topic Re: Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account in Galaxy A Series

Setup and use without using Samsung account

PeteCC — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:05:42 GMT

I'm thinking of buying a Samsung phone (A series).

Over time, I've used many manufacturer's phones, and, especially recently there seems to be increasing attempts to draw people into the manufacturer's own 'ecosystem', with alternatives to google apps like contacts, calendar, wallet, etc. This seems like nothing more than marketing to me, and I have zero interest in it. Google has to know all about my details like contacts and that's bad enough but it's worth it for the easy transfer across devices. I positively don't want another big corporation poking their nose in too.

I've got nothing against Samsung in particular, it's a general attitude towards device manufacturers.

So, to get to the point, I want to make sure, before I part with my cash, that I can setup and use a Samsung phone without using my Samsung account at all, and I can replace all the Samsung apps (contacts, calendar, pay...) with the Google equivalents (I did it with an old tablet but that was several years ago now).

Any information appreciated.

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Fiona26 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:29:25 GMT

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/mobile-apps-services/samsung-account/td-p/8994076
It's possible yes. Some Samsung apps you can uninstall, some you can only disable.

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Glenntech — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:29:36 GMT

Well you can. I don't have a Samsung account setup on my work A23 phone.
But obviously you will face some restrictions, mostly with Samsung apps. You won't be able to update them from the Galaxy Store for example.
My phone still gets software updates etc.
But it would be a smoother experience if I did sign into my Samsung account. But because it's a work phone, I'm not going to.
As to deleting apps. Some you can, but others not. Just depends on the importance I guess with the phone operations

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Robin999 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:11:09 GMT

Hi, and welcome to the UK community.

In all honesty, if you're considering a Samsung device, then your experience will be a whole lot smoother if you set up a Samsung account. As you've found out, you can't use Google apps and services without having a Google account. Well, it's no different with Samsung. You don't have to have an account, but it'll save you some headaches if you have one. There's also the benefits an account brings, such as backup, support via the members app, and others. Seriously, your information is secure and private. Samsung do not 'poke' their noses into your personal data. I'm an S series user, and I couldn't do half the things I do (cross device integration) without a Samsung account.
Saying that, Samsung has taken the decision to drop one of its apps in favour of the Google equivalent. Samsung Messages app is no longer pre installed on new US devices. I'm not in favour of this move and hope it doesn't filter thru to the UK. This move opens up the possibility of other Samsung apps being discontinued in favour of their Google equivalent. Pros and cons of owning an Android device, I suppose.

https://www.samsung.com/uk/why-samsung-account/

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Lingard87 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:30:47 GMT

If you really want a privacy and security focused phone, have a look at GrapheneOS

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

PeteCC — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:31:24 GMT

Thanks to all for the replies and the information. I'm now more confident of going for Samsung.

I've done everything I've needed to do with a phone (and an older Samsung tablet) up to now without using any Samsung specific apps and when it gets to my next phone (after the one I'm about to buy) I don't want to be restricted to Samsung, so I'll sacrifice any advantages they have for the flexibility of choosing any other Android phone (and frankly, I tried a few Samsung apps on the tablet, wasn't impressed, and disabled them or took away all their permissions, if that wasn't possible, and don't feel I'm missing out on anything).

Thanks again.

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

PeteCC — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:46:58 GMT

Oops! Pressed the solution button instead of reply, can I undo that?

Re: Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Robin999 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:08:23 GMT

Done...

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

JAMES4578 — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:33:27 GMT

@PeteCC Obviously you have the choice but think it is a better experience with A Samsung Account, you will not have acesss to a number of Samsung services without it. Perhaps syncing not so important to you but for instance will not have access to Samsung Pay and SmartThings, issues if you are not able to update Galaxy Apps. know some google Apps are alternatives , you would not get an invite for Betas though may not be interested in that. . https://v3.account.samsung.com/dashboard/intro However the phone will function without the Samsung Account and will receive the OS updates.

Re: Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

PeteCC — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:00:24 GMT

Many thanks.

