topic Re: Cannot setup phone without sim in Galaxy S26

Cannot setup phone without sim

wuarthur — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:57:56 GMT

Hi,
I'd like to do some initial data transfer and setup before i move the sim card over, how can i skip the sim setup step when doing the initial setup on a new S26 Ultra device

I only have 2 options on the screen during setup:
1. transfer from another android
2. Scan QR code

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

ClarenceJr — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:13:17 GMT

I did skip it then I called my carrier and had them transfer the eSim.

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

wuarthur — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:20:09 GMT

Hi ClarenceJr,
thank you for the reply, but wouldn't having the carrier transfer the esim just be going through with the sim setup?

I am trying to set up the phone without a sim and set up the sim later on

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

ClarenceJr — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:21:38 GMT

I misunderstood. Best of luck though.

Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Mujibar — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:32:48 GMT

You can just skip installing the SIM. There's a button at the bottom during setup.

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Focr06 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:52:59 GMT

You can, you can skip the Sim transfer. That's how I do with every phone I get. I cannot be waiting for my info to transfer over and dealing with messages or calls with out a contact attached to it. Once my transfer is done, that's when I do my esim transfer

Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

wuarthur — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:56:02 GMT

Which region did you get yours from? I got mine in Canada and there is no skip button at the bottom

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

wuarthur — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:57:31 GMT

did you have a skip button some where, during the setup there is no skip button at any stage or the option to setup manually.

I only have 2 options on the screen:
1. transfer from another android
2. Scan QR code

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Focr06 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:58:27 GMT

Yes I did. It says, set up Sim later. I've always seen it.

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

wuarthur — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:02:24 GMT

dang it mine doesn't, maybe it's a regions thing. I will tell the canada support this and see what they say

Re: Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Mujibar — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:36:11 GMT

There is a skip button in the US. It's been there as far back as I can remember.

This is the US Samsung Members community, btw. All advice you will get here is tailored to US-specific devices and carriers.

Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Kriistiinaa — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:23:02 GMT

I don't know if it's a regional thing. I'm in the US and don't have a skip option. I found your post because I'm having the exact same issue.

Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Mujibar — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:08:33 GMT

Try a factory reset before continuing with setup.

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Hammer_tonne — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:50:07 GMT

Any luck, im have the same issue and currently dont have a sim available to set it up SMH

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Hammer_tonne — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:34:06 GMT

If anyone else has this problem. The solution is to hold volume down for 30 seconds... it will say no sim unlocked and your good to go

Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Mujibar — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 23:12:06 GMT

Good to know! Thanks!

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

EDredon — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:52:54 GMT

How to Setup Any Samsung Phone WITHOUT a Sim Card (ByPass Initial Setup NO Sim Card Needed)!

Trouvée !

Found this video:

on initial screen where you see "Start"
starting from top left corner of screen tap each corners of the screen top left, top right, lower right, lower left ... 3 times the circle
then hold volume down ~5~10 secondes
et voilà: noSIm unlocked

Why this quest ?!

Re: Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Baidu — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:25:20 GMT

This worked for me

Re: Cannot setup phone without sim

Bridey222 — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 03:24:57 GMT

Definitely me to . Its late and I cant get any support. This should not be this difficult. Contacted Samsung support they insisted i put in the Sim before I transfer yet everything im reading including salesman told me to wait until I knew all transferred ect.