mSpy Review

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mSpy Review

mSpy is a powerful and discreet spy app that has become increasingly popular among parents, employers, and those looking to keep tabs on their loved ones. The app allows users to track smartphone activities including calls, messages, emails, social media accounts, web browsing history, and much more without the user's knowledge.

In this review of mSpy we will look at how mSpy works, what it can do, features, pros and cons, and compatibility, as well as answer common questions and compare mSpy to its main competitors, uMobix and EyeZy.

How Does mSpy Work?

mSpy works by installing a small application on the target device, which will remain undetectable by the user. Once installed, the app runs silently in the background and provides detailed reports on all activities that happen on the device. It is possible to monitor multiple devices simultaneously with just one account. The mSpy app is easy to uninstall, providing users with control over their security and privacy.

What Can mSpy Do?

mSpy can monitor a variety of activities, providing insight into someone's online and personal life. I'll discuss each of the features individually as well as how they can be used together for more comprehensive coverage of someone's activities.

Ease of Use:
Features:
Privacy:
Price:
Pros
  • Easy Installation
  • Social Media Monitoring
  • GPS Tracking
  • Great Tech Support
Cons
  • Price

GPS Location Tracker

mSpy's GPS location tracker feature allows users to track the exact location of their target device in real-time and see its location history over time. While this is useful for seeing where someone is now, I found it to be more useful to review at the end of the day.

In my hands-on testing, I found that the accuracy of this feature was correct to the street address nearly all the time and showed the correct latitude and longitude consistently.

Geofencing

mSpy geofencing map showing selected area to geofence

Geofencing allows users to set boundaries for the monitored device and receive alerts when they stray outside of these areas. Alternatively, you can draw restricted areas on a map and receive alerts if they enter those zones.

I use the former for making sure my kids are safe every day and the latter method for special concerns I may have.

I'm particularly fond of this feature as it just works in the background rather than being something I have to check and monitor myself.

Social Media Monitoring

mSpy Snapchat conversations showing messages and attachments

mSpy is capable of monitoring user activity on popular social media platforms such as Snapchat, Telegram, Kik, Skype, Tinder, Line, Viber, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. You can see all incoming and outgoing messages sent through these apps. This includes images, videos, and other attachments that are shared in conversations. You can also view deleted messages from Snapchat and Telegram as well.

Additionally, it can set up alerts based on certain words or phrases being used in any of these apps which will then notify you when they are detected. This feature makes it easier for parents to keep tabs on what their children are talking about online without having to manually read through their chats every day.

Monitors text messages

mSpy can monitor all incoming and outgoing text messages, including deleted messages. As with social media monitoring, you can set up keyword alerts to notify you when a conversation contains a topic you should be aware of, without having to read every message yourself.

Screen Recorder

The screen recorder feature allows you to record the activity on the target device's screen in real-time. This is useful for seeing what apps or websites someone is using and can serve as a deterrent if they know that they are being monitored.

I found this feature to be particularly useful when I wanted to check up on what my kids were doing without having to hover over them all day. It's also helpful for making sure they are not using hidden messaging apps.

Keylogger

The keylogger feature records all keystrokes on the target device, which can help you uncover passwords and other sensitive information. This is particularly helpful if you want to monitor someone's activities on social networks or any other website that requires a login.

Call Logs and Contacts

mSpy call logs showing incoming, outgoing, and missed calls as well as duration

mSpy can monitor all incoming and outgoing calls, SMS messages, and contact details. This is a helpful parental control feature for making sure your kids are not talking to people they shouldn't be or someone is not trying to contact them without your knowledge.

The phone number, time and duration of the call, and the contact name the person is listed under are available.

Block Unwanted Apps

If you don't want your children accessing certain apps, the application can have the target device block them. This is especially useful if you don't want them accessing inappropriate content or websites that are not suitable for their age group.

View Pictures And Video

The app allows you to view all of the photos and videos stored on a target device. This is helpful for making sure your kids are not sending inappropriate images or videos to anyone, as well as knowing if someone is sexting them.

Pricing

mSpy pricing is about average for a good parental control app, but it becomes quite affordable if you buy a multi-month plan.

  • Monthly: $48.99 per month
  • 3 Months: $28.00 per month
  • Yearly: $11.67 per month

While their monthly pricing is pretty typical for a parental control apps, it's certainly not a bargain. However, yearly pricing for mSpy is quite inexpensive.

I would generally advise caution when a spy app offers a deep discount for a multi-month plan, as this usually is a sign of a high cancellation rate, but mSpy has been one of the more solid, dependable, and trustworthy spy apps on the market for a good number of year. For this reason, I would recommend making sure that it has all of the features you require and then taking advantage of the lower cost of the longer term

mSpy Compatibility

The mSpy spy app is designed to be broadly compatible with nearly every iOS and Android device released since 2014.

For iPhones without jailbreak, it's compatible with all iOS versions, though physical access will be necessary if iCloud backup isn't activated on the target device or 2-factor/2-step verification is enabled.

For jailbroken iPhones, it's compatible with iOS 11 - 14.8.1. Physical access will be needed to install it on a jailbroken iPhone.

Android devices must be running Android 4+, and physical possession of the device is required to install it. Additionally, instant messenger monitoring is only available on rooted Android phones.

How To Install mSpy On A Target Phone

Installing mSpy on an iPhone can be done in three ways.

To use the iCloud Sync method, start by selecting the targeted iOS device and then choosing the iCloud Sync method. Log in with your mSpy credentials, entering the device's credentials when prompted. A 6-digit code will then be sent to both the email address registered with Apple and the target phone for 2FA confirmation which needs to be entered into your account to complete linking. Fortunately, there are ways to install mSpy without the phone's password.

