mSpy Review - The Most Dominant Monitoring App for Parents

With the development of technology, smartphones and social media have become an important part of children’s lives. In fact, by age 11, 91% of children in the UK own a smartphone. They spend about 5 hours per day to use social media.

While the Internet offers many benefits, like easy access to education and information, it also presents serious risks, especially for children who lack the maturity to navigate these dangers. Hazards such as sextortion, online harassment, and cyberbullying are increasingly common. Using social media too much can also lead to internet addiction or reduced face-to-face interactions.

As a parent, it is crucial to keep an eye on your kid’s mobile phone activities in order to notice any strange behavior and prevent dangerous issues. mSpy is a powerful tool to check what’s going on with your child by tracking their phone activities. They’ve been on the market for 10 years and have been releasing updates every year to stay ahead of the competition. In this review, we’ll go into great depth about the functions, legality, and pricing.

What is mSpy?

mSpy is a mobile spying app that can be installed on your target device to help you observe its activities remotely. This solution provides information, such as phone calls, instant messengers, social media activities, locations, tracking, and so on. Notably, the app works in the background in a complete incognito mode, which prevents being tracked by the target phone.

Being launched in 2010, mSpy has considerably developed to be one of the most prevalent mobile spying apps across the world. It is reliable, simple to set up, and eligible for both Android and iOS mobile devices. Besides, the app gives users a deep analysis of the target cell phone’s activities.

All data acquired from the application is uploaded into the company’s cloud server, where you access via the web-based dashboard. You can navigate to the dashboard from a mobile or a computer. mSpy is an excellent solution that covers a lot of uses. Some people utilize it as parental control to keep an eye on their kid’s mobile activities. Meanwhile, others leverage it to make sure their employees use their company phones for business-related matters.

In short, mSpy Is top-tier spyware for covert monitoring and surveillance needs.

Pros

• Allow users to record the target device’s screen via the screen recorder
• Provide full access to the target’s call log & location
• See all texts (even deleted messages)
• Check all media files stored in the target device
• Track everything your child typed with a keylogger (even deleted texts)
• Real-time location tracking
• Alert if your child crosses the demarcated area

Cons

• Data updates might be delayed sometimes
• Not always synced pre-existing photos & videos

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How Does mSpy Work?

After mSpy is installed on the phone, the app runs in the background. That helps the app stay hidden on the target device.

After installation, the app can bring you everything on the target phone, such as incoming/outgoing calls, location tracking, social media usage, instant messages, and many more. mSpy gets all this information and includes them to your online dashboard to help you monitor easily.

Remember that the app uses an Internet connection (Wi-fi or 3G/4G) to upload the data to the dashboard. Hence, you need to ensure that the target phone is connected to the Internet so that you can have information.

What Are The Main Features of mSpy?

1. Target phone information tracking

You can get some information about the target phone from your dashboard:

• mSpy software version
• Operating system data
• Cellular service provider
• Remaining battery life
• Phone model
• Memory space
• Last time the phone synced with your dashboard
• Whether or not the target phone is jailbroken or rooted

You also can manage some key function by using your mSpy dashboard remotely:

• Wipe the target device if it is lost
• Disable the app on the target phone
• Restart mSpy by sending out a text message of “777” if the target phone disappears from your control panel. The monitored person will not see this text.
• Unlink the existing target cell phone
• Remove all the logs in your control panel
• Export the logs in your control panel for storage. Formats supported are PDF, CSV, or XLS
• Reboot the target mobile remotely
• Lock the phone remotely

Check out mSpy full features

2. Settings for the target phone

From your control panel, you can decide the default behavior for the target phone. Then the app will work with these settings until you make some changes.

You might want to make sure everything is set “auto-update” so that all of the recorded data is automatically uploaded to your control panel.

As uploading all of the information on a regular basis can affect the phone’s battery life and data usage, you can show mSpy which sorts of information to send over particular connections. For example, videos are a bit large. You can request the app to only upload videos when the device is on wi-fi instead of a cellular connection.

