Abstract: This study explores a hydrogen-assisted mineral phase transformation process with synergistic desulfurization for the efficient recovery of iron from acid leach (HPAL) tailings of laterite nickel ore. The HPAL tailings, containing 51.50% iron and 2.09% sulfur, present environmental challenges due to their sulfur content. A pretreatment at 950°C for 15 min successfully reduced sulfur to 0.295% and increased the iron grade to 57.66%. Further hydrogen-assisted mineral phase transformation at 520°C for 30 min, using 40% hydrogen and a gas flow rate of 600 mL·min-1, resulted in a product with an iron grade of 60.96%, 89.57% iron recovery. The overall desulfurization rate reached 85.83%, with wet scrubbing and limestone employed to capture sulfur. This process demonstrates the efficiency of this hydrogen-assisted process for sustainable iron recovery and sulfur removal from laterite nickel ore tailings, with potential for industrial application.