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Rooting the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge disables one of their unique features

Published Apr 21st, 2015 2:56PM EDT
Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge Root
Image: Zach Epstein, BGR

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We already know that U.S. carriers are removing certain apps from the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. But you should also know that rooting the device yourself will also remove a key feature from both devices, SamMobile warns.

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The publication says that Samsung Pay, just like KNOX, will be disabled on Galaxy S6 versions that are rooted, as the procedure breaches the integrity of the device.

Samsung Pay is the South Korean giant’s mobile payment solution, a direct response to Apple’s Apple Pay. Unfortunately, the service isn’t available at this time in any market, but should be released in the U.S. and Korea this summer.

Unlike Apple Pay and other wireless payments alternatives, Samsung Pay doesn’t require merchants to have NFC-ready payment terminals, as the technology also works with MST (short for Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology that lets the Galaxy S6 behave like a credit/debit card with regular payments machines, and simply transmit magnetic stripe code to them to perform payments.

Even though rooting an Android device has its advantages, such as the ability to remove bloatware installed by Samsung and carriers, you may still want to stay away from doing it this time if you want to take advantage of Samsung Pay.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.