Besides, you can set the update interval for data and location information. The lower the setting, the more often the updates will occur. It’s essential to make a balance that doesn’t affect the battery of the phone too fast. In many cases, it is recommended to update information every 30 minutes and location data every 2 minutes.

3. Website monitoring and blocking

This feature enables you to see which website the monitored device visits, pages this person has bookmarked. Plus, the app can inform you when specific keywords are searched in the browser. This function can help parents to keep tabs on the content their children are watching.

Additionally, if the target phone uses Chrome, Safari, or the native Android browser, you can block some websites.

4. Incoming and outgoing call tracking

You can know all incoming and outgoing calls from the target device within your control panel. You can check call times, duration, names (if any), and the total number of calls.

In case the user of the phone removed their call log, you still get its history. That sounds amazing!

Moreover, you can decide incoming call blocking for some certain contacts or numbers and block all incoming calls in a specific time period. For instance, you don’t want your son making calls from 11 pm-7 am, you can configure this in your dashboard.

5. Text message tracking

mSpy supports tracking all incoming and outgoing text messages from the monitored phone. Phone numbers, the time, and text messages will be shown in your dashboard.

Like the case of the call log, you even can view the text messages that have been deleted on the target device. Click here to learn more about this feature

6. Email tracking

With mSpy, all incoming and outgoing email messages will be displayed in a log file on the dashboard. You can know the email address of the sender/receiver, the email’s timestamp, and content. Like the call log and SMS text log, you still view all the data even if the target user clears emails.

7. Calendar and contact information access

mSpy helps you see names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical address information. Plus, you can read the calendar and schedule of the target mobile. This enables you to view scheduled meetings, all calendar entries, and any scheduled tasks.

8. Physical location tracking

GPS tracking is one of the most powerful features of mSpy. If you use this built-in GPS system, you can immediately track a phone’s location within 20 meters.

Furthermore, you can get a map of their location over a specific amount of time. You also can monitor the phone by using wi-fi if it cannot receive GPS signals.

9. GEO Fencing

The GEO fencing feature allows you to set up limited zones for the target cell phone. The number of zones you can set up is limitless. The device will automatically record the time and frequency of every zone being visited.

What’s more, you can get the phone to give you an email notification that shows you when particular zones have been entered and exited.

Parents can take advantage of this feature to protect their children from far away. They can set a “safe zone” around their house, their child’s school, and other destinations they often visit. If the child leaves one of these zones, the parents can receive a notification instantly.

10. Instant messaging apps monitoring

There are numerous ways to communicate from a smartphone by using a wide range of social media apps. It’s not enough for you to track text messages only. mSpy helps you to spy some popular social apps, including Skype, Whatsapp, iMessage, Viber, Snapchat, Line, Telegram, Tinder, and Google Hangouts.

11. Installed applications monitoring

All of the installed applications on the target device will be shown on your dashboard. You can decide to block or open access to the app. This allows you to make sure that your kids aren’t using any apps that can be harmful to them.

12. Keylogging

The default target keyboard is replaced by a mSpy keyboard that monitors all keystrokes. You can choose the Force Keyboard button in your control panel to ask mSpy to load its keyboard all the time.

This feature is great for tracking specific language usage or logging usernames and passwords to sites. Click here to learn more about mSpy’s keylogger.

13. Keyword alerting

Would it be helpful for you to receive a notification whenever a particular word or phrase is used on the target device? Sex, drug, porn, alcohol, or any other keyword can be defined to enable an instant notification to you.

What you need to do is to enter all of the keywords you want to track. mSpy will search through apps, text messages, browsing history to alert you of the keyword.

14. Automated screen recorder & screenshots

mSpy’s screen recorder takes snapshots of chats, notifications, and other activities, making it perfect for tracking disappearing messages on apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Instagram. Automated screenshots are triggered by activity, like a new message, capturing it before it’s deleted.

What’s even better is that mSpy labels each screenshot with the app it’s from, letting you quickly filter and find what you need without scrolling through countless images.

