Develop Bugs

[Q] Level of customization enabled without an unlocked bootloader

Hi,
I recently started getting into Android and all that comes by it, so in case I'm dead-wrong about something, please excuse me and let me know.
I'd like to ask, since I plan on buying the LG G3, and as far as I'm concerned it, as of now, does not have an unlocked bootloader,
What's the level of customization that could be achieved with root only? And what does an unlocked bootloader allows you to do, besides flashing a custom ROM.
A reference to any guide of such would be awesome.
Thanks!

An unlocked bootloader essentially means we can't flash recovery and thus can't install custom ROM's and kernels as of now. Which in terms of "level of customization" means that we can't flash ROMs based on AOSP builds like CM or PA etc.
So for now we're stuck with the stock LG ROM. But having said that, we have root and then Xposed framework. So we can then pretty much customize everything on the stock ROM. Using G3 Tweaksbox Xposed module you can theme about most of the SystemUI elements. That include statusbar icons, color, navigation bar icons and colors, Phone app, Messaging app, Settings, etc. There are tons of Xposed Modules out there to do pretty much almost anything you'll get on a custom ROM by default.
With the Tasker app you can automate almost every action, with Greenify you can hibernate automatically most apps that you run in the background & if you give it root access it can pretty much greenify useless System apps as well.
In short, while you can't *completely* customize everything and completely get rid of some of the crap that OEMs put in, with Xposed Framework & modules and with some really nifty build.prop tricks you can get pretty close to being satisfied with the customizability of your phone.
If you're new to Android though and have never tried custom ROMs you'll be amazed at the sort of stuff that even just root access can do and once we get the bootloader unlock, you'll get even more blown away with flashing new ROMs and checking them out.
Google a bit for something like "Best Root apps for Android" and you'll find that most well known Android blogs have listed the majorly used apps and what you can do with it. You'll get a pretty good idea

if4ct0r said:
An unlocked bootloader essentially means we can't flash recovery and thus can't install custom ROM's and kernels as of now. Which in terms of "level of customization" means that we can't flash ROMs based on AOSP builds like CM or PA etc.
So for now we're stuck with the stock LG ROM. But having said that, we have root and then Xposed framework. So we can then pretty much customize everything on the stock ROM. Using G3 Tweaksbox Xposed module you can theme about most of the SystemUI elements. That include statusbar icons, color, navigation bar icons and colors, Phone app, Messaging app, Settings, etc. There are tons of Xposed Modules out there to do pretty much almost anything you'll get on a custom ROM by default.
With the Tasker app you can automate almost every action, with Greenify you can hibernate automatically most apps that you run in the background & if you give it root access it can pretty much greenify useless System apps as well.
In short, while you can't *completely* customize everything and completely get rid of some of the crap that OEMs put in, with Xposed Framework & modules and with some really nifty build.prop tricks you can get pretty close to being satisfied with the customizability of your phone.
If you're new to Android though and have never tried custom ROMs you'll be amazed at the sort of stuff that even just root access can do and once we get the bootloader unlock, you'll get even more blown away with flashing new ROMs and checking them out.
Google a bit for something like "Best Root apps for Android" and you'll find that most well known Android blogs have listed the majorly used apps and what you can do with it. You'll get a pretty good idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info!
Another question, what is exactly the xposed framework?

Ruttix said:
Thanks for the info!
Another question, what is exactly the xposed framework?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taken from the Xposed website, I believe this explains it pretty nicely
Xposed is a framework for modules that can change the behavior of the system and apps without touching any APKs. That's great because it means that modules can work for different versions and even ROMs without any changes (as long as the original code was not changed too much). It's also easy to undo. As all changes are done in the memory, you just need to deactivate the module and reboot to get your original system back. There are many other advantages, but here is just one more: Multiple modules can do changes to the same part of the system or app. With modified APKs, you to decide for one. No way to combine them, unless the author builds multiple APKs with different combinations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To clarify a bit more, you first root your phone, install Xposed Installer, install the Xposed framework from the Xposed installer and then download & install xposed modules. 'Modules' are essentially just like apps that you install and then enable from the Xposed Installer app. These modules hook into the Xposed framework and can do stuff like root apps can - UI modifications, extending capabilities of default apps like Phone, Messaging, etc.
http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer
You can find the Xposed XDA subforum here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed

Ruttix said:
Thanks for the info!
Another question, what is exactly the xposed framework?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xposed is an app that exposes the core of your operating system (it exposes them to modules made for xposed) to allow modifications that you normally can't do without custom roms.

