Why Jailbreak?

[HD Fboy]

Could someone please explain why I would want to jailbreak an iPhone or an iPad.

What are the advantages? Risks?

Thanks!!

[tacoshell]

Could someone please explain why I would want to jailbreak an iPhone or an iPad.

What are the advantages? Risks?

Thanks!!

Root access with super user privileges. Its your device, why shouldn't you have it????

[danpass]

3G Unrestrictor for iPad (and for the iPhone for some people).


If I'm getting similar speeds between 3G and Wifi then I SHALL have similar functionality! None of the throttling crap and 10mb download limits ;)

[Dorfdad]

Categories alone is work jailbreaking, add in background application usage and that's over the top..

[gwynne]

Custom skins and themes.

Tethering.

Multitasking.

[Bodhi395]

There are a couple programs that might make jailbreaking a good idea. I know I would love to get the wireless hotspot program for my iphone. I also would love to have retro video game emulators for my iphone, and especially my ipad... imagine playing old school mario bros on the large ipad screen.

Yet, as of now, the few things that jailbreaking would allow me to do isn't enough to go through the trouble, and have my ipad much more buggy and a much lower battery life. It also can void your warranty, which for iPad users would be a bad thing, since everyone is still under warranty until next April.

[RMXO]

Jailbreaking isn't for everyone but it is easy done if you research ahead of time. Always back up your iphone/iPad first to be on the safe side. I just JB'd my iPad & it took under 2 minutes using Spirit. There is a thread about it in this forum.

JB lets you have more control of your iphone/ipad.

[jerkstore99]

Yet, as of now, the few things that jailbreaking would allow me to do isn't enough to go through the trouble, and have my ipad much more buggy and a much lower battery life. It also can void your warranty, which for iPad users would be a bad thing, since everyone is still under warranty until next April.

This is completely wrong. Having to "go through the trouble" involves one download, plugging in your device, and one click. In 20 seconds it is done. And jailbreaking won't void a warranty because restoring it is just one more click away.

[Pared]

If you have to ask if jailbreaking is worth it, it most likely isn't for you.

You will deal with bugs, freezes and random glitches that will probably end up in you restoring your device.

[medicscott]

If you have to ask if jailbreaking is worth it, it most likely isn't for you.

You will deal with bugs, freezes and random glitches that will probably end up in you restoring your device.

yeah..its def not for someone that doesnt know what it does...i suggest to read up on jailbreaking on the internet before attempting to pwn a device.

[mizvalorie]

If you have to ask if jailbreaking is worth it, it most likely isn't for you.

You will deal with bugs, freezes and random glitches that will probably end up in you restoring your device.

This is not necessarily true. I've had one issue where I had to restore my phone. It took all of 5 mins and jailbreaking again was easy. Especially with Spirit. Takes 20 seconds at MOST.

I am not jailbreaking my ipad as I have no need for multitasking but I have jailbroke my iphone so I can tether to my ipad.

[DaneGuy]

Could someone please explain why I would want to jailbreak an iPhone or an iPad.

What are the advantages? Risks?

Thanks!!

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailbreak_(iPhone_OS)

[renewed]

Categories alone is work jailbreaking, add in background application usage and that's over the top..

All of which will become null this year.

[jeffy777]

Custom skins and themes.

Tethering.

Multitasking.

This.

Multitasking is the big one for me. If Apple does it right in 4.0, then the need for jailbreaking will be diminished for me, but in the meantime, this is an essential feature, IMO.

[MrDeeds]

3G Unrestrictor for iPad (and for the iPhone for some people).


If I'm getting similar speeds between 3G and Wifi then I SHALL have similar functionality! None of the throttling crap and 10mb download limits ;)

+2

3G Unrestrictor and Backgrounder are the only apps I've installed but they've made my iPad 3G so much more functional.

[vertigo78]

If you need to ask, dont do it. Wait a few weeks before it gets out of the beta stages.

[yalag]

90% of the people jailbreak to crack apps, how can u not know that?

[iserian]

It's what all the cool kids are doing -:apple:

Could someone please explain why I would want to jailbreak an iPhone or an iPad.

What are the advantages? Risks?

Thanks!!

[Pared]

Actually I can offer my opinion where i please. Thanks.

Of course you can. Just don't be upset when it offers nothing to the topic and someone corrects you.

[master-ceo]

90% of the people jailbreak to crack apps, how can u not know that?


