[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] lovemytab:
Hi everybody,

I did not want to flash a custom ROM on my new SM-T285 (Android 5.1.1, API Level 22) so that I could use Xposed.

Instead I deodexed my own stock ROM --without going into boot loop-- using knowledge and tools from XDA members. Below are the steps I took, with the links to where you can find the original member posting and/or their instructions. Please make sure to "thank" the person who posted the information and/or tool ;)

Assuming you are rooted with TWRP installed, these steps will hopefully work for you as well.

STEP 1: Flash Jedid's SM-T285 Kernal (https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-tab-a/development/kernel-galaxy-tab-7-0-2016-lte-sm-t285-t3474967)

STEP 2: Unpack the system folder from your TWRP nandroid (https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=53913623&postcount=22)

STEP 3: Understand you will need to get the latest oat2dex.jar file (https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=61284936&postcount=395)

STEP 4: Understand what deodexing tool works well for Samsung (https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=68432791&postcount=757)

STEP 5: Download svadev's deodexing tool (https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s5/general/tool-deodex-tool-android-l-t2972025)

STEP 6: Download latest oat2dex.jar file (https://github.com/testwhat/SmaliEx/releases)

Note: I downloaded all the SmaliEx files and dumped them into the folder with "SVADeodexerForArt.exe" in it (it replaced the oat2dex.jar file too)

STEP 7: When finished using SVADeodexer, create a flashable zip (https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=65481181&postcount=722)

Note: do not include in your zip, the "Dex" and "Odex" files created by SVADeodexer, just the app, priv-app, and framework folders.

STEP 8: Save the zip file you created to your phone internal memory, and flash via TWRP.

After flashing the new system folder (containing the deodexed folders: app, priv-app, and framework) using TWRP; I cleared the delvik cache and restarted my "tablet." It took a long time to load to the "Android is starting..." screen, and I was eventually able to log in. After logging in, I confirmed the the new system folders installed, and yes, my device is truly deodexed --not a single odex file.

Please note, I am not a developer, and please make sure you create a complete backup before doing anything.

---------------UPDATE (Aug 16, 2017)---------------

My phone/tablet is still working great since I've deodexed it. I have since flashed a custom version of [MENTION=4419114]rovo89[/MENTION] 's Xposed framework, which was customized by [MENTION=3562083]wanam[/MENTION]. I hope to find time in the near future to compile the outstanding posts where I gained the knowledge on how to do these things, and obtained the resources to do them, and give the authors and developers proper credit. In the meantime, if you own an SM-T285 and are eager to install Xposed, I would suggest starting with wanam's custom Xposed module (https://xdaforums.com/xposed/unofficial-xposed-samsung-lollipop-t3180960), which worked for me. The key I found is to use a certain version, which did not cause my phone to boot loop. I'll need to go through my files to confirm which version this was. Additionally, I also recommend debloating using Galaxy Cleaner Lollipop DeBloater from [MENTION=4632471]blaz1nr[/MENTION] (https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s6/general/script-galaxy-cleaner-lollipop-debloater-t3156007). It worked like a charm for me at that point when I used it, having achieved the steps I mentioned above. I did use the script as is, and it really got rid of a lot of stuff I did not know was safe to get rid of.