SIM Device Swap, ATT, Proton VPN, Apps, App Store, OS Msg on Boot - LONG

Cm4Me

Hi thanks for stopping by my question...🙏
Firstly, I already installed Grapheneos on my ATT unlocked Pixel 6a....
I'm not a very tech savvy lady, many my age (50s) say I know a lot, but I think that's only bc many of them hardly get around a phone? Idk...
I GET around settings, set up guides, get into my router settings (then I'm illiterate), etc, but have no code, jit, cmd line etc, understanding other than using settings & apps with user interfaces I navigate very well, I'm also great following step by step how to instructions & vids ... Understanding little to NOTHING about ANYTHING "under the hood" or "behind the scene" of settings...
As stated, my Pixel 6a is ready to go, but only has the bare bones GOS & still have a way to go bc I need to switch my current SIM in my nearly $2k big old OPEN BOOK (z fold 6) I regret, but also need a VPN service , ASAP, bc I currently use Duck duck go VPN, only bc I liked their built in app blocker & browser also works as a VPN so I went with it to feel I had more privacy?
But, since I have n pay for proton, figured, WHY not put it on my 6a? (Ik mulvad is recommended by GOS,) but really hope Proton VPN service if OK, if not, plz lmk, thx! (Hoping to put on router soon.but that is another thing to figure out..later).
But if there is any reason I should NOT get proton VPN, plz tell me, thank you.
My main question is I'm an ATT customer wiith service on my Z fold6 & want to switch to my to my newly installed GOS pixel 6a device (now thinking I should have switched out Sims FIRST then install GOS)?
But I'm concerned that all that bloatware will be installed or will be rejected, thereby rejecting the SIM switch???
Do I just switch SIM & will be good to go or reinstall stock android & then install GOS again? Do they try to force install those unwanted apps or will they not install or will I be locked out? I'm so confused & worried..
Will my SMS be stock google messages or GOS, I read about signal but never used it & dont know anyone who does...I'm so worried, it took me 4wks just to watch enough vids to feel confident enough to download GOS, then wad SO SIMPLE, I almost feel stupid for it now!
But now I need to get apps but worried about that too, bc, I watched SO MANY vids, a few said DON'T trust out of date, f-droid, use freo to get apps (I think that's the name) or use Aurora store or don't use it bc its google & more confusing contradictory advice, depending on the source... And also afraid to use ANY google apps, even in different no permission sandboxed user with only g-apps with scopes? its all so anxiety producing in me, plz help give me a clarity in the way of information on the switch & where's best app store & VPN guidance...
I've read many pages here, github, privacy articles, 50+ vids, etc & I'm on OVERLOAD now given SO MUCH INFO...
If someone can tell me how's the best way to get open source apps, I want heliboard (still trying to figure how to get the swipe fork on it tried anysoft & it didn't work well)...
Id also like to use proton apps, if that's OK, or what is better for all services they offer, VPN, drive, password, email or is it overall BAD to use?? & is aurora store good to get those apps or ? ik f-droid has a few proton apps, & ik there's a way to get the vpn android "code" to put somewhere in the settings but dont know where... & is proton VPN OK?
Will ATT accept my device swap (device previously same att service, hubby just upgraded to pixel 9pro & I'm using his old 6a)...
ALSO another question, when I turn on my 6a, a page LIKE the Android recovery page comes up first, telling me I have a different OS installed & in less than a minute or so, boots into GOS, is that normal or is something wrong? I searched this & only info I found was about locking the boot loader & I did that right after setup, process. & the msg says nothing ab locking it...
Is there something I did wrong or failed to do or does everyone get that page??
I also JUST uploaded the new update & haven't rebooted yet, & am not near the device rn to check, so unsure if that could be it?
Sorry, I'm just at a standstill & want to finally make the full crossover, but as an OCD, anxious, perfectionist type with very little tech know how, I'm afraid of doing something wrong or missing an important step, but at this point, any MORE info nonspecific to my specific issues is going to hurt my already overloaded brain...
But of course, if you have links to actual answers to my specific questions, plz DO share, THATS precisely what I need, guidance on THESE issues & not a lot of extra tmi rn...
Tia & forgive my rambling, I tried to edit this down best I could but if I DONT stop & press send, I'll be revising ANOTHER 1.5 hrs & 3hrs writing a post of questions is CRAZY...
Plz forgive me if I posted in the wrong place or if not classified correctly I regretfully apologize & thank anyone in advance for any guidance you can lend me in my journey OUT of the all prying eye(s).
And thx DEVS 🙏 for making GOS available to even those like me!

tango

Cm4Me

To help you get started it would be good to check out videos on youtube by "Side of Burritos" GrapheneOS. He is well respected by the project and is easy to understand.

The recovery page you mention is completely normal. You can check the verified boot hash on your 6a by pressing power button to pause when its loading up. Its good to take a note of the verified hash.

The correct hash for your 6a is : 08c860350a9600692d10c8512f7b8e80707757468e8fbfeea2a870c0a83d6031

As for Proton VPN its one of the recommended services here and is simple to use.

