Should I Jailbreak my iPhone?

[thenumberthirteen]

I've had an iPhone for over a year now, and I love it. It's more useful to me than I could have imagined when I first bought it, but this thread isn't about me gushing over iPhones. Recently the new iOS 4.2 update was released which did the usual round of bug fixes and new features (particularly to the iPad), but one feature really pissed me off. Text tones. The iPhone comes with about 6 text tones, and only half of those are any good (IMO), and you cannot add your own. Also since iPhoens are so popular everyone has the same one or two tones. The latest update added 17 new tones, but ONLY to the latest iPhone 4. This pissed me off since as a 3G user I miss out on all the cool features of the later models, but text tones?! I see no reason to restrict them to the latest model, and the same goes for the free iPhone tracking service which is only for iPhone 4 users as well.

Anyway this has got me thinking about Jailbreaking; meaning opening the operating system up to give the user more control over hidden files if you didn't know. I know a lot of people do it, and legally it's sort of OK (not sure about the UK). So I want to ask you Escapists what you think. What are the advantages, what problems are there, how will it effect any repair or upgrade services provided by my carrier (I have about 3 months left on my contract with O2), what apps do you recommend, how will this effect the apps I already bought, will it effect syncing with iTunes/backups/etc, and what is the best way to go about doing it? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Just to note that I'm not doing this just to get more text tones, but the way Apple doesn't provide basic functions like custom ringtones or home screen backgrounds that all other phones have had since 2002 just gets under my skin.

tl;dr Should I Jailbreak my iPhone 3G, and what are the risks?

 

[antidonkey]

The risks are Apple will break your phone when you download the latest OS update. All the more reason I'm happy with Android stuff.

I'd suggest not jailbreaking it but I've never owned an Iphone so my opinion really doesn't count for much.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I don't know, what's it in prison for? If it just stole something or was falsely accused I'd say go for it. If it killed a man however, I think it should serve its time.

 

[Spacewolf]

yea do it apple got done in court for them being jailed in the first place so i dont think they will be relesing anymore updates which will break jail broken phones

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

I say do it, you can customise your phone a lot. I don't even remember what the iPhone was originally like because I'm used to all this extra stuff. It's pretty awesome being able to make my lockscreen tell me the weather, news, recent calls/text as well as the time and date. I know it's not necessary, but I like having the option to do what the fuck I want, I did buy the phone after all. Also, you can get GBA, SNES, N64 etc emulators, meaning you can play Mario Kart and Pokemon on your phone. Plus, you can download any app for free.

 

[Signa]

If my PSP was anything to go by, I say yes, do it. I really didn't start having fun with my system until the homebrew became an option. I bet you there are tons of geeky but totally useless things you can do with an iPhone. If I turned my PSP into an extra PC monitor and actually played games wirelessly, then I'm sure the iPhone can do something too.

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

"Tonight theres going to be a jailbreak, some where in this phone!"

Spoiler: Some music

I say go for it.
Dont know too much about jailbreaking, but from what I understand its a better alternative to staying with the default shizzle.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

"Tonight theres going to be a jailbreak, some where in this phone!"

Spoiler: Some music

I was thinking that. I loooooooove Thin Lizzy.

Go for it, do something crazy with it.

 

[bharatram1]

tl;dr Should I Jailbreak my iPhone 3G, and what are the risks?

Not any risks at all, especially if you have an iPhone 3G then even with the next software update you can jailbreak it. The problem is you have to keep yourself educated with everything that is going on the Jailbreak community. Or at least know what to do if you lose your jailbreak,

With an iPhone 3G you can pretty much add functionalities like Multi tasking and Home screen wallpaper that is not avaliable on an official OS update (But be warned that if you enable Multi-tasking then you probably will have a problem of the Phone being slow. Also if you want there is an App I think called Bootlace that will help you install Android OS I think it is 2.2.1 on your iPhone (If you want to do so)

you can also unlock your phone so you can use it overseas, if you travel a lot

 

[thenumberthirteen]

tl;dr Should I Jailbreak my iPhone 3G, and what are the risks?

