Do you wish to keep tabs on your spouse or employee? Are you a worried parent who wants to protect your child from harmful content and entities online?
Well, then you’ve probably considered using cell phone spying applications. Although there are ethical concerns surrounding these applications, there are also valid reasons for using them.
It is only natural for parents or spouses to be curious as to what their loved ones are up to on their devices. Needless to say, cell phone spying apps prove useful in satisfying this curiosity. I personally find such tools fascinating and have given many spy applications a try. My experience with most of them hasn’t been pleasant.
Most spy apps available in the market are very dodgy. Not all of them are competitive. So it was my pursuit of a reliable spy app that eventually brought my attention to mSpy.
Table of Contents:
What is mSpy?
After having used the app for quite a while now, I wanted to share my honest thoughts about it and want to use this article as the medium to do so.
So without much ado, allow me to give you my unfiltered thoughts on the popular mSpy app and determine whether it lives up to its reputation.
mSpy is a cell phone surveillance application that was first launched in 2010. The app grants its users the ability to spy on a targeted iOS and Android operating mobile device. It is a tool you can easily install on a device you wish to snoop into.
Upon installation, it’ll let you monitor almost everything transpiring on that device, even going to the extent of tracking the device’s real-time location.
You’ll be able to keep tabs on everything from their social media posts to their call logs and where the device’s owner has been last. Perhaps the best feature of this tool is the fact that the tool operates discreetly in the background.
The target device’s user will notice nothing unusual with their device to make them suspicious while mSpy does its job. You’ll have real-time access to the target device’s information without the owner of the device knowing. The app also happens to be phenomenally easy to use and set up.
Now that you know what this app is, allow me to get into the heart of this in-depth mSpy app review by explaining how mSpy works.
How Does mSpy Work
mSpy’s installation process is slightly different regarding what target device you wish to install it on.
To install it on an Android device, you’ll need physical access to the device. On the other hand, the app can be installed on an iPhone via physical access or iCloud credentials. If you’ve taken care of these conditions, you’ll have no issue installing the app on any type of mobile device.
How to Install mSpy on Target Phone
To install the software, visit the official mSpy website and simply adhere to the following steps:
Step #1: First, you’ll need to sign up and open a mSpy account.
Step #2: Next, select the operating system of the device you wish to spy on.
Step #3: Choose the subscription plan and pay the amount to finish registration.
Step #4: Upon payment, you’ll receive an email carrying the mSpy installation link.
Step #5: Copy the link and paste it into the browser of your target device.
Step #6: Follow the instructions prompted to install the software.
Step #7: At the very end, enter the registration code provided to you and finish the installation process.
Step #8: Now use your mSpy login credentials to access the dashboard from your personal device and start monitoring the device.
Now you know how to install mSpy on iPhone and Android devices. The process may look daunting, but I can guarantee you’ll be done with the installation process within minutes.
The User-Interface
A cell phone spying application grants you the ability to remotely monitor activity transpiring on your target device. So it is imperative for the spy application to have a robust, user-friendly, and intuitive interface. Thankfully, mSpy doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Once you log into your account, an easy-to-navigate and well-organized dashboard greets you. You’ll be presented with a statistical overview of all activity occurring on your target device. This entails data on most messaged contacts, most visited websites, last visited location, etc.
All the app’s key features are lined up immaculately on the left-hand side of your screen. So you are just a click away from viewing contact, message, and social media details. I was impressed by how seamlessly remote access and control were made via the app’s interface.
The UI alone made my day, however, it isn’t just usability where this app excels.
Top Features
The app is studded with features and I put each of them through the wringer for the sake of this mSpy review. Here are my thoughts on all of them.
#1) Call Monitoring
Call monitoring is perhaps the most typical feature that one can expect a cell phone spying app to offer. Suffice it to say, that mSpy call monitoring capabilities are pretty straightforward. You’ll get to monitor the entire call log.
This includes incoming and outgoing calls with additional information. You’ll know when the call was made, at what time, and how long the call lasted.
#2) SMS Tracking
Similar to call monitoring, you’ll have access to all sent and received messages. You’ll get to view these messages along with the attached timestamps. So you know when these messages were sent and to whom. If the messages contain pictures, you can download and view them as well.
#3) Social Media Spying
Another impressive thing that mSpy does is give you remote access to chat activity on social apps like Whatsapp, Facebook, Viber, Instagram, etc. This is an ideal feature for parents who want to know what their child is up to on online social media platforms.
You’ll have access to all messages sent via these apps. These include call information and multi-media files shared through them, as depicted on the mSpy Whatsapp interface presented above.
As of today, mSpy lets you monitor almost all popular social media channels. You’ll know who the target device’s owner was in contact with on these platforms, the conversations they’ve had, the frequency of these conversations, etc.
mSpy lets you track a device’s real-time location on an easy-to-read map. You’ll be able to keep tabs on the device’s location anytime you want. The app is very precise in its ability to track a phone’s GPS location. It will accurately pinpoint a device’s location, down to the latitude and longitude.
Another thing that mSpy does is let you set up geo-fences on the map. These geo-fences are nothing but virtual boundaries that you can mark on the map. You are immediately alerted if the device leaves or enters this zone. This is a great feature if you want to know how frequently a person visits a certain place.
#5) Application Blocking
Besides giving you a sneak peek into the device’s contact and location activity, the app also gives you an overview of all apps installed on the target device. You can remotely view these apps via your mSpy dashboard. You can identify the apps by their names, logos, and the version installed.
