Is Jailbreak Still Possible

What is Jailbreak

We've discussed what jailbreaking is at length before. Basically, it involves exploiting a flaw in the iPhone's software or hardware to "free" the device from Apple's restrictions. It's similar to rooting an Android but more complicated because Apple has tougher device controls.

After a jailbreak, you can do a lot more with your iPhone. You get to sideload apps from third-party app stores and modify how the system behaves by adding new gestures, changing fonts and icons, and enabling hidden features.

It's not all good news, though. Jailbreaks remove many of the security controls in iOS that prevent apps from accessing data without your permission. You'll also have trouble verifying the safety of any apps you install from external sources.

Because of that, malicious apps can easily infiltrate the device and track your location, read messages, or collect other personal data. Jailbreaking also allows someone who wants to spy on you to install stalkerware on your iPhone.

If you are concerned your iPhone might be running a jailbreak, use Clario Anti Spy to scan the system software and quickly confirm if the device is jailbroken.

Here's how to scan your iPhone with Clario Anti Spy for jailbreaks:

1. Install Clario Anti Spy and subscribe to create an account.
2. Tap Scan under Device system check.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions if the scan report indicates a jailbreak.

Clario Anti Spy can also stop your iPhone from being jailbroken by keeping it up to date with the latest system software. It even tells if your phone is being tracked by continuously checking for other security exploits that could be used to spy on you.

What does Jailbreak do

An iPhone jailbreak allows you to download apps from alternative app stores, personalize the system software and apps, and make changes to the device's file system. However, it also makes iOS vulnerable to malware.

Here's what jailbreaking does on the iPhone:

• Supports app sideloading: You can install region-restricted apps or software that fail to pass Apple's vetting process via third-party storefronts.
• Customize the appearance: You can change how the system software and apps look with custom themes and tweaks.
• Grants access to the file system: You can access the file system and perform various actions like editing configuration files to modify how apps behave.
• Opens the device to security risks: Jailbreaks can infect the device with malware if you aren't careful with what you download. They also make it easy for someone else to install spyware to monitor you.

Is Jailbreaking still a thing

Yes, jailbreaking is still a thing, but not compared to how it used to be. When iOS was fairly new, jailbreaks were needed to do basic stuff like customizing the iPhone's Home Screen. So hackers and enthusiasts had plenty of reason to hunt for exploits.

A lot has changed since then. Apple doesn't like jailbreaks because of the security issues they create, so it regularly patches exploits and adds new updates that make the system software difficult to hack. Native and third-party apps are also getting better because of improvements in software and hardware.

The result is that exploits are harder to find while jailbreaking is becoming less attractive due to the improved stock experience. All popular jailbreaks now continue to lag behind the latest iOS releases by at least a year and the newest iPhone models by much more.

For example, the jailbreak exploit palera1n only works up to iOS 16 and is limited to iPhones with A9 to A11 chipsets. At the time of writing, we are almost at the end of the iOS 17 release cycle and just an announcement away from the A18 chipset.

Why is jailbreaking a bad idea

Jailbreaking is risky because it opens the iPhone to security risks, voids Apple's warranty, and can destabilize the system software. Third-party storefronts and package managers might also have illegal apps that could get you into trouble.

Here's why jailbreaking an iPhone is a bad idea:

• Reduces the device's security: Jailbreaks compromise the iPhone's security and allow apps to track and collect your data.
• Introduces performance issues: Jailbreaks force iOS to run on modified code, which can slow things down, crash apps, or cause battery issues.
• Could brick the phone: Jailbreak exploits need to dig deep into the iPhone's programming. If something goes wrong, it can seriously damage the device.
• Voids the warranty: Jailbreaking is against Apple's terms of service. If there's a problem, you won't receive any support even if the device is still under coverage.
• No updates: Updating to a newer version of iOS automatically disables active jailbreaks. You must stay on the same version to keep a jailbreak.
• Legal issues: Jailbreaking is legal in the US and most countries, but installing hacked versions of copyrighted apps is not.

Jailbreaking just isn't worth the trouble if your iPhone is new and supports the latest system software. Recent versions of iOS offer enough customization features and are a whole lot safer.

Conclusion

Jailbreaking is still possible, but it's getting more complex. Apple keeps shutting down exploits, and the jailbreak community keeps shrinking. But if you have an iPhone that's susceptible to jailbreak exploits and suspect someone could hack into it, use Clario Anti Spy to beef up protection.