iPhone
Jailbreak: What is it?
In short, iPhone
Jailbreak is the process of hacking an iPhone to free it from Apple
restrictions.
Because the
iPhone is far from flawless as Apple created it, thousands of iPhone users have
flocked to Jailbreak in search of changes and improvements to their devices.
iPhone has been held back by limited customizability, text message privacy issues, and a lack of
multitasking capabilities. But iPhone Jailbreak can solve all of these problems
with apps and fixes available in Cydia and Installer.
What is Cydia?/What is Installer?
Cydia and Installer are the unofficial “App Stores” of the Jailbreak world.
Developers create apps and tweaks and different utilities and upload them to
these package managers, which organize everything into categories. The
differences between Cydia and the App Store are the lack of an app approval process, and the lack
of access limits on the iPhone software. In other words, with iPhone jailbreak,
you can do things Apple did not design the iPhone software to do.
Why Jailbreak
iPhone?
1.
No restrictions. Want a custom wallpaper on your home screen? Custom icons for
your apps? Internet tethering? A category system for organizing your apps? The
ability to hide native iPhone apps you don’t use? You can do all of this and
more with iPhone Jailbreak.
2.
To join the
subculture. Sick of Apple’s stranglehold on the iPhone? Those who Jailbreak
iPhone belong to a movement of people who demand more from their iPhones. And
they’re not gonna let Apple stop them. Beat the system: Jailbreak your iPhone.
3.
Unlock iPhone. To unlock your iPhone and use it on any carrier, you must first
Jailbreak your iPhone. Some of the best Jailbreak software below also lets you
unlock the iPhone, though unlocking is generally beyond the scope of this
tutorial.
Why NOT
Jailbreak iPhone?
1.
The folks at
Apple know what they are doing. They
have not enabled multasking — the ability for apps to run in the background,
simultaneously — most likely because it is a huge battery drain. By controlling
the user experience, Apple ensures that your iPhone “just works,” and you don’t
have to worry about managing battery life or any other technical details.
2.
Jailbreak could
(maybe?) brick your iPhone. “When
someone develops something for an Apple product and that development isn’t
sanctioned by Apple, you run the risk of it not working as it should,
conflicting with the device itself, or just all-around bricking that iPhone,”
warns Chris Pirillo, who prefers
not to Jailbreak his iPhone because “my iPhone just works already.” But I have
never heard of Jailbreak completely ruining an iPhone. The consensus at this
forum seems to be that the chance is “extremely slim.”
3.
Every iPhone
update from iTunes disables even the best Jailbreak software.Every
time Apple comes out with an update for iPhone, they find a way to prevent
hackers from cracking the code again. Hackers then scramble to Jailbreak the
iPhone again and release the new methods. That means if you like to download
Apple’s iPhone updates, you are going to have to figure out each time how to
Jailbreak your iPhone yes again. Do you really want to play this cat and mouse
game?
4.
iPhone Jailbreak
could increase your risk of getting a virus on your device. The only two iPhone viruses ever
reported have spread across iPhones that have been Jailbroken. That’s not to say
the iPhone platform as Apple built it is totally secure. In fact, some say
compromising an iPhone’s security is “child’s play” (i.e. easy).
5.
Jailbreak voids
your iPhone warranty. If
your iPhone is bricked because of Jailbreak, or if your iPhone has another
problem and it happens to be Jailbreaked, your warranty becomes void. I once saw
a sign at the Genius bar of The Falls, Miami Apple Store that warned customers
not to Jailbreak iPhones or they would void their warranties. Harsh.
iPhone Jailbreak Guides
Need iPhone jailbreak instructions? Continue reading this post
for a list of extensive resources on how to jailbreak your iPhone.
Admittedly, I have in the past mused about whether Jailbreak is
really worth
the trouble, but the real problem is the hassle of finding accurate, helpful
information on how to Jailbreak iPhone. Given the right information, I was more
inclined to jailbreak my iPhone.
I believe my old, outdated
post on
iPhone Jailbreak was beginning to cause confusion for new visitors, so I have
put together this Ultimate
Guide to iPhone Jailbreak. I
have included textual resources pointing you to the best jailbreak software from
various sources, and also some videos on how to Jailbreak iPhone.
Note: I have not attempted all of these iPhone Jailbreak
instructions, I am merely compiling what information I have found and selected
with my best judgment. Let me know what is helpful and what is not.
