> (I consciously avoided getting a Gmail account for years until I bought an Android phone which requires such an account, so I understand where you're coming f

> (I consciously avoided getting a Gmail account for years until I bought an Android phone which requires such an account, so I understand where you're coming from but this issue seems meh to me.) Gmail accounts are not required for Android phones. To utilize the Google services on an Android phone, which 99% of people will choose to do, a Google account is required. A Google account can be but doesn't have to be a Gmail account. You can use any email address to create your Google account.