MSpy App Review – An Overview

While reviewing the best parental control apps, I came across the mSpy app. In this mSpy review, I want to emphasize that it’s not primarily a parental control app; rather, it functions as a legitimate spy app. It lacks features that categorize it as a tool for managing a child’s digital activities. However, it allows monitoring and tracking of various activities.

From a monitoring or spying perspective, the app is quite comprehensive and offers extensive options for tracking any device. You can access a range of information, from contacts, calls, and messages to gallery contents, apps, search history, and more. Nevertheless, the app lacks control features such as screen time limits or app restrictions. The only controls available involve blocking specific apps, websites, or Wi-Fi networks.

I personally found it somewhat uncomfortable to use for my children, as I am not inclined to continuously spy on their devices. However, some parents might find the app useful. The robust messaging and social media monitoring can be beneficial for safeguarding children from online dangers like predation, hate speech, or bullying. It’s important to note that it might also lead to disagreements with young teens.

Regarding pricing, the app offers three different plans: monthly, 3-months, and annual. These are billed at $48.99, $28.00, and $11.67 per month, respectively. There is no free trial of money back guarantee by the app however they do have a 14 days refund policy. You have to be pretty careful when making a refund request and comply with their terms and conditions.

Considering the features offered and the pricing, I found the app doesn’t offer a compelling value proposition. Other apps like FamilyTime, Qustodio, and Mobicip provide substantial monitoring and extensive parental control features at more reasonable prices.

My Interaction with MSpy Parental Control App

I assumed that mSpy was a parental control app, however when I explored the app, it took me by surprise. mSpy is actually a spy or monitoring app. It does not fit into my definition of a parental control app.

Though, you can find a number of familiar features in the mSpy that are available in other parental control apps. But, it does not have the core of parental controls. However, many parents categorize it as a parental control app, so I moved ahead to review it further.

Reviewing MSpy Parental control app Demo

Since the app was not something I expected, using it in real time on my child’s device was inappropriate for me. Even for a trial, things were messy and could disturb my children a lot. Plus, it does not offer a free trial and spending money on such an app was not a good idea for me.

However, I found a perfect solution within the app and for that I appreciate their effort. mSpy offers a default demo account. The demo includes a full fledged dashboard with all statistical display, settings and more.

Though you cannot edit the settings but explore all the options in the app.I was unable to have a look at the child’s device options but explore the parent dashboard to its maximum.

MSpy Highlights

Top Features

• Keyword Tracking – Add keywords you wish to restrict on your child’s browser. App will block these keywords and search terms.
• Keyloggers – Get insights about what your child types or search the most with the help of keylogger stats.
• Location tracking – Know your child’s location in real time whenever you want.
• Social Media Apps Monitoring – Monitor almost all the social media apps from Facebook to WhatsApp and even Tinder.
• Extensive Dashboard – Access all the settings from contacts to social media apps, stats, insights and more.
• Block Settings – Block apps, Wi-Fi, or websites based on your needs and preferences to refrain your child from using them.
• Media Gallery Access – Access your child’s device media gallery and peek into all the videos, photos and other multimedia files.
• Screen Recorder – Record screen of your child’s device secretly without coming to notice.
• Stealth Mode Activation – Review and monitor your child’s app in stealth mode to maintain a spy status and do not trigger the problems.
• 24/7 Customer Support – Offers you email support for in-text response and an active call line for quick support.

The Dashboard

My interaction began with the dashboard. In contrast to many other parental control apps I’ve encountered, mSpy offers a simplified dashboard that presents all features and functions upfront. It not only provides a glimpse of the features but also offers extensive insights and data presentation.

For instance, you can explore the chart displaying the usage of the targeted device. This chart reflects a comparison of the device’s activities across different days, providing an instant understanding of how the device’s internet usage varies over time.

As you continue to scroll down, you’ll find individual sections detailing various aspects of usage, such as calls, messages, apps, location, and more.

Keyword Tracking

One of the crucial and standout features I discovered in mSpy, which aligns well with parents’ needs, is the keyword tracking functionality. With this tool, you can restrict your child’s searches on social media and the web. By prohibiting them from accessing content related to specific keywords, you can ensure a sense of security and peace of mind.

Keylogger

Have you ever wondered what your child is typing on their devices beyond searches and messages? The mSpy app offers a keylogger feature designed to provide you with this information. Anything your child types on the device gets recorded within the app.

