mSpy Review: Is This Parental Control App Worth It?

November 26, 2023

Affiliate Disclaimer: FoneSpy is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you!

In a world increasingly dominated by screens, parents are more concerned than ever about what their children are up to online. mSpy offers a solution that promises monitoring and peace of mind. But how effective is it really, especially in 2024?

In this comprehensive mSpy review, we’ll look at how the app works, its features, pricing, and much more. Keep reading to find out if mSpy is the parental control app you’ve been looking for.

What is mSpy?

Mspy Logo

mSpy is one of the leading mobile phone monitoring apps designed primarily as a parental control tool. Launched several years ago, it allows parents to monitor various types of phone activities on Android and iPhone devices. If you’ve been considering using a spy app or parental control app, mSpy is likely on your radar.

The mSpy app can monitor text messages, call logs, social media activity, GPS location, and even browsing history. Essentially, it’s a comprehensive tool that gives parents significant oversight into their child’s mobile phone usage.

How Does mSpy Work?

How Does mSpy Work

The mSpy app works by being installed on the target device, be it an Android phone or an iPhone. Once installed, the app collects information from the target device and sends it to your mSpy control panel, accessible from any browser. This information can include text messages, call logs, photos, and more.

It’s important to note that you generally need physical access to the phone to install the app initially. After the setup is complete, you can monitor the target phone’s activities remotely via your mSpy dashboard.

Is It Legal To Use mSpy on Someone’s Phone?

This is the big question. Using mspy to monitor your children is generally allowed. But installing it on your spouse’s phone without them knowing raises legal issues due to privacy laws.

Some important legal points about using mspy:

  • mspy requires consent of the target device owner in most cases. Secretly installing it is illegal.
  • For your children, consent may not be required depending on your local laws. Check your state regulations.
  • mspy is designed for ethical monitoring with terms prohibiting illegal use of their service. Know your local laws before installing mspy on someone else’s phone.
  • Legal disclaimer: This article does not promote any illegal use of mspy. You need consent in most cases to install it on other people’s phones.

So talk to a lawyer if unsure about how mspy fits into local laws. Some states require both parents to consent for monitoring kids while others only need one parent’s approval. But for other devices, consent is mostly always required.

Is mSpy Easy To Install and Use?

The mspy app is designed to be installed quickly without the target user knowing. Once you have physical access to the target phone, just follow these steps:

  • Purchase mspy subscription on their website
  • Download and install mspy app on the phone
  • Enter your mspy account details into the app
  • The app will now run silently in the background

After install, mspy offers different options to view the monitored data:

  • mSpy Dashboard – This online dashboard allows you to log in from any web browser to view activity.
  • mSpy Apps – mspy offers apps for Android and iOS to discreetly monitor data.
  • Email reports – Scheduled email reports containing phone data.

So the mspy interface is quite easy to use even for beginners. Their dashboard neatly organizes all the phone data for quick access.

How to Install mSpy on Android and iPhone?

Installation varies slightly between Android and iOS devices. For Android, you’ll need to download mSpy from the mSpy website and install it on the target device. iPhones require jailbreaking for the full range of features, although mSpy also offers a no-jailbreak version with limited capabilities.

Once the app is installed on the target device, it will automatically start sending information to your mSpy control panel. It’s a fairly straightforward process but does require that initial physical access to the phone.

What Does mSpy Dashboard Look Like?

The mSpy dashboard is the control panel where all the monitored information is displayed. You can log into your mSpy account from any web browser to access this dashboard. It’s user-friendly and organized, displaying text messages, call logs, location data, and much more.

Mspy Dashboard

It’s a centralized platform that allows you to see all the data collected from the target phone at a glance. The mSpy dashboard provides a comprehensive overview, making it easier for you to keep tabs on various activities.

What Are Some Key Features of mSpy?

As a top monitoring app, mspy comes packed with features to track multiple aspects of the target device:

  • Text messages – mspy lets you read all SMS text messages sent and received on the target phone. You can also view deleted texts.
  • Phone calls – All incoming and outgoing calls are logged with duration. You can even listen to live calls.
  • GPS location – mspy tracks phone location history so you can see where your child has been. Location is displayed on a map.
  • Web browsing – Websites visited on the target phone browser are recorded for Android. Limited history for iOS.
  • Social media – mspy can track popular social apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat etc. Read messages and see shared media.
  • Multimedia – Photos and videos taken on the phone are uploaded to the mspy dashboard for viewing.
  • Remote control – mspy offers remote commands like screen lock, data wipe and more. Useful if the target phone is lost.

