I posted something similar when KitKat was released late last year.
Google do us all a favour and release a new version of Android but those
of us on custom roms have a dilemma to solve. Do we stay on the old
version of Android and continue to love that multitude of extra options
that a custom rom provides or upgrade to the newest version of Android
and lose these customisations. I’m here to remind you that you can
very nearly have both, the newest version and nearly all the
customisations of a custom rom.
First let’s look at the options you could be missing by upgrading to a
new version of Android. Obviously it varies from one rom to another
but I’ll base it on my
So how do we get all these options that Google decides we don’t need?
Xposed modules.
Saw that coming didn’t you. I’ve been converted to Xposed modules and
ever since I tried them I have been espousing their usefulness. To get
there it’s quite easy.
Step 1: Download a stock, rooted custom rom from XDA. I tried out
this one here and
also this one here
and both worked perfectly. A stock rom allows you the stability of a
Google rom as a nice platform to build on, although Xposed can be
applied onto a standard custom rom but your mileage may vary with
respect to stability.
Step 2: Backup all your old apps using
Helium by Koush or my favourite,
Titanium Backup. These are not the only two backup apps but they are my two favourites.
Step 3: Reboot into recovery and perform a backup there as well (you should always do this any time you flash anything).
Step 4: Flash the stock, rooted rom you downloaded from XDA.
Step 5: Reboot.
Step 6: After you have logged into your phone I
recommend you install Xposed framework before installing all of your
apps with Titanium Backup etc. You can find the latest Xposed
Framework app
here.
Step 7: After installing the framework you will be
prompted to reboot. After rebooting you will need to install the Gravity
Box module (you will find the modules in the download section of the
Xposed Framework app. I recommend starting with Gravity Box because it
is so extensive that once you have installed it you may not have to
install many others.
Through Gravity Box you can gain nearly all of the modifications
mentioned above and those that aren’t included in Gravity Box you may
be able to find in other modules. Most are listed inside the download
section of the Xposed Framework app. You can also find others in the
Play Store.
That is a lot of options! And that is only using Gravity Box. And
that is not all that is in Gravity Box. You can also use other modules
to top up the modifications. I have shown screenshots of my favourites
in the gallery above. There are also apps that can be used to give
Active Notifications and
halo-type notifications as well as other missing customisations. Google is your friend here people.
What can’t you do with Xposed framework (yet)?
At this stage there isn’t much left that you cannot do with Xposed module. Those I have yet to find an app module for are:
- Adding a button, such as power button, to the navigation bar
- Option for a long press shortcut in the navigation ring
- Option to change the colours of the progress bar
- Making me a cup of coffee
- Cooking my bacon
After applying all of your modules and changing the options/settings
for them, reboot and then reinstall your apps using your backup/restore
app. Reboot and there you have it, a 4.4.3 custom rom, faster than
4.4.3 arrives at the bigger custom roms and most likely much more
stable than any of them too. Keep in mind that Xposed module will only
work with Dalvik runtime and not ART (thanks for the reminder Andrea).
Are there any modifications you cannot find modules to replace
with? Are there any modules you have found for the above? What are
your favourite modules? Please share them below in the comments.
