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With context for second-hand/used devices, where previous ownership habits are unknown, does iTunes' "Restore iOS (device)" option also restore "rootfs" (aka "Root FileSystem") files? Or would a different 3rd party program be necessary to eradicate any remaining traces of a jailbroken iOS status?
iPad Air 2
It's difficult to say for sure.
Installing unapproved software (which is what "jailbreaking" software is) means that neither Apple nor we know what that software might do in a particular situation. For example, the people who coded the software might add in something that stops it from being uninstalled, while telling you that it has been uninstalled. That's why jailbreaking is so risky.
After all, where would you go, who would you ask, before being certain that you have the correct answer?
Just so you understand, Apple's Terms of Use for this forum forbid discussions about jailbreaking. However, our hosts (Apple) have let your question and my first response stay visible.
To re-emphasise what in have already told you, if a jailbreak cannot be absolutely fully removed, then the risks should be obvious - it might continue to adversely affect the performance of your device. There is no way to tell.
It is not Apple's job to spend their time and money undoing something that users were warned to not do.
Not just us - tons of others have been discussing the touchy topic in even more detail than we have, for different (and even more unsupported) purposes, for ages:
What is jailbreaking? - Apple Community
Can you somehow install jailbreak on your… - Apple Community
Is it illegal to jailbreak your iPhone? - Apple Community
Is jailbreaking legal? - Apple Community
Just to name a few.
I'm new here, and I see your point, but I'm also well-aware of the obvious reason's people should NOT pursue jailbreaks, why else would I have posted this question to ensure previously used devices were cleared? I came here for respectful answers. And I know this is a charged and complex topic, but this conversation is very important to ensure iOS safety. I feel that your words could give an impression that is perhaps not your intended message. Let's ensure this conversation remains polite and professional, considering the valid concern for this sensitive and important issue.
Are rootfs even a good thing to pursue restoring? If rootfs were already there, and got removed by attempting to restore them, what could happen? I've read that they're pretty powerful, and that misusing them could really mess things up. I've seen someone's iPad busted with CheckRa1n (from AnyUnlock), but Cydia was nowhere to be seen like they say it should be when broke - would that mean that it wasn't coded to reveal itself, or would that just mean that the option to restore rootfs from that unapproved app would happen automatically during a Restore, whether or not you could download and do that in the app?
What are the risks if you can't completely eradicate a possible jailbreak? What would happen if you signed into your AppleID from a jailbroken device?
What even is a decent way to tell?
It seems like Apple would know their own software well enough to be able to tell definitively when your wipe it out completely and restore the iOS in iTunes like that, and if not - develop some way to tell and introduce it in a new update sometime.
ActualHelp wrote:
I came here for respectful answers.
I feel that your words could give an impression that is perhaps not your intended message. Let's ensure this conversation remains polite and professional, considering the valid concern for this sensitive and important issue.
.. and you have received respectful answers.
I have no idea what I have said that would give you the impression that I'm being impolite or that what I wrote was not my intended message.
I believe that I provided adequate answers your original post. I subsequently made clear what Apple's position is concerning discussions on this topic since I wanted to bring to your attention why a post you submitted, or even the compete discussion might be removed.
I believe that my replies to you, along with the numerous other discussions that you have found, should have provided you with sufficient information. I have nothing more to add.
Does iTunes' Restore iOS also restore 'rootfs' files and completely eradicate any possible residue from a previous Jailbreak?
