Jailbreaking is the process of exploiting the flaws of a locked-down electronic device to install software other than what the manufacturer has made available for that device. Specifically, on Apple devices running iOS and iOS-based operating systems, jailbreaking is the use of a privilege escalation exploit to remove software restrictions imposed by the manufacturer. Typically, it is done through a series of kernel patches. When a device is jailbroken, it permits root access within the operating system and provides the right to install software unavailable through the App Store. Different devices and versions are exploited with a variety of tools.
Jailbreaking is sometimes used interchangeably with the terms “cracking” (in relation to software) and “rooting” (in relation to phones) . Rooting can be described as the Android version of a jailbreak since it aims to bypass protections put in place by manufacturers to install alternative mobile operating systems. People also jailbreak Amazon Firesticks and Roku streaming devices to access content that is not available through official channels.
Jailbreaking a device can have some benefits, such as personalizing the device more, downloading unapproved apps, removing pre-installed software, accessing third-party app stores, and unlocking carrier restrictions without waiting for approval from the carrier. However, jailbreaking can also have some drawbacks, such as opening up a wormhole of potential issues, including possible data corruption and a battery that dies faster.
Jailbreaking is legal in the United States, based on an exemption for smartphones in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. However, manufacturers view jailbreaking as a violation of the end-user license agreement and strongly caution device owners not to try to achieve root access through the exploitation of vulnerabilities.