15. Wi-Fi network tracking

mSpy also monitors the Wi-Fi networks the target device connects to. You’ll see the network name, connection time, and date, helping you confirm if your child is where they say they are. A standout feature is the ability to remotely disconnect the device from Wi-Fi. If your kids are online past bedtime, you can cut off their internet access with a simple command.

16. Remote camera access

With mSpy, you can remotely control the target device’s camera to capture photos or videos discreetly. This feature is useful for parents or employers who need to check the surroundings for safety or security reasons. All media captured is accessible via the mSpy dashboard for real-time insights.

17. Media files monitoring

To ensure your child isn’t interacting with harmful or inappropriate content, mSpy lets you monitor the media files saved on their device, including images and videos. You’ll also see timestamps showing when the files were downloaded, helping you determine if it’s a one-time event or a recurring issue. This tool can ease concerns about exposure to adult or unsafe content online.

mSpy Compatibility

mSpy supports a variety of mobile devices, including:

• Android 4 and higher - some advanced features are supported on rooted devices only
• iOS 7 to 8.4, 9.0 to 9.1 with jailbreak. If the phone is not jailbroken, it will utilize the iCloud storage to transfer information and work on any device with iOS7 and above.
• Windows XP x32, Windows 7x32,x34, Windows Vista x32, x64, or Windows 8,8.1
• Mac OS 10.7 Lion,OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, OS X 10.10 Yosemite, OS X 10.11 El Capitan

You can check your device compatibility with mSpy here.

Is it Legal To Use mSpy?

mSpy was created to help parents to protect their children and help employers keep their workers productive. Therefore, it is absolutely legal to use the app. However, you should ensure that your intentions to use mSpy address the legal requirements below:

• You want to use mSpy as a parental control tool for tracking your underage kids.
• You want to use this app as a solution for tracking company-owned devices of which employees know being tracked.
• You want to install mSpy on your device.

mSpy Pricing

The price of using mSpy is very straightforward. If you want to save money, consider long-term subscriptions with more discounts.

• 1-month plan: $48.99/month
• 3-month plan: $28/month
• 12-month plan: $11.67/month

mSpy offers all features across plans, but priority support is only included in three-month or annual subscriptions. Monthly plans still provide support but with slower response times. For 24/7 expert help, you can purchase mAssistance.

mSpy’s customer support is quick and reliable, and the chatbot can even offer discounts. While there’s no free trial, you can try mSpy with its demo right on the website.

Installation and Setup mSpy

Step 1: Create a mSpy account

Go to mSpy website and click Try Now to start creating an account

Enter your email address and follow their instructions.

Then, click Continue and decide which type of device you would like to track: iOS or Android. Choose carefully because it will affect how the system operates. If you choose the wrong device, it can cause some conflicts.

Step 2: Choose a subscription

The longer term you choose, the cheaper the monthly payment is. Think about it.

Step 3: Make payment

Enter your card number and some payment details like the image below. Once you complete it, you will need to set up the device a bit, and it’s totally different for iOS and Android. Don’t worry! We’ll explain in detail.

Install mSpy on Android devices

To install mSpy, you’ll need to turn off Play Protect on the target device. Ensure the phone is now unlocked and has a stable connection with the Internet.

Next, open the Google Play Store.

Tap on the profile picture or the three lines in the top-right corner (the interface may vary). From the menu, select “Play Protect.” Then, click the settings gear in the top-right corner. Disable the “Scan Apps With Play Protect” option to proceed with downloading mSpy.

After turning off Play Protect, you’ll receive a link. Copy and paste that link into the phone’s address bar > do the captcha security test > click Download mSpy.

In case there’s a pop-up at the bottom of your screen asking for permission, just hit Open > Settings > Allow From The Source. Then go back and press Next to keep downloading. Once the process is done, tap the Open button.

Now, it’s time to set up the mSpy app on your target device. The mSpy app includes automated installation instructions. After granting all necessary permissions, simply enter the registration code provided by the app guide and tap Complete Installation.

Once done, your mSpy account will be ready to track the target device. You can view the monitored data anytime through the control panel on your mSpy account.

Install mSpy on iOS devices without jailbreaking

There are 2 options: Access your kid’s iCloud credentials and Physical access through Wi-Fi sync. The first one would be easier to implement. Let’s get to the detailed instructions for each method.

