Key Difference: Jailbreaking allows iOS users to gain root access to the operating system, allowing them to download additional applications, extensions, and themes that are unavailable through the official Apple App Store. Tethered jailbreaks constantly require the presence of a computer or a laptop connection. An untethered jailbreak does not require the constant use of a computer and is the most preferred jailbreak method.

Jailbreaking is a method that allows the user to get past the limitations that are placed by Apple Inc on their products and enables them to get full access to Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple TVs. Jailbreaking allows iOS users to gain root access to the operating system, allowing them to download additional applications, extensions, and themes that are unavailable through the official Apple App Store. There are two types of jailbreaking: tethered jailbreak and untethered jailbreak.

Jailbreaking a device allows the users to download additional applications from other resources that are not otherwise accessible to the user. Jailbreaking also allows the user to use the cellphone with any carrier that he/she wants. It is similar to Apple unlocked phones, however those phones are more expensive compared to phones which are available with a carrier deal. In many countries, jailbreaking has become a legalized procedure; however Apple has claimed that once the device is jailbreaked it nullifies the warranty on the product. A device that has been jailbroken can continue normal functions such as connect to iTunes and make calls.

Tethered jailbreaks constantly require the presence of a computer or a laptop connection. The software is on the computer and the user has to connect their device to the computer and run the software on the device in order to jailbreak it. However, in case the device reboots or is turned off and on, it requires the same computer connection in order to turn it back on in jailbreak mode. A tethered jailbreak is useless without a computer connection and works with both, Mac OS X and Windows. A semi- tethered jailbreak is when the device is rebooted it will work with normal functions, but it won’t be able to access items that require a jailbreak.

An untethered jailbreak does not require the constant use of a computer and is the most  preferred jailbreak method. The only time a connection to the computer is required is during the jailbreaking process. Once the device has been jailbroken, you can use it as a normal device, turn it on and off and reboot it. It is also known as a permanent jailbreak. This is the most sought after jailbreak; however it takes time for this jailbreak to be released. There are 2 types of untethered jailbreaks: Patched LLB-based and kernel hacks.

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