What is Jailbreaking? Guide for IT & Security

It’s Monday morning, and you’ve just poured your first cup of coffee. You open the device dashboard only to see a flashing red alert.

One of your employees’ iPhones has suddenly stopped following company policies. Your furrowed brows speak, “How did this happen?” A quick glance at the logs shows unusual apps installed, system settings changed, and some files acting a little too free.

A study found that jailbroken phones are 3.5 times more likely to be infected.^[1] Jailbreaking a device can turn even the most secure network into a playground for malware and compliance nightmares.

So, what exactly is happening here? How does a seemingly normal device suddenly gain superuser powers, and why should you care? 

Keep reading to know it all. 

What is Jailbreaking?

At its core, jailbreaking is the process of removing software restrictions imposed by a device’s operating system. It means bypassing the policies Apple or other manufacturers put in place to limit how the device can be used.

Think of it like this: a phone or tablet is a house. The manufacturer locks certain doors and rooms to keep everything secure and consistent. Jailbreaking is like picking those locks to explore every corner. Install apps from unofficial sources, tweak settings that are normally off-limits, and customize the device in ways the original design doesn’t allow.

While jailbreaking may sound liberating, it comes with serious trade-offs. Understanding what it does to your device is the first step to making an informed decision.

Types of jailbreaking

1. Tethered jailbreak – Requires the device to be connected to a computer each time it restarts. If the device powers off unexpectedly, it won’t boot properly without reapplying the jailbreak.
2. Untethered jailbreak – Once applied, this jailbreak survives device restarts. It provides full access without needing a computer each time, but it’s harder to develop and maintain for newer OS versions.
3. Semi-Tethered Jailbreak – Lets the device boot normally after a restart, but jailbreak functions (like custom apps or tweaks) are disabled until the jailbreak is reactivated via a computer or app.
4. Semi-Untethered Jailbreak – Similar to semi-tethered, but can be reactivated directly from the device itself without a computer.

Each type comes with varying levels of convenience and risk, and understanding these differences is essential for IT teams managing corporate devices.

How does jailbreaking work?

In simple terms, jailbreaking removes the walls set by the manufacturer. It gives users full visibility over their device’s software, something not normally allowed. Whether for customization or control, the process alters the core system to let users do more than what’s officially supported.

What happens when a device is jailbroken

Jailbreaking tweaks the operating system to remove built-in limitations. It allows installing apps outside the official App Store, modifying system files, and applying custom themes. Essentially, the device gains “superuser” privileges that are otherwise restricted.

Common methods and tools

Various tools and software exist for jailbreaking, often exploiting security vulnerabilities. While the methods evolve as operating systems update, the goal remains the same: granting users unrestricted access to the device.

Jailbreaking across platforms

• iOS: Most jailbreaking tools target iPhones and iPads. Popular methods use vulnerabilities in iOS versions to allow system-level access.
• Android: Though commonly called rooting, Android devices can also be modified in ways similar to iOS jailbreaking, but the process differs due to Google’s open ecosystem.

Jailbreaking vs Rooting: The key differences

You might hear people use the terms jailbreaking and rooting interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference. Jailbreaking primarily refers to iOS devices, like iPhones and iPads, while rooting is the term used for Android devices. Both processes grant the user elevated privileges, but the ecosystems and risks vary.

Understanding the difference helps users decide whether they’re venturing into jailbreaking or rooting and why IT admins see both as potential threats.

Why do people jailbreak devices?

Why take the risk? People jailbreak devices for several reasons:

• Access restricted apps: Some apps aren’t available in the official store due to regional or policy restrictions. Jailbreaking allows installing them freely.
• Customization: Users can tweak themes, icons, fonts, and even system animations—something the stock OS doesn’t permit.
• Remove pre-installed apps: Jailbreaking can remove bloatware that comes pre-installed on devices.
• Advanced control: Tech enthusiasts enjoy experimenting with new features and functionality that aren’t officially supported.

