Only way to get the app updates and access to the apps. I am using an old decommissioned android cell phone to control stuff around the house and listen to music. I created a dummy gmail acct. I stripped all personal information too.
You either need an email account or phone number otherwise the phone is a door stop.
I do not use my cell phone device for the Internet, in any way. Calls yes, text messages yes, pictures yes (which I can download to my PC if I want to store them for a long time). As long as my cell phone works for making calls and texts, there no “app upgrades” needed. I also do no allow my financial institutions to send any alerts or transactions or notifications via text to my cell phone. For GPS I have an independent GPS device and “location” is not turned on on my cell phone. For Internet services when I am not at home, if needed I have my laptop (which I use when i travel but never use ANY “wifi hotspot” with it; only when I get to a secure destination.