if4ct0r said:
Taken from the Xposed website, I believe this explains it pretty nicely
To clarify a bit more, you first root your phone, install Xposed Installer, install the Xposed framework from the Xposed installer and then download & install xposed modules. 'Modules' are essentially just like apps that you install and then enable from the Xposed Installer app. These modules hook into the Xposed framework and can do stuff like root apps can - UI modifications, extending capabilities of default apps like Phone, Messaging, etc.
http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer
You can find the Xposed XDA subforum here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the extra information. It does, however, leads me to a follow up question.
There's a tool posted here on the forum, called TweakBox, I think. My question is, are the customizations available there a derivative from the xposed framework?

Ruttix said:
Thanks so much for the extra information. It does, however, leads me to a follow up question.
There's a tool posted here on the forum, called TweakBox, I think. My question is, are the customizations available there a derivative from the xposed framework?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The G3 Tweaksbox is an Xposed Module like I mentioned. You can install the app from the play store or get the apk from the thread and install it manually. You'll need to have Xposed Framework installed before that though.

if4ct0r said:
Yes. The G3 Tweaksbox is an Xposed Module like I mentioned. You can install the app from the play store or get the apk from the thread and install it manually. You'll need to have Xposed Framework installed before that though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing I can't seem to figure out here, those modules, do they come with the framework, or does it supplement tools for developing them?

Ruttix said:
One thing I can't seem to figure out here, those modules, do they come with the framework, or does it supplement tools for developing them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The modules can be obtained independently from XDA threads or from the playstore. These are essentially Android apps which use the Xposed modules APIs to achieve there purpose.
Think of the Xposed Framework as a layer that allows apps(referred as modules) to do stuff by exposing some methods that they can use. (I'm trying my best to explain here without being too technical)
What you need to do is to install the Xposed Installer app, open the app and install the xposed framework from it. That will deploy the framework on the OS. You can then install the modules either by finding them on XDA or again by opening the Xposed installer app and going into the downloads section (you can access a whole repository of modules from thr Xposed installer itself. That being said, it's not the only place to find these modules.)
Once you download the modules and install them like you would any APK, you'll need to enable the module(again from the Xposed Installer app) and reboot your phone. The module would now be active and can be used like any Android app.
The best way to learn is to experiment. ☺ Xposed is quite safe and will not brick your device unless you do something really stupid.

if4ct0r said:
The modules can be obtained independently from XDA threads or from the playstore. These are essentially Android apps which use the Xposed modules APIs to achieve there purpose.
Think of the Xposed Framework as a layer that allows apps(referred as modules) to do stuff by exposing some methods that they can use. (I'm trying my best to explain here without being too technical)
What you need to do is to install the Xposed Installer app, open the app and install the xposed framework from it. That will deploy the framework on the OS. You can then install the modules either by finding them on XDA or again by opening the Xposed installer app and going into the downloads section (you can access a whole repository of modules from thr Xposed installer itself. That being said, it's not the only place to find these modules.)
Once you download the modules and install them like you would any APK, you'll need to enable the module(again from the Xposed Installer app) and reboot your phone. The module would now be active and can be used like any Android app.
The best way to learn is to experiment. ☺ Xposed is quite safe and will not brick your device unless you do something really stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually do have some experience with linux and some with programming.. So basically the framework allows you to use APIs you otherwise wouldn't be able to use?

Ruttix said:
I actually do have some experience with linux and some with programming.. So basically the framework allows you to use APIs you otherwise wouldn't be able to use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You meaning the module developer. Yes. Check out the Xposed XDA subforum, there used to be a module developer guide in there somewhere.

Say, is this framework for all android devices?
Or are these modules specific for each device?

The Xposed framework is generic. AFAIK it works on all rooted android phones.

[Q] Lollipop status and navigation bars.

I was wondering if there was a way to get the status and navigation bars from Android Lollipop on my LG G3. I've searched through Google and all the options say I need Xposed which I prefer not to use since I'm currently on ART. I though maybe there would be a zip file that I could flash instead.

Keaganvdh said:
I was wondering if there was a way to get the status and navigation bars from Android Lollipop on my LG G3. I've searched through Google and all the options say I need Xposed which I prefer not to use since I'm currently on ART. I though maybe there would be a zip file that I could flash instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The androidNow HD ROM is great and supports it, you should try that.

[MOD] Touchwizz for Nexus 7 - Android 4.4.X and up !

