mSpy Overview: What It Is and How It Works
mSpy is a mobile monitoring app that can be installed on your child’s phone, and allows you to monitor their phone calls, social media activity, instant messages, locations and a lot more. Once the app is installed on the phone, it runs in the background and completely hides itself. The app then monitors the child’s phone activity and sends reports to your online mSpy account that you can access from any device. And the best part is that you can get up to 50% off using our mSpy coupon code.
Launched in 2010, mSpy has grown to one of the most popular and well-known monitoring software programs in the world. It’s reliable, easy to set up, and works on jailbroken & non-jailbroken iOS devices and Android devices. Installation is simple and takes only a few minutes. The app runs in background mode and is invisible to the phone user, so your kids will never know that you are spying on them.
mSpy Features
By installing mSpy on your child’s phone, you can see exactly what they are doing and who they’re talking to on social media and on their smartphone. You can also track their phone’s location. Below is a list of features available with the mSpy Premium Plan:
1. GPS tracking: mSpy not only records the GPS location of your child’s phone, but also uploads it for you to see exactly where your child has been throughout the day. You can even see his or her location in real time on a map.
2. Read text messages: Read their sent and received text messages — even if they are deleted from the phone.
3. View call history: Find out who they call and who calls them. Get details like phone numbers, contact names, and date, time and duration of the calls.
4. Read instant messages: Monitor their instant messaging chats like WhatsApp and Skype and social networking sites like Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram. This feature, however, is only available on rooted Android and jailbroken iOS devices.
5. Keylogger: Record all keystrokes users type while using their Android phone. This feature is only available for Android OS version 4.0 and above.
6. Read emails: Read all incoming and outgoing emails. You can also read emails sent through Gmail and other email clients.
7. View photos & videos: View all the photos and videos stored on your child’s phone.
8. Monitor Internet activities: See which websites they visit, their search history, and the web pages they view.
9. Access contacts and calendar: Look through your child’s contacts so you can see who they’re communicating with. Check all the calendar events on their phone.
10. Keyword alerts: You can create a list of target words such as “drugs” “sex” and “guns” with this alert feature. You will receive an email notification when any of these words get used in any texts, chats, emails, etc.
11. Apps & websites blocking: You can view all the apps installed on your child’s phone and can also block specific apps and websites.
12. Incoming call blocking: To block incoming calls from specific numbers, log into your mSpy account and click on ‘Device Management’ and enter the numbers you want to block.
13. Screen recording: mSpy’s screenrecorder feature does exactly what its name implies: it captures their screen activity, then sends screenshots to your online account. Screenrecorder allows you to see everything they did, and when.
14. Unlimited device change: You can install the mSpy app upon one device at a time but you can change the target device as often as you want without buying new licenses.
15. Invisible mode: The best part about the mSpy app is that it’s completely invisible, which means that your child will never know they are being monitored.
Features Comparison
| FEATURES | mSpy Premium | mSpy without Jailbreak |
| GPS Location |  |
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| Text Messages, MMS | |
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| Call history & Contact List | |
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| Emails | |
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| iMessages | |
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| Browsing History | |
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| Calendar, Notes, Tasks | |
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| Unlimited Device Change | |
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| SIM Change Notification | |
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| Automatic Software Updates | |
|
| Keyword Alerts | |
|
| Geo-Fencing | |
|
| Keylogger | |
|
| Wi-Fi Networks | |
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| Apps & Websites Blocking | |
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| Incoming Call Blocking | |
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| Remote Device Lock or Wipe | |
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| Screen Recording | |
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| Instant Messages | |
|
System Requirements for mSpy
The system requirements for running mSpy on different mobile and desktop operating systems are described below, please click below to learn more about the system requirements for your specific OS.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the app is compatible with your device before buying.
Getting Started with mSpy
Physical access to the target device is needed to install mSpy. Once it’s installed, you can remotely monitor and track their phone, no matter where you are. Here’s how to get started.
Step 1: Buy a subscription (Here’s a coupon code just for you). Once you have completed the purchase process, your login name and password will be emailed to you within a few minutes. Installation instructions will be included in the email.
Step 2: From your computer, open the confirmation email, and click on the link that is provided. This will take you to the mSpy control panel. Log into the control panel, and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app on the device you wish to monitor.
