Best Monitoring Apps for Android

Android monitoring apps are used by parents to monitor their children's activities on their smartphones or tablets. They can also be used by employers to track employee productivity, or by individuals to keep an eye on their own devices.

There are a number of different Android monitoring apps available on the market, each offering its own set of features and capabilities. To help you choose the best solution for your needs, we've compiled a list of the top five options currently available.

Top 5 Android Monitoring Application

We have chosen the best applications for monitoring Android that offer a broad set of features and are compatible with a wide range of different devices and ranked them according to our personal experience.

1. uMobix

uMobix is the Android monitoring app I use on my daughter's phone and it works great. It has a very user-friendly interface and is compatible with a wide range of devices.

The app can be used to monitor everything on the target device, including text messages, phone calls, emails, social media activity, and has GPS location that will allow you to view the device's location in real-time and set up geofencing alerts. It also comes with a built-in Keylogger feature that allows you to see everything that is typed on the device, even if it is deleted immediately afterward.

What really sets uMobix apart is that this Android app has the ability to control the phone's microphone and camera. Either can be turned on at will so you can monitor the surrounding audio, listen in on conversations, or live stream video from the device.

Using uMobix to monitor your child's activities on their device can help you to keep them safe and ensure they are not engaging in anything inappropriate. Additionally, the app can also be used to improve employee productivity or track your own device usage.

Once installed on your child's phone, uMobix will begin tracking their activities and sending the information to your online account. You can then log in to your account at any time to view the data collected while the app remains hidden on the target device.

uMobix is a subscription-based service and the cost of a subscription will depend on the package you purchase, with there being significant discounts for multi-month subscriptions.

2. mSpy

mSpy is a very popular Android monitoring app that offers a broad range of features. It is compatible with a wide range of devices and offers both real-time and historical data tracking.

The app can be used to monitor all activity on the target device, including text messages, phone calls, emails and social media posts. It also has a built-in keylogger that records everything they type, even when it is deleted immediately later.

mSpy lacks some of the more advanced features offered by uMobix, such as the ability to remotely control the device's microphone and camera. However, it does offer a few unique features of its own, such as the ability to view their screen in real-time and remotely lock or unlock the device.

Installation can be done quickly and there are easy to follow tutorials for anything you may need. 24/7 tech support is also available should you get stuck, though that would be unlikely.

3. XNSPY

XNSPY is one of the more popular Android spy apps available and has been around for a number of years. It is compatible with both rooted and non-rooted Android devices, making it one of the most versatile options.

The app offers all of the standard features you would expect, including the ability to access text messages, social media activity, phone call logging, and email tracking. It also has a Keylogger feature to record everything typed on the device.

In addition to the standard features, XNSPY also offers some unique features such as the ability to remotely record phone calls.

The app is very easy to install and use, with a wide range of tutorials available if you need any help. It also offers live customer support 24/7 should you have any problems.

4. EyeZy

EyeZy is a new parental control app for Android that came out in 2022. It was designed from the ground up for simplicity, while not sacrificing features.

It has a near-identical set of features to mSpy, including phone call logging, email tracking, text message and social media monitoring, and a keylogger. It also offers real-time screen viewing and remote device locking/unlocking.

Geofencing options are available for when you do not want to monitor the device's location constantly, but do need to know if it leaves a predefined area or goes to a prohibited location. When this happens, you can receive an alert in the control panel or by e-mail.

This spy app can be installed in just a few minutes, without having to root the target device. Setup can be completed in about 5 minutes, and then the app goes into stealth mode and can not be detected by the cell phone's user.

5. Flexispy

In addition to monitoring text messages, phone calls, emails, and social media posts, Flexispy also offers the ability to remotely control the target device's microphone and camera.

This means you can not only see what is happening on the device but also hear it and even record it. This is an incredibly powerful feature that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Flexispy is also one of the few spy apps offering call recording. Not only can you remotely record phone calls, but it can be done without their knowledge.

So why is it not topping our list? Unfortunately, while it's quite capable it's also the most antiquated of the software options we've listed. The website, control panel, and interface seem dated and not as user-friendly as one would expect from a modern app.

While this doesn't get in the way of its functionality, less tech-savvy users may find it more difficult to navigate and would be more likely to get stuck. If that's not a problem for you, then it's very solid software and well worth looking at.

FAQ

How do I install an Android monitoring app?

Installation is relatively easy and can be done in just a few minutes. However, it is important to note that some of these applications require you to root the target device, while others do not. Be sure to check this detail before purchasing anything.

How much do these apps cost?

Prices vary depending on the app and the features offered, but prices usually fall between $20 and $65 per month. The more expensive options tend to offer more comprehensive features and better support. I would recommend sticking with more expensive and full-featured apps for dependability.

Do I need to root the target device?

For some apps, yes, but for others, no. Be sure to check before you buy as rooting can be a tricky process if you are not expected to need to do it. Most spy apps will have tutorials, should you need to root the phone to obtain the features you want.

What is the best choice?

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your specific needs. However, we would recommend uMobix or mSpy as they offer a wide range of features and are very user-friendly.

Do these apps work with tablets?

Yes, most of these applications will work with both phones and tablets. However, some tools may not be available on tablets due to the difference in the operating system. Be sure to check compatibility with your specific target phone before purchasing.

Legality

You should only use a spying app on a device you own and to monitor someone with their consent. While it is generally legal to use spy apps on a phone you own or to monitor your children, laws can vary dramatically by location so you must consult with a lawyer before using a spy app.

Conclusion

Monitoring apps for Android offer a wide range of abilities that can be useful for a variety of purposes. It is generally best to go with one of the more popular options, like uMobix and mSpy, as they have been proven over time. However, there are times when certain specialized surveillance abilities, like call recording, can make it worthwhile to use something more esoteric.

Always check for compatibility with your specific phone before committing, and only use such an app for legal purposes. If in doubt, contact a lawyer to be sure your monitoring won't land you in legal trouble.

About The Author

Katya Seryabkina

Ukrainian born, and a self-taught computer security expert. I started hacking when I was 14 and can write code in 5 languages, but have no formal technical education. The edge of technology is what keeps me interested. I cover cell phone tracking, spy apps, cybersecurity, the dark web, and certain gadgets for The High Tech Society.