Jailbreaking is a process of removing software restrictions imposed by the manufacturer on an Apple device using a privilege escalation exploit.
While it expands the functionality and allows installation of third-party apps and programs, It makes the device vulnerable.
But do the benefits of jailbreaking your Apple TV outweigh the risks considering how expensive these devices are? This and more are some of the questions we will be covering in this article.
We will look at the potential benefits and drawbacks of jailbreaking your Apple TV. At the same time, we will share a detailed step-by-step guide on how to go about the process.
Let’s begin.
Also Read: Pros & Cons of Jailbreaking An iPhone
Overview of Apple TV 4K and Its Features
Apple TV 4K has distinguished itself as a powerful gadget thanks to its ability to effortlessly connect your digital life to your living space. The Apple TV 4K has a lot to offer and here are some of the standout features.
Stunning 4K HDR Quality
Source: Apple.com
With its support for 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, Apple TV 4K is made to deliver beautiful graphics. With a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, the gadget can display images with sharp, clear, and extremely detailed visuals. Wider color gamuts and higher contrast are made possible with HDR, which gives the content a more realistic appearance.
Check Out: Apple TV vs YouTube TV
A10X Fusion Chip
Source: NotebookCheck
The A10X Fusion chip, which also powers the iPad Pro, serves as the engine for the Apple TV 4K. This chip guarantees slick operation and quick navigation. It offers seamless playing and quick app loading to meet the demands of 4K content.
tvOS
Source: Apple.com
The Apple TV 4K is powered by Apple’s tvOS operating system. All of your favorite streaming services and apps are integrated into one convenient location via tvOS’s user-friendly interface. Additionally, Siri voice control is supported, making it simple to use your voice to search for content or operate your TV.
Siri Remote
Source: Apple.com
The Apple TV 4K comes with a sleek, simple remote control called the Siri Remote. It comes with a built-in microphone for voice commands and a touch-sensitive surface for navigation. Siri may be used to find material, manage playback, and even inquire about what you are watching.
AirPlay
Source: Apple.com
You may stream or mirror information from your Apple devices to your TV using AirPlay. You can effortlessly share material from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac on your TV screen to enhance your viewing experience, whether it be images, movies, or presentations.
Check Out: Best IPTV Apps For Apple TV
Integration with HomeKit
Source: 9to5mac
HomeKit is Apple’s platform for smart homes. Your HomeKit-enabled smart devices may be managed from your TV by using the Apple TV 4K as a hub. Without getting up from your couch, you can turn off the lights, check the security cameras, or adjust the thermostat.
Extensive App Ecosystem
Source: AppTrigger
The app store for Apple TV 4K is very large. You can download a huge selection of apps, including games, streaming services, and instructional materials to personalize your entertainment options.
Potential Benefits of Jailbreaking Your Apple TV 4K
There are potential benefits of jailbreaking your Apple TV 4K device and the most notable ones include the following.
Access To Unofficial Apps
You can install services and applications that are not accessible through the official Apple App Store by jailbreaking your device. This may apply to niche apps that Apple hasn’t endorsed as well as media players, emulators, and games.
Streaming Flexibility
You can stream any content you want from websites that Apple doesn’t support using a jailbroken Apple TV. This increases your selection of live sports, TV shows, and movies.
More Customization Options
You have more control over how your Apple TV appears and feels. You can enhance your user experience by customizing the colors, themes, and sounds, among many other things.
Ad-Blocking Capabilities
Jailbreaking your Apple TV 4K allows you to install ad-blocking applications that can be installed to lessen or remove adverts when streaming video. This gives you a more seamless viewing experience.
Software Update Controls
You have control over when and how to update the software on your Apple TV. This is important if you want to avoid routine upgrades that can potentially fix the jailbreak.
Enhanced File Management
Finally, you can have more control in managing your files on your Apple TV 4K once you’ve conducted jailbreaking. You can even install the best file management apps that offer more options than the default one that comes pre-installed.
Also Read: Best BeeTV Alternatives
Precautions and Considerations
While jailbreaking your Apple TV opens a new world of possibilities for your device, there are some precautions and considerations you have to keep in mind.
Voided Warranty
The biggest loss associated with jailbreaking is losing your device warranty. Apple is very strict when it comes to jailbreaking devices like Apple TV 4K and it doesn’t authorize that level of modification.
Once jailbreaking has been done, your warranty is voided and no Apple center can replace or repair the device if something happens to it. You’ll have to do that out of your own pocket and that’s very costly.
Security Vulnerabilities
Another big issue that comes with jailbreaking your Apple TV 4K is an increase in security vulnerabilities. Jailbreaking involves bypassing Apple’s security measures and this exposes your device to viruses, malware, and even remote hacking.
Once the App Store security restrictions are bypassed and external unverified apps are installed, protection is compromised.
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Compatibility Issues
Some of the default apps and services that come pre-installed on your Apple TV may stop working once jailbreaking is done. While you may have access to other apps outside the App Store, your overall experience may not be as smooth as expected once necessary services start glitching.
Stability Concerns
Jailbreaking may lead to software instability leading to freezes, crashes, and unexpected behaviors that interfere with the smooth running of your devices. The third-party apps you install on your device are not rigorously vetted and this can lead to all kinds of stability issues.
Legal Ramifications
Although jailbreaking is not illegal in many countries, you may still find yourself at loggerheads with some laws if your jailbroken device is used for criminal activities. Using your Apple TV to access pirated content is grounds for prosecution in some countries like the US because that amounts to copyright infringement.