Welcome to my little contribution to the (almost) most supported device on the forum.
Since MrMad.de's add-on doesn't work on KitKat, I manage to get a working Touchiz Launcher on Nexus 7 and decided to share.
It's NOT my work, I found this Launcher here on XDA long time ago, but I forgot the Developer name
- What you need:
- A Nexus 7 with Android 4.4.4
- Root
- xposed installer
- XTheme Engine (optional)
- 10 Minutes of your life
- Features:
- 5x5 Touchwiz Launher
- Note 8.0 Wallpapers
- Samsung Theme (XTheme or TMo Theme Chooser)
- AccuWeather Widget
- Installation:
1) Download the archive here (MediaFire, 36MB)
2) Go to Multirom recovery
3) Install, and choose the Zip.
4) Reboot and Enjoy.
- Mods:
* To get the 5x5 Launcher, grab xposed installer here here
Install framework and optionally reboot. Go to Download Tab and search fot 5x5 Touchwiz Launcher, download and install. Active the module and reboot.
* To make Touchwiz fit on your N7 Screen, change your DPI to 280 in build.prop or via this command
Code:
wm density 280
(to go back, use this
Code:
wm density reset
). Reboot/SoftReboot after the modifications.
If you don't want to use 280 as DPI, go grab Xposed Apps Settings here
Install it, Launch it, Change the following apps DPI to 280.
- SecLauncher2 (Touchwizz Launcher)
- AccuWeatherWidget
- AccuWeatherDaemon
- AccuWeatherMain
Reboot (or just SoftReboot).
* To get Touchwizz Them, Install XTheme Engine and Touchwizz 5 Free Theme for XTheme. Apply it, Reboot and see the magic !
* To get the Tabbed Settings, Install a XPosed Module called "Tabbed Settings"
- Screenshots:
- That's all....

i have to say good job

USBhost said:
i have to say good job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you...For your interest

tries to flash and install this on lolipop and seems it does not work.. .. Thanks anyways

It says this needs xposed, and xposed isnt working on 5.0 yet.

smartjais said:
tries to flash and install this on lolipop and seems it does not work.. .. Thanks anyways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need Xposed for this to work.
And the Apps may simply not work on LP sorry

Thought I would drop by and let ya know & give ya a big THANKS for this. I have been looking for something different and this worked great on my nabi2 but still needs some tweaking. I know they share a lot of hardware and system files so I took a shot. Also I am running our latest update, 4.4.2 KK. :good:

So...?
DarkAngel said:
Thought I would drop by and let ya know & give ya a big THANKS for this. I have been looking for something different and this worked great on my nabi2 but still needs some tweaking. I know they share a lot of hardware and system files so I took a shot. Also I am running our latest update, 4.4.2 KK. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...
Is it working for you ?

Nonta72 said:
So...
Is it working for you ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if I wasn't clear. Yes it is working for me. I just need to play around with DPI setting. The ones stated above will not work for me. Then I will decompile the actual Launcher App and play around with the smali and values and see about adding features to it if possible...... for me of course. I'll share it after asking for permission though.
:good:
Oh I was not able to find the " Tabbed Settings " Xposed Module anywhere. Is it under a different name?

DarkAngel said:
Sorry if I wasn't clear. Yes it is working for me. I just need to play around with DPI setting. The ones stated above will not work for me. Then I will decompile the actual Launcher App and play around with the smali and values and see about adding features to it if possible...... for me of course. I'll share it after asking for permission though.
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have got my permision
Oh I was not able to find the " Tabbed Settings " Xposed Module anywhere. Is it under a different name?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me see if I can fin it again

Xposed recommendations?

Hey everyone I finally rooted my G4 and have to dpi set to 540.(which is awesome) I was wondering if anybody knew of any cool xposed modules compatible with our phones.
I want to get a running list going for everyone. I will update as I find more. But feel free to recommend any you know and love!
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

App Settings (a must)
GravityBox [LP]
TabletMetrics
Xstana (theme Status Bar and Home Keys)
YouTubeAdAway
Unfortunately NotifyClean does not work
Still working down the repository list, add more as confirmed working :good:

Also zoom for instagram works. After i restarted my phone it optimized my apps or so it said but only did that once for me. Works fine for me.
Sent from my VS986