Text Resources
These websites contain information and download links necessary
for various iPhone models with different OS versions. To see what version of the
iPhone OS (operating system) you are running, go to Settings >> General >> About.
Choose the iPhone Jailbreak guide that is right for you. Read
everything extremely carefully, including comments, before attempting to
Jailbreak. I have not personally attempted all of these, so you are Jailbreaking
at your own risk.
·
iPhone Jailbreak FAQ
Still confused about jailbreak? Need help jailbreaking your
iPhone? Check out the following iPhone
Jailbreak FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) or request help in the comments area below.
What is jailbreaking an iPhone? What can you do with a jailbroken
iPhone?
To jailbreak an iPhone means to hack it in a way that makes the file system
accessible. With the file system unrestricted, you are able to modify the iPhone
in ways other than those intended by Apple. For example, with a jailbroken
iPhone, you can add passwords to individual apps, trick the iPhone into
believing it is using WiFi when it’s using 3G (i.e. for FaceTime calls), add
to-do lists to your lock screen, change your app icons, and much more.
Is it easy to jailbreak iPhone?
It depends what model and what version you are jailbreaking. Sometimes,
jailbreaking an iPhone is as easy as clicking a button, and sometimes you are
required to download multiple files and modify the file system. See the
jailbreak guides above for the model and version you would like to jailbreak.
Is jailbreaking bad for your iPhone? Will jailbreak brick my
iPhone?
Jailbreak is not always completely reliable, but it is not bad for your iPhone,
per se. Sometimes your iPhone will become unusable when attempting to jailbreak.
However, this is almost always easy to fix by simply restoring your iPhone via
iTunes. Sometimes, a jailbroken iPhone will act up or become glitchy, but you
can always restore.
Does jailbreak void my iPhone warranty?
Since Apple does not authorize jailbreak, jailbreak will void your iPhone
warranty. Therefore, you should consider restoring your iPhone before taking it
into an Apple Store for service.
Is jailbreak illegal?
Jailbreak is NOT illegal. A federal court in the US recently ruled that it is
entirely legal to jailbreak your iPhone. It is your property, afterall.
How to jailbreak iPhone 4? How to jailbreak iPhone 3GS? How to
jailbreak iPhone 3G?
See the guides above for instructions on how to jailbreak iPhone. There are
instructions on how to jailbreak iPhone 4, 3GS and 3G. The guide is updated
frequently.
What is the best jailbreak software tool or the best jailbreak
programs?
The best jailbreak software or program depends on the model and version you are
jailbreaking. See resources above.
What is Cydia? What is Installer?
Cydia and Installer are the “App Stores” of the jailbreak community. Through
Cydia and Installer, you can download apps and modifications that are not
available on the regular App Store.
Is iPhone jailbreak free?
iPhone jailbreak is almost always released free by developers, with occasional
exceptions. Beware of scams that make you pay for jailbreak software that you
can obtain for free.
Does jailbreak make apps free?
No. Jailbreak does not make apps free. Apps in the App Store still cost money,
and even some Cydia and Installer apps are paid apps that require you to pay
before downloading.
How to update a jailbroken iPhone?
You cannot usually update a jailbroken iPhone. Normally, a jailbroken iPhone can
be restored to factory settings, updated, and then jailbroken again.
Conclusion
iPhone offers endless possibilities for expressing the human
imagination, but Apple restrictions may hold your iPhone back. iPhone Jailbreak
frees your iPhone by letting you do almost anything that is physically possible
to do with your iPhone. Jailbreak is the will of the people manifesting itself
in an active and thriving subculture.
Yes, the App Store reflects the imaginations and creativity of
thousands of developers and iPhone users. Apple has done a great job of making a
line of “blank slates” — iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G — that are able to
continually mold to our collective conscience as iPhone users. Yet, iPhone can
do and be so much more when it is without limits. Cue iPhone Jailbreak.
What Do You Think About Jailbreak?
Did you Jailbreak your iPhone? What is the best jailbreak
software, in your opinion? Please share your thoughts and questions in the
comments.
Please note: Comments are welcome, however I cannot personally
address everyone’s iPhone Jailbreak issues, so if you are Jailbreak-savvy,
please assist commenters who are having trouble. (Thank you!)