For Wi-Fi sync, install a dedicated app provided as part of your subscription onto your Mac or PC, connect the iPhone via USB cable, and allow it to back up data from the phone. After you disconnect, mSpy will automatically upload all data when it connects to that WiFi connection in the future.

Finally, direct installation on jailbroken iPhones requires simply installing the app and entering your mSpy account details when prompted. After a brief setup period, stealth mode is entered making it invisible to users and allowing access over a web-based control panel for monitoring functions.

I strongly recommend directly installing mSpy on a jailbroken iPhone because it provides on-demand access to the most information.

Installing on an Android phone is simple and straightforward. The app can be installed directly, with slightly limited features, or the phone can be rooted to enable full Instant Messenger Monitoring. After rooting the phone, all you need to do is install the monitoring software from their website, enter the login details you received at purchase, and the app will enter stealth mode.

mSpy Support

mSpy customer support is available 24/7 to help customers with their spying needs or general questions. They can be reached by calling their toll-free number 855-896-0041 or by live chat on their website.

I found the customer service staff to be knowledgeable and helpful in navigating the app's features, and they should be able to assist with any questions or technical issues that you may experience.

The availability of customer service during installation can be particularly helpful since it can be a time-sensitive process. The mSpy customer support team can provide users with step-by-step instructions on how to properly install the app, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise along the way. Additionally, customers will receive access to their own personalized dashboard and training materials that can help them better understand how to use mSpy.

FAQ

Is mSpy Legit?

Yes, mSpy is a legitimate software product. It was founded in 2011 and has since become one of the leading and most trusted monitoring apps in the world.

Is mSpy Safe?

mSpy is safe to use and can be uninstalled fully when you no longer need it. It uses strong encryption and provides users with a detailed privacy policy, so you can feel comfortable that your data is secure. Additionally, the software is regularly updated to ensure it remains up-to-date with security protocols.

What Is mSpy Used For?

The software can be used to monitor text messages, call logs, GPS location, web history, and more on iOS and Android devices. Parents can monitor their children's activities, or employers to keep track of employee communications. The product is also commonly used by couples to ensure that trust is maintained in their relationship.

Does mSpy Require Access To The Target Phone?

Yes, mSpy requires either physical access to the target phone or the cooperation of the user for iCloud Sync installation. Whatever method you choose, you will not require access to the phone after the initial setup.

Does mSpy Have To Be Installed?

Unless you are using the iCloud Sync method, you do have to install mSpy on the target device. This process is generally quick and uneventful for Android and jailbroken iPhones, and I only needed about 5 minutes to install mSpy on a target phone.

Can mSpy Be Installed Remotely On iPhone?

Yes, but only using the iCloud Sync method of installation which sends a notification to the user for 2FA authentication. While this method is suitable for some uses, most users will find that direct installation provides more features and is easier to do stealthily.

Does mSpy Have To Be On Both Phones?

No, mSpy only needs to be installed on the target phone. If you are using 2FA authentication, then the user would need to have access to the other device in order to authenticate the request one time only.

Will mSpy be visible to the user?

No, it does not show up in the list of apps and can not be detected on iPhone or Android devices. The software runs in stealth mode, which means that it will only be visible to the person who installed it, and they would need to access a secure online panel in order to view its data.

Does mSpy Work On iPad?

Yes, it works on iPad devices. mSpy can monitor all of the same activities as it does on iPhone and Android devices, including text messages, call logs, GPS location, web history, and more.

How Often Does mSpy Update?

This depends on the method you chose for installation. With syncing, mSpy will update every 15 minutes when a network connection is available and depending on the phone's settings. If WiFi syncing is being used, mSpy will only be able to update when the phone connects to the same WiFi network again. However, if it is installed directly on the phone then updates will be immediate.

EyeZy vs mSpy

EyeZy vs mSpy

EyeZy is designed to be a user-friendly alternative to more complex parental control apps. Aside from having a simpler interface and step-by-step tutorials, EyeZy offers nearly identical features but with slightly watered-down versions of some popular functions.

For example, both mSpy and EyeZy offer GPS location tracking and geofencing, screen recording, keylogging, and monitoring of popular messaging services such as Snapchat, Kik, Skype, Tinder, Line, Viber, Instagram Messenger, WhatsApp, and more. Both parental control apps can block unwanted cell phone apps.

However, I have found that EyeZy's features do not seem quite as advanced as mSpy's when it comes to tracking messaging or call logs. While each monitoring app offer these features, mSpy often has more information available for its users than EyeZy.

mSpy vs uMobix

mSpy vs uMobix

uMobix is a powerful product that offers many features, but it isn't as well-known or as reliable as mSpy. I've used both and found that while uMobix can do things like streaming live video, activating the microphone, and taking pictures remotely, these features would sometimes become unresponsive for random periods of time.

While uMobix has a long list of features including GPS location tracking, geofencing, screen recording, and keylogging, its reliability cannot be compared to the more established mSpy. With mSpy you can monitor Snapchat, Telegram, Skype, Tinder, Kik, Line, Viber, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp messaging applications as well as text messages in real time with no lags or delays. It also allows for blocking unwanted applications and monitoring call logs.

Overall, it's important to consider if reliability is more important than additional features. There are absolutely times more powerful features can justify sacrificing reliability. For myself, I would prefer to have something highly dependable and well hidden than take my chances with something that is not yet refined.

Final Thoughts

mSpy is an excellent choice for those who want to monitor their family's cell phone activity. It is well-designed, reliable, and provides a wide range of features for tracking activities on the target device. If you are looking for a product that will provide detailed insights into the online behavior of your children or spouse without alerting them to its presence, then mSpy is likely to be the right software for you. Whether you opt to use mSpy or any other spy app, it's important to make sure that the software will work well on your device and comply with applicable laws before making a decision.

About The Author
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.