Not any risks at all, especially if you have an iPhone 3G then even with the next software update you can jailbreak it. The problem is you have to keep yourself educated with everything that is going on the Jailbreak community. Or at least know what to do if you lose your jailbreak,

With an iPhone 3G you can pretty much add functionalities like Multi tasking and Home screen wallpaper that is not avaliable on an official OS update (But be warned that if you enable Multi-tasking then you probably will have a problem of the Phone being slow. Also if you want there is an App I think called Bootlace that will help you install Android OS I think it is 2.2.1 on your iPhone (If you want to do so)

you can also unlock your phone so you can use it overseas, if you travel a lot

Thanks a lot for the info (and to everyone else too). A couple questions. What happens to my current apps, can I still use iTunes on my PC and on my phone as usual? Also do you know the best way to Jailbreak it (I have the latest OS)?

 

[Continuity]

The risks are Apple will break your phone when you download the latest OS update. ...

Oh they're quite happy doing that anyway believe me, doesn't take any special measures on your part.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

You can jailbreak it no problem but never connect to the internet or download updates again as Apple is vicious.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

tl;dr Should I Jailbreak my iPhone 3G, and what are the risks?

Not any risks at all, especially if you have an iPhone 3G then even with the next software update you can jailbreak it. The problem is you have to keep yourself educated with everything that is going on the Jailbreak community. Or at least know what to do if you lose your jailbreak,

With an iPhone 3G you can pretty much add functionalities like Multi tasking and Home screen wallpaper that is not avaliable on an official OS update (But be warned that if you enable Multi-tasking then you probably will have a problem of the Phone being slow. Also if you want there is an App I think called Bootlace that will help you install Android OS I think it is 2.2.1 on your iPhone (If you want to do so)

you can also unlock your phone so you can use it overseas, if you travel a lot

Thanks a lot for the info (and to everyone else too). A couple questions. What happens to my current apps, can I still use iTunes on my PC and on my phone as usual? Also do you know the best way to Jailbreak it (I have the latest OS)?

Have a quick look on Google for a program called Winterboard. That should be a good springboard for you to find out how to Jailbreak. Theres a lot of websites that offer the software, for free, to Jailbreak for yourself. Trust me when I say this, its simple to do...quick 5 minute job.
Actually, Springboard is used in the jailbreak as well I think. Runs in the background. I seem to remember my iPhone saying Reeboot Springboard when I reset it.

There is a tool out there called quickPWN that is a self explanitory program to Jailbreak with. All you have to do is see what firmware you are running then look for the hacked version on the internet. Connect the phone to your PC (its a different program for MAC that I dont knwo the name of) and run the program. It asks you for your iPhones current firmare to which you select the modified one you jus downloaded and viola! 1 jailbroken iPhone
You may want to look at a proper guide to using QuickPWN though as I used it over a year ago so its a bit hazy still

As far as your current apps go, yes you can still use them and your iPhone will still sync up to your PC fine
All I remember is after Jailbreaking, run Winterboard (shows up as an app on your main screen) and that completes the Jailbreak. Winterboard is also where you get your free apps

Hope I helped mate

Big thanks. I'll look into it.

 

[TimeLord]

I've had an iPhone for over a year now, and I love it. It's more useful to me than I could have imagined when I first bought it, but this thread isn't about me gushing over iPhones. Recently the new iOS 4.2 update was released which did the usual round of bug fixes and new features (particularly to the iPad), but one feature really pissed me off. Text tones. The iPhone comes with about 6 text tones, and only half of those are any good (IMO), and you cannot add your own. Also since iPhoens are so popular everyone has the same one or two tones. The latest update added 17 new tones, but ONLY to the latest iPhone 4. This pissed me off since as a 3G user I miss out on all the cool features of the later models, but text tones?! I see no reason to restrict them to the latest model, and the same goes for the free iPhone tracking service which is only for iPhone 4 users as well.

I JailBroke my iPhone a while ago on 4.0.1 and it's a fantastic way to make the most of the iPhone. Just don't update to new software unless it had been confirmed to be jaibroken. It's no big deal really.

There is a new jailbreak for 4.2 or 4.2.1 because it takes a couple of months for the new software to be jailbroken.

You can still Sync with your computer, and use apps and put on music without breaking anything. Just don't update to new software. But if you do, all it does is take the JailBreak stuff off your iPhone without changing anything else.

About the text tone thing. Jailbreaking makes that better! I have the new Doctor Who theme as my text tone xD

 

[Sn1P3r M98]

My friend has told me it slows down his 2nd Gen iPod a lot. I'll probably see for myself if I decide to get the new iPod Touch soon though, because then I'll jailbreak my old one.