Step 3: Downloading and installing the app is easy, and support is always available by email, online chat or telephone 24/7. Once installation is completed, the app will start monitoring the device immediately. Log in to your account to access all the monitored data.
mSpy Review Video
Want to see mSpy in action? Watch the video below. A lot of people have heard about it, but not many people know how it actually works. Check out our in-depth mspy review video to see how it works and how to install it.
As you can see, it’s very easy to install mSpy on an Android phone. The control panel is user-friendly, and the app’s interface is intuitive.
6 Things You Should Know Before Buying mSpy
1. How do I get the software?
Its premium plan costs $99/year and can be purchased through mSpy’s official website. Once you have purchased a subscription, you will receive an email with your login credentials for accessing your control panel and installation instructions. The download link can be found in the control panel. Simply login to your account and then download the mSpy app onto the device you want to monitor.
2. Do I need physical access to the phone to install mSpy?
Yes, you need physical access to the phone to install the mSpy app on it. That’s because you have to download the installer file and manually install it.
3. Do I need to root the Android phone before installing mSpy?
Don’t worry, there’s no rooting required – you simply download a hidden tracking app and you’re good to go. However, if you want to monitor their instant messaging chats like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, you’ll have to root the phone.
4. Will my child know mSpy is installed or running? Is it detectable?
The only way they will know is if you chose the “I’d like to keep the icon” option while installing the app. If you didn’t choose that option then nothing will be displayed to notify the user. The mSpy icon automatically hides after the installation is complete.
5. Is it legal?
mSpy is a professional cell phone monitoring solution designed for parents and employers to legitimately monitor their phone use. If you intend on monitoring a phone you do not own or do not have permission to monitor, you should not purchase this product. It is illegal to install monitoring app on phone you do not own.
6. Can I get a refund from mSpy?
There’s a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. For additional information regarding the Refund Policy, visit: www.mspy.com/refund-policy.html.
The refund may apply only to the first mSpy subscription. No refund will be available on additional purchases or more than one subscription at one time. You may send your refund request by email to [email protected].
mSpy Coupon Code
Alex from mSpy was kind enough to give us a coupon code for our readers. Use this coupon code at checkout and you’ll get 50% off. Please visit our “special offers” page for more details.
mSpy Review – Conclusion
mSpy has everything you need from a mobile monitoring app. It offers a long list of features, including the ability to track websites visited, calls made and received, messages sent and received and keystrokes typed, and even block any app or website. It has a user-friendly Web-based control panel and excellent customer service. The app interface is very easy to use and works on all major operating systems. The Premium version can be purchased for $34.99 per month, or $99.99 per year. If you want to buy the software now, be sure to use this promo code to get 50 percent off.
Disclaimer: mSpy is designed for monitoring your children, employees or others on a phone that you own or have permission to monitor.
Last updated January 27, 2023.
I am not sure if the software works or not since I was unable to get in installed. You advertise a 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Since I found out the software would not work on my Iphone5 I immediately requested a refund and was told I was not eligible for one. This is obviously a shady company and have many complaints listed with the BBB. Wish I had checked before my order.
You must jailbreak the iPhone you want to monitor before installing the application. It is impossible to download or install mspy if you can’t jailbreak the target iPhone. This means that mspy won’t work with non-jailbreak iphone. Jailbreaking is simple and easy, and you can use evasi0n to do it.
Do not go anywhere near mspy! I have it and the problems are many. I have had the phone for about 10 days and (among other problems) can see no photos or videos. I have tried to work with support but just get told to “wait” and the downloads will come, or it is my internet connection (I have verizon FIOS, no connection or speed problems with any other device or application), or some other run around. When I asked for a refund within the first 7 days I was refused. If you do get this software, do not expect a refund no matter what.
Again, I currently have this software and it does not work. I am a very unhappy customer and warn everyone against purchasing this product.
Hi David, I am sorry to hear about your problems. In general, I found that mspy works well with almost every smartphone and tablet.
If you have received logs normally and then they stop suddenly, there may be various reasons:
1. The internet is not working on the target phone.
2. There are no such activities.
3. The phone is turned off or roaming.
4. If you are not able to use Whatsapp, Skype, Viber and Facebook features because the target Android phone is not rooted.
I have never received logs normally.
‘1. The internet is not working on the target phone.’
The internet is working fine on the target phone. Getting emails, facebook updates with videos, video messages on apps like vine, I can surf the web no problem. The phone is on the WiFi connection in my home, which is Verizon FIOS, I have no connection or speed issues on any of my devices using this WiFi connection.
‘2. There are no such activities.’
