mSpy Review: Is It Really the Best Phone Tracking Software?
mSpy is one of the most prominent and popular monitoring programs available to consumers today. Since it launched in 2010, it has become a market leader thanks to its user-friendly design and complete service. It can be used as a security program for your own device, a tool for monitoring your children’s online activity, and even by employers who want to keep tabs on what their staff are doing.
With mSpy installed on a device, a user is able to monitor just about any activity which is carried out on that device. You can keep tabs on any text messages, calls, browsing history, emails, GPS locations, photos, videos, instant messages and plenty more besides. And furthermore, you can do this from anywhere in the world.
Once mSpy is installed, it works silently in the background of the device, recording all activity and sending that information to your mSpy account. This is accessible online, which means you can check in whenever and wherever you want.
mSpy is by no means the only online monitoring programme of this nature on the market, which is why we decided to take a look at it to see if it really lives up to its reputation. In this review, we will tell you all about what mSpy can do, how to install it and review just how good its monitoring services really are.
mSpy Features
mSpy is available in two editions for use on mobile devices; Basic and Premium. A Basic edition is also available for use on laptop or desktop computers. As you would expect, more features are available for Premium subscribers than Basic ones. We will illustrate more clearly below the difference between the features available in each edition further down. But here is a rundown of the main features users of mSpy Premium can enjoy:
- GPS Tracking
mSpy will record and upload the GPS location of any device it is installed onto. This means you can see exactly where that device has been used throughout the day, allowing you to keep tabs on where your children and employees are - Text Message Recording
The software will record the content and details of every text message sent and received from the device. This information will be retained even if it is deleted from the device. - Full Call History
mSpy will keep a full record of all phone calls made from the device. The information it will retain includes phone numbers and contact names as well as the date, time, and duration of the call. - Instant Messenger Monitoring
mSPy can also monitor and record messages sent and received via instant messaging services. It can record content from services as diverse as WhatsApp, Skype, LINE, Telegram, Snapchat, Viber, iMessage, Tinder, Google Hangouts, and Facebook Manager. - Email Monitoring
All emails that are sent and received from the device are recorded and accessible through mSpy. It can keep tabs on emails sent through a variety of different clients including Gmail. - Photo and Video Viewing
mSpy will allow you to view all photos and videos which are stored on the device. - Wi-Fi Monitoring
mSpy can collect all information about every Wi-Fi connection the device connects to and allow the user to manage these connections. - Keylogger
All keystrokes that are used when typing can be recorded and retained for any Windows and Mac computer and Android mobile device. This service is not currently available for iOS mobile devices. - Geo-Fencing
This feature allows mSpy users to set a virtual area and then be notified whenever the device being monitored enters that area. - SIM change notification
mSpy users will be informed every time the device being monitored has its SIM card changed. - Internet Monitoring
The software can keep a full record of internet activity carried out on the device including web histories, bookmarks, and search histories. - Calendar and Contact Access
mSpy allows you to monitor calendar activities saved on the device as well as view contacts to see who the user is engaging with. - Website and App blocking
mSpy users are able to view the apps installed on a device and also block access to specific apps or websites you don’t want users to visit. - Incoming Call blocking
Under the device management tab of mSpy, users are able to block a device from accepting incoming calls from specific numbers. - Lock or Wipe Device
If the device is suspected as having been lost or stolen, an mSpy user can elect to either lock the device or wipe it clean of all data remotely. - Keyword Alerts
mSpy can monitor a device for the use of any specific words and notify account holders via email when they are used. This can be applied across all communications mediums on the device. - Invisibility
Once mSpy is installed on a device it runs invisibly in the background. This means that users don’t even have to inform the device owner that they are being monitored. - Device change
mSpy can only be used on one device at a time, but users can change the designated device as many times as they like.
Features Comparison
As we noted above, while the mSpy Premium service offers all of the above features, they do also offer a basic package which has fewer features available.
The Basic mSpy package for mobile devices does not include the following features.
- Instant Messenger Monitoring
- Wi-Fi Monitoring
- Keylogger
- Geo-Fencing
- Website and App blocking
- Incoming Call blocking
- Lock or Wipe Device
mSpy without Jailbreak
mSpy used to only be available on devices which were already jailbroken but they have now made the software available for non-jailbroken devices too. There are however several features which are unavailable on devices which have not already been jailbroken. These are:
- GPS Location
- Snapchat monitoring
- Email Monitoring
- Keylogger
- Geo-Fencing
- SIM Change Notification
- Website and App Blocking
- Incoming Call Blocking
- Lock or Wipe Device
- Keyword Alerts
- Device Change
mSpy for Computers
The Basic mSpy package is also available for use on computers running on either the Windows or Mac operating system. This version of the software offers a different set of features, which I have briefly summarized below:
- Automatic Software Updates
- Keylogger
- Screenshots – mSpy automatically takes desktop screenshots to enable users to monitor what has been happening on the computer.
- User Activity – the software retains a user log, which tells you how long a user is active on the device.
- Application Monitoring – Allows users to monitor which programmes and app are being used on the computer.
- Keylogger word search – mSpy users can monitor for specific words being input into the keyboard of the computer.
- WebMailer – allows mSpy users to access information about all emails opened in webmail on the Firefox, Chrome, IE and Safari browsers.
- Skype Monitoring
- Browser History, Web Search, & Bookmarks Monitoring
- Copy/Paste tracker – retains the contents of every copy and paste carried out on the computer
- Keyword search
mSpy System Requirements
mSpy software does not work on absolutely every device, so it is important to check that the device you want to run it on is compatible before signing up.
