If you are a parent, then you will know how difficult it can be to monitor what your children do on their mobile devices.
Of course, you can set out a few ground rules, and hope for the best, but at the end of the day, there’s no way of knowing whether they are actually going to follow through on these or not.
Perhaps for example you say that they can’t have their devices after bedtime, but what’s to stop them sneaking to the part of the house where you have hidden their devices, and using them when you’re asleep?
Or, perhaps you are an employer who is wanting to make sure that you keep track of what your employees are doing on business-related smartphones.
Whatever you are needing it for, the good news is that there is an entire industry out there to help you with this cause.
Let’s take a look at the best cell phone monitoring apps for both iPhone and Android in 2025 so that you can have a bit of peace of mind around what’s happening on the devices that you control.
Best Phone Monitoring Apps in 2025
1. Phonsee
Phonsee is one of the best apps for iPhone and Android on our list that can help you with some pretty powerful features.
Perhaps one of the things that we love the most about them is that they are super safe to use, and you can easily monitor things like phone calls, contacts, text messages, email, chat, and GPS location.
You can record phone calls, or you can listen to them in real-time, and you can also listen to what’s happening in the environment of the user.
What’s interesting about this app is that you can monitor all scheduled appointments as well, and you can check in on what photos and videos they are storing on the device.
If you’re using it for Android, you can record the screen of certain apps, and this type of software is available for Facebook, WhatsApp, and then seven other social media sites on top of this.
One unique feature that you will enjoy with this phone monitoring tool is their analytics.
From here, you can get quick reports that include things like who they talked to on the phone the most, and which websites they visit the most.
2. EyeZy
EyeZy is one of the best phone monitoring software options, especially if you want to be able to see what your ex is doing on their phone, or see what your children are getting up to on social media, so that you can have peace of mind that they are doing what they claim to be doing.
They say that you can achieve everything that you need to under one roof, which means that they are the only device monitoring app that you are ever going to need to use.
It’s only got it take three steps to get started with these guys, you can choose your membership, then install the app on the target phone, and then select the info that you want to be able to track.
The support is open and available 24/7, and their pricing is also super reasonable.
3. mSpy
mSpy is a super popular app to monitor phones that is great for parental control. The app lets you monitor a number of different fun activities remotely, including things like call history, sent and received messages, social media activity, web history, and GPS location.
One of the reasons why this is such a popular phone monitor is because it is really easy to use. It has a background mode, which means that the user of the phone that you are tracking isn’t going to know that you are doing so.
Also, the data that you are monitoring is encrypted, which means that a third party can’t get its hands on it.
Another thing that we like about this cellphone monitoring app is that it keeps the data up to date, which means that it is updated every five minutes.
You can use this app on both iOS and Android devices, however, there are different requirements for each.
The best part is this app is available around the world, so it doesn’t matter where you are located, you will be able to make the most of it.
It is a premium app, but we think that it has a subscription plan that is really affordable. It is going to cost you less than $1 a day.
4. uMobix
uMobix is a great choice if you want to have full control over what you monitor.
It is really good for monitoring messages as well as social media activity and has a long list of features that include more than 30 social media sites.
Of course, it includes the most popular ones, including Snapchat, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and TikTok.
It is also really good if you want to monitor phone calls, keep track of incoming and outgoing phone calls, along with how long the phone call is, and the same features can be applied to text messaging too.
There is a feature that lets you track the location of the phone as well, and the best part is that it is super easy to set up.
This awesome monitoring app can be used with both Android and iOS devices.
5. Cocospy
Cocospy is a helpful app that is currently in more than 190 countries around the world, and has been used by more than a million people.
It has features that can be used with both iOS and Android, and it can help you monitor things like texts and calls, and any apps that have been installed.
We think that it also comes with a few other interesting features, including their keylogger feature, but just note that this only works with Android.
It can also let you monitor the movements of the person using their device, and you can even monitor messages that are sent on Facebook Messenger.
This phone monitoring software is going to let you browse through content, media files, installed apps, their browser history, and a lot more.
When it comes to their parental control features, these are mainly designed for iOS, so if you are someone who is trying to keep track of your kid’s activity and whereabouts, and you need an app for iPhone, then this is a great choice.
6. Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch says that they are so much more than just cell phone monitoring software. They state that they can be used on computers as well.
This app is primarily used for employee monitoring, compared to parental control, and they have a lot of different monitoring features for you to make the most of.
In fact, they’ve got more than 150 features on their list at this point. When you install the software on the phone that you want to track, it is going to be undetectable, and it also is going to hide all of your logging and tracking activities.
You can monitor and record texts and calls, and it can also let you intercept calls as well. Any data that you track is permanently deleted after 90 days, but you also have the option of downloading it.
Another thing that you can do with this tool is monitor apps that have been recently installed, manage the Internet usage, get alerts around what activity is occurring, and view media.
This software can only be used on Android, which means that if you want to use it for iPhone, you will need to jailbreak the phone.
7. Spyic
Spyic is a great choice if you’re looking for a phone monitoring device because they are considered undetectable.
You can use this device monitoring app on both Android and iOS, and they also have Windows and Mac applications.
The best part is that this app is iCloud based, which means that you can sync it easily, without the host phone being aware of what’s going on.
We also love that the control panel is really easy to use, and you can monitor calls by looking at the call history, recording them, or listening to them as they are happening in real-time.
