Question about Jailbreaking

[evolution83]

Is it really worth it? I'm sure most will say yes, given the fact it allows you to do so much more to your phone, but I know not everyone has success with it or is willing to do such a thing for different reasons. I never really knew the limitations of the iPhone before buying it, such as running applications in the background, and I must say, it's a big disappointment.

Before the iPhone 3G I wanted a Blackberry Bold, and I don't really know what changed my mind to switch. I like being able to customize my phone to my preferences, change things up a bit so I don't get too bored of the phone I'm using, modify the sounds, icons, etc. This is capable on the iPhone only by hacking, but I'm cautious.

I still have some time to decide if I want to keep the iPhone or not and get a Blackberry, but I would like some opinions from those of you who have hacked your phone and customized it to your needs. I'd like to hear both good and bad experiences, as well as to why you would or would not recommend hacking the iPhone.

Many thanks. :)

[Europa]

It's well worth it IMO! I love being able to change themes, record video, do copy and paste, and use video ringtones and lock screen weather apps. You can also tether the phone to your laptop wirelessly for a 3G connection on the laptop, send/receive MMS.

If you have to take the phone in for service/repair, just restore it to factory settings and you should be fine, so you don't really need to be concerned about it voiding the warranty.

Here's the downsides; it can cause some lag (I haven't noticed this but some do). If you want the FW updates Apple releases, you have to restore the phone to factory settings, update and then rejailbreak each time, which is more time consuming than just installing the update for non-JB phones.

I highly recommend JB'ing, so I say go for it and if for some reason you aren't happy with it, you can just restore to factory settings.

[KabaModern]

If you want the FW updates Apple releases, you have to restore the phone to factory settings, update and then rejailbreak each time, which is more time consuming than just installing the update for non-JB phones.

Not really a restore is needed, you can just upgrade the firmware, but obviously your iPhone is not jailbroken. There is an application on Cydia to back up all of your jailbroken applications, etc. and makes restoring everything a breeze.

Using QuickPwn is pretty much flawless. I've never had an issue jailbreaking. It may lag with certain applications (i.e., biteSMS, for example). But IMHO, there are far too many reasons to jailbreak as opposed to not jailbreak it.

But, to each their own.

[BrownGem]

I like having the ability to mod my phone. The iphone requires a bit more effort (jailbreak) for modding but overall I think it's worth it. It really depends on what your priorities are for using the phone. If you can get things done using stock phone and the App store...go for it. If you decide to mod then use a reliable jailbreak (I followed the links on this forum for my JB) and do research on apps before applying them to your phone. Reading is fundamental and will help you avoid known issues and buggy programs.

[Skol312000]

I experienced and aweosme time with my blackberry that i had, the OS always updates and it becomes extremelly snappy!!! It is a work horse and the emaik is godly, but, no ipod, so its either work or media man... I was jaikbroken and got extreme lag and after 4 days i restored and was fine again, not all people experienced that, so u shoukd give it a try, but if any lag bugs you, thrn stay aways... Jailbreaking is fun and your device will shlt on most other phones, that is , if u dont lag

[Europa]

Not really a restore is needed, you can just upgrade the firmware, but obviously your iPhone is not jailbroken.
Well, you don't have to restore it, it's just recommended to do it that way. If you don't and you just do the Apple FW update, you leave traces of the JB behind that can cause potential problems, so it's recommended to start clean each time with a restore as a new device.

[evolution83]

Thx for all the info. I've been doing some research and see there were some updates regarding jailbreaking for the newest firmware updates. When I bought my phone last week with AT&T, it had the newest 2.2.1 firmware on it. When I connected it with iTunes, it wanted to do an update but it wasn't a firmware update, it was something else completely but I forget exactly what it is.

I've seen many different ways on how to jailbreak/unlock and what programs to use, so I would like to do it and give it a try to see how things go. However, I wanna do it right the first time and not end up with a 'bricked' phone.

I did see on the forums here I'm supposed to use QuickPwn since I have 2.2.1 and use Windows, but I've also read of other programs such as PwnageTool. Is there a difference as to why besides OS platform?
I'd like to have all this cleared up so I know exactly what I'm supposed to use the first time and be done with it. I don't plan on ever unlocking my phone to use with another carrier so I'm pretty much set on things. I just want to be able to do all sorts of cool things with my phone, such as run more than one app, theme it, etc.

If someone can point me in the right direction as to what I should do / read at this time, I'd appreciate it. Any other feedback is appreciated as well. :)

Thx.

[awhisperandaclamour]

I seem to be in the same position. I would love for the same kind of advice.

[Europa]

I've always used QuickPWN. It's really easy to use and only takes about 8 minutes to JB. It's for Mac and Windows. You can search for QuickPWN or jailbreak iPhone in youtube and watch a "how to" first. It's very unlikely that it would become bricked during the process.

[evolution83]

OK quick question. I watched the videos and I want to know if I need to do any sort of backup, such as my contacts before I jailbreak? In case something goes wrong I want to be prepared so I don't have to re-enter #s manually.

[PepeRB29]

as long as you sync your iphone to your computer before your contacts will be saved in case anything does happen. just follow the steps i outlined in this post:

http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/421840-post2.html

and you will be fine.

as always, feel free to pm me if you have any questions, concerns, or trouble.

[Europa]

When I connected it with iTunes, it wanted to do an update but it wasn't a firmware update, it was something else completely but I forget exactly what it is.That was probably the baseband update that was released a month or so ago. It's safe to do this update as long as you have no intention of unlocking. You can do it now or you can wait until it's jailbroken.

I watched the videos and I want to know if I need to do any sort of backup, such as my contacts before I jailbreak?
After reading Pepe's post, this may not be necessary, but I like to backup my contacts in my Google/Gmail account. After setting up a Gmail account, Open iTunes, go to yourname's iphone -> Info -> Contacts. Click the "sync contacts with" box, and choose google/gmail. Put in your gmail account password.

as long as you sync your iphone to your computer before your contacts will be saved in case anything does happen. just follow the steps i outlined in this post:Pepe, where does it save them?

[BrownGem]

I was a curious about the same Europa. I thought the Iphone needed a compatible program to synce contacts. By default it looks for Outlook (not Outlook Express). Since computers now come with trial versions of MS office a lot of people don't have the full version of Outlook. My first sync had a message that no compatible source was found to sync contacts. I had to point it to syncing with yahoo mail address book after I researched another option for backing up contacts. Be aware your contacts will appear in your sign on window if you use yahoo messenger.

[PepeRB29]

i sync all my stuff with itunes, don't you guys do that???

[evolution83]

I dont plan on unlocking my phone, but lets say someone has an unlocked iPhone and their phone is JB. If you did a full factory restore, does it relock the phone; or once it's unlocked you can never relock it?

Also, Pepe I tried to PM you but I don't think it went through.

[PepeRB29]

got your pm and responded evolution.

as far as unlocking goes, you have to be jailbroken to unlock, but if you restore or update your firmware you lose the jailbreak and the unlock. both are 100% reversible so if you don't like it, just plug it into your comp, open itunes and click restore, its that easy.