Reason for the possible decrease in performance after Jailbreak iPad

The Jailbreak, as you all know, is a software modification that allows "free" our iOS device of the limitations imposed by Apple. We often read that the jailbreak affects the performance of our devices, especially in stability, speed and battery life. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this article we will try to explain as clearly as possible why the Jailbreak does not imply reductions in terms of performance, but the software is installed after the jailbreak which can lead to the reduction in device performance.

First, we believe it is necessary to explain what is the reality of the jailbreak and what are the ways in which it makes the devices. We will try to briefly clarify these two points.

What is Jailbreak?

It is said that the Jailbreak is the process that allows you to install and run third party applications unofficial Apple through special programs (like Limera1n, GreenpoisOn, Redsnow or Pwnage Tool). But how it works technically the jailbreak?

The iPad has two memory partitions:

• System partition ("/"): The default is 500MB, but can be changed when creating the custom firmware for the jailbreak. This partition is the operating system and various applications installed Cydia.
• Partition files ("/ var"): It is as big as all the remaining memory space. This is where you install the various programs we download from the App Store and all media files (music, pictures, videos, ...) synced from iTunes.

The jailbreak does nothing to modify the file "fstab" (which runs on Linux, BSD and consequently, in OS X and iOS) and run a "patch" iPad firmware that removes the signature verification of authenticity of applications. This way you can run applications that have not been certified by Apple and have full control of the device.

What changes for users?

The real difference between a user who has an original iPad and a user with an iPad with Jailbreak is that in the second case, automatically installs Cydia, an application developed by Saurik, which is proposed as an alternative to the App Store, the store through which Apple distributes all software for iPhone, iPod and iPad regularly subjected to a verification process before being approved. For simplicity, the jailbreak is Cydia .

Through this application can be distributed (for developers) and install (for users) not verified by Apple software, which allows, in some cases, actual changes in the system. You can view all related items Jailbreak iPadizate we have done in our section Jailbreak iPad.

Excessive consumption of battery

Excessive consumption of the battery in the iPad after jailbreak can occur for various situations. First, be taken for the installation of numerous MobileSubstrate extensions (from Cydia) to present their Deamon and remain active throughout the use of the device, thus consuming battery quickly iPad. Obvious examples are applications like SBSettings, SBRotator, Backgrounder, Cyntact and virtually all programs that modify the classic interface of the iPhone or the iPad, replacing or adding new features to it.

Fortunately, thanks to these extensions SBSettings can maintain controlled, and if you want to disable some without uninstalling the program, you can do from the "More" activating or deactivating, as desired, different extensions in "Mobile Substrate Addons". Thus, if you see that you have low battery life, you can disable the operation of some services that work in the background to the device to retrieve the classic operation. Extensions and tweaks from Cydia, with certain exceptions, require very little space for installation and, if appropriate disables MobileSubstrate extensions from the iPad back to its pre-performance.

However, if you activate instaláis and tweak a number of MobileSubstrate based applications, the device's battery will discharge much faster than normal. This phenomenon occurs in all devices, but users of older terminals dispongáis (iPhone 2G and 3G or iPod Touch 1G or 2G) must be especially attentive to the number of extensions installed and active if you will not cause a significant decrease in battery of your device. Users who dispongáis device with A4 and A5 chips, surely you may use a greater number of addons that although affecting the autonomy of the device, they will to a lesser extent.

Lowering performance: speed and reduced stability

This section is also necessary to clarify some points. The problem of the drop in performance, speed and stability of the device may occur occasionally Jailbreak devices. The cause is always the same, namely, the number of active MobileSubstrate extensions. In this case, however, the performance loss is inversely proportional to the technical characteristics of memory devices. Users with an iPhone 4S, iPod touch fourth generation or third-generation iPad, thanks to the considerable amount of RAM available, and thanks to the use of A4 or A5 chip Apple may use more extensions simultaneously without notice excessive delays in the device or operating system instability.

The same is true, albeit with some differences, in the third generation devices (iPhone 3GS and iPod touch). In contrast, in the second and first devices generating the plot thickens. Except in extreme cases, it is not recommended to install a large number of MobileSubstrate extensions. These devices can gradually lose speed during normal operation, stop responding and become unstable.

Conclusion

As we have seen, jailbreak itself does not involve excessive loss of battery or device performance drop, as this procedure all it does is install Cydia. The problems addressed, as we have said, are solely to blame for the installation of add-ons and extensions based on MobileSubstrate.

If we were to draw a quick guide on how the user has to do to avoid these problems, would be:

• Users with an iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad can install any new package based on MobileSubstrate Cydia. The device should not show any significant decrease in performance, even after dozens of add-ons installed.
• Users with an iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4G and the first generation of iPad, can be installed from Cydia MobileSubstrate based packages without any special reserve, but being careful not to exaggerate.
• Users with an iPhone 3GS or third generation iPod can install from Cydia MobileSubstrate based packages without any special reserve, but taking extra care not to overdo it.
• Users with an iPhone 3G or iPod Touch second generation, will have to be careful and choose very carefully installed extensions to avoid performance degradation and battery.
• Users with an iPhone 2G or iPod Touch 1G should proceed with caution and choose well who want to install extensions to avoid performance degradation or battery. Probably best for these users would not install any extension that is not essential.

We hope to have clarified one of the most discussed topics related to the Jailbreak. And you, have you had any problems after jailbreak to your device?

Share this article with your friends on popular social networks with the buttons you'll find at the beginning of it. Thank you!

Track | iPaditalia

iPadizate , best blog on the Apple iPad.