How to Install Systemless Xposed on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners who have Magisk installed have the option to easily install systemless Xposed Framework via a mobile. This tutorial walks you how to install systemless Xposed on both of the Pixel 2 devices from start to finish.

If you installed Xposed Framework on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL like I have shown you in a previous tutorial then it’s going to be fully installed by modifying system files. This is great for those who want the full Xposed experience but bad for those who want to easily accept OTA update.

As systemless mods are becoming more and more popular for its convenience factor, it makes sense to install a systemless version of Xposed Framework if it’s available.

Thankfully, the developer of Magisk also creates systemless version of Xposed Framework for those who prefer this method. I really enjoy having my device as up to date as possible so for me it makes sense to use these systemless mods. This way, when a new OTA update comes in I can quickly disable modules and uninstall Magisk so I can install that OTA update. With the update installed, I only need to temporarily boot TWRP to install Magisk again and I’ll be right back where I started.

So today I’ll be showing you exactly how to install systemless Xposed Framework on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL using Magisk.

Pixel 2 Install Systemless Xposed

1. Open up the Magisk Manager application
2. Expand the hidden menu from the left side of the screen
3. Tap the Downloads option
4. Scroll down until you see the systemless versions of Xposed Framework
5. Make sure you know which SDK version goes with your Android install (SDK 26 = 8.0 Oreo and SDK 27 = 8.1 Oreo)
6. Tap the down arrow icon to the right of the SDK version for your device
7. Tap the Install button when asked
8. Wait for Systemless Xposed Framework to be installed
9. Tap the Reboot option at the bottom and wait for the Pixel 2 to boot back into Android
10. Then open the Magisk Manager application again
11. Go back into the Downloads section in the left hidden menu
12. Tap the text of the Xposed Framework module you installed
13. Then tap the link for the special modified version of the Xposed Installer APK
14. Confirm you want to download the APK and then open it
15. Install the modified Xposed Installer APK
16. Open up the hidden Magisk menu on the left side of the screen again
17. Tap the Modules option again
18. Tap the yellow checkbox to disable the module
19. Tap the yellow checkbox to enable the module
20. Then reboot the Pixel 2

Explanation

With there being 20 steps to this tutorial it may seem complicated but the process is actually very straight forward. If you are concerned about any of these steps then you can follow along with me using the embedded video above. To start, we need to install the systemless Xposed Framework Magisk Module by opening up Magisk Manager. In the overflow menu you’ll see a Downloads option that you want to tap and then you’ll need to scroll all the way down to the bottom.

There are multiple versions of systemless Xposed Framework here so just make sure the SDK version matches your version of Android you’re on (SDK 26 = 8.0 Oreo and SDK 27 = 8.1 Oreo). Tap the download arrow for the one you need and then tap the Install button to begin the installation. This shouldn’t take more than a few seconds and then you should see a Reboot button appear in the bottom right of the screen. Tap that and wait to boot back into Android.

With that done, we need to open up Magisk Manager again and go back into the Downloads section. At the top you’ll see an Installed divider with the newly installed systemless Xposed Framework module we just installed. Tap it to get a brief description of it and so you can tap the link to the modified systemless Xposed Installer application. Once downloaded, open it and install it like you would normally sideload an application.

Now, if you open up the Xposed Installer application now, it will tell you Xposed is installed but not active. So let’s go back into Magisk Manager and this time go into the Modules section of the application. You should see Xposed here and it will have a yellow checkbox next to it. Tap the checkbox to remove the checkmark and then tap it again to add the checkmark back to the checkbox. Now we can bring up the Power Menu and reboot the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL one last time. Once you’re back into Android, you can then open up the Xposed Installer application like I did to see it has now been activated.