Method 1: Access iCloud credentials

After the basic steps of creating an account, you will then need to choose the connecting method, which in this case is iCloud Sync installation.

You’ll be redirected to a new page requiring you to log into your mSpy account again. Then, enter the iCloud credentials of your child’s device.

Hit Connect. Next, check the 2 notifications from mSpy. The first is sent to the iCloud email informing you’re trying to login and the second one is sent straight to the target phone containing a 6-digit code. These notifications are for 2-factor authentication.

After providing the right code, mSpy will do the rest for you. It usually takes 10-20 minutes to process. So, be patient.

Method 2: Access via Wi-Fi sync

In case you don’t have your kid’s iCloud credentials, you can still install mSpy through Wi-Fi sync, but it’s a bit more complicated. Here’s how:

• Get an extra Wi-Fi sync app with your subscription and install it on your PC or Mac.
• Connect the target device to your PC/Mac with a USB cable. The app will then store the iPhone’s data. This process might take a while. And that’s it. All activities on the phone are now on your computer. The next time you want to update new data, you don’t have to connect the phone to your PC anymore, just use the same WiFi.

How to Jailbreak iOS Before Installing mSpy

To be honest, jailbreaking is the hardest way to break into a device, so it’s not recommended. However, it’s still an option, and you are free to try. Here are the steps to jailbreak iOS.

• Download this app and extract the downloaded file

• Open the extracted folder

• Click on it again

• Open the next folder

• Next, you’ll see the ISO-file. To open it, use an app named Rufus.

• Open Rufus > insert a USB into your PC > click on Select > choose the Checkra1n ISO-file. If you’re using an external hard drive, hit Hide advanced drive properties > check List USB Hard Drives.

• Press Start > Ok

Note: The files on your USB-stick will be removed after this!

• Restart your computer > enter BIOS > Boot Manager. (To enter BIOS, check this guide.)
• Change the boot order by selecting USB in the BIOS Boot Manager (guide). Then, restart your PC.

• Now, connect the iPhone to your PC with a cable. Then, hit Trust when there’s a popup showing up to allow the app to work properly.
• Press Start > Next and enter the passcode if required.

• Press Start and keep following the instructions to jailbreak your target device.

• When the jailbreaking process is completed, hit Done.
• Open the checkra1n app on your kid’s phone.

• Tap Cydia > Install Cydia.

• Log in to your mSpy account > press Get Started > Apple, iOS > Jailbreak and follow the instructions to install mSpy as normal.

How We Test Spyware Apps

Important Note: Using spy software without the device owner’s permission is illegal in many places. We test these apps only with the owner’s consent and in compliance with local laws.

To recommend the best spyware apps, we evaluate popular options based on:

• Features: We check tools like app management, time limits, call monitoring, device control, and GPS tracking.
• Ease of Use: We test how simple the app is to set up, including whether jailbreaking (iOS) or rooting (Android) is required.
• Compatibility: We ensure the app works on iOS and Android and provides easy access via desktop and mobile dashboards.
• Customer Support: We assess the responsiveness and quality of support through live chat, email, or phone.
• Pricing: We compare prices with features, looking for free trials, demos, and value for money.
• Privacy and Security: We prioritize apps with strong encryption, privacy compliance, and regular security updates. Our goal is to provide honest and practical recommendations based on thorough testing.

Can You Use mSpy to Track Someone’s Phone Without Them Knowing?

Yes, mSpy can track a phone discreetly by running in stealth mode, hidden from app lists and notifications. However, it’s important to note that using such apps without the device owner’s consent is illegal in many countries. mSpy is best used to monitor your child’s safety or a partner’s location with their permission.

Other Parental Control Tools

mSpy is a highly capable app, but it’s not the cheapest option. Let’s take a look at other top alternatives.

Conclusion

mSpy is a great parental control tool that can help parents understand their child’s online activities. mSpy also can prevent your children from being harassed or bullied online.

If you have tried this app, could you share your opinion with us in the comment section. We’re glad to hear from you.