I paid for all my apps and plan to keep doing so. This is why I get so pissed when dev's play around and don't update their ****. If they listened to their customers like a few dev's on here already do, I'm sure the percentage would drop.

[Bodhi395]

This is completely wrong. Having to "go through the trouble" involves one download, plugging in your device, and one click. In 20 seconds it is done. And jailbreaking won't void a warranty because restoring it is just one more click away.

I'm not sure that's correct, since I've heard there are files on your iphone or ipad that can show an Applecare person that it was jailbroken, even after it was restored.

Also, the trouble can be reinstalling all your programs and music. At least when I jailbroke my iphone, it erased all the music, photos, and apps and I had to reinstall them all back into the iphone from the backup, which for some people can take a long time depending on how much info they have. So its not just 20 seconds and you're done.

[jeffy777]

Also, the trouble can be reinstalling all your programs and music. At least when I jailbroke my iphone, it erased all the music, photos, and apps and I had to reinstall them all back into the iphone from the backup, which for some people can take a long time depending on how much info they have. So its not just 20 seconds and you're done.

The new jailbreak does NOT erase any of your music or apps.

It really does take literally less than a minute to apply it and you're done.

EDIT: I just remembered, some people have had it erase their photos, but that's not too big of a deal. At least you don't have to start from scratch like the old jailbreaks made you do.

[Olaf.cc]

SBSettings and Backgrounder are reason enough for me. (Waiting for Kirkae)

[Pared]

EDIT: I just remembered, some people have had it erase their photos, but that's not too big of a deal. At least you don't have to start from scratch like the old jailbreaks made you do.

It only erases the photos in your Camera Roll, not your synced photos.

[DKatri]

When the iPod touch and the iPhone first came out I was really into the jailbreak scene but, I got tired of the constant bugs and patches, and having to back up and restore my iPod all the time. In the end when OS 2.0 came around and brought the app store with it I just went straight.

[bytethese]

90% of the people jailbreak to crack apps, how can u not know that?

95% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Personally, I know tons of jailbreakers, not one (nor I) use it for cracked apps. Sheesh.

[smiddlehurst]

Root access with super user privileges. Its your device, why shouldn't you have it????

Uh, because many (most?) people will never ever ever use that access making it not only pointless but also opening up a security hole? Same logic that says you don't give users admin rights on desktop OS's unless there's a clear and obvious reason for them to have it. Just a thought....

To the OP, Jailbreaking basically gives you more access than Apple provides to the device and the OS. As a result you can install additional software including programs that Apple don't approve for use via the app store. Some of this software can bring you additional functionality such as multi-tasking and tethering.

However all jailbreak methods are basically unsupported (by Apple) hacks. While they've been getting better and easier over the years there is always the chance that something will go wrong. This can result in your device behaving strangely or require you to do additional work to restore the device to a working condition. In the worst case scenario there is the potential for a jailbreak program to break your device to the point it cannot be restored. This is relatively rare these days but the risk is there and must be mentioned as Apple will usually refuse to cover this machine under warranty (rightly so IMHO). This also applies to taking a device in to an Apple store for the attentions of a genius, they can refuse to work on a device that has had jailbreak installed even if the device itself is in working condition.

In addition a device that has had a Jailbreak applied is more than likely going to struggle to take official Apple updates without additional work on your part and/or waiting for someone to release a hacked version of that update. Some new functionality you may gain can come with significant performance or battery life penalties or simply be less reliable than the default OS.

Basically, if you're even considering Jailbreaking your device read up on not just the process but the various benefits available. If you do not see anything that you feel you MUST have then don't do it. If you decide to go ahead do your homework, find out how to back up any important files on your device, how to restore if things go wrong and check for any evidence of problems others have had. Most importantly check that there's no obvious security holes left behind by whatever process you're using - last year a significant number of devices were compromised when their owners performed a jailbreak then didn't change the default SSH password that the hack installed.

[Pared]

95% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Personally, I know tons of jailbreakers, not one (nor I) use it for cracked apps. Sheesh.

I would be in that group.

That doesn't use cracked apps, not the individuals you know. :p

I love being able to have iPad-native looking apps now. Not all work, but BeeJive and the Remote app are two wonderful examples.

[HD Fboy]

After review this is not for me. No advantage for my usage. Thanks so much for the comments.

[Sinfire]

Looks like most people have listed the advantages.

