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Feb 9, 2017 · Jailbreaking absolutely makes your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch an easier target for malware. It completely removes the walls that Apple built into both iOS and the iTunes App Store.
- Linda Rosencrance
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Experts say jailbreaking can still be worth it for iPhone users, as long as they know what they’re doing.
Jailbreaking—or rooting as it’s often referred to on Android—was once a common practice on iPhones. Many would jailbreak their devices to unlock access to unique themes, deeper file browsing, and the ability to install third-party apps. While doing so has become much more difficult, it could still be a good step towards gaining more control over your device. However, there are notable risks involved.
"Jailbreaking your iPhone can leave you vulnerable to several risks that may eventually affect the performance of your device," Tim McGuire, CEO of Mobile Klinik, told Lifewire via email.
Essentially, jailbreaking allows users to break out of the sandbox Apple has created within the iPhone. This sandbox is like a shield, containing all of the various security fixes Apple has included, as well as protecting access to all the data your iPhone stores. Jailbreaking uses security holes found in this sandbox to remove those barriers, giving you access to things you normally can’t get to.
But why risk your phone’s warranty and security just for access to more apps and customization? Jailbreaking originally popped up in the early days of the iPhone, before iOS became the big ecosystem it is now.
Jailbreaking an iPhone doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get hacked. It just means your security is now in your own hands.
"When the first few iterations of the iPhone came out, jailbreaking was very popular," Simon Lewis, co-founder of Certo Software, explained in an email. "Those early iPhones had far fewer features, and while the App Store was still in its infancy, the apps offered were extremely limited."
Despite the risks, many still see jailbreaking as a viable way for tech-savvy users to get more out of their phones.
"The apps you can install on a jailbroken iPhone do alleviate a lot of continued pain points," Rex Freiberger, CEO of Gadget Review, told us in an email. "The default Safari browser on iPhone is much less functional than the iPad version, for example. On a jailbroken phone, you can fix this and get back some of that functionality."
Essentially, jailbreaking allows users to break out of the sandbox Apple has created within the iPhone.
Being able to make small fixes like this is something many users enjoy about the jailbreaking experience. RealCC, one of a few popular jailbreaking apps, can change how the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi toggles in the Control Center work. Other applications, like PercentageBatteryX, are much simpler and only add a bit of text to the battery indicator at the top of your iPhone’s screen.
Freiberger also says that users who jailbreak their phones can set themselves up with location spoofing—making their internet connection appear to come from somewhere else, similar to a VPN—and even set up a guest mode to keep random users from accessing their private files. He says these two points are just scraping the surface of what’s possible.
"On a normal, non-jailbroken iPhone, Apple handles much of the device's security on behalf of the user," Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech, told Lifewire via email. "Jailbreaking an iPhone doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get hacked. It just means your security is now in your own hands. Apple will no longer serve as a buffer between the iPhone and attackers in many situations."
Apr 13, 2017 · Unless you jailbreak your iPhone, that is. In this article we’re going to examine jailbreaking and the reasons for and against jailbreaking an iPhone or iPad, to help you decide whether this...
So, Should I Jailbreak My iOS Device? We've examined some arguments both for and against jailbreaking your iPhone. If you're still considering it, then chances are you'll love your new jailbroken device and all the things you can do without Apple's approval.
Feb 7, 2024 · Jailbreaking your iPhone gives you the power to customize your device beyond Apple’s factory restrictions, and download and install unauthorized apps from outside the official App Store — but it also comes with significant risks to your data and mobile security.
- Yaniv Masjedi
May 5, 2017 · Jailbreaking an iPhone can be risky and usually the benefits don’t outweigh the potential consequences. In this article, I’ll tell you what it means to perform a jailbreak on an iPhone and explains why you probably shouldn’t do it.
Aug 6, 2010 · The bright side. Overseas use: When you use your iPhone in another country, you are subject to data roaming charges. Use your iPhone as you do in its home country, and you’re in for a nasty...