This is a child’s phone and is loaded with photos and videos. NONE have ever been downloaded. It has been 2 weeks. Also I have made new test photos and videos to see if that would work. Nothing.
‘3. The phone is turned off or roaming.’
The phone is sitting in my house turned on and on a charger. I have rebooted it several times. Again it is receiving calls, texts facebook updates, videos etc
4. If you are not able to use Whatsapp, Skype, Viber and Facebook features because the target Android phone is not rooted.
It is an iphone 4s jailbroken running cydia
I am a software engineer myself. I don’t expect everything to work perfectly. I have no problem with a little trouble shooting to get things to work. I have a very typical system: Dell laptop running windows 7 on a Verizon FIOS WiFi connection. Nothing exotic. As said above, the phone is an iphone 4s connected to the WiFi getting traffic. I have contacted support a number of times. The majority of the time I was simply told to “wait”. One time I was instructed to do some reboot and turn off the connections for an hour and turn back on, which I did numerous times. No change.
After I purchased I found the link above that shows the many complaints. Clearly I am not the only one experiencing these problems.
Hi David – Many thanks for your feedback and sharing your experience. Can you please tell me which iOS version you are currently running? mSpy is currently not compatible with iPhone 4S running iOS 6.1.3 and above.
i am using the MSPY from last 6 month. i was very much happy from the mspy service. but from last 15-20 days ago, mspy updated their web interface. after this update, it become worst and lot of issue are there. no imessge log, call log, (almost all features) updating and missing the msgs. i give now zero start rating. i contact to mspy technical. i am sorry, but infect they are giving very stupid and unlogical reply.
please request to MSPY, back to your previouse version or i advice to all new purchaser not to spend money on it. it is rubbish.
Hi, I’m experiencing the same problems today. In fact, I noticed that a few days ago, the site was quite long in uploading data. Yesterday, mspy operated a site maintenance for more than one hour and since then, I have no logs for sms, calls, key logger, locations. All I can get are ambient recordings, call records (even though they don’t appear on the dashboard, amazing !). I’ve been trying to sort this out with their support team, and just like you, they told me to send a hidden sms, which I did, they told me to wait for about 2 hours for the data to be loaded…. Still, nothing is happening. I’ve just contacted them but have no answer.
You say it’s possible to request to get me back to my previous version ?
Thanks.
This should be fixed now! Please let me know if you continue to have problems.
Thank you.
For everyone out there I tried several companies and mspy was by far the best. If your not sure ask about a free trial and you can see how it works with your phone! WARNING to everyone out there the worst company out there is SPYBUBBLE!!!! Do not get this software it is a total scam. The features rarely work and you have to constantly reboot the target phone!!! It is by far the worst software and company out there. BASED in INDIA. THEy are HORRIBLE!!! Mspy is awesome compared to any other company trust me!!!
Thank you for your valuable feedback!
I changed from spy bubble to mspy because of additional feature, record surroundings, photo spying etc. Have had mspy since July and these additional features have never worked for me. I was given several explanations for record surroundings not working i.e. connection interrupted with call etc. I tested them myself, they never worked…ever! I was ok to continue with mspy, just having other regular features, sms, call, location logging etc. Until recently. Somehow my target’s phone lost connection with mspy. I was advised to re-install it. I tried, lots of times, was unable to connect. Mspy told me that my internet connection must not be strong enough! It was strong enough before. I have full strength internet and sitting right next to my router when I try to connect! I am at present, paying for nothing!
why im no longer have the call/sourroundings recordings features anymore ???
i been a premium customer for 2 months and i just extended for 1 month that was the reason i been extended it one more month but now im thinking of cancel the suscription its not longer useful to me if someone knows wats wrong please let me know
thanx
I purchased mspy and it worked great. I read, listened and saw everything. The target had no idea until I disclosed the information to them. Unfaithful, not loyal and very dishonest.. Glad I did this although I knew too much because this software actually gives you access to everything.. Glad I did this because it saved me from a lifetime of misery.. Thanks
Mspy program was the best , but now it has been the worst since they cancelled Call Recording and sourrounding call and I really not advise anyone for this program.
I had the premium subscription for six months. When I went to renew I saw the note that call recording and remote sound recording was no longer available. I did not and will not renew until/unless they make these features available again.
Hi All, The “Call Recording” and “Record Surrounding” features are no longer available within mspy app due to the legal case. However, there are still more than 25 features in mspy that you can use to track a cell phone.
