Only Apple-approved apps found in the App Store can be downloaded and installed onto iPads and other Apple devices. Users who want to install apps not authorized by Apple often resort to jailbreaking their devices. What exactly is jailbreaking, and what are its effects on your iPad? Read on to find out.
What is jailbreaking?
Jailbreaking or rooting is the process of removing manufacturer and/or carrier restrictions from an iPad. It uses a privilege escalation attack to replace the factory-installed operating system with a custom kernel. This allows users to install third-party software and change system settings that would be impossible to do in an iPad’s default state.
While jailbreaking gives you greater control over your iPad, it comes with certain risks, including:
1. Warranty problems
Apple considers jailbreaking a breach of contract. So, the moment you jailbreak your iPad, its warranty becomes invalid and Apple will no longer provide any support for any hardware or software issues.
2. Decreased battery life
Jailbreaking an iPad can lead to faster battery drainage. This is because most of the apps created by the jailbreaking community are not optimized properly and tend to use more power than Apple-approved software.
3. Increased security risk
iPad runs apps in a closed environment or sandbox. This prevents official and licensed apps from affecting the rest of the system. When you jailbreak your iPad, these sandboxes are removed, allowing unauthorized apps to make unrestricted changes to your iPad’s system and gain access to your private files.
Jailbreaking also opens up your iPad to attacks. Without Apple’s built-in security framework, your iPad becomes more susceptible to malware and other forms of cyberattack.
4. Update issues
Once you jailbreak your iPad, you’re stuck with its current iOS version. This means that automatic updates for the operating system, official apps, and security features will no longer be available. You’ll be forced to rely on the updates developed by the jailbreaking community and other independent developers.
5. Device instability
Because apps for jailbroken devices aren't properly tested and optimized, jailbreaking your iPad will make it more prone to crashing. This can also cause built-in and third-party apps to freeze and, in some cases, brick your iPad. A bricked iPad can no longer boot or respond to any sort of input.
How to check if your iPad is jailbroken
If you purchased a secondhand iPad and want to know if it’s jailbroken, here’s how you can check.
- Press the iPad’s Home button to go to the main screen. This will bring up the keyboard.
- Type “Cydia,” and if it appears on the search results, it means the iPad is jailbroken.
Jailbreaking your iPad may seem like a good idea, but jailbroken devices experience frequent performance issues and are easy targets for cybercriminals. If you want to learn more about the dangers of jailbreaking, call our specialists today.
