A framework is, for ease of this explanation, a base for building an application. When you use a framework, some of the heavy lifting is already done for you so you can really concentrate on the application you are making and not all of the little issues known to plague developers. This article is not going to be about how to code. What I will be talking about here is the Xposed framework.
One thing good about Android phone is that if you don’t like the ROM that comes with your phone, you can easily flash a custom ROM. The problem is, flashing a new custom ROM is not an easy job, and if it is not done properly, it could brick your phone. In addition, the custom ROM might not contain all the features you want. This is where Xposed Framework comes in.
Xposed framework is a base application for rooted Android devices allowing the installation of numerous modules. The modules will let you easily customize your Android without having to install a new ROM or kernel. What makes the modules different from those apps in the Play Store is that the modules make changes to the system level and modify certain behavior of the phone. They will require root permission, which most apps in the Play store don’t have access to.
Installing the Xposed framework
The first thing you will need to do is install the Xposed framework. Head over to their site and download the APK file. Remember, you will need to already have your Android rooted and the option turned on in your Android settings menu to install apps from apk file.
Follow the basic instructions and make sure to reboot your Android device after the Xposed framework is installed and you’ve started it.
Xposed Framework Modules
Once the Xposed framework is up and running, you will need to find some modules. The modules let you tweak apps without messing with the APK file. Some of the modules are pretty simple tweaks while others change a lot. Let’s take a look at a some of them to give you an idea of what’s out there.
All Notifications Expanded
I am not a fan of how the Android notification bar decides which notifications to expand and which to collapse. I’d rather have all of them displayed as expanded for easier access on my end. This is the module I use to help with that.
Download All Notifications Expanded
PerAppFonts
PerAppFonts lets you change the fonts on your Android. You can either change the fonts globally or for individual apps. For example, you want to have a graffiti style app for your menus but not when you are reading the web or on your Kindle app. The PerAppFonts module can make that happen.
Download PerAppFonts
YouTube AdAway
YouTube Away lets you eliminate the ads when you are watching videos on YouTube. This module also eliminates branding layers (Logo and videos suggestions) and countries restrictions. If your country tells you what you can’t watch, this module might help you out.
Download YouTube AdAway
App Settings
App Settings is a really useful module. When installed, you will have the ability to tweak different settings like enabling full screen mode, hiding the title bar and changing the font scale. These settings can be changed on a per-app basis. If there is an app you use all of the time, you can tweak it to your liking with this module.
Download App Settings
Conclusion
The Xposed framework can be super useful as a way to tweak the way apps react to certain actions or the way they look. A lot of times, a custom ROM can be a compromise. You might be installing the custom ROM to achieve a few features but dislike others. Adding the Xposed framework might be a good way for you to get what you want with minimal work.
Are there things about your Android ROM you’d like to change? Which one of the Xposed framework modules might help?
Image credit: Android OS
Trevor is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from the Android OS to free web and desktop applications. When he is not writing about mobile productivity, He is coaching and playing the world’s greatest game… Soccer.
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