Rooting an Android device is known for opening a world of new features rather than cutting back on existing ones. And in the case of the new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, rooting the device breaks Samsung Pay.
Rooting does have its myriad of issues no doubt, but breaking features that set one device apart from the rest of the competition is something that Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have gone on to personify. You may be wondering why on earth rooting the phone breaks Samsung Pay, but there’s a reason for it.
Samsung Pay is largely reliant on the Korean giant’s KNOX security framework. KNOX is well known for not playing well with devices that have been rooted, and as such sees this exploitation of security – that rooting actually is – as a breach of the device’s secure integrity. This integrity is no doubt a pertinent criterion for a feature as sensitive as mobile payment.
It is expected that Samsung Pay will go live in the United States and South Korea this year – with exact date being unknown – subsequently expanding to other countries as well. Now if Samsung Pay is actually a feature you can or cannot do without, it really will come down to what you need the most as a user. You will need to make a choice between rooting your device for advanced features, customizations, flashing custom ROMs v.s. using Samsung Pay.
The service is likely to take its time to reach developing regions, given that even now in the U.S. there are an estimated 300,000 merchants accepting NFC-based payments, which is an extremely small number. For launch, Samsung is looking to start with MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and U.S. Bank in the U.S. It’s pretty clear though, if you are in a developing region with no real mobile payment solutions present, you shouldn’t really be worried about broken Samsung Pay feature on your rooted Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge.
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