If you’re a Samsung Galaxy user, then you’re about to be hit with a raft of changes to how you install and update the apps on your phone. Google has started a major Play Store clampdown, culling low-quality apps—which you should also delete—and blocking some sideloading. And Samsung has gone even further, defaulting to maximum restrictions to take much more control over the apps on their devices.
Now Samsung has confirmed another huge update, giving users until September 25, which is just 14 days from now, to make a key change to maintain access to its own Galaxy Store. And while most apps will be sourced from Play Store, Samsung’s own services and apps link to its own store.
As spotted by SammyFans, “Samsung today confirmed Galaxy Store won’t let you download apps without a Samsung Account… Starting September 25, 2024, you must be logged in to your Samsung Account to use the Galaxy Store app and service.”
Samsung has always pushed users to set up accounts, but hasn’t until now cut off access to updates or blocked access to the store without an active login. As Android Headlines reports, “it is unknown why Samsung now requires creating an account on its platform to use its app store.” The update appears to be hitting users who have updated to Galaxy Store’s 6.6.13.10 update.
This is an interesting move and echoes Google’s own push to ensure its Play Store and wider ecosystem is the default app framework across the entire ecosystem. This includes its widening of Play Protect and the introduction of live AI-powered threat detection on devices, and a new Integrity API that allows developers to block use of apps installed or even updated from outside Play Store.
And while Samsung’s own move to cut down the risks to its users from third-party app stores and direct installs made headlines some months ago, this is still surprising. But regardless of the reasoning behind the move, all Galaxy users are advised to setup an account (if you don’t have one already) and make sure your login still works. Given the current app climate, you don’t want to miss out on any updates or lose access to key apps on your phone.
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