If you’ve been using an iPhone for a while, you may have heard or seen the term “jailbreak” on the internet. The question is, what is it and why do some iOS users swear by it?
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about jailbreaking, including why people choose to do it and why it’s not a good idea unless you have a clear reason for it and, most importantly, you really know what you’re doing. .
What is jailbreak?
Jailbreaking is a process that allows users to run third-party apps or even install custom software on their iOS devices.
This was a process much loved by iPhone users in the early days of iOS as a way to use features that Apple hadn’t officially developed, with old rumors that Apple actually hired a few jailbreak developers to improve early versions of iOS. However, this has fallen out of fashion in recent years as iOS has become more advanced and feature-rich.
The main reason iPhone users continue to jailbreak their devices is to install apps that aren’t officially available on the App Store.
It’s a similar concept to rooting, which has become quite popular among Android users over the years.
What is the difference between jailbreaking and rooting?
Jailbreaking and rooting are often used interchangeably, but there is a key difference between the two.
When we talk about rooting an Android phone, we are talking about gaining access to the underlying Android operating system. The reason for this is that rooted phones are still controlled by the manufacturer, while jailbreaking an iOS device is purely about allowing users to install apps from outside the App Store and use OS-level tweaks.
Rooting and jailbreaking are methods to improve the functionality of your phone or tablet. Rooting allows users to access the “root” level of Android or iOS. This means you have access to the “root” level of the operating system, allowing you to control features that are controlled by the manufacturer.
But there are side effects of the practice.
Disadvantages of phone hacking
Rooting or jailbreaking can make your smartphone less secure and vulnerable to hacking, as you bypass the device’s built-in protections and potentially use stores that don’t scan their products for malware as effectively.
There have been numerous incidents where malicious apps have targeted compromised devices to extract data or distribute malicious software, e.g. ransomware.
You may also have difficulty installing updates in the future or brick your device entirely because the software you install may not be optimized for your operating system or device.
That’s why we don’t recommend common phone users to jailbreak their devices.
