Difference Between Jailbreaking, Rooting and Unlocking.

Jailbreaking, Rooting and Unlocking are common terms we hear people use often, but not all of us may know what it is all about actually. The three terms are similar though may mean slightly different things depending on the context on which they are used. But one thing is certain, they all allow users administrative rights which they wouldn’t have ordinary had.

In this article I will explain what Jailbreaking, Rooting and Unlocking mean and the benefits of gaining administrative privileges to your mobile device. These terms may apply to specific device or operating systems. While it is common to use Jailbreaking for iOS devices or Apple mobiles, Rooting is often used for Android devices.

Note: Jailbreaking, Rooting and Unlocking your mobile phone will void its warrantee. Performing any of these processes is entirely your responsibility.

Jailbreaking

Jailbreaking is the process which allows users of iOS to gain access to 3^rd party apps which are out of the app store, it’s a process which allows users of Apple to gain access to more features and apps which Apple didn’t include in her app store, Jailbreaking your device allows you to use a different browser as your default and changing your mail client etc.

A Cydia tweak is available to jailbroken iOS devices, the users get access to apps and features Apple didn’t include. Below are some of the best Cydia tweaks of 2013.

Video pane: this tweak allows you to view video in a smaller screen, move it around, access other apps, send the video via Air Play etc.

Unlock7: this tweak allows you to slide anywhere on the lockscreen to unlock the device.

Clota: the tweak makes use of gestures to close all tabs or to close other tabs while keeping the current one open.

LockMusic: this allows you to control music via gestures on the lock screen? Swipes control the song, the volume and double-tap to play/pause.

There are lots of other Cydia tweaks I may not have mentioned, these few are just to give you more understanding on what jailbreaking can do to your Apple device.

You can use winter board as an alternative to dream board that allows you to transform your device into a Mac, jailbreak tweaks allows you to add a 5 icon dock, change the carriers logo, add additional row of keys to iOS virtual keyboard and many more.

There are two types of Jailbreaking – Tethered and Untethered. The tethered jailbreak doesn’t survive if the device is rebooted and the device will need to be connected to a PC or Mac to reapply the jailbreak.

While an untethered jailbreak allows the device to be rebooted without losing the jailbreak, making it far easier and effective to use.

Unfortunately you can’t update your apps because that will kill your jailbreak, so you’ll have to wait for a new hack that supports the new release to come out. This can take days, weeks or even months, so you will be left wondering.

iOS 7 users are allowed to enter the Notification Center and Control Center from a locked state, however a jailbreak tweak such as IntelliScreenX and LockInfo will even allow you to access Facebook, RSS feed or Twitter updates from the lock state.

What’s interesting is that while you can freely and legally jailbreak your iPhone, jailbreaking devices such as the iPod touch is illegal.

While you are thinking how awesome jailbreaking can be, you should NOTE jail-broken users don’t have warranty, if you may encounter any damage Apple will not cover your warranty, also NOTE that Apple doesn’t encourage you to jailbreak your fancy device.

Rooting

Rooting is also a similar process to jailbreaking, it allows Android users to gain root access to their device, and this process is known as root access. After rooting specific applications gain root permission to do almost anything they want to the operating system.

Users download apps which has root permission to modify their OS as rooting itself means to modify an Operating System.

Below is a list apps for rooted Android devices, these apps are only used by rooted users to gain access to more features.

Set CPU: is an app which allows you to save battery life by reducing the speed of your device’s CPU.

Root Explorer: it’s a basic need, with root explorer you can explore your Android device’s internal system folders so you can executes scripts, send the files using Bluetooth or email etc.

Wireless tether: an app available to rooted Android users which allows connectivity with other devices, it allows users to share the internet connection of their rooted device with a computer or other wireless devices, the connectivity must be done across a Wi-Fi connection.

SCR Screen Recorder free: with this app you can record video of your android device’s screen which is good for making tutorials.

WiFi Kill: this app lets you disable the WiFi access for other devices that are running on the same router that you are using. The app will be helpful when you want to avert the internet speed to your device.

Greenify: is yet another app for rooted Android devices which improves your device’s performance by pointing out apps which are eating up your battery. The app helps you to put those apps into a sleep mode and remove the outcome from your device.

Unlocking

 

An immense majority of phones which come from a specific carrier either with contracts are locked only to be used with the carrier’s SIM. This only makes it possible to use such phones on a particular network.

The phones usually bring a message indicating its locked whenever another SIM is inserted in it, and asks for an unlock code to unlock the device so it can be used on another network.

A user can unlock his phone if he has access to an unlock PIN. Carriers can also unlock phones when the contract has expired, or the user can also unlock their phones without the carrier’s consent.

Must Read: Android Rooting: Advantages and disadvantages

I hope i have been able to explain what Jailbreaking, Rooting and unlocking is all about, giving insight into their advantages and what you stand to gain or lose for Jailbreaking, Rooting or Unlocking your phone. If you have any contributions, please use the comment section below to add your views.

This is a guest post by Ali Abubakar, an editor at Aspiredtech