[Guide] Getting started with Xposed Framework

Golfdriver97

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Xposed Framework. It is starting to get some major attention in the forums lately. With good reason. It brings yet another facet of customization to your device.

What is Xposed Framework?

With Xposed Framework, you can alter your current ROM, even stock, so that it suits your needs. This can be very helpful if your phone has little support from the custom ROM community, and there are things you don't like about it.

Like stated above it allows changes to your ROM, but something needs to be known about it. It needs modules to work. To compare Xposed to video games, Xposed would be like the classic NES gaming console, and the modules would be the games. Without the games, the console is worthless, and without the console, the games are paperweights.

Let's get some basic information out of the way before we begin:

The device does need to be rooted. It is rewriting a file in the /system.

[WARN] As with anything else, make a Nandroid before making any changes. This makes it easier to fix in case anything goes wrong.[/WARN]

[NOTE]More often than not, your preferences that you select won't take effect until you restart. I personally make a habit of changing anything I want and restart once.[/NOTE]

Read through the descriptions carefully. Some are for specific versions of Android (mainly the separation of 4.0.3+ and 4.4+), and some are designed for specific makes like Samsung or HTC.
 
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Golfdriver97

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Firstly, you would need to download the .apk and sideload it. The .apk file can be found here: Welcome to the Xposed Module Repository! | Xposed Module Repository

[NOTE]For initial setup, you will be rebooting your device a fair number of times, I would suggest a near full charge before proceeding.[/NOTE]

Xposed1 - Copy - Copy.png
This is your first step.

Once installed, I would suggest to open the app and tap on Framework. Even though you just installed it, you should still tap it to make sure the Framework is completely up to date.

Xposed2.png
Click install, then reboot.

Click Install/Update to ensure the main section of the app is up to date. Afterward, click reboot. Xposed Framework may prompt a reboot, you may have to click Back to the above screen, or you should be able to power down, either by selecting shut down or pressing and holding the power button.

Xposed1.png
The next step

This is where downloading and installing occurs. These Downloads are what makes Xposed tick.

Xposed3.png
The download list

This is a small fraction of the Download list. It shows a small synopsis and if you click on a module, a more detailed description is brought up.

[INFO]The modules are downloaded and updated within Xposed. Since there is no auto updating, I would suggest getting in the habit of checking in from time to time to see if everything is up to date. Also, since these modules are installed via Xposed, Unknown sources needs to be checked.[/INFO]

Most of these modules are really small. Often, barely 1 MB in size. Xposed is about 1.5 MB and Gravity Box is 4.5 MB.

After the modules are installed, they are in the Modules section, which I will cover shortly, or they may be in your app drawer. Gravity Box is such a module. After installation, it appears in the drawer.


[TIP]Some custom ROMs have either Xposed or a feature like it built int. Xposed may not work on these types of ROMs.[/TIP]
 
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Golfdriver97

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Xposed1 - Copy.png

Modules is where the customizing can begin. If you thought a custom launcher or icon packs were the extent of custom on Android, prepare to be blown away.

These are screenshots from my Sprint Moto X. Not a custom ROM, but stock. Two things to immediately notice: My clock is centered, and my battery indicator is circular. Thanks to Gravity Box, I made these changes.

Screenshot_2014-02-07-12-01-30.png
An updated screenshot. Notice the red icons, and moved clock.

The modular section is where the master list of installed modules is. You can access those 'apps' from this area, and launch them. This is where you would need to go if the module isn't in your app drawer.

[INFO]To reiterate, most changes may not take effect until a restart.[/INFO]

For most people Gravity Box is probably the only module you will need.

To install, simply tap on the module you would like to install, and click Download. This is where it is important to have the Unknown sources checked in Security.
When done you can click install, and it will complete.

Enjoy!
 
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VDub2174

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I downloaded the XPosed app for Samsung devices and it told me it wasn't compatible with CM & AOSP ROMs :(
 

UJ95x

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Nice write up. Thanks for showing how to install Gravity Box module, too :)

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running Slim Bean 4.3
 

zero3187

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Under frameworks my phone Shows 42 in green for xposedbridge.jar but it doesn't show a number for the app_process number when you press install\update. It just shows ---. When I reboot the 42 stays in green but the --- shows in red and doesn't update to 47 when clicking install\update. I am rooted.
 

Golfdriver97

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Under frameworks my phone Shows 42 in green for xposedbridge.jar but it doesn't show a number for the app_process number when you press install\update. It just shows ---. When I reboot the 42 stays in green but the --- shows in red and doesn't update to 47 when clicking install\update. I am rooted.

Is unknown sources checked in settings?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using AC Forums mobile app
 

tnguyen718

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I followed instructions and able to install modules on Verizon Galaxy S5. Modules are actived within Xposed and able to launch to configure with settings, the phone is not taking any of the settings after root. Two modules tested are SwipeBack and Wanam are tested.

Did I miss something? Unable to get any module to work.
 

Golfdriver97

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I followed instructions and able to install modules on Verizon Galaxy S5. Modules are actived within Xposed and able to launch to configure with settings, the phone is not taking any of the settings after root. Two modules tested are SwipeBack and Wanam are tested.

Did I miss something? Unable to get any module to work.

Most of the time a restart is required.

From a Carbon M8 and AC Forums app
 

Golfdriver97

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Is there any chance that xposed can cause a device to hard/soft brick?
Very possible. Remember, these modules are making alterations to the base OS. But, that should be negated by making a Nandroid backup.

From my G4
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SactoKingsFan

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Thank you for the answers!

Also is it dangerous to install xposed on a official stock samsubg rom?
You can use Xposed on a rooted Samsung phone running Touchwiz or custom ROM. There's a Xposed uninstaller you can flash if something goes wrong.

Sent from my 6045I using Tapatalk
 

patriotaki

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You can use Xposed on a rooted Samsung phone running Touchwiz or custom ROM. There's a Xposed uninstaller you can flash if something goes wrong.

Sent from my 6045I using Tapatalk

Yes i know that i can run it on samsung official roms but is there something that i should be aware of? Because when i had xposed on my old s3 it got soft bricjed after few days dont know what caused that..but maybe i did something wrong with xposed? Is it ok to run it when you are NOT in custom rom?
 

SactoKingsFan

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Yes i know that i can run it on samsung official roms but is there something that i should be aware of? Because when i had xposed on my old s3 it got soft bricjed after few days dont know what caused that..but maybe i did something wrong with xposed? Is it ok to run it when you are NOT in custom rom?
Should be fine but there's always some risk of soft bricking the phone due to incompatible modules or other issues.

Sent from my 6045I using Tapatalk
 

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