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Backup Your Data
You also stand a high risk of losing all your data during jailbreaking if you don’t back it up first. Jailbreaking doesn’t always work for some Apple TV devices and if you don’t do it right, you may break your device permanently and lose important data with very little room for retrieving anything.
Stay Up-To-Date
With automatic updates disabled to avoid jailbreak patching, you will need to keep track of important updates for your device and that may be too much for some people. And without the proper updates, your device may start to glitch.
Also Read: Roku vs Android TV
Steps to Jailbreak Apple TV 4K
Now to the most important bit, the actual process of jailbreaking your device. Here is a detailed breakdown of the whole process.
1. Download the jailbreaking software to a computer
Source: Cydia
First, you need a PC, either Windows or Mac, with USB ports. Then you need to download and install jailbreaking software to your PC.
There are multiple jailbreaking software to choose from but the most reliable one is Cydia Impactor alongside the LiberTV app. You need these two for this to work.
NOTE: Jailbreaking your Apple TV 4K with Cydia Impactor only works if you’re running tvOS 12 and tvOS 12.1.1. If your device is already running on tvOS 12.2 then this will not work because Apple has made it harder to jailbreak with its recent OS updates.
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2. Connect the Apple TV 4K to the computer using a USB-C cable
Source: Grandhub
Once you have installed the jailbreaking software on your PC, connect it to your AppleTV 4K using a USB-C cable. If you’re using a PC that doesn’t have USB-C then consider getting a USB-C to USB-A cable.
Also Read: Best Roku Alternatives
3. Drop LiberTV onto Cydia Impactor
Source: iDownload Blog
Launch Cydia Impactor then drag and drop the LiberTV file onto the app to load it from within Cydia Impactor. Ensure the Impactor is showing your Apple TV as connected in the interface. Now drag and drop the LiberTV.ipa file you downloaded from the link above into the Impactor window. Click on Start.
4. Enter Apple ID and Password
The app will ask for your Apple ID and password which you must enter to complete the installation process to begin. You can use your personal Apple ID but those who may not want to associate their main account with jailbreaking can create an alternative Apple ID for this purpose.
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4. Disconnect Apple TV 4K from your PC
Source: iDownload Blog
Once the LiberTV file is installed, disconnect the Apple TV 4K from your PC by unplugging the USB-C cable and plugging it back into your TV. You should see the LiberTV app in your TV app list.
5. Wait for the jailbreaking process to complete
Source: iDownload Blog
Launch LiberTV, select your jailbreaking options, and click on “Do it”. The process should start immediately but give it time to run to completion without interruptions.
Your TV screen will display “Success! Your TV has been liberated!” message. You have successfully completed your Apple TV 4K jailbreaking.
NOTE: This process may not work right away and you will need several attempts. If it fails and reboots, just follow the same process from the beginning until it works.
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Post-Jailbreak Considerations
You have successfully conducted jailbreaking on your Apple TV 4K, so what next? You may have opened up your device to unlimited possibilities, but there are things you need to do to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here are the top post-jailbreak considerations to keep in mind.
1. Install Cydia and Explore Apps
Cydia is your ultimate source of apps for your jailbroken Apple TV and you need to install it on your device in order to access numerous third-party apps. Some of the exciting options you can start with include Kodi which allows you to stream content that isn’t available on Apple TV+ and other official streaming platforms.
Cydia also offers several tweaks that you can use to enhance the overall performance of your device.
2. Use Community Forums
Since you need unofficial apps and tweaks that aren’t made available automatically like the App Store, you have to join community forums where jailbreaking solutions are discussed.
Engaging with other people who have conducted the process gives you insights on what to do if you run into issues and also find new apps and tweaks.
3. Use Emulators and Games
One of the biggest advantages of jailbreaking Apple devices like TVs is granting access to emulators and games. You can run retro games on your Apple TV 4K and turn it into a mini gaming console for some of the most loved classic games like Pac-Man or Tetris.
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4. Customize the Interface
With jailbreaking, you can personalize your Apple TV interface by changing the color, themes, icons, and more. This is not something you can easily do on a regular Apple TV.
You can download all the resources you need from Cydia and other third-party sources. Just ensure they’re safe before installing anything.
5. Use External Storage
Another advantage of jailbreaking your Apple TV is that it allows you to expand your storage easily. This is very important if you have movies, TV shows, and images of audio files that you would want to watch without depending on the internet.
You can also install multimedia resources like Kodi and Plex to stream high-definition content while customizing your video playback for better experiences.
6. Security and Updates
Security and updates are two things you should keep an eye out for since your device no longer has access to automatic updates. So it’s all up to you to check for updates regularly so you don’t end up with vulnerable devices with glitching apps. Keep an eye out for reputable updates and new additions on Cydia and other platforms.
8. Backup Your Data
Always back up your data before conducting the jailbreaking process on your Apple TV. This is a contingency plan that you can fall back on at any time to restore your device to its original state if anything goes wrong.
9. Avoid Piracy
As much as jailbreaking allows you to download what you want, like premium apps, for free, there are ethical considerations to keep in mind.
Respecting the developers’ work is a good thing because that’s how they make their money. Furthermore, piracy is also risky as you’re likely to download a harmful file that may brick your Apple TV.
Also Read: Penalty For Watching Illegal Streams
Wrapping Up
Jailbreaking an Apple TV 4K gives you an opportunity to customize it and allows you to access extra features that enhance your overall experience.
These include the ability to install premium apps for free and even play retro games directly on your Apple TV. Understand the process and follow the instructions well for a successful jailbreak.
However, there are risks involved like the voiding of your warranty, compatibility issues, and instability of your Apple TV. So think about that before attempting jailbreaking.
