Complete Guide to Jailbreaking Your iPhone

Page content

Chances are good that you’ve heard of jailbreaking before. The basic idea is to open up your iPhone so that you can install apps and themes that have not been approved by Apple. Since iOS is a closed system you’re stuck with iTunes and all the limitations that Apple imposes. To open up a new world of possibilities with your iPhone you should consider a jailbreak.

Why Consider Jailbreaking?

Find out why you might want to jailbreak your iPhone and learn what the process involves and what the risks are. There are various things to consider before you take the plunge, but you’ll be relieved to know that jailbreaking is entirely legal. Apple may prefer it if you didn’t jailbreak, and there are some risks involved, including voiding your warranty, but you’ll need the whole story in order to decide whether it’s for you.

How to Actually Do it

Now we get down to the nuts and bolts of actually jailbreaking your phone. There are loads of guides, as you can see, dealing with various permutations of software and hardware set ups. You’ll find easy to follow instructions for your iPhone and they’ll guide you through the jailbreaking process step-by-step. You’ll also find help to unlock your iPhone so that you aren’t tied to the original carrier.

There are loads of potential jailbreak methods, but whichever one you choose, make sure that you follow the instructions to the letter and work through them in a slow and methodical fashion. It makes sense to be cautious and take your time when jailbreaking so as to avoid any problems.

The Apps and Themes

One of the biggest draws for anyone considering a jailbreak is the apps that you can get your hands on if you do go ahead. The App Store only carries apps that have been approved by Apple and a large number of great apps are refused every year. You’ll find a wealth of options online, mainly through Cydia. Here are a few of the highlights that are worth seeking out for anyone with a jailbroken iPhone.

More Handy Guides and Troubleshooting Tips

The jailbreak process is potentially tricky and it can lead to various problems. In this section we take a closer look at a few handy guides you might find useful. Find out how to tether a jailbroken iPhone, how to get yourself out of recovery mode and how to back up that all important baseband. These easy to follow guides should have you up and running in no time.

Getting the Most from Cydia

The Cydia service is the most popular option for jailbroken iPhones and with good reason. It provides you with access to an alternative app store with a host of great content. You can theme your phone in various ways and download apps or games. Whatever you want to know about Cydia you’ll find an answer here. We delve into how to use it, how to find the best content and how to fix things if they should go wrong.

What has your iPhone jailbreaking experience been like? Is it worth doing or would you not risk it? Post a comment and let us know.