mSpy parental control review: the most customizable parental control app in 2024

Keeping your children safe online is crucial given the countless threats lurking on the internet, ranging from predators to pornography and cyberbullying to phishing scams. Parental control apps help you monitor and manage your kids' online activities to keep them safe. One example is mSpy, an app that promises to help you keep tabs on your kids through powerful functionalities like tracking their location, keeping an eye on their social media use, and more.

But does mSpy truly live up to its claim of being one of the best parental control apps today? I put it to the test with the Cybernews research team. We investigated each aspect of this app to bring you our honest opinions. Read our full mSpy review below to decide if this app is the right choice to keep your family safe.

Quick overview of mSpy parental control

mSpy is a powerful parental control app that allows you to monitor your kids’ online activities, including calls, messages, social media, and location. Here’s a brief overview of the features.

🌐 Web & app filtering	Yes
🕓 Screen time limits	Yes
📍 Location tracking	Yes
🖥️ Supported platforms	Android and iOS
📲 Number of devices	Up to three with Family Kit
✂️ Free plan	None
⌛ Trial period	None
💵 Price	From $11.67/month for the 12-month plan

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What is mSpy?

mSpy is a parental control app designed to help you monitor your children's smartphone usage and online activities to ensure their safety. It offers a range of useful functionalities such as tracking location, monitoring calls and messages, and keeping an eye on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.

How does mSpy work?

mSpy operates discreetly in the background of the target device, allowing you to monitor your child’s activities without being detected. Once installed, the app silently tracks various data, including call logs, text messages, GPS location, and social media activity on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

mSpy transmits this information to a secure control panel where you can easily access and review it from your device. mSpy is compatible with Android and iOS devices, though iOS devices require jailbreaking for full functionality.

mSpy’s key features

After trying out mSpy, I’ve come to appreciate the wealth of features it offers. It’s one of the best cell phone trackers and parental control apps you can buy. Here’s an overview of the features.

Call monitoring

mSpy's call monitoring feature allows you to track incoming and outgoing calls on your child's device, providing details such as call duration, timestamps, and contact information. This feature lets you see who your child communicates with, offering valuable insights into their social interactions.

Text message tracking

mSpy allows you to read sent and received text messages on your child’s device, even after deletion. This provides insights into your child’s communication habits so that you can notice any red flags and intervene as necessary.

GPS location tracking

mSpy’s GPS tracking feature provides real-time location data, allowing you to track your child’s whereabouts at any time, which is a fantastic safety measure.

Geofencing

Geofencing is a feature that allows you to create physical zones, such as around home, school, or other important areas. When the target device enters or exits these predefined boundaries, mSpy sends instant notifications to the parent’s control panel.

Social media monitoring

mSpy allows you to monitor your child's activity across popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. It thus helps you detect signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or potential interactions with online predators.

Multimedia access

mSpy gives you access to all photos, videos, and other multimedia files stored on your child's device. Therefore, you can identify inappropriate or harmful content, such as explicit images or videos, and take necessary action.

Browser history and internet usage

This feature helps you monitor your children's online activity, helping you protect them from exposure to harmful or inappropriate content. By reviewing the browsing history, you can identify potential dangers like adult content or unsafe websites and take steps such as talking to your kids or blocking inappropriate sites.

App blocking

mSpy’s app-blocking feature allows you to restrict access to specific applications on your child’s device, helping them manage screen time and ensure age-appropriate usage.

Email monitoring

This feature lets you see the emails sent and received on your child’s device. Therefore, you can identify any risks, such as phishing attempts or discussions involving cyberbullying or other harmful topics.

mSpy cost: how much is mSpy?

mSpy’s subscription plans are flexible and varied enough to be a bit confusing at first. There are three plans: mSpy Premium, mSpy Extreme, and mSpy Family Kit. Each offers different subscription time periods. Previously, there was a mSpy Basic plan, but mSpy has discontinued it.

The table below provides an overview of the mSpy subscription prices and time periods.

mSpy Plan	Price	Features
Premium	$11.67/month for 12 months $28.00/month for 3 months $48.99/month for 1 month	Social media monitoring, location tracker, keylogger
Extreme	$23.99/month for 12 months $33.99/month for 6 months $45.00/month for 3 months	Social media monitoring, location tracker, keylogger, remote camera, hidden microphone
Family Kit	$34.00/month for 12 months $45.00/month for 6 months	Social media monitoring, location tracker, keylogger, support for three devices

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mSpy setup and installation process

To use mSpy, you must create an account and sign up for a subscription plan. Then, you must install the app on the target device, such as your child’s phone.

