Submitted by
Users who Dugg This
Badd Brainz
10276 Followers
Russ Palmer
6829 Followers
the Grey Ghost of 2010
990 Followers
Comgen & Dr. Socks' love child
12535 Followers
roiperezAug 3, 2010
I heard that now a days the only real benefit to jailbreaking, other than the freedom in networks, it's about using apps which aren't specifically approved by Apple into the app store.
I'd be really interested to know the kind of security risks there are behind jailbreaking......
jkalAug 4, 2010
if you install SSH then change the root password and limit the mobile account,
other than that make sure you know where the apps you install come from.
therednewtAug 4, 2010
And, funny enough, the only way to protect against the PDF vulnerability displayed in the latest jailbreak is to...jailbreak your phone and install an app from Cydia.
As far as why to jailbreak, most people are going to only do it for very specific reasons. For example, free tethering, screen capture, etc. Personally, there's nothing I've seen which makes me really want to jailbreak, so if I did, it'd be more about just dicking around with something different.
macparrotAug 4, 2010
That's pretty much it. If you know where your apps are coming from and how to be aware of what they're doing then you shouldn't have too many problems.
cowcowAug 4, 2010
using linux on my ipod touch is a lot of fun, as well as running small linux programs. I am still waiting for a better music system than the ipods native one (which the same one the phone uses).
morpheousmartyAug 4, 2010
From Jailbreakme.com can unlock your phone by just going to a website. To jailbreak your phone that site has to get root access to the system, at which point it could do anything it wanted. My point is that really any website or app could do anything it wanted to your phone, Jailbreakme.com proves it.
emitemirpAug 4, 2010
Actually, it seems that jailbreaking iOS 4 via the website makes your iPhone MORE secure. Because of the PDF viewer vulnerability in iOS 4, Cydia gives you a warning message when you try to open a PDF. The vanilla iOS 4 does not do that.
tk0680Aug 4, 2010
I jailbroke(?) my iPad pretty much for the reason you mention: I don't like the idea of paying for a device then only doing what Apple say I can do with it.
Also, Backgrounder.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
I love how people say that and then you ask them so what are you doing that Apple did not approve of now, you know, now that you've jailbreaked the device? ahm.....
I like backgrounder but iOS4 sort of makes it pointless now. They are different but in many ways iOS4 is good enough now.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
jrr6415sunAug 4, 2010
backgrounder is REAL multitasking
iOS4 is fake crappy multitasking
backgrounder still is 10x better.
lilrabbit129Aug 4, 2010
What does "REAL" multitasking give you that iOS4 doesn't? I'm really curious. After reading about the services iOS4 gives, seems like it would cover 99% of what people would normally do.
Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
AppCake+, so I can download paid apps for free. I've already bought 3 games because I was able to try them out before paying for them.
Podcaster, so I can automatically update my podcasts without having to go to each page in iTunes to download the next episode of each.
3G Unrestrictor, so I can download anything, from any app, over 3G
Backgrounder, so I can background applications that the developer has specifically restricted multitasking.
LockInfo, so I can have my lock screen brimming with information I want without having to unlock the phone every time. Why Apple has still left this space a barren wasteland is beyond me.
iFile, so I can edit plist files to get rid of annoying s**t that Apple builds in without any ability to disable them, i.e. Voice Commands. I've disabled Voice Commands, which freed up the "Hold Home Button" option, which I then applied to Backgrounder.
Are those enough reasons to jailbreak?
t0rmentAug 4, 2010
The only reason I still jailbreak is Status Notifier. I don't want to have to unlock my phone every time I want to check if I have mail.
winklemanAug 3, 2010
Why not?
theinformerAug 4, 2010
Jailbreak = I can install and use iLocalis, a security program that helps me find a lost/stolen phone (via GPS) and also protect that phone from being used. Apple's offering, MobileMe, doesn't come close.
eikaiAug 5, 2010
Exactly
I don't want to purchase a product which I'm limited to doing only legitimate stuff by Apple's standards.
