Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad can be a liberating experience. It allows you to customize your device as you see fit and install apps not available in the App Store. While jailbreaking is relatively straightforward, you should know a few things before you start. For starters, jailbreaking may mean exploring lots of capabilities and taking things under control, but there are a lot of pros and cons of jailbreaking iPhones you need to consider. You may have plenty of resources available online to help you troubleshoot any problems, but there are a few things to take care of at your end. Let's look at some of these.
Jailbreaking is the process of removing software restrictions imposed by iOS, Apple's operating system, on devices running it through the use of hardware and software exploits. This process gives users root access to the iOS file system, allowing them to install custom applications, tweaks, and unavailable themes through the official Apple App Store.
Though the process of jailbreaking gives you superuser access, you still need to understand the pros and cons of jailbreaking iPhone and iPad. In case you are wondering, jailbreaking is legal in the United States but not in many other countries. If you are thinking of having complete control over your iPhone, check out the list of pros and cons of jailbreaking iPhone to be on the safe side.
When you jailbreak your iPhone or iPad, it means you are freeing it from the restrictions that Apple has placed on it. This allows you to customize your device and install apps that are not available in the App Store. There are a lot of things you can do once you jailbreak your iPhone. For example, you become the admin (for real) and can remove any pre-installed app on your iDevice that you don't like. To know the rest, let's first look at the advantages of jailbreaking of iPhone.
Being a superuser gives you lots of capabilities, and that's when you can consider different pros of Jailbreaking an iPhone, including:
Some users jailbreak their iPhones, believing that it will give them access to better anti-theft features. For example, while the iPhone has a Find My iPhone feature, it does not work when the phone is turned off, in airplane mode, or offline. There are jailbreak apps available claiming to provide more effective security than Find My iPhone; one such app is iCaughtU. With this app installed, if someone enters an incorrect passcode, the front camera takes photos of the person and then emails them to the owner.
Apple will no longer send you automatic updates, so each time a new iOS version is released, you'll have to wait for the jailbreaking community's appropriate hack. Jailbreaking can be timely, and you have to do it for every new iOS version that comes out—which might not happen immediately. Also, once major updates occur, jailbreaking your phone again could end up being more trouble than it's worth in the first place.
If you want to customize your phone with add-ons like new icons, wallpapers, and menus, jailbreaking is the way to go. This process gives users administrator rights to their devices so that they can make changes as they please rather than being restricted by Apple or anyone else. Some of the things you'll be able to do include adding extra icons to your iPhone home screen or installing your own screensavers.
Jailbreaking your device gives you more access to the file system and allows communication with other devices. For example, you can now connect your iPad to your PC and have much more control over what appears on your screen and what options you have.
Improved performance is one of the major benefits of jailbreaking iPhone as it allows you to install custom kernels and disable unwanted processes. For example, you can now install a kernel optimized for battery life or one that provides better overall performance. You can also disable specific unwanted processes running in the background and eating up your resources.
By getting rid of battery-draining apps, you can save your battery life to a greater extent. Jailbreaking your iPhone can also lead to improved battery life on your device as it gives you the ability to disable certain unwanted processes that are running in the background and eating up your resources. For example, you can now disable certain system services or tweaks that you don't use which can help improve your battery life.
Jailbreaking also provides you with more security as it allows you to install a password manager like 1Password, which can help keep your passwords safe and secure. You can also install a VPN app like Private Internet Access, which will encrypt all your traffic and help protect your privacy.
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to jailbreaking iPhones that you should be aware of before taking the plunge. These include:
Jailbreaking your device means tampering with your device, which in turn, will void your warranty with Apple. This means that if you have any problems with your device, you will not be able to take it to Apple for repairs. You will also not be eligible for Apple's software support or any other type of support.
You can jailbreak an iOS device and instantly void the warranty. Apple explained that the warranty does not cover damages "to Apple Products that have been modified to alter functionality and capability without Apple's written permission. Though it’s not among the serious cons of Jailbreaking iPhones as the warranty is over after a year from purchase.
Tampering with your device can also lead to physical damage as it requires you to modify the software, which can be risky. You could ruin your device if something goes wrong, rendering it useless.
Jailbreaking your iDevice also exposes your device to security risks, as you can now install apps and tweaks from unofficial sources. These apps and tweaks may be unsafe and contain malware or other malicious code.
Jailbreaking disables Apple's "walled garden" safety feature, which is designed to protect users against security threats. Jailbroken smartphones are more vulnerable to malware and viruses because they can bypass Apple's application vetting processes, which help ensure that users only download virus-free apps.
There are lots of stability issues as a jailbroken device modifies the software, which can sometimes cause problems. For example, you may experience more crashes or freezes after jailbreaking your device.
Jailbreaking your device can also lead to performance issues as some apps and tweaks may not be optimized for your device. This can lead to decreased battery life, reduced performance, and other problems.
Conclusion
Weigh all the jailbreaking iPhone pros and cons before you go ahead. Try it only when you know what may happen down the line. You might still be considering it, but you will love your jailbroken iPhone and all the other things you can do with it without Apple's approval. If you are happy with your iPhone and love the App Store, but don't require half the jailbreak features, then don't bother. It is much easier to keep a non-jailbroken phone.
Some pros of jailbreaking your iPhone include the ability to install custom kernels, improved performance, better battery life, and more security.
Some cons of jailbreaking your iPhone include voiding your warranty, risking damage to your device, security risks, stability issues, and performance issues.
The answer to this question depends on your needs and preferences. If you're looking for more customization options and don't mind voiding your warranty, jailbreaking may be a good option. However, if you're not comfortable with the risks, it's probably best to stay away from jailbreaking.
Some risks of jailbreaking your iPhone include voiding your warranty, risking Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad can be a liberating experience. It allows you to customize your device as you see fit and install apps not available in the App Store.
