mSpy Review 2024 | Is mSpy the Best Spy App?

Why Trust Tech Report

Tech Report is one of the oldest hardware, news, and tech review sites on the internet. We write helpful technology guides, unbiased product reviews, and report on the latest tech and crypto news. We maintain editorial independence and consider content quality and factual accuracy to be non-negotiable.

This mSpy review tackles one of the most comprehensive parental monitoring suites out there. mSpy provides a complete overview of what’s happening on your child’s phone. This includes remote, real-time monitoring of texts, calls, and geolocation.

Parental control apps handle sensitive data, so you want to pick a software developer committed to security. There are lots to choose from, and many don’t provide the necessary protection to secure that data.

mSpy uses bank-grade encryption to communicate between the monitored device and the mSpy servers, so you can be sure your child’s data isn’t being leaked to a third party.

You can be sure mSpy is secure, but is it worth the cost? Let’s take a closer look at mSpy and find out why it’s one of the best phone spy apps.

mSpy Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick overview of mSpy’s strengths and weaknesses.

How Does mSpy Work?

Parental control apps like mSpy collect data such as call logs, browsing history, social media activity, and GPS location from the monitored device and send it to a secure server that you can access remotely.

Typically, you need physical access to the target device to install parental control apps. However, advanced apps like mSpy allow remote cloud installation in select cases.

It’s worth noting that remote installation usually provides fewer spying capabilities than installation directly on the device. Once installed, the app works in the background, so the target person doesn’t know they’re being monitored.

mSpy Features

mSpy has a long list of features to help you monitor your children’s activities. Here are some of the features we feel make it stand out.

Call and Text Monitoring

mSpy lets you view all incoming and outgoing calls and the associated metadata, including call duration, timestamps, and the relevant phone number. This information helps you spot if there’s anything suspicious happening in your child’s communications.

mSpy also records each text sent and received from the target device, including sender information and images. mSpy’s text logging allows you to easily identify unusual chats that might require further investigation.

When combined with mSpy’s powerful Keyword Alert feature, you can receive real-time updates sent straight to your email when your child is chatting about something inappropriate.

Social Media Monitoring

Monitoring popular messaging apps is a necessity for parental control, and mSpy does not let you down on this front. You can view texts and calls from WhatsApp, Snapchat, Line, Kik, Instagram, Tinder, and many more.

That the apps you can monitor depend on the target device’s OS and installation method.

There are no limitations if your child has an Android phone, but you can only monitor Tinder and WhatsApp conversations on iOS.

Luckily, you can work around this by using the keylogger and screen recorder.

App Management

mSpy gives you control over how your child uses their mobile device. You can view all current apps and block the ones you disapprove of. Best of all, you can do it from the mSpy control panel, so you don’t have to get close to the device. Ideal if you’ve got a Clash of Clans addict at home who just won’t let go!

Real-Time Location Tracking

One mSpy feature we loved is custom alerts whenever a device you’re tracking leaves a predefined geolocation. For example, you can make sure your child is still at school during the day.

Unlike apps that only show historical data, mSpy uses GPS tracking to give constant, up-to-date location info.

Internet Activity Monitoring

mSpy tells you what your child is browsing online and when. Keyword alerts and URL filtering allow you to decide which sites your child can access to prevent them from stumbling across inappropriate content.

Wi-Fi logging tells you if they often connect to Wi-Fi networks other than your home one. You can even block access to specific Wi-Fi points.

mSpy’s web filtering feature isn’t as advanced as other parental control apps. There’s no automatic content filter, so you have to manually input every website you want to block.

While you can prevent your child from accessing specific websites, you can’t block entire categories. However, the point is to monitor your child’s device without them knowing. So it’ll raise their suspicions if they suddenly can’t access any gambling websites, for example.

E-Mail & Calendar Monitoring

mSpy’s email and calendar monitoring gives insights into your child’s plans. Any scheduling information stored on the mobile device is at your fingertips so you can monitor the time and location of all events.

You can even access deleted emails and events.

