To reset a locked Huawei phone, the official method is to use Recovery Mode with the physical buttons, which performs a factory reset and erases all data. This works when you cannot unlock the screen because you have forgotten the PIN, password, or pattern, or after too many incorrect attempts.
How to reset a locked Huawei phone with Recovery Mode
Huawei’s support documentation provides one verified method for a locked device. This process uses the hardware buttons to enter Recovery Mode and restore the phone to factory settings, which removes the screen lock and all user data. It is the only documented way to reset a Huawei phone that you cannot unlock. You can also use HiSuite software on a computer to reset the phone without physical buttons.
- Power off the phone or tablet and remove any USB cable.
- Press and hold Power + Volume up until the device vibrates, then release the Power button but continue holding Volume Up until the EMUI recovery menu appears.
- Use the Volume up/down keys to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and select clear data.
- Press Power to confirm.
- Select Factory reset or restore your device to its factory settings.
- Press Power to confirm the selection.
- After the reset completes, the device returns to Recovery mode; select Reboot system now to boot the phone again.
This method works for Huawei phones and tablets, and it does not require a Google account, a computer, or any third-party tool. It is the official path for bypassing phone lock screens when you have no access to the device’s settings.
Reset your Huawei phone from Settings if you can still unlock it
If you know your password and can access the phone normally, Huawei documents a simpler reset path that does not require hardware buttons. This is the right choice when you want to wipe the device before selling it, giving it away, or fixing a software issue while the screen is still accessible.
Go to the phone’s reset settings, then tap Reset phone and follow the on-screen instructions to restore factory settings. This performs a full wipe of the device’s internal storage.
Huawei separately documents Reset all settings as a different option. That option only clears settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and display preferences; it does not erase your apps, photos, or other personal data. Do not confuse the two when you intend to perform a complete factory reset.
Can you use Google Find My Device to reset a locked Huawei phone?
Google’s remote erase can reset an Android phone, but it has strict requirements that must be met before it works. This is a useful fallback if you cannot physically access the phone, but it is not a guaranteed method for every locked Huawei device.
For the remote erase to be available, the phone must be powered on, connected to the internet, signed in to a Google Account, and have Find My Device enabled. The device must also be visible on Google Play with Location turned on. If any of these conditions are not met, the erase option will not appear.
To use it, go to android.com/find and sign in with the Google Account on the phone. Select the lost device if more than one appears, then choose Erase device. The device may prompt Enable lock & erase first. Google states that Erase device permanently deletes all data on the device, but it may not delete data on SD cards. After the erase completes, Find My Device will no longer work on that phone. On the phone itself, you can also open the Find My Device app, select the device, go to Settings, and tap Factory reset {device name}.
This method does not work if the phone is offline, if Find My Device was never enabled, or if the Google Account is not signed in. It also will not help with an FRP bypass lock on any Android phone, since Google’s remote erase only applies to devices already linked to your account. It is not a tool for resetting a phone that is locked to another person’s account.
What a factory reset does and does not do
A factory reset removes all data on the phone’s internal storage, including apps, accounts, photos, messages, and the screen lock itself. After the reset, the device boots to the setup screen as if it were new, and you can set a new PIN, password, or pattern. Use Huawei's built-in backup feature to safeguard files before resetting.
It does not remove data stored on an external SD card. If you need to erase an SD card, you must do that separately, either in the phone after unlocking it or with a card reader on a computer.
A factory reset is different from Reset all settings. The latter only restores system and app settings to their defaults while keeping your personal files and installed apps. Only a factory reset clears the device completely and removes the lock screen.
The recovery method and the settings method are the only official paths, and neither requires a SIM card or carrier involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a locked Huawei phone be reset without the password?
Yes, Huawei documents a recovery-mode factory reset using Power + Volume up and then selecting clear data and Factory reset. This works without entering the password, but it erases all data on the phone.
Will a factory reset remove the screen lock?
Yes, a factory reset removes all data and the existing screen lock from the device. After the reset, the phone boots to the setup screen and you can create a new PIN, password, or pattern.
Does Google Find My Device erase SD card data?
No, Google states that the remote Erase device option may not delete data on SD cards. The erase only affects the phone’s internal storage, so you must wipe an SD card separately if you need it cleared.
What if the phone is off or offline during a remote erase?
The remote erase will not work. If the phone is off or offline, the erase command cannot be delivered.
Is there a way to reset a locked Huawei phone without losing data?
No. Both the recovery-mode method and the settings-based reset erase all data on the phone. There is no documented way to remove a forgotten screen lock while keeping the device’s files intact. A backup is required before resetting if you want to keep any data.
