Without a google account I can setup my Xiaomi A3 just fine.

I even disabled google play services and play store all together. Root with magisk method.

OutOfTopic: At work, I develop an app using Angular+Cordova webview, but it couldn't work on my Mi A3, always crashing like another local banking app I have (which I have uninstalled anyway). The Play store, before disabling, also black screen at google signing in page, unless I have already signed in before rooting with Magisk. Lol I wonder why it is so buggy. Should go with TWRP SuperSU root, but whatever, the A/B partition method uses up a lot of storage as well (I think)

I am thinking next time buying a Lineage OS compatible android phone to use. Android 10 is not reaching all the MI A1, A2, A3 phones at all, with Android 11 coming up already.

I can confirm, Motorola One & later Motorola One Action, both can be set up in seconds without an account, there's a prominent Skip button everywhere. Some phones can't, i.e. MIUI-based Xiaomi phones require a Google and Mi account on the first boot, to call home owner info. Later resets will not require it, but they always require a mobile data connection (not WiFi!) to verify validity of the device (as dystopian as that sounds).

MIUI based devices don't come with Android one though, but yes, MIUI is horrible and I will never buy a device even if it has great hardware with MiUI.

Yes, true. However, Android One is not a panacea for spyware, as I discovered with Nokia.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19449824 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17329825

Manufacturers are still allowed to install apps that are "necessary for [special] hardware functions", and include spyware in them.

I think it was one of those cheap Alcatel phones with Android One. I don't remember well myself but I'm pretty sure it was Alcatel.

I ended up helping him getting a LG G6 and for his usage it's more than enough power for him. (plus cheap in 2019 when I bought it) All problems solved. Not sure what went wrong with his phone but I couldn't even do anything with the recovery mode and resetting to factory.

Alcatel doesn't have Android One, at least not internationally. They have Android Go, which is the less-resource-intensive version. However, Alcatel is absolutely awful with privacy and some of the software bundled is absolute scam-ware. Even older devices got updates via Play store for system apps like Calculator, File manager, etc., which introduced ads, and a (!!!) floating blue octopus on (every) screen which shows suggestions and full screen autoplaying ads with sound.

Then I have no idea what it was (phone brand), sorry. I just know with what I tried to troubleshoot.

I'm not a fan of Alcatel.... or Blu. But translating what you just told me to not just my parents but all older folks is.... not an easy task. It's met with apathy.