Keylogger

mSpy’s screen recorder feature takes a screenshot every time it detects new activity in an app, such as a new message sent or received.

However, compared to other spy apps, it’s limited to a few social media and messaging apps, like Snapchat and WhatsApp.

The keylogger’s functionality isn’t limited to specific apps. It tracks every character your child types on their phone.

You can even get alerts for certain keywords to ensure your child doesn’t look for inappropriate content or language.

To enable Keylogger on Android, go to the device’s settings and turn on the Framework Update service. mSpy will start logging all activities as soon as you launch the app.

Access Multimedia Files

Social media and messaging app monitoring allow you to view content your child shares or receives. That said, it doesn’t give you access to photos and videos stored in your child’s gallery.

Multimedia Explorer shows what’s on your child’s camera roll, along with timestamps. This helps prevent cyberbullying and sharing of explicit content, mainly through apps not supported by mSpy’s social media monitoring feature.

Stealth Mode

Few kids would allow their parents to track their activity. Often, surveillance results in secretive behavior, so your child could find discreet ways of communicating if they find out about parental control.

mSpy’s stealth mode means it’s undetectable on the target device. There’s no app icon or notifications. However, it’s worth noting your child might suspect something is off if you block access to certain websites or apps.

Activity Reports

mSpy’s main page presents your child’s activity reports, including the most messaged contacts and visited websites. This feature isn’t unique to mSpy – apps like Phonsee provide more information, such as the last locations your child visited.

The large graph on the dashboard gives you a general overview of the target device’s activity. You can get more detailed information by clicking on the tabs in the menu on the left-hand side.

mSpy’s Price – How Much Does mSpy Cost?

mSpy offers three pricing plans of different durations. Unfortunately, as mSpy doesn’t offer a free trial, your only option is to choose the one-month package if you want to try it.

However, you can get excellent savings with the twelve-month package. Unfortunately, the 30% off offer is only valid for first-time customers, and renewing a subscription will incur the full charge.

One subscription only covers one device, but mSpy makes purchasing additional subscriptions convenient, as you can do it from inside the control panel. There’s a 15% discount on your next device subscription with mSpy’s Loyalty Program.

If you have more than one child or need to monitor a few phones, mSpy’s Family Kit is ideal. It lets you keep tabs on three devices simultaneously from one control panel. With a monthly price starting at under $20, it costs significantly less than three separate subscriptions.

Additionally, mSpy offers the mAssistance package to help you install and set up the app. You can get it for $53.99 and schedule a call with mSpy’s representatives, who will guide you through the entire process.

Refunds

Unlike many competing apps, mSpy has no free trial or money-back guarantee. And, getting your money back is challenging, highlighted by numerous users on platforms like Reddit and TrustPilot.

You’re only eligible for a refund if you encounter a technical problem the support team can’t solve. mSpy doesn’t issue refunds if you don’t own the target device, have misunderstood the feature limitations, or refuse technical assistance.

Furthermore, you can only get a refund within 14 days from your first subscription. mSpy also deducts $45 from your refund for bank and legal fees.

mSpy Setup and Ease of Use

mSpy’s mobile monitoring software is available on Android and iOS but not on PC. However, mSpy’s online control panel lets you log in from any device, including a PC. You get a full readout of the target phone’s activities by category and type.

mSpy Compatibility

mSpy is compatible with Android OS 4.0 and above. However, you must root the device first. Otherwise, mSpy can’t log social media communication or access multimedia.

You need physical access to the phone to disable Google Play Protect. Otherwise, the phone’s security will prevent the installation. That said, we don’t recommend doing it as it can invalidate the device’s warranty and make it more susceptible to hackers and malware.

If your child has an iPhone (iOS 11 and above), you can install mSpy directly onto the device or remotely via iCloud. To do this, you need the target device’s iCloud login credentials.

However, if 2FA is enabled, this won’t work, as you have to enter a verification code on the target device.
Some features, like WhatsApp and Tinder monitoring, require jailbreaking the phone. This means removing the software’s restrictions for customization and installing third-party apps.