Disadvantages include:
- You make your system open to viruses and malware. Hackers can steal your information without you knowing about it
- You lose the battery life
- Risk losing support from apple if anything goes wrong with your iPad


Could someone please explain why I would want to jailbreak an iPhone or an iPad.

What are the advantages? Risks?

Thanks!!

[bytethese]

Looks like most people have listed the advantages.

Disadvantages include:
- You make your system open to viruses and malware. Hackers can steal your information without you knowing about it
- You lose the battery life
- Risk losing support from apple if anything goes wrong with your iPad

FUD

If you install SSH AND THEN not change your default password, then you open yourself up. No hacking or virus needed, altho a malicious program can be crafted to take advantage of the fact that "you" forgot to change your password. :)

I've never seen any effect on my battery life in 3yrs and 5 different iPhones.

No risk of losing support as a simple restore bring it back to a state where Apple will support you.

[Sinfire]

Why would SSH matter ? Anyone plant a trojan or virus into any of those "Unofficial" apps that you download from the internet.

How would you know what the effect on your battery life would be if you have mostly used a jailbroken phone ?

FUD

If you install SSH AND THEN not change your default password, then you open yourself up. No hacking or virus needed, altho a malicious program can be crafted to take advantage of the fact that "you" forgot to change your password. :)

I've never seen any effect on my battery life in 3yrs and 5 different iPhones.

No risk of losing support as a simple restore bring it back to a state where Apple will support you.

[bytethese]

Why would SSH matter ? Anyone plant a trojan or virus into any of those "Unofficial" apps that you download from the internet.

How would you know what the effect on your battery life would be if you have mostly used a jailbroken phone ?

Because that's how they get in? If you download from reputable 3rd party vendors, there will be no trojan as they are not downloaded form teh Internet, but from repositories that are Cydia standard or that you add yourself. Those of us with some technical knowledge would figure that out quickly and spread the word.

As for battery, my wife has a "vanilla" iPhone and gets the same battery life as me? Not to mention I get similarly rated battery power that Apple reports as standard on the device. :)

[jessica.]

I have not done it myself yet but it would be for custom themes (not really a huge must for me right now) and multitasking because we know Apple will give it to us this Fall but their idea of Fall is usually end of Fall just before the first day of winter.

90% of the people jailbreak to crack apps, how can u not know that?
:rolleyes:
90% of what you say is wrong.

Seriously. Some of you really need to get your heads out of your butts when it comes to jailbreaking. A person who has a jailbroken iPad or iPhone does not necessarily have cracked apps on their device.

[antiprotest]

Be a good boy and don't do it.

[virx]

SBSettings with a VPN switch is the main reason for me, it is so much more convenient to turn VPN on whenever you need without closing current app and going to settings. Backgrounder is reason number 2. I also hope someone will make an app for cydia to copy files to/from SD cards using camera kit adapter :-)

Never installed any cracked apps, if I can afford an iPad i can also afford a few apps, and I do not really need too many.

[OGDaniel]

I secretly hope all those jailbreakers' iPods and iPads get bricked, and they're screwed. I don't jailbreak because even though free apps could be available, when that ***** needs repair I know I can count on Apple to stick by me.

[jessica.]

I secretly hope all those jailbreakers' iPods and iPads get bricked, and they're screwed. I don't jailbreak because even though free apps could be available, when that ***** needs repair I know I can count on Apple to stick by me.

Holy crap really?
My phone is jailbroken because it provides and has provided functionality that Apple either doesn't give us or gives us in small doses during times where we applaud the narcissist on state as though he invented things like copy/paste.

I don't have a single app on my iPhone that I did not pay for so really, hopefully you can figure out that a jailbroken phone is not a breeding ground for hacked apps. And FYI, Apple has always fixed my devices providing they were within their warranties, jailbroken or not.

[bytethese]

I secretly hope all those jailbreakers' iPods and iPads get bricked, and they're screwed. I don't jailbreak because even though free apps could be available, when that ***** needs repair I know I can count on Apple to stick by me.

I secretly hope you...ah well, I can't say that here. :)

It's near impossible to actually brick an iPhone/iPad/iPod.

[Pared]

I secretly hope all those jailbreakers' iPods and iPads get bricked, and they're screwed. I don't jailbreak because even though free apps could be available, when that ***** needs repair I know I can count on Apple to stick by me.

Ignorance. The functionality provided via jailbreak cannot be disputed.

You just have to know what you're doing.