As for open source apps, again if you watch videos from Side of Burritos (Josh) then that will give you a better idea.

Hope that helps a bit.

Vsecu

I have been using protonvpn on the 7a, 8 and 9 GOS without any problems. What I like is that it also works between user profiles at the same time. In the past other vpn solutions (like surfshark) would sometimes have a conflict with themselves if active in different profiles at the same time.

The non GOS but free google vpn is a joke. At times failed over different profiles, but more importantly suddenly at random resets the kill switch. Kill switch is honoured and remains active in Proton.

Try the free version first, I use the paid subscription, but the free is good as well with less options.

I do love the stealth vpn option over https, fooling most providers. Speed is good, I can easily watch netflix etc, but only connecting to certain countries, proton says they have an agreement with the content providers.

As for security, you have to trust proton, but so with other vpn providers. Proton software is open source and they are at leadt not a shady company on a tropical island.

I have no experience with mulvad, they may be good as well.

I also do get the non google bootloader warning at every reset, unless I am doing something wrong on three different pixels, it is normal.

Unknown-Phallus

Vsecu The Mull has offered & solicited my Namesake in attempts to seduce and lure my Namesake to his equally secure hole & tunnel, and i feel the temptation may drive me to his gloy wholly private & equally secure VPN tunnel as the Monthy is HALF of what i Pay for ProtonVPN (I pay $9.99/Month for ProtonVPN).

BOTH offer OpenVPN & WireGaurd for all platforms INCLUDING Routers (My router is FIRMLY-WARED and deep inside Merlin's Robe "3004.388.8_4) BOTH use 256bit AES (128bit in VERY rare situations) and BOTH are OUTSTANDING!

Also EVERYONE does get the bootloader warning when turning on or restarting their phone. It is A GOOD THING to see the Bootloader Warning if the SHA-256 string in that warning matches to your device's GOS Release on GrapheneOS.org it means things were installed CORRECTLY.

Cm4Me

Vsecu
Can you please tell me what's the best way to install my proton VPN? From the app or an apk?
Thx much.?
Idk, I'm confused with contradictory opinions.
Lk GOS doesn't even recommend a VPN, so that has made me pause, lk its OK if AT&T knows my every move online? I thought a VPN sheltered that from them? So confused....
I have read so many posts on here, Reddit, Github, that discuss so many things on this topic & I go down a rabbit hole reading 20+ posts & then answers & follow links, & more answers ab orbot, https, JavaScript, jit, no Firefox, DNS & good - not good on router & I'm so confused & on overload...
I've done multiple searches "install proton vpn on GOS" & find NOTHING...
I've spent literally days trying to figure this out
Thx if u can help.

Cm4Me

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VERY THOUGHTFUL REPLIES!! 🙏

Thx for clarifying the log on page is normal, my hash number, etc... And that Proton is ok, I have a paid subscription & want to import all my google stuff there until I figure out how to do ALL open source stuff, its all just too much to try to learn & do at 1 time & I'm so busy, a 1 stop shop with a good privacy reputation is good for me, imo.
I have watched "Side of Burritos" & has been 1 of my greatest resources! Along with privacy guy? And a "big name" guy (forgot his name, lots of GOS & hacker vids, too), but he made a VERY helpful step by step PDF guide, WITH PICS of each step, I used to start my installation, eased my anxiety to begin the process, althougjt the ACTUAL setup itself was simple AF, so can't ask for more, but the guide was nice to follow at first, then GOS made it SO user friendly I didn't need it anymore, but helped reassure I did it right!
A few follow up questions (this 1 maybe off topic) the last commenter who discussed using proton VPN on router (& a bunch of other techy stuff that was lk Chinese to me), can you suggest a helpful (tech ILLITERATE vid,/guide) on that...? I've searched & watched 5+ & they lost me... Tia, if not, its ok, I'll keep looking.
Now, if I can plz ask your input about my carrier questions...
Any insight on my SIM switch to my 6a? Do I just do a regular online device switch (I use my browser for most of my biz as I HATE giving apps permissions to my WHOLE LIFE, but maybe now with GOS I can feel better about using a few apps)? But any info on that? Will GOS reject all the bloatware & ATT reject me or will I have to reinstall or ? I've seen NO talk on this specific carrier issue, so I'm asking...
Also, any insight on user profiles, I read GOS write they're only recommended for actual diff users & work profile only for IT & companies, so thats confusing me, but heard its good if you use diff users for diff purposes (ie; 1 for ggl play store & apps user, etc, although not sure if I should even use GP, but thought I could bc its bare bones, sandboxed & I can "make it think" it has permission it doesn't)?
Another ?, GOS says DONT change permissions to system apps, buy do 100+ apps all REALLY need access to my sensors & other stuff?? Am I not supposed to touch those??
Sorry again for TMI, but if you can give me a little more insight, to these questions, I'd REALLY appreciate it!
I'll reread your answers & might follow up if ok? TIA 🙏