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Why does Apple HATE JBing so much?

Mad Mac Maniac

Mad Mac Maniac

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 4, 2007
4,808
2,110
A little bit of here and a little bit of there.
Yes I know that Apple wants to be able to control everything. Hardware, software, apps, everthing. Because they want to be able to control the consumer experience and I thank Apple for doing that. They don't want to distribute porn, illegal content, malware, slow/buggy software, etc. and I have no problem with that. It is a business decision and a good one.

BUT if people take it upon themselves to say "Yes I am willing to hack my possession to do with it what I want. I understand this may lead myself to a less than perfect user experience, but I will live with any consequences." Most ppl that would jb are more techy and understand what could happen and understand what they are doing. Apple isn't liable in the same sense for that user experience.

I'm sure Apple spends a considerable amount of time and cost specifically for preventing people from being able to JB. Yes I understand some of the "fixes" are needed, because, for example, the PDF vulnerability is a potential exploit.

I would think JB is the way Apple would be able to "have their cake and eat it too." By that I mean Apple gets to keep their strict control over the majority, but still is able to appease the techies because they can jb and have all the fun they want. Apple should stop devoting resources to breaking the jb process with every update and simply have a policy that any iDevice currently JB'd has a voided warranty. I don't see how that would be an issue.
 
I think one main reason is they don't want people who don't know what they're doing to JB their phones, then do something wrong and expect to walk into an Apple store and have it fixed/replaced.

There are far too many stupid people out there....
 
theman510 said:
I think one main reason is they don't want people who don't know what they're doing to JB their phones, then do something wrong and expect to walk into an Apple store and have it fixed/replaced.

There are far too many stupid people out there....
Click to expand...

Well Apple can still have a strict policy against JBing, but they just don't need to devote all the time and money to prevent it.

Official policy is that Apple in no way endorses hacking your iPhone software. Any individual who does so automatically voids the warranty on their iPhone. Then Apple is not responsible to fix a jb (or attempted jb) iPhone. Apple could always generously offer a system wipe and restore just to turn the iPhone back on.
 
Simply because it undermines their complete control over the device. Apple wants to have complete control of it, including what you install or don't.

Jailbreak undoes all that. Jailbreaking gives you control of your device on what to and what not to have.
 
I think you answered your question. They also don't like the fact that jb is done via exploit or security holes. Apple would rather not have these flaws pointed out. Even though I think it's a good thing. The only reason the PDF flaw was found was comex and jailbreakme. Then we quickly got 4.3.4
 
they dont hate it, they just do want to have to give support to every single issue, look how many pointless threads get started here could you imagine all those people called apple everytime the fuged up
 
I think they're more concerned with closing the security vulnerabilities, which jailbreakers use to exploit to jailbreak iOS.
 
jav6454 said:
Simply because it undermines their complete control over the device. Apple wants to have complete control of it, including what you install or don't.

Jailbreak undoes all that. Jailbreaking gives you control of your device on what to and what not to have.
Click to expand...

True. but they spend a considerable amount of time and money preventing iOS from being able to be JB'd. It would save them a lot of money to say "We want to have control, but if you wana F up your software we won't spend money stopping you. We just won't help you out if you screw it up"

labman said:
I think you answered your question. They also don't like the fact that jb is done via exploit or security holes. Apple would rather not have these flaws pointed out. Even though I think it's a good thing. The only reason the PDF flaw was found was comex and jailbreakme. Then we quickly got 4.3.4
Click to expand...

But are all of the jb techniques actually security holes? or at least ones that we shoudl be concerned about? (I'm speaking from ignorance, because I really don't know) Yeah I understand the PDF one. but the others require you to tether to a computer, go into DFU mode, yadda yadda. It doesn't really sound like a security risk to me.
 
If I had I make a guess, even if people high up within Apple loved Jailbreaking, they would still have to do what they can to fight it for two reasons.

The fact that it is done by a security hole means that someone could then use the hole to write malware for it (though sometimes you can then download a patch over Cydia for it, which ironically makes the JB phones safer than stock).

The fact that JB allows more control over the file system and hardware means that people can do things with the content that may be outside of what is allowed in Apple's agreements with the content providers. In order to keep gettign good deals for movies, TV, music, etc, Apple needs to show it is making a good faith effort to keep the platform secure. In fact, cable and satellite TV providers have to do somethign similar with their boxes. If they are not secure enough, hollywood might try to pull their content.
 
Some else mentioned something similar but, having control of the software makes support easier. Can you imagine trying to support a reported software problem when you have no idea what has been installed and modified? They'd be replacing an assload of phones.
 
I understand apple wants to patch security issues, and make support easier. I think some changes would be beneficial:

1. allow IPSW downgrades. if i choose to remain vulnerable, let me. Leave the decision to upgrade up to the customer.

2. jailbroken phone = no support. Clean phone = support. Simple.
 
Jailbreaking allows apps to be purchased outside the App Store and Apple has no control over the quality of those apps and the jailbreak ecosystem.
 
sbddude said:
I understand apple wants to patch security issues, and make support easier. I think some changes would be beneficial:

1. allow IPSW downgrades. if i choose to remain vulnerable, let me. Leave the decision to upgrade up to the customer.

2. jailbroken phone = no support. Clean phone = support. Simple.
Click to expand...

#2 already exists (at least in print) Some Apple geniuses will help with JB devices, many will not.
 
ProwlingTiger said:
Jailbreaking allows apps to be purchased outside the App Store and Apple has no control over the quality of those apps and the jailbreak ecosystem.
Click to expand...

that's right and in addition, JB devices don't give apple the 30% of each app bought on the app store, they are keeping their money safe.
 
They only really rush to close the holes in browser security and unlocks. Former being a possible big problem for everyone and the latter driven through carrier pressure. Tethered and untethered exploits seem to stick around for a good long time.
 
JB leads to piracy. Can you stop that ? If you can completely stop it, then I will have a talk with jobs :p
 
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I originally posted the following in another thread a while back. Basically, Apple doesn't hate jailbreaking.

The cat-and-mouse jailbreak game creates an "expert mode" for iOS. This let's Apple focus on their main customer base (regular Jane & Joe) without having to provide the costly and time consuming customer service that would be expected if the "expert mode" was easy and open.

Think about it like this: What does Joe/Jane consumer think about jailbreaking their iOS device?

A: That it will be too complicated. So the vast majority of the group that is most likely to get in over their heads will stay out by default.

What does the geek/enthusiast think?

A: "Where there's a will, there's a way! Besides, I can always just restore."

If Apple TRULY didn't want their devices to be jailbroken they 1) Wouldn't allow super-easy restore, and 2) Would simply use the cloud to block access to all Apple services to any device that's jailbroken. (no AppStore, iTunes, iCloud, etc)

But they don't.

So Apple keeps the cat-and-mouse game going while always providing an easy way to return to stock if you get in over your head, and jailbreak devs provide the clearly delineated "expert mode" that iOS needs.
 
Jailbreaking allows for opportunities for people who don't know what their doing to get malware (kinda like the android app store :p ).

It makes sense from a safety standpoint to close down any exploits that can give a user root access.

I've been jail breaking since the 78 command line entry days....
 
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