1. Go to the mSpy website and click the Try Now button.
2. Follow the on-screen steps to create your account. You will need a valid email address.
3. Select the type of device you want to track — Android or iOS. Make sure you choose the correct one because the installation process will be different for each.
4. Now, pick a subscription plan. You can choose between one-month, three-month, and 12-month packages. Note: The main mSpy website will automatically show you Premium plans. For mSpy Extreme, for Family Kit.
5. After choosing your plan, complete the payment process. You will then receive installation instructions to the email address you provided when creating your account.

Install mSpy on Android

1. If you want to install mSpy on an Android device, you first need to disable Play Protect. For this, ensure the phone is unlocked and connected to the internet.
2. Open the Google Play Store and click on the profile picture at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Play Protect. Then, in the top-right corner, click the settings gear icon.
4. Disable the option labeled “Scan Apps With Play Protect.”
5. Now, open Google Chrome on the same device.
6. From the email that mSpy sent you, copy and paste the download link you have received into the address bar. In the next step, pass the captcha security test and click “Download mSpy.”
7. If you get a pop-up at the bottom of the screen asking for permission, click on Open > Settings > Allow From The Source and then go back. Then “Next”. Once the download is complete, tap on “Open.”
8. After completing the mSpy installation, open it and select “Allow” on all the pop-ups that appear. This process will grant mSpy access to all the data on the device.

The mSpy app will also provide an installation wizard. Once you’ve allowed access to everything, enter the Registration code provided by the Wizard and tap on Complete Installation.

These steps complete the installation process. The target device will now be trackable, and you can view all the monitored data from the control panel of your mSpy account, which you can log in to online.

Install mSpy on iPhone or iOS devices

mSpy works on iPhones but will have limited functionality unless you jailbreak the device. Jailbreaking means bypassing the built-in restrictions in iOS that prevent the installation of third-party software.

You have two options to install mSpy on an iPhone without jailbreaking. The first is through iCloud, as described below:

1. After purchasing your mSpy subscription, choose iOS devices as the target device and select the iCloud Sync installation method.
2. The mSpy website will now redirect you to a new page. On this page, sign into your mSpy account and enter the iCloud credentials of the target device, your child’s iPhone.
3. Enter iCloud credentials in mSpy.
4. You will receive two notifications from mSpy. The first will go to the iCloud email address you entered alerting you of a new login. The second one will go to the target phone and will contain a 6-digit code for 2-factor authentication.
5. You need to enter this code into the set-up window.
6. Allow about 10-20 minutes for the installation process to complete. mSpy will import data from the target phone to your control panel through iCloud.

An alternative method to install mSpy on an iPhone is through Wi-Fi sync. For this, you need to have the target device with you.

1. After purchasing your mSpy subscription, choose iOS devices as the target device and select the Wi-Fi Sync installation method.
2. You’ll get an extra Wi-Fi sync app with your subscription, which you must install on your PC or Mac.
3. Then, connect the target iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. mSpy will transfer a copy of the device data onto your system.

This means you can see emails, browsing history, notes, photos, and more from the target device on your computer. Going forward, mSpy will take a copy of this data whenever the target device connects to your computer's Wi-Fi network.

These methods allow only limited mSpy functionality on an iPhone. To use all the features, you need to jailbreak the iPhone. However, we do not advise this method as it is a complicated operation that can pose risks to your warranty and the health of your device.

mSpy reviews

Online reviews of mSpy indicate that most users appreciate its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface. Parents often commend the app for its ability to monitor a wide range of activities, including social media, text messages, and location tracking, which provides them with peace of mind regarding their children's safety.

However, users also mention challenges with the installation process, particularly for iOS devices that may require jailbreaking. The subscription cost has also been a point of contention for some users, who feel it could be more competitive, given the app's functionalities.

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mSpy parental control vs competitors

If you’re wondering how mSpy compares to other popular parental control apps, here’s a quick comparison with some of its competitors:

• Aura - mSpy and Aura both offer parental control features. While mSpy excels in comprehensive monitoring, including text messages, social media, and GPS tracking, Aura focuses on broader digital security, such as identity theft protection and fraud monitoring.
• SpyX - mSpy and SpyX serve similar purposes but differ in features and user experiences. However, while mSpy is comprehensive, SpyX focuses on basic tracking features and is geared toward users seeking simpler functionality.
• uMobix - uMobix is particularly known for its real-time updates and broader social media coverage. It is more expensive than mSpy but offers quicker updates.

Conclusion: Is mSpy the Right Choice for Your Family?

mSpy is great for parents who want to monitor their children’s online activities. It offers detailed insights but might be too intrusive for older children such as teens. Its range of features, including call and message tracking, social media monitoring, and GPS location tracking, can provide peace of mind and let you know what your kids are up to online.

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