Plus the fact that you have to purchase stupid apps from the app store when you've already purchased the product... When you can get apps which do the same thing for free when you jailbreak.
opr8rAug 3, 2010
If you like fiddling around w/software and don't mind having to restore your iPhone in a pinch, JBing is pretty cool. After having to restore my 3G the second time, I kind of gave up though.
therednewtAug 4, 2010
I've heard some people complain about stability. Was that the case for you?
mizuhriAug 4, 2010
I think you are doing something wrong. I've had an iPhone since day 1 and since the first jailbreak was released my phone has been jailbroken. I've never had to restore it unless it was for the jailbreak. Why have you restored it twice? Does it have to do with stuff you have installed from Cydia? I am just curious what is happening on your end.
opr8rAug 4, 2010
@ TheRedNewt
I remember some of the JB apps caused me to have to reboot more frequently, but overall I'd say the difference in stability was acceptable.
@ misuhri
I don't think my problems had to do with anything I installed through Cydia. I don't remember what happened the first time I had to restore, but the second time I restored because I was never able to recover from a reboot. To be fair, that may have had nothing to do with the JB, but it was the first time I'd had that problem with rebooting.
ninjagamesAug 3, 2010
Jailbreak cause you can, why limit yourself.
macparrotAug 4, 2010
No, Jailbreak if you know what you're doing and how to watch for bad apps. If you don't, then stick with what came with it or you're asking for trouble.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
tk0680Aug 4, 2010
i.e. how you've been using a PC/Mac for years.
macparrotAug 4, 2010
A modicum of IT knowledge isn't what most people have. Because it's now so easy to jailbreak your iPhone, a lot of people will do it without knowing the risks. Which is why I said what I did. Wasn't trying to be patronizing.
eikaiAug 5, 2010
So why should the people with a 'modicum of IT knowledge' suffer?
There is no 'choice' when it comes to Apple, you're forced to have the same limitations due to other people.
gizram84Aug 4, 2010
Bottom Line: I want NES, SNES, Sega and GBA installed with thousands of games for each system.
unaclockerAug 4, 2010
I have a blacklisting app that shunts telemarketters/bill collectors straight to voicemail or just flat dumps their call, without me ever knowing they were there. The jailbroken flashlight app is FAR better than the Apple approved one. I like my SBSettings, it's a little control panel that drops down with a quick swipe to the top bar on the phone, gives me direct access to brightness, and a task manager, among other things.
dirtyfriesAug 4, 2010
Intelliscreen...giving you functionality that should have been there from day 1.
unabatedshagieAug 4, 2010
I prefer lockinfo myself.
timuscaAug 4, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
doctordbxAug 4, 2010
Apple prohibit any app that will scan wireless networks. What a bunch of douches.
nullcodesAug 4, 2010
If freedom isn't a good enough answer you've already declared yourself a dick, so why bother trying to explain s**t to you?
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
There are people who don't give a crap about the philosophical freedom of the matter, and just want to jailbreak for material benefits, i.e. so you can do stuff that you can't do without jailbreaking.
sabinAug 4, 2010
If you really cared about freedom on your phone you probably shouldn't be supporting apple by buying their hardware to begin with.
p155inmya55Aug 4, 2010
So you're saying people should steal iPhones?
adamtr808Aug 4, 2010
1. search torrent site for top 10 paid apps
2. Install apps on jailbroken ipod
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!
h3110Aug 4, 2010
Cause people want to download apps for free.
timuscaAug 4, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
dafreakzoAug 5, 2010
Absolutely correct.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
Why wouldn't you? One of my friends mentioned something about multitasking, and of course the free apps.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
iOS 4 has built-in multitasking. But app piracy is a very good reason, if you're that way inclined.
tk0680Aug 4, 2010
iOS4 has just about the most pathetic implementation of multitasking that Apple could have gone for. Honestly, it's so terrible that I ended up wondering why they're so resistant to doing it properly.
khastAug 4, 2010
I have iOS4, the reason Apple doesn't want duplication of core features is best answered with this example alone.
Backgrounder is superior to iOS4 multitasking and I am not talking by a small margin, I am talking it is superior in every way.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
Just so you know, I don't have an iPhone and was just going on what I've read. I understand that the iPhone multitasking is limited to 7 core services so no, you can't do "proper" multitasking, but I understood that it was sufficient for most kinds of multitasking that you would want to do.
But if you want proper multitasking, then it would be a good reason to jailbreak.
sirmasterboyAug 4, 2010
@Khast
Superior in every way... Except battery life, which is what is most important to people for a smartphone.
Why make the whole app run in the background like Pandora including the GUI when you can only see one screen at a time on such a small device. Doesn't it make more sense to do it Apples way and pause the app while letting only the music thread play through the background audio API?
