"Jail Breaking" an iPhone

[TheLefty]

So my dad's giving me his iPhone (3G original as far as I know) but instead of switching me to his plan he's making me "jail break" the phone to work on t-mobile. So I come to you asking my fellow Escapists of the risks and rewards for "jail breaking" an iphone.

My dad claims to have talked to the person doing the operation (for lack of a better word) and said "he seems to know what he's doing" so I guess I can trust him.

The heavy use of quotations should key you off to the fact that I'm a bit skeptical about this. I'm pretty sure it voids the warranty (which may already be out now that I think about it) but does it downgrade the quality any? I read that it's technically legal, but should I not go around shouting "I'VE GOT AN IPHONE THAT WORKS ON T-MOBILE! YAY!".

Any help or advice would be good. Thanks.

 

[Godavari]

Yes, it voids the warranty. I'm not sure if it will affect the performance, as I've never jailbroken an iDevice. But I do know that it allows you to customize the thing to a greater level (read: any level at all) and to download apps that Apple doesn't approve.

 

[mad825]

risks, you will be vulnerable to any Virus that might be going round the Iphone circle

 

[Dags90]

It voids the warranty and opens up the phone to use non Apple approved apps. I'd suggest a tethering/Wifi hotspot app if you travel often with a laptop. The fees companies charge so you can use the data you're already paying for, but on a laptop, are ridiculous. That there are fees at all are silly.

One of my cousins jailbreaks iPhones for some side money. Really though, you probably won't notice unless you want to do something the iPhone wouldn't do anyway. I think you can't update via iTunes on a jailbroken phone as well, because Apple actively tries to brick them (that always just seemed spiteful and petty to me).

 

[Sougo]

Done right, it doesn't really cause any problems. It voids the warranty, but its your dads old 3G .. what do you need the warranty for.

And yes, it is legal now, so you CAN actually go around screaming "I'VE GOT AN IPHONE THAT WORKS ON T-MOBILE! YAY!" Just don't do it too much or someone might smack you!

I think what you're actually gonna be doing is UNLOCKING the iphone which allows you to use it on other carriers, rather then jailbreaking. Also you should understand that jailbreaking itself was never illegal anyway ... its just the pirated software that you may install after jailbreaking that is illegal.

 

[TheLefty]

It voids the warranty and opens up the phone to use non Apple approved apps. I'd suggest a tethering/Wifi hotspot app if you travel often with a laptop. The fees companies charge so you can use the data you're already paying for, but on a laptop, are ridiculous. That there are fees at all are silly.

One of my cousins jailbreaks iPhones for some side money. Really though, you probably won't notice unless you want to do something the iPhone wouldn't do anyway. I think you can't update via iTunes on a jailbroken phone as well, because Apple actively tries to brick them (that always just seemed spiteful and petty to me).

While this on no level contributes anything to my own discussion, I would just like to tell you that your avatar is wonderful. That is all.

 

[cheese_wizington]

That's not jailbreaking it's unlocking.

http://www.youtube.com/user/dinozambas?blend=1&ob=4

best guy for jailbreak/unlock ever

 

[darktheif28]

Well it will void the warranty but if anything happens to it you can just restore it and Apple will be none the wiser.