The best thing that happened to my Android after it got root access was the Xposed framework. For those of you who are not sure what Xposed module is, it’s the ability to make system level changes to the rooted Android without installing custom ROM. So that means, you can get all the awesome features from different ROMs to your current device using the Xposed modules.
So, basically if you have a rooted Android phone, you can go ahead and install the Xposed framework on it just like any other APK file. Right now, the stable releases of Xposed are only available till Android 4.4 KitKat. But system level flashing is available for Lollipop users. After you install the APK, you can open the app and install the framework on the device and reboot it. Hereafter, you can open the Xposed app and install the various Xposed modules directly as system files and bring awesome features to your mobile.
Xposed modules are nothing but some files that are pushed into the Android system and they are like an extended code of the Xposed framework. There are many Xposed modules available to install for free and bring features you had never even thought about. And to help you get started, Here are 10 very useful Xposed modules which are my personal favorites.
1. Physical Button Music Control
The only reason this particular modules holds the first place is the list is just because I am a music lover. This Xposed module is a bliss for users who have a hard time shuffling the tracks on the Android while commuting. Now with Physical Button Music Control you can control your music with almost any hardware button you have on the phone. Play the next track, skip 30 seconds in a music and much more.
The app also supports the detection of headset and you can use the headset controls also to manage the tracks. Also, to reduce any accidental changes, you can choose to activate the module only when a headset is plugged in. All in all, the Xposed module will make your device a dedicated music player when you want it to.
Compatible: Android 2.3 Gingerbread to 5.0 Lollipop.
2. Network Speed Indicator
We got apps like Speed Test and Sensorly to test the speed of our Wi-Fi and 3G/4G network we are connected to. But these apps only provide the data when asked for manually. If you would like to be aware of the download and upload speed you are getting on your Android in real-time, you can try the Xposed module Network Speed Indicator.
The module will show you the upload and download speed you are getting on the particular Wi-Fi or data network. The position, style and the units can be configured making the experience even better. Just makes sure you don’t change the default response time set in the app for best results.
Compatible: Android 2.3 Gingerbread to 4.4 KitKat.
3. BootManager
This module for Android is like the Startup Manager or MSConfig we have for Windows. Using the app, you can disable the app to start automatically every time you boot your device. Just install the Xposed module and tap on the apps you wish to exclude. The app will mark these apps as red and next time you boot the phone, they will not be executed.
Bootmanager also monitors any new app you install on the phone and informs you if the new app will execute at boot. You can then choose to exclude or include it depending on your choice. The free version only allows to restrict downloaded apps. To restrict system apps one must donate to the developer.
Compatible: Android 2.3 Gingerbread to 5.0 Lollipop.
4. Advanced Power Menu
Advanced Power Menu is a very useful Xposed modules if you need to boot in recovery and bootloader bit more frequently. Makes it easy for frequent ROM flashers to work with Android recovery and bootloader. The particular modules adds advanced reboot options (reboot, soft reboot and reboot to recovery) and screenshot option to your power menu. It works on both AOSP and Xperia devices.
One cool feature I like about the module is Anti-theft helper. The feature stop anyone from turning off your phone /enabling airplane mode when the device is locked. The feature is only good if the battery of the device is non removable and if the person is unaware of force booting the phone.
Compatible: Android 4.2 JellyBean to 4.4 KitKat.
5. Power Nap
The module replicated the Xperia like Stamina Mode on any Android device. As a Xperia user myself, I can vouch for the fact that there is no better battery saver than the Xperia Stamina mode. The best thing is, even though the app disables the data and Wi-Fi connection, one can white list apps so that an important notification is never missed.
Compatible: Android 4.2 JellyBean to 4.4 KitKat.
Download: To get the app, please request to join the Alpha tester community and then opt-in to become a tester once you are part of the community.
6. Tinted Status Bar
Well, this mod doesn’t hold any functional feature which will ease your productivity. But will give your phone a sleek and elegant finish. You might be aware how Lollipop ROMs change the color of the status bar when any app is opened and the same tint is applied to match the color scheme of the app. Well this app will implement the same feature to the KitKat ROMS.
For some reasons if the app is not able to auto detect the tint color, you can manually pic the color and apply the settings. Just a little eye candy to your phone and nothing else.
Compatible: Android 4.2 JellyBean to 4.4 KitKat.
7. XPrivacy
Have you ever skipped to install an app from the Play Store just because they ask for too many permissions? Well if you have, XPrivacy is a perfect Xposed module for you. The app feeds fake data or no data at all, thus safeguarding your privacy. For example, it you restrict an app to read your contacts, then a list of empty contacts will be sent to your phone. In the same way if you restrict location, that fake location will be sent to the phone.
Compatible: Android 4.0.3 ICS to 4.4 KitKat.
8. App Settings
App Settings is a pretty interesting app using which you can set generic settings on a per app basis. By generic settings I mean like rotation of screen, brightness, media volume, etc. There’s a whole bunch of settings you can restrict for an app and they will only be applied when you actually launch the app.
For example, if you would like to restrict your reading app to open in portrait mode, with minimum brightness and mute the media volume, you can apply all these settings using the App Settings Module and they will be automatically applied when you launch the app. Also, when you exit out of the app, these settings will revert back to normal.
Compatible: Android 4.0.3 ICS to 5.0 Lollipop.
9. Native Clipboard
Unlimited clipboard memory on your Android… Yes!! That’s what Native Clipboard brings to your Android. The app is very simple and take a note of whatever you copy on your Android clipboard. When you paste them, the app shows you all the clips and pinned notes and you can select from them and paste the desired text.
Compatible: Android 4.0.3 ICS to 5.0 Lollipop.
10. Gravity Box All-in-one tweak box
Finally I saved the best for the last, the Gravity Box Xposed Module. The features of the module are countless, but if I were to explain in simple terms, all I can say that the module packs awesomeness of all the popular custom ROMs we have for android and let any Android user apply and use it.
Expanded Desktop, Statusbar, QuickSettings, Lockscreen rotation, Hardware key actions. You name it and you can control the settings from this module. So try it out and see for real what all you can actually do with your Android.
Compatible: Android 4.2 JellyBean to 5.0 Lollipop.
SEE ALSO: How To Block Ads In Android Apps And Browser
Conclusion
So, these were some of the Xposed modules you can install on your Android and get started with the awesome journey of tweaking your Android smartphone and making it even more awesome. These 10 are just the beginning, there’s a whole bunch of awesome modules waiting for you.
