You don't actually need a Samsung account to use a Galaxy phone — I tested it

Creating accounts, agreeing to terms of service, and proving you're not a robot can get tiring fast. Eventually, when device and software hoops become frustrating enough, we'd rather just jump through them than seek an alternative. That's how people end up giving unnecessary personal data to technology companies, and it's hard to blame them. No one has the time to comb through every license agreement or avoid every dark pattern.

Regardless, it's important to remember there's a better way. Samsung Galaxy users are prompted to sign in to their Google and Samsung accounts when setting up a new device, and the onboarding process makes it feel like a requirement. However, you actually don't need a Samsung account to use a Galaxy phone at all. I used a brand-new Galaxy S26 without a Samsung account and a Galaxy S26 Ultra with a Samsung account to discover what it's like to use a Galaxy phone both ways.

Surprisingly, the experience of using a Galaxy phone without a Samsung account is fully featured in all the ways that matter. You might actually prefer Galaxy phones without Samsung accounts if you don't care for Galaxy AI and unnecessary features.

You don't have to use a Samsung account

For that matter, Google accounts aren't required either

The setup process for any Galaxy phone typically involves signing in to or creating both Samsung and Google accounts. A Google account handles the Android system and critical features like the Google Play Store, while a Samsung account is used for exclusive Galaxy features. We've become so accustomed to using these accounts with Android phones that no one bats an eye when their Galaxy asks them to sign in to a Samsung account. To their credit, Samsung doesn't make it easy to avoid setting up a Galaxy phone without one.

The Samsung account prompt during the onboarding process provides the option of signing in with an email, phone number, or QR code. You can also use your Google account to sign in if your Samsung account is linked. There's no obvious way to set up a Galaxy phone without a Samsung account, until you spot the tiny Forgot password or don't have an account? text at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and you'll see a few more options that reveal a way to start using your Galaxy without one.

This new Samsung account screen reveals three options: Create account, Forgot ID, and Forgot password. Still no sign of a way to use a Galaxy phone without a Samsung account. Once again, the key lies in the smaller print beneath the primary buttons. This time, you're looking for Set up later in Settings. Pressing this option allows you to set up any Galaxy phone without a Samsung account.

Despite the button's phrasing, you don't have to set up a Samsung account later in the Settings app. You can continue using a Galaxy phone as long as you'd like without one, and you might not be missing out.

Missing features or a better experience?

Unavailable Galaxy AI features could actually be a perk

Often, companies convince users to create online accounts by hiding important features and functionality behind the account requirement. I used a Galaxy S26 for weeks without a Samsung account, and it left me impressed at how complete the experience felt. The big omission is access to the Galaxy AI suite. If you don't sign in to a Samsung account, you won't be able to use any Galaxy AI features, including the ones that run on-device.

These features include core One UI 8.5 experiences, like the Now Brief and Now Nudge. The limitation also applies to smaller features, like AI notification summaries and Samsung's Health Assist. Communication and productivity features, like Call Assist, Browsing Assist, and Transcript Assist, require a Samsung account as well. Even features in the Galaxy AI creativity suite, such as Photo Assist and Audio Eraser, won't be available until you sign in.

Samsung markets the long list of Galaxy AI features above as being a major perk of using a new flagship like the Galaxy S26 series. On paper, losing those features by not using a Samsung account looks like a big deal. The opposite might be true in practice. I know plenty of people who wish their smartphone wasn't overloaded with unwanted AI features in the first place, and I've heard similar sentiments from readers. If you choose to avoid signing in to a Samsung account on your Galaxy phone, you'll effectively remove Galaxy AI experiences from your phone completely.

The great thing about this method is that you can keep Google AI features if you'd like. I can still use Gemini and Circle to Search on my Galaxy phone without a Samsung account, because those helpful AI tools are powered by Google. You can have a bit of the best of both worlds, or you could avoid using a Google account altogether to eliminate them altogether.

These features might make you sign in

Samsung Find, Health, and Wallet all require accounts

Galaxy AI probably isn't a compelling reason to sign in to a Samsung account for most people, but there are a few others. For one, the Samsung Find ecosystem requires an account. If you need to keep tabs on the location of your Samsung phone, watch, or earbuds, you'll need to sign in to an account for that. Similarly, the entire Samsung Health platform necessitates a Samsung account. Those with a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Fit tracker will need to remain signed in to get the most of their wearable.

Other Samsung features, like Samsung Wallet, also require an account. This is easy to avoid by using Google Wallet instead. The same goes for most of the Galaxy software ecosystem — if you use mostly Google apps, you probably don't need a Samsung account.

I never felt the need to sign in to my Samsung account while using a Galaxy S26 without one. Even when testing Galaxy phones with Samsung accounts side-by-side, I didn't feel like the account-free phone was missing out. In fact, for those that despise artificial intelligence features, the Galaxy phone without a Samsung account was cleaner and simpler with less bloat. Fewer online accounts mean less tracking, so if you don't need a Samsung account, you probably shouldn't use one to protect your privacy.