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Jacqui09 — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 01:56:41 GMT

Hi I just set up a new A35 samsung phone. Do not set up with a samsung account!!!! The first thing you do is place all the galaxy and samsung bloatware into a folder then go to settings apps and delete or disable them. Turn Bixby off and use Google apps instead. keep your Google Gmail separate, use Chrome or Google for Internet also google calendar and notes and assistant and keyboard don't transfer any contacts until you download google contacts app use Gmail app and not via samsung to access Gmail. Samsung doesn't like watts app either! I use to use samsung years ago and assumed Bixby would be cremated by now. If you can afford it buy a pixel phone and burn the samsung. I hate all the ***** and wanting to know all your private details as well. Samsung forgets we are the customer, all their apps are ***** so look in google play for alternatives. I love android and I'm glad I didn't invest heavily in a samsung phone but I have to put up with it until Christmas when I get a new Pixel phone myself. Keep you media on an sd card and park the samsung defaults. I also use Google photos and hey Google. I forgot how bad companies are at hijacking our info. One day Samsung will get rid of all the bloatware and go back to basics, pity really because the phone architecture isn't bad.

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

PeteCC — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:12:20 GMT

@Jacqui09 wrote:
Hi I just set up a new A35 samsung phone. Do not set up with a samsung account!!!! The first thing you do is place all the galaxy and samsung bloatware into a folder then go to settings apps and delete or disable them. Turn Bixby off and use Google apps instead. keep your Google Gmail separate, use Chrome or Google for Internet also google calendar and notes and assistant and keyboard don't transfer any contacts until you download google contacts app use Gmail app and not via samsung to access Gmail. Samsung doesn't like watts app either! I use to use samsung years ago and assumed Bixby would be cremated by now. If you can afford it buy a pixel phone and burn the samsung. I hate all the ***** and wanting to know all your private details as well. Samsung forgets we are the customer, all their apps are ***** so look in google play for alternatives. I love android and I'm glad I didn't invest heavily in a samsung phone but I have to put up with it until Christmas when I get a new Pixel phone myself. Keep you media on an sd card and park the samsung defaults. I also use Google photos and hey Google. I forgot how bad companies are at hijacking our info. One day Samsung will get rid of all the bloatware and go back to basics, pity really because the phone architecture isn't bad.

Hi, I eventually bought an A35 too. First thing I did was avoid ever giving it my Samsung account at all. It tries to force you during setup but I found a way round online. You basically have to pretend you don't have an account and/or have forgotten your password. It then eventually gives you an option to 'do it later', which, of course, I never did. Then avoided the transfer app by saying "can't use old phone", you can then use a Google backup of your old phone instead.

Then did much as you did, except you can't even disable some apps, but you can generally take away enough permissions to effectively disable it (e.g. my Samsung Contacts app as no permission to access my contacts).

Installed all the Google apps or third party ones I like (Firefox for internet, Aqua Mail for email, etc.). Got a few annoying nag notifications to link to a Samsung account to begin with (e.g. to backup, or use 'find phone', as if Google didn't do that), but either managed to find the source and disable it, or ignored them, and eventually they stopped.

It was quite a bit of pointless fiddling, but I'm now quite happy with it. Not sure if I'd buy a Samsung again, though. When will Samsung realise that they lose a lot of customers because of this nonsense, pointless marketing BS? By all means offer the option to use their stuff (clearly some people seem to like it), but trying to force it on people, can just put them off the brand completely. I'm going to need a new tablet soon, and I think Samsung are now bottom of the list of brands to look at.

Can't really afford Pixel, and anyway, none of them (last time I checked) had an SDCard slot - this is important to me 'cos I like to keep my entire music library on my device (in lossless FLAC format), which uses a LOT of memory.

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Foodiefusion — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:13:03 GMT

I need help setting up my phone on my Samsung tablet

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

Anonymous User — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:50:39 GMT

This should be factory install. Would be a lot less messing about than the Samsung bloat/account creates and deletes/app removal/disables/tons of things to turn off and still unhappy!

Re: Setup and use without using Samsung account

CC_3006 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:28:23 GMT

I just recently traded in my Google Pixel 9 Pro for a Samsung Galaxy X Cover 7 Pro. I simply Googled & found there are several apps you can remove or disable easily. You also don't have to set up a Samsung account unless you want to, but I would recommend Googling the features first. Also, some things between Google & Samsung work well together while you also have the option of choosing between the two. I've always used Google. I did like that it was easy to uninstall or disable apps. The phone charges super fast & has a clean easy to navigate format. It also offers many ways for you to customize it to make it your "own". Hope this helps.