People have been jailbreaking devices for a while as it removes certain restrictions from a device, allowing them to install "free" software. This has been done to smartphones and even consoles. Recently, some users have found an easier way to do so for PS4s by using a TV.
Jailbreaking PS4s with LG TVs
Having a jailbroken console opens it up to free games that one might find online, but it also prevents its users from accessing certain features that PlayStation has to offer. Regardless, some owners are trying out a new trick that requires only a few minutes to execute.
A new method was recently created wherein PS4s can be jailbroken using an LG smart TV. However, the mentioned smart TV needs to be jailbroken as well. There is a digital tool that can be installed on the TV which will be essential in unlocking the PS4.
Users will then have to connect the console to the TV using an ethernet cable, run the exploit tool, and set up a LAN connection to the PS4, as instructed in Kotaku. That's all there is to it and users will not have a jailbroken PS4.
Once this is done, there are more functions that players will have access to. For instance, they will no longer need a PS Plus subscription, which comes in various tiers with different prices, to back up installs and saves.
Emulators will now be able to run on the console as well, which means that installed games no longer need a disc to launch. It also allows users to download pirated games online and the console will be able to run it since there are no restrictions anymore.
While this is still not advisable for now, it can be useful when the PS4 is all but obsolete. When the company stops issuing updates and the console and games no longer work, the exploit might be able to revive certain titles you still want to play.
Disadvantages of a Jailbroken PS4'
While there are a lot of perks that come with a jailbroken device, it will also close doors on certain features that a player might enjoy. For instance, the console will no longer be able to play online multiplayer games since it cannot connect to servers anymore.
Since it cannot access PSN as well, so you won't have the choice to subscribe to the service to get the free games that come with it every month. If you're not careful, your account might even be banned, which means you'll lose all your purchased games.
As for why it's not a good idea to jailbreak a console that's still getting updates, the exploit will render the console incompatible with any of them, and so new features and services won't be available to you, along with other kinds of fixes.
There's a certain amount of security risk when a user "opens up" their consoles. Without the new patches from the updates, it will become more vulnerable to malware or unauthorized access, which can result in the leak of private information like previously saved payment information.