To run mSpy your device will need to fit the following criteria:
Android Device:
- Running Android 4.0 or later
- Connected to the internet
- Can be used on rooted and unrooted devices, but Instant Messenger Monitoring will only work on rooted devices.
iOS Non-Jailbroken devices:
- Works on all iOS versions, but Apple log-in details are required
- Two-Factor authentication for Apple ID must be disabled
- iCloud backup must be enabled
- Connected to Wi-Fi
iOS Jailbroken devices:
- Running iOS 6 – 8.4 or iOS 9 – 9.1
- Connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data
Windows Computers:
- Running on Windows XP 32-bit, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10.
Mac Computers:
- Running Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, OS X 10.10 Yosemite or OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
How to install mSpy
Please note that while all mSpy functions can be managed remotely, physical access to the device is required to install the mSpy software.
The process to install mSpy is actually surprisingly simple. You can have mSpy up and running simply by following these three simple steps:
- Buy an mSpy Subscription: Follow the simple online instructions on the mSPy website to sign up for mSpy and make a payment for the package of your choice.
- Visit the Control Panel: Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email. This will include a link which, when clicked on, will open up your own mSpy Control Panel. This is where you will be able to access all of the information about the device you are monitoring.
- Install the mSpy software: When you arrive at the Control Panel for the first time, you will be given simple instructions which explain how to install the mSpy software onto the device. Follow these instructions to download the software. Once the installation is complete, mSpy will start monitoring the device immediately.
With that done, mSpy is working and all you will need to do is bookmark your Control Panel so you can head there any time you like.
Pricing
The subscription price for mSpy will depend on which package you opt for.
- The Premium Package for mobile devices, which offers all of the features detailed above is available for just $16.66 a month, based on a 12-month subscription.
- The Basic Package for computers is available for just $5.83 per month, based on a 12-month subscription.
- The Basic package for mobile devices is priced at $29.99 for a one-month package with a 12-month package available for $99.99.
- A Bundle package, which includes both mobile device and computer monitoring, is available for just $19.16 a month based on a 12-month subscription.
Family kits for desktop and computer subscriptions are also available which offer a bundle of 3 subscriptions at a discounted price.
Money-Back Guarantee
mSpy also offers a 10-day money-back guarantee for users who are not completely satisfied with their products.
Is mSpy legal?
mSpy is a professional product designed to be used by parents and employers to monitor activity on devices that they own. Using mSpy for this purpose is completely legal.
It is not legal to use spying software to monitor activity on devices you do not own or do not have permission to monitor. mSpy is not intended for this purpose and should not be purchased or used in such a way.
Is mSpy detectable?
mSpy claims to be totally undetectable on a device once installed meaning that it is possible to monitor activity on a device without the device user being aware. We were skeptical about whether this was possible or not and so it was one aspect of mSpy which we tested carefully. And we were astonished by the results.
Once the software has been installed onto the device, there is absolutely no traceable evidence that it is there. Even searching through the settings of the device turned up nothing. This means even if the user might suspect their device is being monitored, there is literally no way for them to prove it unless the mSpy user decides to inform them. We were really impressed.
Battery Drain
A common giveaway for hidden software on a mobile device is that the software consumes battery life and the user begins to notice that their battery is not running for as long as before. Inevitably, mSpy does use up some battery life, but the effects are minimal and in testing on both new and old devices, it was almost impossible to tell the difference, especially on a frequently used device.
Does mSpy live up to its reputation?
mSpy is one of the best-regarded online monitoring programs around and boasts an impressive list of features. In undertaking this review, we were keen to see if it lived up to its considerable billing. And we were not disappointed.
As well as being undetectable on the device, all of the stated monitoring features worked like a charm in all of our tests. As a result, we, therefore, have little hesitancy in accepting that mSpy really does offer a complete monitoring solution for mobile devices and computers.
Ease of Use
Despite the myriad of different features that mSpy offers, the program itself is surprisingly easy to use. The subscription and installation processes are easy to follow, with simple guidance given through the mSpy website. They only take a few minutes to complete and after that, no further access to the device is needed.
The monitoring all takes place on a well-designed online control panel which can be accessed from anywhere. This control panel is clean, crisp, and easy to navigate. It can also be adapted to prioritise functions or information which you are most interested in.
Customer Support
If you do encounter any problems with the mSpy software, there is a great network of support available to help you. Their website offers a very responsive and helpful live chat support service. There is also an extensive FAQ section which contains almost all the information you will ever need.
But there are also two-levels of additional, paid-for support that you can take advantage of if you are not confident about the installation process or are encountering any significant problems:
- Phone Support: This service providers users with live phone support which includes having a technician on-hand to walk you through the installation process. It is available for a one-off charge of $12.99
- mAssistance: This service offers help with the rooting or jailbreaking of your device as well as installation support through mSpy’s Team Viewer service and a wide variety of additional customer support features. This service is available for a one-off charge of just $43.99.
Any downsides?
There are remarkably few negatives about mSpy for us to report back on. Some of their prices are a little higher than their competitors, but the old saying that “you get what you pay for” has to apply because the range of features they offer are among the very best.
For basic users, there might be a little frustration that some of the premium features are not available and some competitor’s products do offer some of mSpy’s premium features in their more basic packages. But few can offer the range of features of the mSpy Premium package, which is undeniably one of the most complete online monitoring programs available right now.
Conclusion
mSpy really does offer a complete online monitoring service. Its software is easy to install and easy to use and its range of features are almost unsurpassed. mSpy can be deployed on almost every major device, with all the main operating systems catered for. Their control panel is well designed, simple to navigate, and allows users to access and process detailed information in an informative and useful way.
mSpy claims to be one of the best and most comprehensive pieces of online spying software on the web and on the basis of our extensive testing, we cannot disagree.
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