Here’s where it gets interesting. You can actually block an app from being used on the target device remotely. All you have to do is hit the app inside your control panel and give the command. I believe this is what makes the app ideal for parental control.
#6) Keylogger
Here’s another thing that makes mSpy a great parental control app. The application registers every keystroke typed on the target device. The app maps each phrase to the application on the target device where it was typed.
So you are immediately notified if a wrong or inappropriate keyword is being typed on the target device and you can take action immediately to prevent further harm.
#7) Screen Recorder
mSpy is one of those rare spy applications that can record the screen of your target device and take timely snapshots. This feature is particularly useful for capturing ephemeral moments transpiring on the app. For instance, you can use the app to capture a snapshot of messages that were later deleted by the cell phone owner.
#8) Internet Usage Tracking
mSpy gives you a complete overview of your target device’s browser history. You’ll know exactly what websites were visited and how many times they were visited.
Furthermore, you can just remotely block the website on the device if you don’t want the device’s owner to visit the site again. You also get detailed information on what websites are bookmarked in the target device’s browser.
Besides browser tracking, you can also rely on mSpy to check which Wi-Fi networks the phone connects to the most. You’ll have access to the name of the network when the device was connected, and how frequently a connection was established. Just like with websites, you can block a network and prevent the device from connecting to it again.
You can also count on the app to monitor all received and sent emails. You’ll be able to read entire emails and have access to other important information like who the email was sent to or vice versa, the time an email was sent, the subject, etc.
#9) Viewing Multi-Media Files
If your target device has images and videos stored in it, you’ll have the privilege of seeing them remotely. You’ll know exactly when these photos and videos made their way into the target device. I believe this is a great feature for parents who want to ensure their kids aren’t storing inappropriate content on their phones.
#10) Remote Camera
With mSpy, you can actually activate your target device’s camera remotely and watch everything that’s happening around the phone discreetly. This is yet another feature that makes the tool great for parental control. The recordings captured by the camera are stored in your control panel and can be viewed later on whenever you wish.
mSpy Customer Service
mSpy’s customer support team is ready to address your queries or get you out of a jam 24/7. You can reach out to them via email or a contact number. You can get in touch with the team via live chat that’s active round the clock.
The support team doesn’t take long to respond. Based on your requirements, you are provided with different email IDs to get in touch with a specific department within mSpy’s team. For instance, if you want to contact the sales department, then you can use the mail id sales@mspy.com to get your message out to the right folks.
There is enough material on mSpy’s site for users to help themselves. You’ll find blogs, informative tutorials, and FAQ sections for your benefit.
Price
mSpy’s cost varies depending on the subscription plan you’d prefer. The plans are substantially discounted when you initially subscribe to the service. However, you’ll need to pay the full amount upon the plan’s renewal.
The discounted plans are:
- 1 Month: $48.99/month
- 3 Months: $28.00/month
- 12 Months: $11.67/month
Upon the plan’s expiry, you’ll be charged the full amount for renewal. The full prices are as follows:
- 1 Month: $69.99/month
- 3 Months: $40.00/month
- 12 Months: $16.67/month
The tool is expensive. However, if you are someone who’ll use the tool for spying very frequently, then the amount paid is worth it. There isn’t a mSpy free trial, so I would recommend going with the 1-month plan initially to get a hang of the tool.
If you personally like the experience offered, then by all means upgrade to the yearly plan, as it will be more affordable to you in the long run.
Pros and Cons
| Remote access and control | Costly subscription plans |
| User-friendly UI with a clean layout | |
| Works discreetly in the background | |
| Keylogger | |
| Accurate location tracking | |
| Remotely activate the target device camera | |
| Screen recording |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) Is mSpy Legit?
Answer: After researching this tool in-depth, I can confidently claim that mSpy shines regarding its features and is completely legitimate. If you use the tool with caution and adhere to privacy laws, then you can use the app to spy on a target device of your choice.
Q #2) Do you have to install mSpy on the target phone?
Answer: Yes, you cannot monitor a desired target device if the app isn’t installed on the phone you wish to spy on. For Android, you’ll need physical access to the device to install. For mSpy iPhone, you can either make do with physical access or install the app via iCloud credentials.
Q #3) Can you use mSpy to spy on multiple devices?
Answer: No, mSpy does not afford this privilege to its users. You can only use mSpy to monitor one device at a time.
Q #4) Is mSpy secure?
Answer: After using mSpy for a while now, I believe the app did a good job of keeping my data secure and respecting my privacy. The tool has stringent security protocols in place to keep data secure around the clock.
Q #5) How to know if mSpy is compatible with my device?
Answer: mSpy works with almost all iPhone and Android devices that are accessible via the internet. Once the app is installed on the target device, you’ll be able to view all the information on that phone remotely via your own personal phone or computer.
Should You Try mSpy – The Final Verdict
As a cell phone spying application, I believe mSpy is a competent tool that allows you to keep tabs on both an Android and iOS device. It is also important to note that the device’s effectiveness will depend on your intent as a user. It can serve as a parental control tool that enables parents to protect their children from online threats.
On the other hand, it can also help employers monitor their employees’s productivity. However, there is always a risk of the app being misused for intrusive purposes. If the app isn’t misused, I believe what you get is a comprehensive suite of features that facilitate flawless iPhone and Android monitoring.
It excels in my books with regard to both its usability and compatibility. Despite being expensive for some, the tool’s abundance of features and easy installation process make it one of the top cell phone spying apps on the market.
mSpy is an app I would recommend for parental control, employee monitoring, and catching a cheating spouse, provided you use the tool while respecting the applicable privacy laws.
You can download mSpy here.