Should I root my Galaxy S6 / Galaxy S6 Edge?

“Should I root my phone?” It’s a question that many Android users ask about their new phones and tablets, and it’s just as relevant for the Samsung Galaxy S6. The practice refers to gaining root (admin) access on your phone, allowing you to make changes that go beyond what is normally possible. You can modify system files and run powerful apps, letting you customise your Android experience and unlock new functionality in your phone.

However – should you do it?

In general, if you don’t need to root your phone, don’t do it. It’s a bit of hassle and a potential security risk. In addition, some apps will refuse to run if they detect you have root access. However, there are some benefits to rooting that might make it worthwhile. Here are just a couple:

Installing root-only apps

Many of the most powerful Android apps are only (fully) available to those with root access.

• Adblock is a popular one, allowing you to block ads on Android the same way you would on Chrome or Firefox on a PC.
• Greenify is another cool one, allowing you to prevent apps from using your battery up unnecessarily.
• Helium is a clever way of backing up your Android apps and their data.

Customise your OS with Xposed

Xposed is a helpful app that serves as a framework, letting you easily find and install custom tweaks. There are a wide range of modules available, dedicated to various tasks. For example, you can find modules which allow you to customise the look of your Galaxy S6, save battery life and control your apps’ permissions. There’s even a module called Wanam Xposed that includes a massive laundry list of changes and improvements for Samsung phones.

Installing custom ROMs and kernels

Custom ROMs allow you to completely customise the software running on your Galaxy S6, including running a stock version of Android or a souped-up version like Cyanogenmod. If you’re not a fan of TouchWiz, then this is a nice option to have. You can also install custom kernels, which change low-level system settings in order to boost performance, battery life or network connectivity.

Removing network bloatware

While the Galaxy S6 comes with much less bloatware than its predecessors, your carrier may include its own apps which take up valuable space. You could disable them, but with root access it’s possible to completely remove them.

Questions? Comments?

I hope this article answers your questions! If you have any feedback or we didn’t cover something well enough, please let us know in the comments below. You can also write to us on Twitter @mobilefun!