Get more out of your mobile thanks to the best mods you can install right away. They may not be as popular as they were in their day, but mods for Android are one of the best options for customizing the experience with our phones without having to install a full ROM.
Thanks to them it is possible to modify aspects of the interface or operation that would otherwise not be possible, further exploiting the customization capabilities offered by the Google operating system.
Even in mid-2020, Android mods still have their audience. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about them, as well as show you some of the best you can download and install.
What are mods for Android
Mods is short for modification. Therefore, a mod is any software the element which makes a change to the operating system of our device. Exist customization mod which are used to modify aspects of the user interface that could not be changed before, security mod which add an extra layer to the privacy features of your mobile or mods that incorporate functions of cell phones from other brands.
Some of the mods that exist today require the root of our Android mobile to work. It is also likely that you will need to install a custom recovery to perform its installation. Others, on the other hand, function as applications or are so simple that they do not require root or recovery to make the changes.
In any case, in all cases it is strongly recommended perform a full backup of the device. After all, you are likely to modify essential aspects of the system and it is possible that some kind of error will occur in the process.
How to install mods on Android: via custom recovery
Most of the "advanced" mods need to be installed via custom recovery. In case the mod you downloaded is of this type, you must first make sure you meet the necessary requirements:
- Be root user
- Having installed a custom recovery that allows us to modify system files.
Once the requirements are met, the steps to follow for install a mod for android via custom recovery are the following:
- Download the mod and save it on the microSD card or the phone's internal memory.
- Access recovery.
- Now scroll with the volume buttons up and down to install zip> install zip from / sdcard and look for the zip where the mod is located.
- Select it and wait for the installation to finish.
Now you can restart your mobile and enjoy the changes introduced by the mod you just installed.
How to install mods on Android without recovery
One of the most popular ways to install mods on android without recovery is to use Xposed Framework. Xposed is a mod framework that allows you to install "modules" - this is what the people of Xposed call their mods - with which to unlock features or add new options.
Keep in mind that, although to use Xposed it is not mandatory to have a custom recovery, you must have done the root of the cellphone. That said, the steps to follow for install Xposed are as follows:
- Download and install the Xposed Installer APK.
- Open the Xposed Installer app, go to the "Framework" section and tap "Install / Update"
- Restart your mobile
That's all. Now is the time to install the Xposed modules. This is the procedure to follow:
- Download the APK file of the mod you want to install and run it.
- Open Xposed Installer and go to the “Modules” section.
- Tap the mod you installed in the first step and activate it.
Finally, you will have to restart your mobile to apply the changes. We insist on making a backup copy before making any such changes.
4 mods you can install right now
Now that you know how mods are installed on android, it's time to see what are the best mods for android that you can currently download.
1. Amplify – Battery Extender
This mod, released by XDA, allows us to maximize the autonomy of our mobile phones through changes in system parameters. Among its functions is the possibility of analyze which apps consume the most energy and offer advice on settings that we can turn off for extend the life of your battery. It's a mod for Android by Xposed, which can be used for free, although there is a paid version. XDA | Amplify - Battery Extender
2. XInsta
A very useful mod for Instagram users. With XInsta you can, among other things, download photos and videos from Instagram, view detailed statistics of followers and followed users or download stories and direct. XDA | XInsta
3. CustoMIUIzer
If you have a Xiaomi mobile, this is the mod you need to get the best from MIUI. CustoMIUIzer integra camera changes, app improvements or always-on display mode and other features, optimized to work perfectly on mobile phones with MIUI. AND totally free to download and requires Xposed to work. Google Play | CustoMIUIzer
4. GravityBox
Probably the most complete mod for android. GravityBox contains a whole suite of tools with which to leverage your mobile, ranging from customizing items like the lock screen or navigation bar, to more advanced changes you can make on the system to make your mobile work exactly like desires. XDA | GravityBox
