Root Status: Not available

Earlier today, Verizon released the Android 5.1.1 OTA update for the Verizon Galaxy S6 and S6 edge devices with build number G920VVRU3BOG5 and G925VVRU3BOG5, respectively. Apart from 5.1.1 goodness, the update also includes a patch for the Stagefright vulnerability, making it a kind-of must install update. However, the OTA update it is a dead-end as far root access is concerned.

First thing, the Ping Pong Root tool which wondrously rooted our bootloader locked Verizon S6 and S6 edge without any bit of trouble, will not work on any of the 5.1.1 builds (including OG5). Samsung has very well patched the exploit Ping Pong Root tool was using.

And to make it worse, all the Android 5.1.1 updates from Samsung are coming with an updated bootloader that can’t be downgraded, and the Verizon S6 / S6 edge 5.1.1 update is no different. If you install the 5.1.1 OTA, then you won’t ever be able to downgrade back to 5.0 builds, thus blocking your any chance of getting root again by using Ping Pong.

The situation may seem pretty messy, but if you can hold from installing the 5.1.1 OTA for a few days (or weeks maybe), then you might have a chance get both root access and 5.1.1 update together on your Verizon S6/S6 edge.

We have good belief that someone from the community will be able to turn the 5.1.1 update into a pre-rooted stock ROM. And this pre-rooted 5.1.1 ROM would be your only chance of getting root access on your device, unless of course, another wondrous method like Ping Pong pops-up on the interwebs.

So, if root is something you so dearly care about, then DON’T install the 5.1.1 OG5 update from the OTA Samsung and Verizon are serving you on your Galaxy S6 / S6 edge. Wait for someone knowledgeable from the 3rd party community to come up with a pre-rooted OG5 ROM, that you can install via FlashFire or a custom recovery, and live happily ever after.