How To Spy On Someone's iPhone

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How To Spy On iPhone

People want to spy on someone else's iPhone for a variety of legitimate reasons. Most commonly, parents need to find a way to spy on their child's iPhone or employers need to monitor employees.

By reading this article, you'll learn how you can spy on an iPhone without anyone knowing.

Use A Spy App To Spy On Someone's iPhone

The simplest and safest method of spying on an iPhone is to utilize a spyware app. There are numerous iPhone spy apps available for download on the Internet. The majority of them work exceptionally well, providing you with real-time information about targeted users and their activities. This is my preferred method of spying on iPhone because it does not require the purchase of any special equipment or software. To demonstrate how it's done, this article will step through some of the best methods for spying on iPhone.

uMobix

uMobix logo

uMobix is my top choice because it is what I use to spy on my teenage son's iPhone. Installation was easy and, more importantly, fast.

Although it has all of the standard features you would expect to find, uMobix also has capabilities that far exceed any other remote spy app, with the exception of our next choice on this list.

The uMobix app provides remote access to more social media apps than anything else on the market, including Tinder, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Reddit, Telegram, Zoom, Skype, TikTok, and Snapchat, just to name a few.

A full list of capabilities can be found in my upcoming review of uMobix, but the short version is that it gives you full control over the device. Once you have installed it on the phone, you can use it not only for surveillance but also for changing device settings like disabling Wi-Fi or restricting what apps can open.

It even has a spy app detection feature to alert you to other spy apps that are already installed on the phone. At first glance, this seems like a strange feature. But, if you are monitoring your children for their safety, it would be a huge concern to find that someone else was already watching them and their iPhone was not secure.

Live tech support is available by phone, which can be a lifesaver if you need to install it in a limited amount of time.

I have no complaints aside from intercepted data only staying available for 30 days. But, retention time is longer on multi-month plans so I'm only taking away a half star for it.

Recommended
Ease of Use:
Features:
Privacy:
Price:
Pros
  • Camera activation
  • Can stream live video
  • Microphone activation
  • GPS tracking
  • Can spy on iPhone without the user knowing
Cons
  • Data retention limited to 30 days on the basic plan

mSpy

mSpy logo

mSpy is what I previously used to spy on iPhone. The app provides a wealth of information about the target user, including text messages, call logs, web browsing history, and more. GPS tracking and geofencing features let you track the target phone and be alerted if it goes outside of pre-defined areas to a prohibited location.

mSpy is able to monitor all social media platforms, including Tinder, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Skype, TikTok, Zoom, and Snapchat. An integrated screen recorder helps to ensure that you don't miss anything, and a keylogger feature lets you know about every keystroke that is made on the target phone.

The only reason I changed to uMobix was that it let me listen in to conversations taking place around the phone. If I didn't need that ability, I would have been perfectly happy continuing to use mSpy to spy on his iPhone.

Tech support was excellent and they actually seem to care that you get the most out of the app. When checking compatibility, mSpy is compatible with every iPhone released since 2014.

Ease of Use:
Features:
Privacy:
Price:
Pros
  • Records text messages
  • Keylogger & Screen recorder
  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • Geofencing
  • Access all social media apps
Cons
  • Lacks camera activation

EyeZy

EyeZy logo

EyeZy is a powerful new spy app that just came out in 2022. The company that makes eyeZy has a long history in the parental control and surveillance market and this app is their current flagship.

using the EyeZy dashboard

eyeZy offers a wide range of advanced capabilities including:

  • Keyword alerts for when your child types, sends, or receives inappropriate messages or emails on their smartphone.
  • Monitoring for social media such as Tinder, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Skype, Instagram, iMessage, Telegram, Kik, Line, Viber, and Google Hangouts.
  • Access to pictures and videos on the target iPhone.
  • Location tracking and the ability to create restricted areas and be notified when they are somewhere they shouldn't be.
  • Stealth mode ensures that the target is unaware you are monitoring them with eyeZy.
Ease of Use:
Features:
Privacy:
Price:
Pros
  • Totally undetectable
  • Fast installation
  • GPS tracking
  • Access to all social media apps
Cons
  • Not quite as powerful as mSpy

FlexiSpy

FlexiSpy logo

FlexiSpy is not as user-friendly as other methods of spying on iPhone, and the website and interface seem dated, but the technical ability of the software is unmatched.

FlexiSpy is one of the very few apps that are able to take pictures or video on the target iPhone, as well as activate the microphone to turn the phone into a live room bug.

remote camera activation

FlexiSpy has two real problems, and those are why it ranks #3 on our list. The website is outdated for 2024 and the app is expensive, but it would be a mistake to let either of these things turn you away from this marvel.

Ease of Use:
Features:
Privacy:
Price:
Pros
  • Live camera streaming
  • Pre-loaded phones available
  • GPS tracking
  • Able to access the microphone
  • Call recording
Cons
  • Older interface
  • Expensive

KidsGuard Pro

KidsGuard Pro is a parental control app that comes with a lot of features, making it one of the best ways to spy on another iPhone. Its most impressive feature is its ability to monitor social media activity, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. It can also track the current GPS location of the iPhone, with a map overlay.

Installation is easy and takes less than 10 minutes. Once installed, you can monitor all activities remotely from your KidsGuard Pro dashboard.

Highster Mobile

Highster Mobile logo

Highster Mobile is another spy app that is useful if you're looking for an app that provides real-time updates and information about the target iPhone. You can use this app without having to connect it to your computer or laptop directly.

