For many smartphone users, iPhones are the best or even the only option. Apple’s iPhones are appealing for any number of reasons, ranging from their design to their ease of use.
One major feature of the iPhone is that users can only use apps available through the Apple store. For some users, this is a plus, making the phones easier to use and less prone to viruses and malware. However, other users see it as a flaw, restricting them from using software that’s unavailable on the Apple store. In fact, some users go as far as jailbreaking the phone — removing the software restrictions on the Apple operating system — in order to use the software they prefer. If your teen has an iPhone, you may be wondering whether you need to jailbreak it in order to install parental monitoring software. Here’s what you need to know.
To Jailbreak or Not to Jailbreak
Whether or not you need to jailbreak an iPhone to install parental monitoring software depends largely on what kind of software you choose. Many reputable software companies offer monitoring software specifically for iOS, the iPhone operating system. If that’s the case, there’s no need to jailbreak the phone. You can simply purchase and download the version meant for the iPhone, installing it according to the instructions.
Other companies offer parental monitoring software that is not available specifically for the iPhone operating system. In that case, you would need to jailbreak the phone in order to install the monitoring software. This could be because the company is simply focused on Android devices, or it could be that the company is less than reputable. There are good reasons to be suspicious of any company that advises you to jailbreak a phone to install its software.
Dangers of Jailbreaking
The problem with jailbreaking is that it puts your phone at risk. Ordinarily, third-party apps are limited as to how much access they have to your phone’s system. The iOS prevents them from having root privileges, which means that these apps can’t reach into other apps or into the phone’s system. However, on a jailbroken phone, a third party app can gain deeper access.
This means that your jailbroken phone is vulnerable to hacking, and with a malicious code, a hacker could have access to sensitive information stored in your phone. Viruses and malware could also reach deeper parts of the phone system, which could cause your phone to malfunction. It could even “brick” the phone, rendering it useless. Even if none of that happens, jailbreaking is a violation of the Apple terms of service. By jailbreaking your phone, you’re giving up access to AppleCare.
Parental monitoring software is important, but so is keeping your teen’s phone safe and secure. You’re much better off with software that can be installed without jailbreaking. To see how monitoring software that’s safe for your iPhone works, get our free trial.