The hidden risks of jailbreaking

Jailbreaking may seem appealing, but the risks are significant.

• Security vulnerabilities: Removing restrictions exposes the device to malware and unauthorized access.
• System instability: Jailbroken devices may crash or behave unpredictably.
• Warranty and support loss: Apple and other manufacturers void warranties for jailbroken devices.
• App and OS incompatibility: Some apps may refuse to run on jailbroken devices, and updates can fail or break the device.
• Compliance risks: For corporate users, jailbreaking undermines security policies, putting sensitive data at risk.

These risks illustrate why IT departments treat jailbroken devices as high-priority threats.

Jailbreaking in corporate or school devices

In a personal context, jailbreaking is a user choice. But in corporate or educational settings, it’s a serious concern.

• Data security threats: Jailbroken devices can bypass security policies, exposing company or student data.
• Compliance violations: Organizations bound by GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations cannot risk compromised devices.
• Device management challenges: IT teams struggle to enforce security, push updates, or manage apps on modified devices.

With many organizations allowing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), understanding and preventing jailbreaking is essential for protecting enterprise ecosystems.

How to detect jailbroken devices

Detecting jailbroken devices can be tricky without the right tools. Common signs include:

• Unusual apps not available on the App Store.
• Access to system files that are normally restricted.
• Missing security updates or OS anomalies.

For organizations, manual checks aren’t enough. Using Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions like Scalefusion allows automated detection, alerts, and reporting to identify compromised devices before they become a risk.

How to prevent jailbreaking

Prevention is always better than remediation. Here’s how individuals and organizations can protect devices:

• Enforce device policies: Limit app installations and administrative access.
• Regular updates: Keep OS and apps up-to-date to patch vulnerabilities.
• Educate users: Make employees or students aware of the security risks.
• Use management solutions: MDM or UEM tools can continuously monitor and block unauthorized modifications.

By taking proactive measures, both personal and corporate devices can remain secure without sacrificing usability.

How Scalefusion helps detect and prevent Jailbreaking

For organizations, Scalefusion provides a comprehensive solution to manage and secure devices against jailbreaking:

• Real-time jailbreak/root detection: Get instant alerts when a device is compromised.
• Automated compliance enforcement: Non-compliant devices can be blocked or restricted automatically.
• Policy management: Prevent unauthorized system modifications, app installations, and settings changes.
• Remote actions: Lock, wipe, or restrict access on devices found to be jailbroken.
• Cross-platform support: Secure all devices, including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, under a single dashboard.

Wrapping up

Jailbreaking offers users freedom and customization, but it comes with serious security, stability, and compliance risks. 

Understanding what is jailbreaking, how it works, and why people do it helps both individuals and organizations make informed choices. For corporate and school devices, prevention is critical, and solutions like Scalefusion provide robust monitoring, detection, and management capabilities. 

Ultimately, it’s about balancing security and usability and ensuring your devices remain safe while performing at their best.

Reference:

1. Informa

FAQs

1. Is it legal to jailbreak?

Jailbreaking itself isn’t strictly illegal in many regions, but it does void device warranties and can breach corporate policies. For organizations, even a legal jailbreak can put sensitive data at risk, making it a compliance and security concern. From a management standpoint, it’s safest to treat any jailbroken device as a potential threat.

2. Is it safe to jailbreak your phone?

No. Jailbreaking removes the security safeguards built into the operating system, exposing the device to malware, unauthorized access, and app incompatibilities. For IT admins, a jailbroken device is essentially a vulnerable entry point into the company network. Preventing or detecting jailbreaks is critical for maintaining device and data security.

3. What is the point of jailbreaking?

People jailbreak devices to gain full control, install apps outside official stores, customize the OS, or remove pre-installed apps. While this may sound appealing for personal use, for businesses or schools, these “freedoms” create serious management and compliance challenges. From an organizational perspective, the risks far outweigh the benefits.