This feature gives you insights into what they’re typing, offering a glimpse into their feelings, activities, and interests. The keylogger tracks everything your child types on their device beyond just searches or messages. While this feature provides extensive information and insights, it’s important to use it responsibly and ethically, taking into consideration potential privacy concerns.

Web, App & WiFi Blocker

Similar to other apps, mSpy enables you to block specific apps and websites on your child’s device. When it comes to apps, the process is quite straightforward. You can view all the installed apps and easily block any of them based on your preferences.

However, managing website restrictions can be a bit more intricate. Unlike apps, mSpy doesn’t offer a default filter to block websites within a specific category. You need to manually add websites to the block list, which can be a bit cumbersome. This method might lead to overlooking certain websites if you’re listing them all at once. To address this, it’s advisable to periodically add new websites to the block list as you come across them.

One of the standout features offered by mSpy is the ability to block WiFi networks. You have the option to prevent specific WiFi networks from connecting to your child’s device. This functionality is particularly useful when dealing with unsecured connections or when you want to ensure your child’s full attention by temporarily blocking the network.

Access To Installed Apps

One feature that particularly resonated with parental control was the access to installed apps. Similar to FamilyTime, mSpy provides you with convenient access to all the installed apps on your child’s device. This allows you to review and assess these apps to determine their appropriateness.

Once you’ve identified certain harmful or inappropriate apps, you can utilize the app blocker feature to prevent their usage on the device. This feature even reveals any apps that your child has installed and hidden within multiple folders.

Location Tracking & Geofence

A comprehensive spy app isn’t complete without robust location tracking and geofencing options. With mSpy, you have the ability to track the targeted device’s location 24/7. The location history provided includes essential details such as the precise map location, timestamp, and duration of each stay. This feature assists in monitoring your child’s movement patterns between various locations.

Moreover, mSpy allows you to set up geofence limits for your child. By doing so, you can define specific areas where they are allowed or restricted. This feature enables you to receive push notifications whenever the device or your child enters or exits these designated safe or restricted zones. I believe this particular feature is immensely beneficial for parents to closely monitor their children’s activities.

Social Media App Monitoring

mSpy offers extensive monitoring for the social media apps your child or a younger teen will be using. It is designed to spy and provide you with all the messages, chats, comments posts and more from these platforms.

With a glance you will have an idea of what your child is doing or planning. By using it ethically, you can even help your child to fight against bullying or hate speech. mSpy offers you the features for Whatsapp,Facebook, Instagram, skype, iMessages, Hangout, Telegram, Tinder, Line, Viber, Kik, and snapchat.

Unfortunately, you cannot access all of these features on your Android and iOS devices with the same efficiency. For iOS, you can only have monitoring features of iMessages and Whatsapp. However, the rest of the apps are available on android devices. It’s one of the major downsides of the app.

Media Gallery Access

Another feature I explored with mSpy is the gallery access. Beyond monitoring what your child is viewing online, you can delve into the contents of their phone. Often, potential dangers may lie within the gallery, unbeknownst to you. With this access, you can meticulously review every image or video stored in the gallery. This provides insight into what your child is capturing or saving in that section.

Each media file is accompanied by its respective timestamp, providing you with comprehensive information about when each item was created or saved.

SMS & Call Monitoring

mSpy offers an extensive and robust call and SMS monitoring feature. Unlike several other apps such as Qustodio and Bark, it provides access to complete chat conversations. You can read all the messages within these chats. In contrast, Bark only allows you to access potentially harmful messages from chats.

With mSpy, you can access complete SMS chats on both Android and iOS platforms. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive record of incoming and outgoing calls from your child’s device. This includes details such as the numbers, contact names, call times, and call durations.

Email Access

One of the standout features I found in mSpy is the ability to access my child’s emails. It’s a known fact that children can be clever in securing their communication, and one of the common platforms they might use is email. However, not many parental control apps allow you to access your child’s email account.

mSpy breaks from this trend. It allows you to access your child’s email account and review the contents of their emails. This includes reading messages from the inbox, sent folder, drafts, and even the trash. It’s important to note that this feature is exclusive to Android devices; it does not work with iOS devices.

Screen Recordings

The screen recorder feature proved to be an indispensable tool for monitoring my child’s digital activities. Its unique functionality goes beyond mere screenshot capture. It provides a comprehensive record of my child’s app interactions by taking screenshots whenever there’s a change within an app. This includes actions like receiving a new message or performing an action within supported apps. mSpy diligently captures these snapshots.

