How to Block Xposed Framework from Modifying Android Apps

Last updated May 24, 2021 by Jan Sysmans

Learn the 3 easy steps to block Xposed Framework from modifying Android Apps. Prevent hackers from using the Xposed framework to change the behavior of the app via custom ROM. No Code, Zero Dev, No SDK.

What is Xposed?

Xposed is a framework that allows developers to apply modules (add-ons) to the Read-Only Memory (ROM) of Android for the purpose of modifying the app’s behavior or creating a modified app (aka: a “mod”). Xposed is used by pen testers and hackers to modify the flow of an Android app at runtime. It does this by writing custom modules for hooking into said Android apps. These Xposed Framework modules are custom-created Android .apk files that can be used to modify the runtime of an android mobile app. Xposed has a waned a bit in popularity as of late, with the advent of Magisk. However, it is still a very popular (and quite dangerous) tool that is still used pretty heavily by hackers today.

xposed installer for hacking android apps This knowledge base article describes 3 easy steps to block Xposed Framework from modifying Android apps. Using Appdome, you can automatically detect and block the Xposed Framework to hack Android apps by adding Appdome Root prevention and Anti-Tampering to the Android app. We hope you find this knowledge base useful and enjoy using Appdome!

Why Should Developers Block Xposed?

You can safely assume that anyone using Xposed to modify your Android app is malicious (outside of the developer or a pen tester you hired). So you’re going to want to block malicious use of Xposed for modifying Android apps. Appdome is a no-code mobile app security platform designed to add security features, like Xposed protection to any mobile app, instantly, without coding. This KB shows mobile developers, DevSec and security professionals how to use Appdome’s simple ‘click to build’ user interface to quickly and easily prevent advanced hacking tools like Xposed.

In order to use Xposed, the Android device must be Rooted. In addition, the hacker will also need to turn on “Enable Unknown Sources”, because that’s how they can install ‘untrusted’ programs (like custom exposed modules) onto an Android device.

You can add Appdome Root Prevention to any Android app in order to protect the app against Xposed. In addition, you can optionally add Detect Unknown Sources to the Android app just to give it a little more protection against Xposed.

3 Easy Steps to Block Xposed from Modifying Android Apps

Please follow these 3 easy steps to block Xposed Framework from modifying Android apps.

Upload an Android App to Appdome’s no code security platform (.apk or .aab)
In the Build Tab, under Security, Select Root Prevention
- Optional: Enable Detect Unknown Sources
Click Build My App

appdome root prevention

Congratulations! You now have a secured mobile app that blocks the Xposed Framework.

Appdome’s no-code mobile app security platform offers mobile developers, DevSec and security professionals a convenient and reliable way to protect Android apps against Xposed and other hacking tools. When a user clicks “Build My App,” Appdome leverages a microservice architecture filled with 1000s of security plugins, and an adaptive code generation engine that matches the correct required plugins to the development environment, frameworks, and methods in each app.

Prerequisites for Blocking Xposed from Modifying Android Apps

Here’s what you need to build secured apps with Xposed prevention

Appdome account (If you don’t have an Appdome account, create a free Appdome account here)
Mobile App (.apk or .aab for Android)
Signing Credentials (e.g., signing certificates and provisioning profile)

No Coding Dependency

Using Appdome, there are no development or coding prerequisites to build secured apps with Xposed protection. There is no SDK and no library to manually code or implement in the app. The Appdome technology adds the relevant standards, frameworks, stores, and logic to the app automatically, with no manual development work at all.

How to Sign & Publish Secured Mobile Apps Built on Appdome

After successfully securing your app using Appdome, there are several available options to complete your project, depending on your app lifecycle or workflow. These include:

Signing Secure iOS and Android apps
Customizing, Configuring & Branding Secure Mobile Apps
Deploying/Publishing Secure mobile apps to Public or Private app stores

Or, see this quick reference Releasing Secured Android & iOS Apps built on Appdome.

More Mobile App Security Resources

Check out related features from Appdome’s ONEShield application shielding (RASP) solution, which includes as Anti-Tampering and Anti-Debugging. Both of these features complement Root prevention to provide a layered defense against hacking tools like Xposed.

Check out Appdome’s Mobile App Security Suite or request a demo at any time.

If you have any questions, please send them our way at support@appdome.com or via the chat window on the Appdome platform.

Thank you!

Thanks for visiting Appdome! Our mission is to make mobile integration easy. We hope we’re living up to the mission with your project. If you don’t already have an account, you can sign up for free.