How to Set Up Your New Android Phone
Once you’ve unboxed your new Android phone and charged it up, you can follow these steps to set it up:
Do You Need a Google Account to Set Up an Android Phone?
You don’t need a Google account to set up an Android phone, and if you opt to not log into one you’ll skip several steps in the setup process. Your phone will still operate without a Google account, and you’ll be able to send and receive calls and text messages. Most Android phones have the power button on the right side near the top. If there are two buttons, the power button will be the smaller of the two. If you select a secured Wi-Fi network, you’ll need to provide the network’s security key or password. Make your selection, and follow the on-screen prompts to proceed. Depending on your choice, you may have additional options on step seven. If you have set up two-factor authentication on your account, you will need to have another device that is logged into your Google account as well. Select which phone or tablet you want to restore apps and data from, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. Other features will not work without a Google account. You won’t be able to download apps from Google Play, Google Services won’t work, and you won’t be able to restore a backup from an Android device. For the best Android experience, a Google account is recommended.
Do You Need to Use Gmail on Android Phones?
While a Google account is required to get the most out of your Android phone, you don’t need to use Gmail. Your phone is automatically set up to use the Gmail address that’s associated with your Google account, but you can also add multiple Gmail addresses to one phone. If you have an email account from a different provider, you can also set up other email services on Android. You don’t even need to use the built-in Mail app if you don’t want to, as there are a number of Android email apps available from Google Play.
