I have been slowly degoogling my life by reducing my use of Google apps and switching to FOSS alternatives. I recently created a Proton account and tried to keep it completely isolated from my default Google account so as to not let it know what my Proton mail identity is. I have finished my transition in my desktop to the best of my ability and am planning to start the same with my mobile. The only thing I have done in my Android phone related to Proton is having downloaded ProtonVPN and signed into my account within the app. However I fear by downloading ProtonMail and signing into it, my Android phone would identify the email account, which could make this entire transition useless. Is there a way to avoid this situation or has the damage already been done. What does Google know about my Proton account, if at all?
Nono you don’t understand. Graphene OS comes default without any version of google play services, neither the original one or the microg alternative. You can enable sandboxed google play for compatability, here it is pure preference if you prefer sandboxed google play or microg. I am not sure what I prefer yet. So the most degoogled way is actually no google api calls at all. Which I do think might be available with microg by disabling it? I forgot.
You should also realize graphene is only made for pixel devices. Because of verified vendor boot.
Why should I realise that and why does it matter?
Because op didn’t mentioned he owns a pixel.
And yet he did not mention he does not own one. Am I supposed to withhold information because I’m not sure which information helps him? Am I supposed to play government?