JacRyan said:
App Settings (a must)
GravityBox [LP]
TabletMetrics
Xstana (theme Status Bar and Home Keys)
YouTubeAdAway
Unfortunately NotifyClean does not work
Still working down the repository list, add more as confirmed working :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never really messed around with Xposed. Sorry if my question is dumb but, where do you get the modules? Are they within the app? Is this where you get the app?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/themes-apps/guide-installing-xposed-locked-t3181593

sefirosu0522 said:
I've never really messed around with Xposed. Sorry if my question is dumb but, where do you get the modules? Are they within the app? Is this where you get the app?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/themes-apps/guide-installing-xposed-locked-t3181593
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used this post, as it was written for our phone specifically:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-g4/general/guide-install-xposed-verizon-g4-t3182267
Once the xposed installer app installed, look under Download for modules

JacRyan said:
I used this post, as it was written for our phone specifically:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-g4/general/guide-install-xposed-verizon-g4-t3182267
Once the xposed installer app installed, look under Download for modules
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info! I appreciate it.

Glad it helped

Update Xposed from v71 to v72 for Verizon LG G4
Verizon LG G4 VS986 confirmed working with xposed-v72-sdk22-arm64.zip upgrade(Ram is better,battery drain is less)
1)Wipe cache on start
2)Start os
3)If Flashfire doesn't open,change date in the phone settings to earlier than 8.30.15
4)Follow instructions for v71 installation,but instead of v71.zip use uninstaller for xposed (xposed-uninstaller-20150831-arm64).Do not uninstall previous version of Xposed which was installed from xposed-v71-sdk22-arm64-by-romracer-20150816 with regular phone means.
5)do not check auto-mount,touch upper right sign and the main page of Flashfire opens
6)Flash (at the very bottom of the screen) uninstaller (all necessary files should be placed on the root of Internal Storage) and wait 10 minutes +,Loading lines appear then another 10 minutes,the phone reboots itself.
7)repeat procedure with Flashfire with zip file xposed-v72-sdk22-arm64
8)Long story now,approximately half an hour of dark screen(do not touch the phone and patiently wait)
9)phone reboots itself,wait and don't worry it'll work with updated Xposed Framework v72,all modules,that have been there before the upgrade,will be there working and activated,no need to reset Xposed Installer_3.0_alpha4.apk
P.S. Make sure the phone has enough charge and not connected to the computer and I assume that you alredy installed this: xposed-v71-sdk22-arm64-by-romracer-20150816.If not,then follow all the instructions from Romracer for v71 file,but
1)use v72 instead
2)Flashfire will not work unless you change the date in the phone settings(you'll correct this easily later)
3)And you will have to wait longer this time(remember,approximately half an hour of dark screen with the impression that the phone is dead,but no worry,just wait and do nothing,cause that's the way it's resetting).Good luck!

It is now at V73. Just flashed on top of the current version and works fine.

JacRyan said:
App Settings (a must)
GravityBox [LP]
TabletMetrics
Xstana (theme Status Bar and Home Keys)
YouTubeAdAway
Unfortunately NotifyClean does not work
Still working down the repository list, add more as confirmed working :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NotifyClean works perfectly for me.

Amplify works great on v74 as well.

Anyone have problems using flashfire to flash the 8/31 uninstaller to uninstall v74 XPosed?
VZW LG G4

I would like to use CoolTool to display clock and battery info (along with other stuff) but I want to disable the stock clock, battery and network stats on status bar so its not as cluttered. So far wanam doesnt work, xui hasn't worked and SB Icon Hider all don't work.
I'm also trying to figure out how to have cool tool put the status on the right instead of the left overlayed on notifications. Anyone have any idea's?

Conflicting xposed mods thread

So, purpose for this thread is to notify the users which mods are conflicting and causing problems for HTC 10. I hereby will share my scenario and others please also share what u guys observe.
I am using ICE stable 1.1.3 Rom, s-off, xposed framework version 85.
So the problems I faced with conflicting mods are:
1. Sudden reboots.
2. After rebooting, no ringtone during calls.
Working mods are:
1. Android N-ify v0.2.0
2. Gravitybox v6.1.3
3. Greenify (donation) v2.8.1
4. Native clipboard v4.6.4
5. OGxposed v1.0
6. Play store changelog v1.2.2
7. Xinstaller v5.0
8. Xnotifications
9. Direct APK install
10. Youtube adblock
11. Youtube background playback
Conflicting mods for me:
1. Sense toolbox v2.2.4
2. Amplify v3.3.4
P.S. these mods were conflicting for me probably because I was using Gravitybox which I didn't want to remove. With any other combination or using them single, u may not face any problem. So if u guys find any variation in behavior or whatever may be, please post and I will update my list accordingly. Thanks.
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

