Xposed is a powerful customization tool that allows Android users power-customize their devices, rooting required because some modules do require rooting while others don’t.
To understand how the program works, think of a modular smartphone Ara – it has the framework that is useless without its key components, while the components won’t do much without the framework.
Customization here means critically more than any custom launcher from Google Play can help you achieve – you can make your device really yours, interfering with stuff otherwise inaccessible due to Google or wireless carrier policies and restrictions. You can tweak everything – from looks, performance, monitoring to removing ads from youtube or changing the lock grid to a 5*5 or 6*6 grid, and the like little, yet very nice tweaks that make your device unique.
Installing Framework
Download apk -> Sideload it to your Device -> Install Launcher -> Download and Install Framework.
Xposed cannot be downloaded from Google Play; you will need to get the latest version from the developer’s website and sideload it to your device, open and install it.
Once you are done, you will see the Xposed Installer in your app drawer, which gives you the access to downloading and installing the Xposed framework itself. The installation process requires several reboots, so make sure your device’s battery is fully charged.
You can try out Xposed modules that give you an idea of what this power-tool can do at first. Once the installation is complete, and your device rebooted, you need to make sure the framework is up-to-date, so head to the settings and tap on Framework to Install/Update to have the last version.
Note: whenever you update the framework itself, or install a new module, or make any changes in the settings and preferences, you absolutely need to reboot your device for the changes to come into effect.
Installing Modules
Next, take a look at the downloads list in the framework – this is where the fun customization part starts. Here, you get the access to the repository of Xposed modules. So, the modules are downloaded from within the Framework, and since there is no auto-update, we suggest you check for updates manually on a regular basis.
Now, most modules are lightweight, and once they get downloaded, they appear in the Modules sections, as well as in the app drawer.
Gravity Box
This is where the customization begins, and by customization I don’t mean custom launchers, wallpapers and icons. Gravity Box can change the color of your icons, the shapes of your clock and battery icons, and replace your clock, among other things. The main features of Gravity Box module are navigation bar tweaks, display tweaks, power tweaks, lockscreen targets, expanded desktop and statusbar tweaks.
The ways you can tweak your menus are amazing. For example, you can enable an advanced power menu for one-tap screenshot taking, or screen recording, rebooting and more.
The Bottom Line
The eternal question – to root or not to root is what will keep nagging you until you decide. The point is Xposed does not need root access to do SOME things it can do, whereas the really cool stuff, the stuff that tweaks your device in a way that makes it really yours, does require rooting. Therefore, there is no point digging through the modules and salivating on the features unless you are ready to root.
Here comes the doubt – Xposed is not something a regular user would dare to use, and just like with any other app requiring root, there is a potential threat to mess up, or even brick your device, i.e. break it beyond repair. So, unless you know what you are doing, I’d suggest you stick to Gravity Box and enjoy the cool looks. However, no rooting means the fun stuff is off the table.
Links
If you do want to root, you should read our following tutorials:
Xposed Installer download link
How to Back Up your Android Device tutorial
How to Root Your Android Device tutorial
The Xposed Framework FAQs
