ART Submodule Brings Xposed To Nougat Based Custom ROMs

Xposed for Nougat is finally here! Before you get all the more excited, this isn't like the traditional Xposed framework which you could flash in a custom recovery. In fact, this ART submodule has to be integrated by the custom ROM maintainers while they are building the ROM. In the words of the developer of the ART submodule, here is a description:

This is art/ submodule of AOSP 7.1.2 which brings Xposed functionality out-of-the-box. That's, not requiring users to root their devices to install Xposed. Xposed is installed by default. Please note that you can't use this module on your existing ROMs. This ART should be placed in AOSP source tree, then building the whole ROM.

So, you wouldn't be able to use any Xposed modules on a Nougat based ROM unless the ROM developer incorporates this ART submodule while baking the ROM. The fact that this Xposed ART submodule will be included in the ROM while compiling it means that Xposed wouldn't require root access. This is in line with the rootless support provided by custom ROMs for Substratum. The OMS variant of Substratum works with the ROMs which have included the necessary commits for Substratum to run without root. A list of such custom ROMs can be found here. This means that support for Substratum is present right out-of-the-box and you do not have to flash anything apart from the ROM to use Substratum. You just need to install the Substratum application, install a couple of themes and then you can start modifying the looks of your device to your liking. If your ROM developer decides to include this ART submodule while compiling the ROM, then you will be able to use Xposed by simply installing the APK file of Xposed Installer and then by downloading the Xposed modules from therein. If you are wondering what happens to SafetyNet, the inclusion of this submodule shouldn't be a cause of the SafetyNet check failing. 

The usage of an ART submodule to obtain Xposed on Nougat might not be as great as it sounds. Many custom ROMs don't entertain bug reports if you use Xposed. Now if we expect the ROMs to support this ART submodule, it will mean that they will have to support Xposed as well. It will be interesting to see how custom ROMs approach this. They may decide to include this submodule but ignore the bug reports pertaining to Xposed, or they may not even include this submodule in the first place. There are a range of possibilities on how custom ROMs approach this submodule, but as I said before, it will be interesting to see how custom ROMs go about this. There is no doubt though that there is going to be a great demand for the inclusion of this module.

As opposed to the traditional method of installing Xposed, you won't be able to uninstall Xposed because it is baked right into the ROM. However, this shouldn't be of much concern since you still have the control of the Xposed modules in your hand. The Xposed modules will work only if you enable them from the Xposed Installer. 

It is also worth noting here that this ART submodule hasn't been made by rovo89, the official developer and founder of the Xposed framework. Rovo89 had earlier confirmed on GitHub that he is still working on the Xposed framework for Nougat. Anyhow, it's now finally possible to use Xposed on Nougat!

If you are a custom ROM developer or maintainer, you might want to take a look at the source linked below.

Source: GitHub

Krittin Kalra

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.