Is mSpy Easy to Install and Use?

The installation instructions on mSpy’s website are helpful, guiding you through each step. It only took us a few minutes to install the iOS app. However, there are some complexities, like the need to root or jailbreak the device.

To access pricing details and receive an installation link, you must first create an account. Click the ‘Try Now’ button on the website, then enter your email or sign up with Google.

From there, you’ll be directed to the pricing page. Choose your desired plan and click ‘Try Now.’ Fill in your card details and click ‘Submit Order.’ You’ll soon receive a confirmation email.

Upon confirmation, you’ll receive an installation link and detailed instructions. mSpy also provides guides for rooting and jailbreaking the target device.

Once you’ve installed the app, log in to your mSpy dashboard from any device and you can start monitoring!
mSpy’s interface is easy to navigate and visually appealing. You can switch between features from the left sidebar. For example, if you click on Facebook, you’ll see all sent and received texts, timestamps, and contact information.

Customer Support

If you encounter any issues during installation or setup, you’ll likely find the solution in mSpy’s self-help portal. It features FAQs, installation tutorials, and helpful blog articles on topics like parental control and cybersecurity.
mSpy’s blogs offer a wealth of information, and you can also get in touch with support over the phone or email.

With the Advanced mAssistance package, you get a personal expert who helps you jailbreak the target phone. Additionally, mSpy has a helpful chatbot.

How Secure Is mSpy? Is mSpy Safe?

mSpy has previously been the unfortunate victim of several data breaches. In response to these attacks, mSpy has upgraded the security of both server-side and client-side architecture to make sure a breach never happens again.

According to mSpy’s privacy policy, customer data is now secured using AES-256 encryption. This is a massive upgrade from mSpy’s previous security setup, which allowed hackers to access unencrypted data on mSpy’s servers.

mSpy is now also PCI-DSS compliant. This level of certification is a must for any company that processes client payment details.

mSpy’s Privacy Policy is governed by the Czech Republic and is GDPR compliant. The company collects some personal information for completing payment transactions and uniquely identifying your account. However, your data is never shared with third parties.

mSpy vs Other Parental Control Apps

mSpy is a powerful app, but how does it stack up against the competition? Here’s a comparison table to help you pick a parental control tool that best suits your needs.

mSpy is our best all-around parental control app due to advanced geofencing, keylogging, and customization options. However, it’s not the cheapest app on the market, so you may want to explore alternatives like Spynger or Phonsee if you’re on a budget.

mSpy Reviews 2024: What Do Users Say?

mSpy has an average TrustPilot rating of 3.7, which indicates it’s a good overall app but has some limitations. Verified users mention that mSpy has helpful customer service and is discreet.

However, some users are dissatisfied with the need to jailbreak the target device to use advanced features. Another common complaint is mSpy’s strict refund policy.

Good mSpy Alternatives – What Else Is There?

Thorough research is crucial when choosing an app to safeguard your children. Each parental control app has unique features, pricing, and use cases.

Our team has tested numerous parental control apps to provide you with honest insights. Explore our other guides to make an informed choice:

Why You Can Trust Our mSpy App Review

Over the years, our team tested dozens of spy and parental control apps. We don’t blindly trust provider claims but critically evaluate every feature.

Additionally, we read verified user reviews to see how they align with our experience.

Lastly, we compared mSpy with other parental control apps to see where it truly shines and what could have been done better.

Is mSpy Worth it?

mSpy delivers a robust package of device monitoring tools in a single suite with a straightforward interface. When you’re worried about your child’s well-being, you don’t want to spend endless hours configuring a host of monitoring applications.

mSpy’s control panel solves this issue and allows you to get down to the business of protecting your child from harassment, cyberbullying, or inappropriate content. We would like to see greater app coverage, but we acknowledge this is a work in progress: new instant messaging apps pop up all the time, after all.

Previously, we would not have recommended mSpy based on its past security record. However, it seems mSpy has learned from previous attacks and implemented strong server-side security.

FAQs