Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Jailbreaking
Jailbreaking is the process of removing limitations imposed by Apple's mobile operating
system through the use of software and hardware exploits. Jailbreaking permits unsigned
code to run and gain root access on the operating system. The most common reason for
jailbreaking is to expand the limited feature set imposed by Apple's App Store and to install
unapproved apps. Many publicly available jailbreaking tools add an unofficial application
installer to the device, such as
Cydia
, which allows users to install many third-party applic-
ations, tools, tweaks, and apps from an online file repository. The software downloaded
from Cydia opens up endless possibilities on a device that a non-jailbroken device would
never be able to do. The most popular jailbreaking tools are redsn0w, sn0wbreeze, evasi0n,
Absinthe, seas0npass, and so on. Not all the iOS versions are jailbreakable. The website
ht-
tp://www.guidemyjailbreak.com/choose-iphone-to-jailbreak/
can be helpful to find out
whether a particular iOS version is jailbreakable or not and with which method. In October
2012, The U.S. Copyright Office declared that jailbreaking the iPad is illegal, while jail-
breaking the iPhone is deemed legal. The governing law is reviewed every three years.