How do I even get xposed Installed just confused on which zip to flash for the framework I'm on Lee droid. Thx.
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

dandan2980 said:
How do I even get xposed Installed just confused on which zip to flash for the framework I'm on Lee droid. Thx.
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xposed-v85.5-sdk23-arm64-systemless is the latest systemless version. you want the arm64 versions for the HTC 10. then you install the xposed installer

afuller42 said:
xposed-v85.5-sdk23-arm64-systemless is the latest systemless version. you want the arm64 versions for the HTC 10. then you install the xposed installer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so flash the zip then install the apk? Also I didn't see anything about systemless but I will search for that thanks
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

dandan2980 said:
Thanks so flash the zip then install the apk? Also I didn't see anything about systemless but I will search for that thanks
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/unofficial-systemless-xposed-t3388268
you don't need to use systemless, but its the one I went for since it don't break OTA or Android pay cause it can be disabled in the new app

nipun1110 said:
So, purpose for this thread is to notify the users which mods are conflicting and causing problems for HTC 10. I hereby will share my scenario and others please also share what u guys observe.
I am using ICE stable 1.1.3 Rom, s-off, xposed framework version 85.
So the problems I faced with conflicting mods are:
1. Sudden reboots.
2. After rebooting, no ringtone during calls.
My currently working mods are:
1. Android N-ify v0.2.0
2. Gravitybox v6.1.3
3. Greenify (donation) v2.8.1
4. Native clipboard v4.6.4
5. OGxposed v1.0
6. Play store changelog v1.2.2
7. Xinstaller v5.0
Conflicting mods for me:
1. Sense toolbox v2.2.4
2. Amplify v3.3.4
P.S. these mods were conflicting for me with all the other mods I used. With any other combination or using them single, u may not face any problem. So if u guys find any variation in behavior or whatever may be, please post and I will update my list accordingly. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sense Toolbox is probably conflicting with Gravitybox because they both make changes in the system. I am using Sense Toolbox for the Center Clock, to add Blinkfeed shortcut so I can run Nova Prime as my main launcher then tap that to switch to Sense. I am also running N-ify, Greenify, XNotifications, and Amplify. Oh, also APK direct install (so I don't have to toggle it in Settings/security) as well as YouTube ad block and YouTube Background Playback...no issues here at all. Everything is set up systemless. There was one module that made Sense Toolbox lose center clock so I disabled it...but I can't remember which it was. I know that it wasn't Gravitybox though...I hadn't gotten around to trying that one yet. My guess is that Gravitybox is messing with Sense Toolbox and Amplify for you but that's a guess

JohnCorleone said:
Sense Toolbox is probably conflicting with Gravitybox because they both make changes in the system. I am using Sense Toolbox for the Center Clock, to add Blinkfeed shortcut so I can run Nova Prime as my main launcher then tap that to switch to Sense. I am also running N-ify, Greenify, XNotifications, and Amplify. Oh, also APK direct install (so I don't have to toggle it in Settings/security) as well as YouTube ad block and YouTube Background Playback...no issues here at all. Everything is set up systemless. There was one module that made Sense Toolbox lose center clock so I disabled it...but I can't remember which it was. I know that it wasn't Gravitybox though...I hadn't gotten around to trying that one yet. My guess is that Gravitybox is messing with Sense Toolbox and Amplify for you but that's a guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's right. But I thought gravitybox was a must for everyone as it's kinda all-in-one mod. But here u r just doing fine without it. I will update my thread accordingly. Thanks for yr input.
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

nipun1110 said:
Yes that's right. But I thought gravitybox was a must for everyone as it's kinda all-in-one mod. But here u r just doing fine without it. I will update my thread accordingly. Thanks for yr input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem....however, if Gravitybox has things like center clock, you can use other modules to block notifications and icons in the status bar. Sometimes if I add one thing too many, it goes back to default so it's more of a "mostly works" I wasn't able to use Gravitybox on my M9 (as far as I know) but yeah, it's best to experiment and get other people to comment like you are. Pretty soon I will be on ViperROM though...that's the sickest custom ROM I have ever used. You can leave it Sense based or "De-Sense" it and the amount of customization it has is unmatched. I have used it on 5 different HTC models and it's incredible!
For those who are going to stay stock rooted with Xposed, you have lots to choose from and my battery has been incredible so no bad side effects from using it