I agree that for the iPad though (once it gets iOS4 multitasking) that there should be a way to have multiple apps open at once. The screen actually has room.
Although maybe thats why it doesn't have its 4.0 yet. Maybe Apple is going to change the way multitasking works for the iPad but I wont count on it.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
elranzerAug 4, 2010
MS-DOS can multitask better than iOS can.
dignickAug 4, 2010
SBSettings.
khastAug 4, 2010
If there is any one program I would suggest to anyone, this would be it.
ca5tielAug 4, 2010
Free apps you have to pay for, interface how you want it. folders, free apps you have to pay for.
The real question is why do you bother getting a iPod if you aren't going to jailbreak it.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
bettyAug 4, 2010
Benefits of rooting on Android are a lot more obvious (at least to me). Backup and Power Management applications along with custom builds of the firmware.
iOS I didn't bother to keep jailbrokenComment is buried, click here to see the rest.
khastAug 4, 2010
A jailbroken iPhone has less freedom and control over the hardware than an Android device has out of the box.
biglouAug 4, 2010
This is actually true.
khastAug 4, 2010
@BigLou
Yeah, the only reason Apple fanboys think the iPhone is so great is because it comes from Apple.
Think about it, if Microsoft made the exact same phone instead of Apple, with all the same features and limitations the same fanboys which praise the iPhone would be complaining bitterly for the same reasons everyone who is not in the fanboy click does.
deaderthanelvisAug 4, 2010
You paid good money and purchased the phone; you did not rent it from a person who has the authority to say what you can and cannot do with the phone; neither did you franchise the 'proper experience' of the device to worry about tarnishing the brand image of a company. Hence, you should be free to install any software you want without fear of voiding the phone's hardware warranty. It should be the user's right to jailbreak/root/flash the phone's firmware, just like it is on a computer.
Of course there are certain software which can be used to perform functions that can affect the hardware (like overclocking, for e.g.,) which may be declared in the user agreement as ones that will void the warranty.
Side-note:
Maybe the hardware guys can help me out here, but can a hardware be so well designed that no amount of software tinkering can screw it up?
korvan504521Aug 4, 2010
Yes, you can absolutely design a system where all functions are operated in hardware. We don't do it as much anymore because its more expensive and not very useful. Why build an excruciatingly complex circuit when you can use a microprocessor?
Which is why computers don't take up entire buildings anymore.
busabladeAug 4, 2010
To me, it is a trade off. You keep the ability to tinker with the settings to allow you to fix something or adjust something to make things work better on the phone once it has been delivered. This generally also allows someone to dork the hardware up.
joest23Aug 4, 2010
The PS3 is sort of like that.
http://gamingbolt.com/2010/07/13/the-ps3-just-too-difficult-to-crack/
The person that first hacked the iPhone (No easy task, he is one of the top hardware hackers in the world) spent months trying to break the PS3's system locks and he couldn't do it.
baysAug 4, 2010
winterboard duh
bmw7777Aug 4, 2010
Pirate apps. I can play Flash games for free on my netbook. Why do they make us pay for those same Flash games on the iOS??? 90% of the games on the Appstore are like (or the same) as the ones on notdoppler.com except one is free and the other is not.
rapaxAug 4, 2010
So why not play the flash games directly on your phone?.....Oh, right.
leandrotamiAug 4, 2010
If I had an IPhone I would probably jailbreak it because I like experimenting with the new pieces of hardware I get. IPhones, and smartphones in general, are full computers, even though they might not be general purpose ones. That means that they have a great potential, and I think jailbreaking is the only way to really explore it.
I would like to feel that the device belongs to me, not to some corporation who decides what I can and can not do.
chingy1788Aug 4, 2010
Why Android?
1) It lets you run any program in the background, 2) It turns your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, 3) There's a widget that gives you quick access to turn things like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Data on and off quickly, as well as adjust settings, 4) SSH requires root though
Android: You don't need an extra app for that
Time to get dugg downComment is buried, click here to see the rest.
anyone4apintAug 4, 2010
I am not an Android guy but Im digging you up buddy. Nice to see someone actually justify why they like their kit rather than the usual fanboy nothing arguments :)Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
uberdugerAug 4, 2010
You're probably getting dugg down for mentioning Android. This is an article about jailbreaking an iPhone. No about Android.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
"Why Android?"
