Apple Updates Support Article Cautioning Users Against Jailbreaking iOS

Apple has updated its knowledge base article on “Unauthorized modifications of iOS” with minor changes, warning users of the risks associated with jailbreaking. This document was first published a couple of years back, and was most recently updated on the 3rd of February, a day before the release of the evasi0n iOS 6.x jailbreak.

Comparing the versions before and after the Feb 3rd update, very little seems to have been changed, at least on the content front. Apple has changed the ordering of “issues that could arise after jailbreaking”, perhaps indicating how different issues have become more or less important over the past two years.

An excerpt from the knowledge base article:

Instability: Frequent and unexpected crashes of the device, crashes and freezes of built-in apps and third-party apps, and loss of data.

Security vulnerabilities: Security compromises have been introduced by these modifications that could allow hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or introduce malware or viruses.

Shortened battery life: The hacked software has caused an accelerated battery drain that shortens the operation of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch on a single battery charge.

Unreliable voice and data: Dropped calls, slow or unreliable data connections, and delayed or inaccurate location data.

Disruption of services: Services such as Visual Voicemail, Weather, and Stocks have been disrupted or no longer work on the device. Additionally, third-party apps that use the Apple Push Notification Service have had difficulty receiving notifications or received notifications that were intended for a different hacked device. Other push-based services such as iCloud and Exchange have experienced problems synchronizing data with their respective servers.

Inability to apply future software updates: Some unauthorized modifications have caused damage to iOS that is not repairable. This can result in the hacked iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iOS update is installed.

Apple also notes that jailbreaking your iOS device will void its warranty, and that Apple may deny service for such devices.

We’re pretty sure most jailbreakers are already aware of these issues and choose to jailbreak anyway due to the infinite possibilities it opens up. As for the warranty issue, it takes a simple clean restore to make your iOS device as good as new. It’s also important to note that jailbreaking is legal in the U.S. and is exempted from the DMCA’s copyright infringement penalties.

Via: @musclenerd