MobileSpy

Because of its persistent updates and features, MobileSpy is an excellent choice. It will undoubtedly assist you in obtaining all of the data from a device.

CocoSpy

Because of its features, Cocospy is one of the best tools available. This app uses the Administrator account for the device to allow you to track its activities and text messages without any issues.

Mobistealth

Despite Mobistealth being the last app on our list, this does not imply it is any less good than other apps currently available. It is a powerful and dependable spy tool that can be successfully set up in minutes after downloading it from the Internet.

Installing iPhone monitoring software directly onto a target device is the most effective method of spying. Mobistealth does not require you to jailbreak the iPhone to spy on it, but it does require physical access. The installation takes about 5 minutes and requires no special skills, so anyone with physical possession of the device could do it.

Stealth mode ensures that no visible signs of software installation are present and it can be set to run in the background.

Mobistealth logo

Mobistealth comes with a Remote Control Panel that allows you to spy on everything on iPhone, including the address book, call logs, text messages, and photos.

You are able to view a live camera stream remotely using Mobistealth's free software.

It can also go into 'stealth mode,' which leaves no trace that you using an iPhone spy app.

Free Alternatives To Spy On An iPhone

Apple iCloud logo

Accessing iCloud is a common way to spy on an iPhone. A combination of hardware and software security protects Apple products such as iPhones, iPads, and other iOS devices. A network connection allows you to do everything from update apps to purchase content on iTunes and use Siri on your iOS device.

The process by which Apple products connect to the network is relatively simple. Any data sent or received from an iOS device after you log into your account will be routed through Apple servers. Even though these servers aren't open to the public, you can still monitor them by using a different method, such as logging into your iCloud account directly from a web browser.

You can remotely spy by accessing iCloud using their login details and turning off the Find My iPhone service so no one knows where it is now.

Find My iPhone allows anyone with permission to locate, lock, and erase their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it is ever misplaced.

Unless you've been granted access, the only way to get into an account is to brute force their password over the network, which is not recommended. You can use the same username/password credentials to gain access if you know their Apple ID and password combinations. Jealous spouses and tech-savvy professionals who are trying to protect their business or assets frequently employ this method to monitor the accounts of others they want to monitor.

Can They See If I Access Their iCloud Account?

No. There will be no evidence that anyone spied on their data or installed any third-party software once the installation steps are completed.

The legality of using iPhone surveillance varies greatly by country, but it is generally only legal if you own the phone or if you have the owner's permission. There is usually an exception to this when you are spying on your children and they are minors.

You should only monitor someone's iPhone if they ask you to do so and only consider using spyware if you have been been given the permission of the owner and the user you will be watching.

When you suspect your spouse is cheating, it's easy to let your curiosity and jealousy take over, but we recommend consulting a lawyer before accessing any electronic device without permission. Before you do anything risky, make sure you understand your legal situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions repeatedly come up when people start researching how to spy on an iPhone. We'll do our best to answer your most important questions here.

How can I spy on with just the iPhone's phone number?

The only way to do this is with a phishing scam, where you send a text or e-mail to the user in such a way that they are tricked into opening a link that will reveal their GPS location.

Another method that is used is to send a similar message but have the user install an app themselves. Obviously, the success rate on this is much lower but it is still shocking how successful it can be.

There are no other ways to spy on an iPhone with just the number or IMEI code, and anything you see saying otherwise is a scam.

Can I spy without having the iPhone?

Yes, you will simply need the iCloud credentials for the iPhone. The spyware will pull all of the information from iCloud and you will not need to jailbreak or even touch the phone.

Can I spy on iPhones without iCloud credentials?

Yes! You can spy on iPhone without iCloud credentials or an Apple ID, but it will require having physical access to the iPhone.

Although this may seem impossible at first, people tend to be careless with letting other people make calls on their cell phone or not locking their screen before leaving the room. You can easily borrow the phone to make a business call in the next room or watch for them to set down their iPhone before going to take a shower and catch it before the screen turns off and locks.

At that point, you simply install spyware and it will work without you ever having to touch the cell phone again.

Why should you use an iPhone spy app?

An iPhone spy app is the best and most effective way to spy on someone's iPhone. Without actually accessing the iPhone physically, it allows you to remotely watch an iPhone's screen in real-time, read text messages, and access photos.

Getting this much information from another person's iPhone is only possible with third-party surveillance software for iOS products installed, and no other method allows for such long-term monitoring from anywhere in the world.

How much do iPhone spy apps cost?

Costs for these apps vary depending on features but typically range from $50 to $100 per month—though there are occasionally better deals that will significantly reduce this cost in certain cases if desired by the user; however, higher prices may be justified by the software's increased features.

Are they hidden from the phone's user?

Yes, they are invisible to the operating system and leave no trace when the monitoring app is uninstalled or software updates are applied. The person using the target device will be unaware that spy apps have been installed.

Do I need to jailbreak the target iPhone?

It is not necessary to jailbreak an iPhone to monitor it, though jailbreaking it is recommended to have access to the most advanced monitoring capabilities of iPhone spy applications.

Conclusion

You can use a monitoring app as one of the easiest and most effective ways to spy on an iPhone when it's legal to do so.

If you can't get physical access to the target device for long enough to install a iPhone spy app, you can use their Apple ID and password to get into their account and spy on their iPhone without them knowing.

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.