iOS has its pros and cons, but you can’t believe everything you hear about Apple’s mobile operating system
iPhones, and Apple’s iOS platform, are everywhere. But that doesn’t mean that all the talk you hear about the mobile operating system is true.
Actually, there are a couple of persistent misconceptions about iOS that cloud your understanding of how the operating system works.
That’s especially true if you’re trying to figure out what the real differences are
between iOS and Android.
See also:
Top 10 Advantages of an iPhone Over Android
Now, read on to learn about five iOS myths and to find out why they’re incorrect.
Myth #1: iOS is immune to malware
The vast majority of people think that because iOS is a closed system, over which Apple has extensive control, it’s impossible to end up with malware on an iOS device.
Unfortunately, that is simply not true. Although Apple thoroughly screens all apps in the App Store, infected apps,
or apps that compromise your iPhone’s security may still end up in the App Store. (For instance, consider the scenario in which
Apple removed some ad-blocking apps
from the App Store. The company noticed that the apps in question were installing their own root certificate and were thus theoretically
able to access encrypted traffic.)
iOS devices are also susceptible to network attacks, which can occur over public Wi-Fi networks in coffee shops, airports, and other places where you may not be
as careful as you should be. That’s one of the reasons why you should be careful and take precautions when
connecting to a public Wi-Fi network.
Even if you’re connected to a network that you’ve used before, a hacker can also be on that network and access your information, your passwords, and
other personal data. Though it’s easier to update iOS than Android, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to pay attention to security.
See also:
Can an iPhone get a virus?
Myth #2: Touch ID isn’t secure
It is now well known that
Touch ID is hackable,
in part because the form of biometric authentication of the iPhone depends on your fingerprint, which a determined hacker could obtain from something
you’ve touched. But for the average user, who doesn’t live in a spy movie, this is a pretty unlikely situation. Just like discovering that
your iPhone has been tapped.
It’s true that Touch ID has its weaknesses, and someone can exploit those weaknesses to gain access to your iPhone. But in practical
terms, it is extremely unlikely that someone will get a viable fingerprint, even from your iPhone itself, lift the print correctly and then use
expensive equipment to create a fake fingerprint that can fool the system. Are the photos and app data that you have on your iPhone worth all that trouble
to someone else? Probably not.
It comes down to? Touch ID is not 100% secure, but no form of biometric authentication is. If you have a spy-novel-worthy hacker after you, it is possible
that Touch ID can be used to access your iPhone. But for casual and opportunistic thieves? Touch ID will not make your personal information easy
to access. As with any mobile operating system, iOS has some vulnerabilities. But if you do your bit to keep track of your iPhone, you shouldn’t have any problems.
See also:
Touch ID Vs. Face ID: what are the differences and similarities?
Myth #3: You can change everything on iOS that you can on Android
Android is known for its customizability, but the vast majority of Apple fans think that recent updates have made iOS just as customizable as Google’s much-more open
operating system. That’s just not true, as iOS is a “walled garden” that still leaves much control in Apple’s hands. For example, While you can totally
change the look of the interface on an Android device, , that’s not easy to do on iOS, and you won’t be able to make all the changes on iOS that you
can do on Android.
Of course, you can
jailbreak your iPhone
to be able to customize it any way you want. But we really don’t recommend jailbreaking your iPhone. A jailbroken iPhone cannot download updates or security
patches without returning to its original state. And jailbreaking has unforeseen consequences, such as
shorter battery life,
features and apps that may stop working,
or software that keeps crashing. If you want to take control of the appearance and functionality of your phone operating system, you’ll
be much better served by choosing an Android device instead of an iPhone
As you may already know, Apple has changed the customizability of its operating system to some extent with recent versions of iOS,
perhaps in response to complaints from users who would like more control over what they can do on their iPhones. While users accustomed to Android used
to complain that you couldn’t change the default keyboard used in Apple’s operating system, Apple began allowing third-party keyboards with the introduction
of iOS 8. That means that you can choose an alternate keyboard to use throughout the system, something you could previously control only on Android. And
iOS 10
brought, among other features, the ability to delete stock apps you don’t want. But iOS still doesn’t match the customizability of Android.
Myth #4: Apple invented apps, so all the goods apps go to iOS first
To start with, it’s a common misconception that Apple “invented” apps with the introduction of the iPhone and then the App Store. That’s not true.
When the Cupertino brand launched the first iPhone in 2007, it was basically an iPod Touch with calling functionality added — no 3G connectivity and no App Store at launch.
While Apple played a major role in popularlizing the concept of mobile apps when it did introduce the App Store, it really didn’t invent any apps. Stuff like
calendar apps, ringtone editors, and basic mobile games were around long before Apple created its first iPhone.
As for the myth that all the best apps go to iOS first, this isn’t as true as Apple fans would like to believe. It’s true that there are tons of developers
who release new apps on iOS first. (If Apple’s iOS was the programming language and platform that you were most familiar with, wouldn’t you start there,
too?) The iOS App Store is also a better place than the Google Play Store for paid apps or apps with in-app purchases. But any developer who wants wide
distribution will publish on both iOS and Android, even if his or her technical background influences the choice of which app to complete first.
The Android and iOS app stores have roughly the same number of apps. If you’re an Android user who has got the impression that all the apps that you’d
like to use go to iOS first, it is properbly because many startups in the United States are run by iOS users, especially in Silicon Valley, where the iPhone
dominates (at least according to anecdotal evidence). But you can find great apps for both mobile operating systems, and when
choosing between iOS and Android,
you need to research which platform allows you to use your favorite apps.
Myth #5: Bigger specs are better, and iPhones often lose
When you compare smartphones, you can easily get caught up in how their tech spects compare. And if you’re comparing
a high-end Android smartphone against one of Apple’s iPhones, there are probably at least a few areas where the Android smartphone seems to be clearly better. But
a phone has more to offer than its spects, a truth that will come up again and again if you read the experts’ reviews of the smartphones you’re trying to
compare.
One example is how megapixels, the easiest specification to compare when dealing with two different smartphones with unique camera systems, don’t
offer the whole story when it comes to the camera’s performance.
Myth #6: Jailbreaking Apple Devices could Land You a Spot in Jail
Contrary to popular belief, jailbreaking your iPad and your iPhone is not illegal. Of course, it can affect your warranty negatively but as per the U.S. Library of Congress, jailbreaking your Apple device does not mean you are breaking or infringing copyright laws.
See also:
Debunking Common Myths about iPhone Battery
iOS myths debunked?
Debunked or not, these myths about Apple iOS are the most common among critics and users. There are probably more common myths or less common myths surrounding this popular gadget giant but it would be too big a list if I were to enumerate and describe them all. More myths may crop up in the future and it would be up to the critics and fans to evaluate whether these myths are true or not.