GrapheneOS

Use the matrix chat in the main page for Graphene. It will automatically generate an autonomous username and there are people on 24/7. 2am and I'm off to bed and not super sure. Generally the instructions say how to do things.

It doesn't matter what you have to do in the Google OS. Skip if you can, but Graphene is using the TPM chip to encrypt outside of the google OS entirely they do not interact at all after. The modem is like a totally separate system where changes don't impact Graphene. Still I can't say for sure as you are on newer hardware than me and I last installed over a year ago. Just a user here.

Yes, you have to go through the android default installation process in order to have the OEM unlock in the settings menu.

If I remember well my installation on Pixel 7, I enabled the esim on the default OS first, and it was preserved after flashing GrapheneOS, but I am not super sure about that anymore. Anyway, install the esim before or after, both ways should work just fine.

Thanks all, I'm now successfully running Graphene. I created the esim while on stock android as it felt safer. - didn't want an esim, but I use two sims and the pixel 8 only has the one physical slot.

Hats off to the Graphene team for a really easy install. Not sure that I've got the security model right yet, but can tweak that later. It's a learning curve, but I now have a phone that seems to work.

Same situation for me last month.

I am not sure of there is a way around it, but I did start up the stock OS to get to the OEM unlock setting. It was quick and I don't recall needing to connect to the internet.

I have not tackled esims yet, just moved the physical sim over after getting GOS installed.

I followed the online directions carefully and the install was smooth sailing for me. Good luck.

If your goal is privacy then I'd stick with a physical SIM card, since you can remove or replace it at your leisure.