So mspy provides detailed monitoring of many phone activities with advanced features like keylogger, remote commands etc. But the level of tracking will depend on whether the device is Android or iPhone.

How Much Does mSpy Cost?

mSpy is a paid service with different subscription packages depending on your monitoring needs:

  • 1 Month – $48.99/month
  • 3 Months – $28.00/month
  • 12 Months – $11.67/month
Mspy Pricing

While mspy is not the cheapest spy app, the pricing is quite competitive for the number of monitoring features offered. Also, longer 1 plans give nice discounts compared to monthly billing.

Can You Use mSpy Without Access to the Target Phone?

One common question is whether you can install mSpy without physical access to the target phone. The answer is generally no. For most features to work, the app needs to be installed directly on the target device. This means you’ll need initial physical access to the phone.

There are some limited capabilities for iPhone without jailbreaking, but to use mSpy to its full potential, direct installation is generally required.

mSpy Customer Reviews: What Are People Saying?

Customer reviews generally indicate satisfaction with the mSpy services, particularly when it comes to monitoring children. Parents find the app helpful in keeping tabs on their kids’ online activities, thereby ensuring their safety.

However, some reviews mention a learning curve for non-tech-savvy users, but overall, the sentiment is positive.

Alternatives to mSpy: Are There Better Options?

While mSpy is a strong contender in the realm of parental control apps, alternatives like Eyezy offer similar features. However, mSpy has been around for a while and has earned its reputation as one of the top phone monitoring apps.

It’s advisable to compare features and prices to find the tool that best meets your specific needs.

mSpy Compared to Other Spy Apps

mSpy is one of the most popular spy apps available today. Here’s how it compares to some other top spy apps on the market:

mSpy vs. Spyera:

  • mSpy has a simpler, more user-friendly interface compared to Spyera. Spyera provides more advanced features like live call interception, but the interface can be overwhelming for basic users.
  • mSpy is significantly cheaper than Spyera. Spyera costs nearly $200 per month while mSpy starts at around $30 per month.
  • Both provide keylogging, location tracking, remote access to messages/calls/media, and monitoring across multiple devices and platforms. Spyera offers more hardcore surveillance features while mSpy focuses more on child and employee monitoring.

mSpy vs. Spyic:

  • Spyic positions itself as a kid monitoring app while mSpy is also marketed for employee monitoring. Both can be used for either purpose though.
  • Spyic claims to be “completely invisible” once installed on a device while mSpy requires you to root/jailbreak devices for full access.
  • mSpy has been around longer so their platform is more mature. However, Spyic offers a slick dashboard and real-time alerts.
  • Spyic is cheaper at $10-50 per month based on features. mSpy starts at $30 per month.

mSpy vs. TeenSafe:

  • TeenSafe specializes in parental control apps for iOS and Android. mSpy offers monitoring across more platforms like computers and is more full-featured.
  • Like Spyic, TeenSafe emphasizes being invisible once installed. mSpy requires device rooting/jailbreaking.
  • TeenSafe is slightly cheaper than mSpy at $15-25 per month but provides less features like keylogging, call/SMS logging, etc.

In summary, mSpy is one of the most comprehensive spy apps providing monitoring across multiple devices and platforms. It compares favorably to competitors, offering robust features at competitive pricing.

Key Takeaways

  • mSpy is a comprehensive parental control app, effective for monitoring a wide range of phone activities.
  • Installation is generally straightforward but requires initial physical access to the target phone.
  • Pricing is competitive, and many users find the cost justified by the peace of mind provided.
  • Consent is crucial; installing mSpy without the target user’s consent is illegal.
  • Customer reviews are generally positive, particularly for parents seeking to monitor their children’s online activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is mSpy illegal?
    • No, but installing it without the consent of the target user is.
  2. Does mSpy work on both Android and iPhone?
    • Yes, mSpy is compatible with both Android and iOS, although installation varies.
  3. Can I use mSpy without physical access to the target device?
    • Generally, no. Most features require the app to be installed directly on the device.
  4. How do I view the data collected by mSpy?
    • Data is viewable through the mSpy dashboard, accessible from any web browser.
  5. Are there any alternatives to mSpy?
    • Yes, there are alternatives like Eyezy, but mSpy remains one of the most reliable and feature-rich options.