Why Is Jailbreaking Your Phone Bad

Consequences of jailbreaking your phone

Jailbreaking removes the security layers designed to protect your personal data and device. Without them, hackers can steal your information, infect your phone with malware or spyware, and even attack your Wi-Fi or mobile network. It also causes system failures, app malfunctions, and security update issues.  

So, can jailbreaking an iPhone ruin it? The answer is yes.

But wait, what is jailbreaking a phone?

Jailbreaking a phone means bypassing Apple’s restrictions to install unauthorized apps or tweaks. But those restrictions exist for a reason. Without them, malware can slip in, personal data becomes vulnerable, and even basic functions like Face ID or iCloud can stop working.

Many people assume jailbreaking is a thing of the past. After all, if you wanted the freedom to install whatever you wanted, you could use an Android phone. But that’s not what you want, is it?

So, does jailbreak still exist? Absolutely, and it continues to pose risks. Some of them include:

• Possible device damage (e.g., system instability, data loss, boot loop)
• No access to security updates
• Banking and payment apps may stop working
• Higher risk of spyware and malware
• Weakened Wi-Fi and network security
• Restricted access to the App Store
• Faster battery drain and overheating
• Voided warranty and no Apple support

Legal consequences of jailbreaking

In the United States, jailbreaking your iPhone is a bit of a gray area. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes it illegal to bypass the digital protections Apple puts on your phone. Specifically, Section 1201(a)(1) of the DMCA says it's illegal to "circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access" to a work protected under U.S. copyright law.

However, every three years, the Library of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, reviews the law and grants temporary exemptions for specific uses.

For example, in the latest ruling (October 2024), jailbreaking for the purpose of enabling interoperability between apps and devices or to use assistive technologies for accessibility purposes, was granted an exemption for the next three years.

This means your reason for jailbreaking may or may not be legal, depending on whether it has been granted an exemption.

Even if you have not intentionally jailbroken your device, you could use one without knowing. That is why it is important to know how to check if your iPhone is jailbroken and take action before it is too late.

Usually, it’d involve looking out for unusual bugs like phone lags, missing memory space, and unusual spammy apps. However, Clario Anti Spy has a much simpler tool—the Device system check.

How to use Clario Anti Spy’s Device system check to tell if your iPhone is jailbroken:

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.

Jailbreaking might seem like your solution for a freer iPhone, but it is pretty risky. Let’s dig deeper into how jailbreak harms your iPhone and why it causes more harm than good.

1. Increased vulnerability to malware

When you jailbreak your phone, you're basically kicking out all your usual protection. Apple has built-in security that recognizes most malicious attacks (malware, spyware, etc). This list is also updated regularly. However, jailbreaking your device weakens this defense system and makes it easier for malware and spyware to infiltrate your phone.

You could install a seemingly harmless app, but it steals your data and/or tracks your activity.

For example, LightSpy, a malware first seen in 2020, primarily targets jailbroken iPhones. The 2024 version uses publicly available jailbreak tools to take control of your phone and steal personal data. This malware is particularly dangerous because it has a flexible design. It can be updated and adjusted over time, which makes it much trickier to catch and shut down.

A jailbroken phone makes you an easy target for phishing scams, spyware, and malware like Keyraider. Since we keep a lot of sensitive info on our phones, the damage that can happen if someone invades your device is severe.

2. Lack of timely security updates

When Apple finds a security bug, they release an update to fix it. But if your phone is jailbroken, you either can’t install the update or risk crashing your device if you try. That leaves you exposed to threats that Apple has already patched.

A good example is Checkm8, a jailbreak exploit created for iPhones 4S to X.

It allows anyone with physical access to the phone to bypass Apple’s security and take complete control. Because Checkm8 is a hardware-level exploit, Apple could not entirely fix it with software updates. Instead, they patched newer devices to prevent future risks.

However, jailbreaking left affected models permanently vulnerable to attacks that could steal data or install malware.

3. Loss of warranty

Apple’s support policy is clear: they won't cover repairs if a device has been tampered with.

Jailbreaking voids your Apple warranty. Apple won't fix it for free if something goes wrong—whether it’s a broken screen, battery issue, or software glitch. Even if the jailbreak isn’t the cause, they can still refuse you service.

And no, restoring your phone to factory settings might not work. There could be traces of your jailbreak left on your device, like leftover files, modified system settings, or altered directories.. Apple technicians can spot this and send you away.

4. Performance issues caused by jailbreaking

Jailbreaking your iPhone slows it down, causes random crashes, and drains your battery faster. These problems usually come from unauthorized software and tweaks that mess with how your device works.

One popular app you might have heard about is Cydia. Clydia is an alternative app store for jailbroken devices. It lets you download third-party apps that you can’t find in the regular App Store. But be careful; some of these apps might not work well with your iPhone and can cause performance issues.

The worst part is that even if you’ve deleted any jailbreak apps, there can still be leftover files from Cydia hanging around, which might mess with your device. To find and get rid of any hidden Cydia stuff, check out our guide on how to find hidden Cydia on iPhone. Or, simply run Clario Anti Spy’s Device system check.

Conclusion

Jailbreaking your phone may sound like a good idea. Who doesn't want all those 'fun' apps, huh? But it opens the door to a lot of issues like malware, app crashes, and even warranty loss. It’s not worth it.

If you want to ensure your device is safe and has not been jailbroken without your consent, scan it with Clario Anti Spy’s Device system check right away!