own peril and risk):

• 🛠️ Using special apps like FRP Bypass APK (requires downloading files via OTG cable).
• 📱 Installing custom firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader, which voids the warranty).

6. Contacting the Huawei service center

If all independent unlocking attempts Honor 10 i are unsuccessful, all that remains is to contact authorized Huawei service center. This is the most reliable, but also the longest method.

What you will need:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (receipt, warranty card, box with IMEI).
• 🆔 Owner's passport (for confirmation personality).
• 💳 Payment for the service (the cost varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the region).

Unlocking process in the service:

1. The wizard checks the authenticity of documents and IMEI of the phone.
2. C using special software (for example, Huawei Multi-Tool) resets the lock.
3. If necessary, reflashes the device (if the firmware is damaged).

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial services may offer unlocking without documents, but this is fraught:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔧 Possible malfunctions in the phone after unqualified intervention.
• 💸 Higher cost of services.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To to avoid encountering the problem of a forgotten password again, follow these simple rules:

• 🔐 Use managers passwords (for example, Google Password Manager or KeePass) to store complex combinations.
• 📱 Configure biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as a backup method.
• ☁️ Regularly back up your data via Settings → System → Backup copying.
• 📧 Link your Google account and enable Smart Lock in the security settings.

On Honor 10 i EMUI 9.x–10.x there is a hidden function for emergency password reset via a call to a locked phone. To do this, you need to call the device from another number, accept the call, then quickly go to settings and turn off the blocking. However, this method does not work on all firmware and may be closed in new updates.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about unlocking Honor 10 i

Is it possible to unlock Honor 10 i without losing data?

Yes, if you have it enabled debugging via USB and there is access to a PC from HiSuite or ADB. A linked Google account with the Find My Devicefunction will also help. In other cases, the data will be lost.

What to do if, after resetting, the phone asks for the old password?

This means that the reset was performed incorrectly (for example, through third-party software). Try again Hard Reset via standard Recovery or contact service.

Is it possible to unlock Honor 10 i through the engineering menu (##2846579##)?

No, the engineering menu (##2846579##) does not contain functions for resetting the lock password. It is intended for testing hardware components.

Will unlocking via HiSuite work if the phone does not turn on?

No, HiSuite requires that the device be turned on and recognized by the system. If the phone does not respond to the power button, first try charging it or performing a forced reboot (Volume Up + Power for 15 seconds).

How to find out if USB debugging is enabled on a locked phone?

If Debugging was not enabled in advance; this is impossible to find out on a locked device. This parameter is configured in the menu For developers, access to which is prohibited without unlocking.