And I received an email from mSpy Team. Here is what it said:
mSpy cares about the needs and concerns of its customers. That’s why we have long been providing our services to parents whose aim is to keep their children safe and to employers who seek to manage their workers productivity with their knowledge and consent. In keeping with this theme, we wish to reiterate that in no uncertain terms do we endorse nor promote the use of our software for purposes other than which have been expressly stated. Please remove any content that suggests otherwise. You may refer to our website for a more detailed description of the approved uses of mSpy tracking software.
We would like to draw you attention to the fact that monitoring software, like mSpy, still remains legal. The charges against the affiliate mentioned and, possibly, one of the developers were brought on the basis of advertising an ‘eavesdropping device’. We have made sure mSpy clearly positions itself as a parental control tool and business monitoring solution that can only be used with prior consent obtained.
Thank you,
mSpy Team
I don’t think people buy this software “just for fun”. At least for me, it’s to much money involved + the installation process….
You were the best untill you made this stupid decision. How come all the other spy programs still have the recording features?? To bad they can’t compete with you in “over all”. Mspy is easy to use, price worthy, reliable – you name it!
To end this; thanks to Mspy record surroundings my Children still have their mother – I’m still alive! I found out about my charming husbands plans, Before it was to late…..
Have a nice day everyone!
If the target has a data plan for the internet how much does it’s charge for this software to be on his phone?
Mspy did not notify me that call recording & surround recording feature are not available anymore. Mspy did not even send me a reminder email about my subscription expiry. my subscription was expired last month & I did not know. I did n ot receive any email even in my junk folder. Reason could be anything. I had last six month subscription for only 57 euros (£46) but I has been increased to 136 euro (£108 inc. vat) which is totally rip-off especially when these two features are not available. company becoming greedy & greedy ..
Hi..I purchased an mSpy 3 month subscription. Within hours, and not even attempting to set up the program, I emailed and tried to cancel my subscription due to the 10-day refund policy clearly listed on the front page of their website. I was clearly told, no refund would be offered as I should have read their refund policy. They expect a consumer to dig through their website to find this policy – one would think an * next to the “10-day refund policy” stating exceptions apply would be a nice touch. After further review of this policy, they have listed everything possible to never have to give a refund! I understand if I used the product, but they would be able to see that I have clearly done nothing with it. Their only response is they will give me a free month on the backend of my subscription. Where is that a benefit to me when I have clearly asked for a full refund? Maybe, make me pay for 1 month of service and return the other 2 months…. really mSpy.com.. horrible customer service, unethical company, and a report to the Better Business Bureau and RipOffReport will be next.
Can someone please tell me in easy to understand steps how do I work this software?
Do I download mspy to my computer or to the phone I’m trying to track?
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
For more details on how to download and install mspy app please refer to http://www.mspyreview.net/how-to-install-mspy/
Hello, it seems I lost connection with target phone which is the phone of my child who is in Dutchland. Normally he connect by Wi-Fi.
Thanks
Hi! I would like to know if you can actually link back previous target phone because I accidentally hit the unlink current device while I was browsing it? Do I need to reinstall it again to continue using mspy? HELP please!!!!!
I’ve been a user of mspy for the last several months and i really dont have much complaints.. Although it was a bit tricky installing and it occasionally loses some of the data meaning I know the person I’m spying on sent me a text message and i didnt see it appear on the logs, for the most part their product works and i cant imagine what i would do if i didnt have it.
I would like to see more feature added but you cant go wrong with the price and their support is real good. Overall im satisfied with this product.
I was able to download this app on an android cell, worked good for a week, and the updates stopped….I “CHAT” with them and sent the phone a “777” message, didn’t work….then they said I had to re-download the app on the target phone, so when I was able to get to the target phone at 2:30 am, I re-downloaded the app….it worked for another week and the same problem….the 777 message didn’t work, and now I’m not able to get into the phone, it now has a request for “PIN” number….so I have been requesting a refund, no responses…I only had the app tracker for less than a month.
It looks like the app was somehow disabled by the phone’s user.
When you are installing the mspy app, you can choose to hide the app icon on their phone. Did you do that?
Hi, I’m experiencing the same problems today.
I’ve been trying to sort this out with their support team, and just like you, still nothing is happening. I’ve contacted them and they had me unlink the target phone and re verify and connect again.
Program says it updated, but the call logs and the text messages have not.
Also does the non jailbreak program show deleted texts and phone calls? Because I was lead to believe it did.
But it has never showed deleted texts or phone calls in the logs.