Tethered vs Untethered Jailbreak: Difference and Comparison

Every person who possesses an iPhone but wants their mobile phone to be free from the various restrictions set by Apple can get their mobile phone jailbroken.

Key Takeaways

1. Tethered jailbreaks require a connection to a computer each time the device reboots, while untethered jailbreaks do not need any assistance after the initial jailbreaking process.
2. Untethered jailbreaks offer greater convenience and flexibility, as users can restart their devices without losing the jailbreak.
3. Tethered jailbreaks are less stable and can lead to data loss or device issues if the user cannot connect to a computer during a reboot.

Tethered vs Untethered Jailbreak

The difference between tethered and untethered jailbreak is that tethered jailbreak helps remove the set restrictions in an iPhone by connecting the iPhone to a computer and then booting it using the jailbreak software. On the other hand, the untethered jailbreak effect is stable, due to which an individual can reboot his mobile phone without any concern.

Tethered jailbreaking is a temporary process in which, after the reset of the mobile phone, it is unable to achieve the complete boot process without connecting the mobile phone with a computer with the help of a physical wire link.

In this process, the mobile phone does not require any computer to facilitate the booting process.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Tethered Jailbreak	Untethered Jailbreak
Meaning	Tethered Jailbreaking refers to the process of removing the restrictions set by Apple in an iPhone by connecting the iPhone to a computer and then booting the mobile phone with the help of jailbreaking software.	Untethered jailbreaking refers to the process of removing the restrictions set by Apple in an iPhone simply by booting it without any connection with the computer.
State	Tethered jailbreak is a temporary mechanism, and mobile always needs to be connected to a computer.	Untethered jailbreak is a permanent and one-time mechanism.
How to Restart	The iPhone mobile must be attached to jailbreaking software on the computer for restarting.	The iPhone need not be connected to any computer. It needs a normal reboot.
Malware threat	The threat of malware and viruses is more in tethered jailbreaking as the device needs to be connected to the software.	The threat of malware and viruses is comparatively lesser in Untethered jailbreaking as the device needs not be connected to any computer.
Battery	The battery necessarily becomes dead in the case of tethering jailbreak.	The battery does not become dead in this process.

What is Tethered Jailbreak?

Tethered jailbreak refers to the temporary jailbreak of a device with the help of a computer system and jailbreak software installed in it.

The major advantages of Tethered jailbreaking are:-

• If an individual wants to get free from the restrictions of Apple, tethered jailbreaking is definitely better than not jailbreaking the device.

The major disadvantages of tethered jailbreaks are:-

• One of the major disadvantages of tethered jailbreak is that the device will run out of battery, and the battery will become dead.
• One must have a laptop that needs to be connected while rebooting the device.

What is Untethered Jailbreak?

Untethered jailbreak refers to the process of removing the restrictions set by Apple in an iPhone by simply rebooting the mobile phone without connecting it to a computer system.

• There will be no change in the settings, and all the apps and files will be restored.
• This does not make the battery dead.

The major disadvantages of Untethered Jailbreak are:-

• A person who is not sure about jailbreaking his device must not go for an untethered jailbreak, as it leads to the permanent removal of
• It is highly recommended as it does not require any connection to the computer or laptop, due to which it is also protected from junk and viruses.

Main Differences Between Tethered and Untethered Jailbreak

1. The threat of viruses and malware is more in tethered jailbreaks. On the other hand, the threat of viruses and malware in untethered jailbreaks is minimal.
2. In a tethered jailbreak, the device must be attached to the computer, whereas a device need not be connected to a computer in case of an untethered jailbreak.

References

1. https://socj.telkomuniversity.ac.id/ojs/index.php/indojc/article/view/349
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0898122111008315