No Samsung Account - Reset Will Brick the Phone

[jebber]

I've had an Active for about 7 months. Bought it from a guy, so, it's used. I was resetting it to give to another family member. But, for whatever reason, the Reset button through the Interface wasn't responding to touch.

So, rebooted into recovery and reset from there.

Restarting, it wouldn't let me get past the request for the Samsung Account because I'd never set up the phone with a Samsung Account, just skipped that step.

Actually contacted the original owner. He'd done the same thing, never set up with a Samsung Account.

I called Samsung. They said that since I couldn't prove that I'd bought it, they couldn't help me.
I called ATT. They couldn't help me (I didn't figure that they could).

So, I have a bricked phone because Samsung has a broken workflow. The Samsung Account isn't required, yet, they don't give you a warning (as far as I can recall) that by not attaching the phone to a Samsung Account, you could end up with a useless phone.

Not really asking for help...figure I've tried everything. This is more of a public service notice.

 

[mhinc]

I've had an Active for about 7 months. Bought it from a guy, so, it's used. I was resetting it to give to another family member. But, for whatever reason, the Reset button through the Interface wasn't responding to touch.

So, rebooted into recovery and reset from there.

Restarting, it wouldn't let me get past the request for the Samsung Account because I'd never set up the phone with a Samsung Account, just skipped that step.

Actually contacted the original owner. He'd done the same thing, never set up with a Samsung Account.

I called Samsung. They said that since I couldn't prove that I'd bought it, they couldn't help me.
I called ATT. They couldn't help me (I didn't figure that they could).

So, I have a bricked phone because Samsung has a broken workflow. The Samsung Account isn't required, yet, they don't give you a warning (as far as I can recall) that by not attaching the phone to a Samsung Account, you could end up with a useless phone.

Not really asking for help...figure I've tried everything. This is more of a public service notice.

I have NEVER heard of the phone demanding a Samsung Account after doing a Reset from the boot menu. Only gmail that was active previous to doing the reset.
Unless the previous user didn't have a gmail account and it defaulted to Samsung. They probably don't even KNOW they have it, because frankly it's useless. Guaranteed they signed up for it during setup and never used it again and forgot about it.
Does the original owner have proof of purchase, if so maybe they can help you by contacting Samsung on your behalf?

 

[jebber]

I hadn't either. But, because the reset through recovery was considered 'an abnormal reset.' And, you're right, I figure he must have created a samsung account and not realized it. He actually called me after I emailed the issue. But, he didn't have any recollection of it...it had been over a year. So, I take him at his word...he didn't have to reach out to me.

I asked for an original receipt. He said he didn't keep it..guess I don't blame him since so much time has passed.

Only thing I can think of is to root it and put a custom ROM on it. But, it doesn't look like that process for the Active really gained much traction.

And, Samsung was completely unhelpful. I work in technology and have never talked to someone with so little ability to help. They can take the phone and reset it, but, they won't (that's what I was told.)

 

[mhinc]

I hadn't either. But, because the reset through recovery was considered 'an abnormal reset.' And, you're right, I figure he must have created a samsung account and not realized it. He actually called me after I emailed the issue. But, he didn't have any recollection of it...it had been over a year. So, I take him at his word...he didn't have to reach out to me.

I asked for an original receipt. He said he didn't keep it..guess I don't blame him since so much time has passed.

Only thing I can think of is to root it and put a custom ROM on it. But, it doesn't look like that process for the Active really gained much traction.

And, Samsung was completely unhelpful. I work in technology and have never talked to someone with so little ability to help. They can take the phone and reset it, but, they won't (that's what I was told.)

Ya samsung is useless. I know the guy you bought it from doesn't have to do this, but if he's nice. He could go to the location he purchased the phone from and get a copy of the receipt printed. THEN give you said receipt. and also write you a receipt showing ownership changed.
THEN call Samsung and see if they can get off their useless butts and help you

 

[jebber]

I'll give it a try. He's been helpful so far...at least tried to be helpful.

 

[htcrazy]

Not sure if this will work on Android 6.0 or not, but I found this on another forum. Not sure if it will work, but it might be worth a try as you having nothing to lose at this point.
"As long as you are using android version 5.0 its so easy to bypass the Samsung account if you have an Otg cable. You will download am app called Google redirects and put it on a flash disk. And connect to the otg cable. Once you turn your phone it will automatically popup so that you install the app. And by that the Samsung account issue is solved"

 

[htcrazy]

If the above doesn't work, try this:

1. Proceed to go to the locked screen with wifi oN
2. Go to a place where you can write something When The keyboard appears check that you can see a a tools icon its located below at the side of sym button.
3.ok now we are in keyboard settings you need to scroll to the end and enter to the "adjust keyboard size" or " resize keyboard ".
4. In this section write something and then keep press the word that you put and select dictionary
5. Now find the way to access to Google now I don't remember the full process in this section lol
6.follow steps like login into you Google account when finished you will be in Google now
7. Keep your finger touched in the screen and move it to the right side and you will see you account logged "the Google account "
8. Touch the little arrow symbol in your Google account and go to the account manager.
9. Create a new Samsung account and bwaula!!!! Enjoy your phone XD

 

[Phoneguy108]

What a mess. Sorry to hear of your troubles. Who knew it would be such a headache not creating a Samsung account. Crazy!