It’s important to note that the list of compatible apps for the screen recorder is limited. Currently, mSpy supports a select group of popular apps, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram. If your child uses other apps, the screen recording feature won’t be applicable. Overall, while it’s an intelligent feature, it’s essential to consider the potential impact on your child’s privacy and the substantial amount of data it generates for daily review.

Browser History & Bookmarks

Alongside many other filters and features, mSpy ensures that you’re not in the dark about your child’s web history and browsing bookmarks. While it doesn’t provide real-time monitoring of searches, it does allow you to review the browser search history, providing insights into what they’ve been searching for.

Even if your child is savvy enough to erase their browsing history, their bookmarks can still reveal the story. The app enables you to access your child’s browser bookmarks, granting you insight into what they’ve saved for future reference.

Calendar Events

Alongside social media and location tracking, how about gaining insight into your child’s future plans in advance? Sounds intriguing, right? With mSpy, you have the ability to access pre-planned events on your child’s device.

If your child habitually notes down daily or future activities on their calendar, you can stay one step ahead. Any plans they’ve made without your knowledge, as long as they’re on the calendar, will be readily available for you to see.

However, it’s important to note that this feature might inadvertently spoil some of their surprises for you. This aspect gave me pause as I contemplated the implications. Using this feature might not be advisable if it risks making your children feel disappointed or discouraged.

What Impressed Me in MSpy App?

While I do have reservations about the app’s format and overall interface, there are certain features that have left a positive impression on me. Topping that list are the keyword tracking and keylogger functionalities.These features empower parents to gain insights into their child’s digital activities. Keyword tracking allows parents to limit overall searches, while the keylogger records their typing and search behaviors.

Moreover, mSpy’s tracking tools are both extensive and reliable. Utilizing similar tracking options with privacy considerations certainly enhances the potential of this parental control app.

A Few Downsides

When it comes to mSpy, I don’t just see a few downsides; I see a multitude of them. To start, I find myself less than 100% comfortable with the app’s interface and features. It’s not solely a parental control app; it’s more of a spying tool that can be used to digitally monitor anyone, not just children.

The app operates in stealth mode, meaning the person being monitored is unaware of its presence running in the background. This directly contradicts the principles of respecting a child’s privacy. Beyond the ethical concerns, many of the app’s features are exclusively designed for either iOS or Android, not both. Features like social media and email monitoring are only supported on Android.

Moreover, there’s no safe search filter for web browsing. The only option available is to restrict specific keywords and manually block websites to enhance browsing security. In summary, while it might be effective for monitoring others, it falls short of meeting the requirements for responsible digital parenting.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, mSpy offers a range of options to cater to different preferences and needs. The application has thoughtfully designed three distinct plans: monthly, 3-months, and annual subscriptions. These plans are priced at $48.99, $28.00, and $11.67 per month, respectively. This tiered approach ensures that you can choose a subscription duration that aligns with your monitoring requirements and budget constraints

While the app doesn’t provide a free trial or a money-back guarantee, it does offer customers a safety net in the form of a 14-day refund policy. This policy allows you to request a refund if the application doesn’t meet your expectations or requirements within the initial two weeks of usage.

It’s worth noting that mSpy’s pricing structure is designed to accommodate various preferences, ensuring users can access the app’s features without straining their budget. While the absence of a free trial and money-back guarantee might be seen as a drawback, the 14-day refund policy serves as a viable alternative for those looking to evaluate the app’s suitability for their monitoring needs. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with the refund policy guidelines and meet the terms and conditions to fully leverage this option.

MSpy Vs FamilyTime

My Take on mSpy app!

mSpy, without a doubt, falls short of being a comprehensive parental control app. It lacks features such as screen time limits, app limits, and scheduling that are typically offered by dedicated parental control apps. Instead, it can be more accurately described as a competitive spying app,providing the means to monitor your teens, kids, or anyone else without their detection. The app allows easy access to their digital devices, often without their awareness.

However, using the app’s features can raise concerns about legitimacy and ethical implications. It may feel intrusive and even potentially illegal to delve so deeply into someone’s device. The app tracks various aspects, from locations to messages and social media accounts, potentially compromising the overall security of you child’s information.

Considering the potential risks and ethical considerations, mSpy might not be the best option. There are other alternatives available, such as FamilyTime, Qustodio, Bark, Mobicip, and more. These apps are specifically designed as parental control tools to foster better coordination and communication between parents and their children.