I dont see anyone asking about Android..
lodcrappoAug 4, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
boonedogg1Aug 4, 2010
You are getting dug down because you for some reason thought it was a good idea to post about android in an iphone thread. Basically regardless of what you said you used the typical FanBoy way of doing it. Go look for a Why Android? article and post there where people reading actually care.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
mcnerdAug 4, 2010
I agree you're off topic, but cool to see someone else using that power-management widget. It's the best.
anyone4apintAug 4, 2010
I would, if I could. 3GS with ios4 and is still a bit of a pain to break... unless thats changed in the past few weeks, in which case help me out!
dirtyfriesAug 4, 2010
It has changed. Install 4.0.1, go to jailbreakme.com and you're done.
anyone4apintAug 4, 2010
Steller! Thanks mate, just gave it a go and worked a charm. Hurrah, finally I can use bloody MyWi.
lucidfuseAug 4, 2010
Yeah, Free paid apps is a good reason.
overnine9kAug 4, 2010
iProtect/madvlock
allows you to set passwords to certain apps so you can give people your phone and stop them from snooping around your contacts/photos. i personally use it to lock down my 4chan browser (anonyma)
chiklitAug 4, 2010
Because it's the only way I can get multitasking on my iPod Touch 2G.
chilblainAug 4, 2010
Backgrounder (still better than OS4's "multitasking")
Winterboard
Bosspaper
There's a few more I cant think of right now, but in general, if the community thinks it should be in an ipod/iphone, they can put it there in ways that an apple approved app can't/doesn't/won't
matthewtheravenAug 4, 2010
SBSettings is the number one thing I miss when I'm not jailbroken.
TVOut2 Mirror TVOut is a huge one for me also. Allows you to output your screen to a TV in high quality and high speed. I travel a lot so I'll output my SlingBox to my hotel TV to avoid their crappy service. And a lot of time it's better to stream over 3G than the hotel's crappy wireless. so it's worth it to be able to unrestrict all my apps to use 3G.
And previous to getting the iPhone 4 with the LED flash, the jailbroken version of the Flashlight app was WAY better than any of the ones on the app store.
unabatedshagieAug 4, 2010
There are a few bits of software that I really missed when I couldn't jailbreak my iPhone when iOS4 came out.
Main ones are:
Lockinfo (shows calendar, notifications, mail, text messages etc)
Popup Blocker (blocks any popup's you want (text messages, notifications, etc)
SBSettings (quick access to turning off wifi, 3G, Bluetooth etc)
Infinidock (lets your dock scroll so you can have lots of apps on your dock)
There are a lot more little tweaks you can make like have more tabs available in safari, redirect links to open in opera or any other browser of your choice, give you the ability to move multiple icons.
And of course there is Winterboard if you are interested in changing the icons of your apps and/or the UI.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
If you use LockInfo, you don't need necessarily need Popup Blocker. LockInfo has a built-in popup blocker, albeit it only works on the lockscreen and nowhere else (which it should for its functionality).
kaiosamaAug 4, 2010
For me it's simple.
Apple won't allow me to use wallpapers while the phone is on (why, I have no clue whatsoever...)
Hence, jailbroken Iphone. :-).... (well, at least that was the primary motivation)Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
m1n1m3Aug 4, 2010
so that you can do what ever you want with your iPhone ... even run script like these http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhaO702QKE
alterliteAug 4, 2010
MyWi
p155inmya55Aug 4, 2010
Some people don't care but lots of people would like to be able to customise their phone.
SBSettings <3
If I want a black and green interface instead of apples default blue interface, I should have the freedom to do that and change the fonts and sms bubble colours etc. If I want to rename apps or remove the words beneath them I should be able to do that. I also don't want to be limited to one custom ringtone at a time without resyncing the phone so that I can assign different songs for different people when they phone me, and also customise my sms tones. After 4 generations of phones, Apple are still using the same 6 default sms tones with no option to even purchase new tones... they are getting terribly boring now and sometimes its annoying when i think my phone got a message but it was my friends phone making the same noise as mine. I like to customise my email received/sent sounds etc. too.
There are lots of cool things to do, including changing the number password screen lock into a pattern regognition password like the android or having an icon appear in the top bar when I have a message instead of the pop-up message that interupts whatever I'm doing.
