Due to the advanced tools jailbreaking is now very easy
Without Apple’s controls in place, a user that jailbreaks their device will have the ability to subtly or immensely change their iOS experience. With the Cydia app store on your phone, many applications that would normally not be approved by Apple will be right at your fingertips. That isn’t to say that the applications are bad either; most of the apps on the Cydia market can serve as useful additions to your device.
Thanks to the jailbreak community and Cydia app developers a jailbroken phone can be modified to look nothing like the iOS that Apple wants its users to see. Popular theming app WinterBoard serves as a fine example of the capabilities of a jailbroken device. This application allows a user to change the look of the unlock screen, siri, icons, and other assorted parts of iOS. This, of course, isn’t the only option available on Cydia, just one of the more well-renowned ones.
Jailbreaking isn’t just limited to theming though. Certain tweaks and extensions allow apps to access previously inaccessible system functions and settings. Some of the mods available are more subtle than others, changing small things like notification styles or the number of icons shown on the multitasking menu. With the entirety of the iOS operating system open applications have a lot more freedom, meaning the user has a lot more freedom.
Jailbreaking also opens up the possibility of ‘unlocking’ your iPhone. What’s the difference between unlocking and jailbreaking? Well, jailbreaking allows apps, tweaks, and mods greater access to parts of the iOS system; unlocking you iPhone can actually open it for use on a different network entirely (as long as the radios are compatible).
- What About The Legality of Jailbreaking?
- Does Jailbreaking Void my Warranty?
That being said, it is possible to revert a jailbroken device back to its factory setting through iTunes. Using iTunes to undo your jailbreak will bring the device back to the way it was when it was first activated. Once the device is reset to factory settings, Apple will not be able to tell if the device was previously jailbroken – this means you can get all of the Apple support you need.
Check out Apple’s support article for more specific information.
- Can Jailbreaking Brick my iPhone?
Fixing an iPhone that has becomes unresponsive is as simple as doing a factory reset, just like you would do to ‘un-void’ your warranty. As long as you have access to a connector cable and a computer, any problems with your jailbroken device can be fixed.
- What’s The Difference Between Jailbreaking and Unlocking?
- Can I Still Use iTunes And The App Store After Jailbreaking?
- You Keep Mentioning Cydia, What is it?
- What if I Want to Update iOS After Jailbreaking?
Fortunately, the iOS hacking community is very active and more often than not an updated jailbreak will be created soon after the release of the updated iOS. Sometimes we even see and update jailbroken while it is still in beta, before it is even released. Apple does actively fight against these jailbreakers though, sometimes by releasing hotfixes and updates to beta software to negate the security holes these hackers use to jailbreak a device.
- What Are The Different Types of Jailbreaks?
Tethered jailbreaking is the least desirable of the three kinds. With a tethered jailbreak you cannot reboot the device without doing a tethered boot. This means that you must be around a computer to successfully boot the device – without a connection to a computer you device will not boot. If your device reboots when you aren’t around a computer you’re out of luck.
Semi-tethered jailbreaking is more desirable than a tethered jailbreak, but less than untethered. A device that uses a semi-tethered jailbreak will be able to reboot, but may lose some of its functionality after a boot. Cydia may inaccessible, along with other jailbreak apps (sometimes even stock apps). You must perform a tethered boot to restore full device functionality.
Untethered Jailbreaking is the most desirable and common method of jailbreaking. It takes a little more work for hackers to get an iOS device to this point, but the device will not lose its jailbreak functionality regardless of reboots.
- If I Jailbreak my Device, Can I Get App Store Apps For Free?
- Is it Easy to Jailbreak my Device?
- Does it Cost Money to Jailbreak?
Anything jailbreak can be done for free.