If none of that appeals to you, don't jailbreak your iphone. Personally, although it is very nice to use, I think it's a pretty boring and limited device without jailbreaking. I'd rather have more options for customisation.
jonmlmAug 4, 2010
is the content supposed to be the comments? why the hell is this on the front page?
caulktelAug 4, 2010
I did it on my 2G just so I could use tethering, Pdanet is great.
yunusAug 4, 2010
wireless tethering and SBsettings are the best reasons I can think of. SBsettings gives you the ability to change the brightness and turn off/on bluetooh, 3g, wifi, etc very quickly.
dreaddyAug 4, 2010
I still own and use the 1st gen iphone. nuff said.
shootfastAug 4, 2010
I recently switched from an iPhone to the Nokia N900, but the iPhone apps I couldn't live without were SBSettings and the Rotation Inhibitor - stops the screen from automatically rotating when lying down and reading. Along with SSH and SFTP to store data on the device / use it as a remote disk.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
iOS4 now has the rotation inhibitor in the multitask pane. SBSettings is definitely something that should have been built into the OS.
N900 is a nice device!! The only thing I don't like is how it sometimes shows applications with desktop style widgets. The look and feel is inconsistent and not made as a pure mobile device interface. Some things on the N900 require a bit of navigating to do such as certain settings changes. Overall though, it's really slick.
seedypeteAug 4, 2010
Why jailbreak? So I can actually make a goddamned phone call.
prolikewhoaAug 4, 2010
What are the negatives about jailbreaking? I'm thinking about doing it but I don't want to risk anything too major.
iiiearsAug 4, 2010
Where is the source code?
s0nicfreakAug 4, 2010
So that one is not limited to AT&T's contracted service. Some people don't want to use AT&T and/or some people want to use prepaid.
therealricoAug 4, 2010
A buddy of mine uses Grooveshark which isn't approved. For those who don't know it is a fantastic music service. It costs 2 or 3 bucks.
menosdabearAug 4, 2010
does this really need to be an article? a quick google search will yield you all the answers you need.
neoxjokerAug 4, 2010
SBSettings, 3g Unlocker , BiteSmS (quick reply feature mostly), PdaNet
nicktrippAug 4, 2010
My3G is an alternative to 3G Unlocker that already works with FaceTime for those with an iPhone 4, in case anyone is interested in that. Works great.
arkielAug 4, 2010
Tethering
cowgoesmoooAug 4, 2010
'Cause we're mostly nerds here and we like playing with things like this.
zlamAug 4, 2010
openSSH for me would be IT. I don't own an iPhone, but this would be the reason to jailbreak one.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
My personal reasons:
1. AppSync (cracked apps)
2. CommCenter patch (free native tethering)
3. LockInfo (SMS, missed calls/voicemails, push notifications, email, calendar events, weather, more all on the lockscreen and InfoShade/Android notifications style)
4. OpenSSH
xedlosAug 4, 2010
AppSync really. This whole reason to jailbreak in order to pirate s**ts is what makes jailbreaking have a bad name. I agree with all your other point but doing it in order to steal s**t its f**ken stupid. Not even the jailbreak devs agree with installous. And that try b4 u buy thing is complete bull s**t. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
Right, and you have purchased every single music track in your life as well? And you've certainly never downloaded any movie, TV show, application ever too, right?
I call BULLs**t if you have legally purchased everything that you "own." I call your f**king bluff.
aoctavioAug 4, 2010
This is the new Apple fanboy mentality. Hackers are morons because they do things we don't understand... You jailbreak to unlock, mostly, but you get nice things in return (tethering, terminal, etc). But to use those things you need a brain...
Closed AccountAug 4, 2010
Main reason is iBlacklist. It blocks calls from specific numbers and unknown numbers for me and works great. Best $12 I ever spent. There is NO equivalent to this on apple's app store. There's also backgrounder so you can have true multitasking, winterboard so you can actually set your background if you're on a 3g, and paying the one time $20 fee for mywi so that you can tether instead of paying the monthly $20 fee with at&t.
As for voiding your warranty, this is FUD. If you restore to a vanilla firmware, apple has no way to tell that you jailbroke the device. This is typical apple faithful rationalization for not to jailbreak. Doesn't matter that it's not true, it's enough to keep them from jailbreaking.
wildsheepAug 4, 2010
I jailbroek to ANDROID!!!! FTW!
joerodAug 4, 2010
animated backgrounds - winterboard
mywi
my3g
ssh
taylorsplAug 4, 2010
Tethering and the ability to change SMS tones. Everything else is just gravy.