Every entry that is entered into the phone is collected, and you can also monitor things like email and text messages.
A monitoring app like this lets you access media files from the other phone, and you can track the GPS location.
They let you change the monitoring settings remotely, and you can also get instant notifications when something relevant happens.
8. ClevGuard
ClevGuard is helpful because they are considered an all-in-one monitoring solution.
As far as we can tell, it is primarily designed to be used by parents who are wanting to monitor what their kids are doing on their phones.
It is a super popular app and has been used by more than 400,000 people so far.
With this app, you can do things like taking screenshots, record phone calls, and get a screen grab in real-time of the device that you are tracking.
Unlike other phone call monitoring apps, these guys don’t just have a GPS tracker, but they also include a Wi-Fi tracker.
You can even set up boundaries when it comes to location, and you will receive a notification if this is being violated.
These guys are a super convenient monitoring app that is only going to take 5 minutes to completely set up.
They have different features based on whether you are using it for Android or iOS, and they also have specific features for certain social media apps including iCloud and WhatsApp.
The only potential downside is that these guys are premium app, which means that you will need to pay to subscribe to them.
9. Qustodio
Qustodio is one of those apps to monitor phones that it is super user-friendly, and they also say that they are efficient as a parental control app.
They are worthwhile software that can help you track the phone activity of your children, and they are compatible with any kind of mobile device, as well as a computer.
They can let you track a variety of different mobile phones, and you can also track different accounts.
They can send out detailed information about text messages and calls, and you can even limit how much Internet time is spent on the phone.
One of the things that makes this software so appealing is that they have a simple dashboard that is super easy to use, and you can track more than one user with the software.
Perhaps the only downside to this smartphone monitoring app is that they are on the expensive side, and when it comes to social media monitoring, this is limited to Facebook only.
10. iKeyMonitor
iKeyMonitor is an excellent choice if you want to control what your children do or see what your employees are doing on Android, iOS, or Windows.
They can help you easily monitor phone apps and websites that have been visited, social media platforms that have been used, as well as calls, text messages, and where the phone is currently located through GPS location tracking.
The app also includes a built-in recorder, so that you can download call logs, and even listen to conversations.
With an app like this, you can set up specific alert words, so you’re going to receive a notification whenever this alert word is mentioned.
You will receive this alert by email, and you can even block certain apps remotely that you don’t want to be used.
They also have screen limit settings, in case you don’t want your children to be spending too much time on their phones.
The app is going to screenshot that activity on the phone for you, so that you can see it as a slideshow.
The great thing about this phone monitor app is that it is free to use, but there are limits to the features. If you want to enjoy all of their features, you will need to sign up for a premium subscription.
11. MobiStealth
MobiStealth is a great phone monitor app for you to make the most of when it comes to being a mobile surveillance solution in general.
These guys can be used to track all kinds of different phone activities including social media, text and calls, location, and email.
It offers 24/7 monitoring, and the best part is that it is tamper-proof, which means that when you install it, there’s no way that the person that uses the phone is going to know that it’s on their device.
One feature that we love about this app is its surround recording feature. It also lets you record phone calls in real-time, so that you can listen to them later. It even has an email tracker that works really well for Gmail.
This means that you can access the Gmail account of the device remotely, and it’s also great if you are wanting to monitor web activity, as well as what images are being taken and uploaded onto the phone.
This is an Android monitoring app that can also be used for iPhones, but one of the downsides is that not all of its features are available if you are going to use it for iOS.
This is why it is highly recommended if you plan on using it for Android.
12. Spyzie
Spyzie is really helpful app if you want to know what’s happening in real-time on your children’s or employee’s devices.
It comes with more than 30 monitoring features, which makes it one of the best apps that monitor phone activity in the industry.
With this app, you can check WhatsApp messages, text messages, browsing history, call logs, and more.
It comes with a keylogger, which means that you can record all keyboard strokes, and you are also going to receive notifications for any kind of sensitive activity.
Most notably, this app incorporates data into their reports that you can easily export.
It can help you monitor all videos and images that are downloaded or uploaded to your target device, and it comes with a really easy-to-use timeline so that you can see all the phone activity at the same time.
It works with both Android and iOS, and there are different versions available based on what your needs are, and what your budget looks like right now.
13. SpyTrac
SpyTrac is perhaps one of the most reasonable apps that monitor phone activity on this list when it comes to budget, because you can use it to monitor a phone remotely for less than $0.50 a day.
It also comes with some really great features that you will want to make the most of.
With an app like this, you can easily monitor text messages, social media activity, calls, and other activity that is potentially questionable.
You can block an app if you don’t want it on the device, and you can also set up boundaries when it comes to geofencing and certain contacts.
It is even going to give you access to the GPS history, so that you can know where the user has been and where they currently are.
With an app like this, you can download any videos or photos that are uploaded to the device, and you can even access the File Manager.
The only downside to this app is that it is only going to work on an Android device. They haven’t brought out a version for iPhone yet.
14. MobileSpy
MobileSpy is a great monitoring app that can be used not just for parents who want to monitor their kids activity, but for schools and businesses as well.
It can help you monitor a number of different activities on the target mobile phone, and you can do so in real time.
It is compatible with both iOS and Android, and some of its features include being able to access calls, GPS location tracking, seeing images and videos that have been uploaded to the device, and seeing what text messages have been sent and received.
You can also access the camera and microphone, and you can access all of their social media profiles as well.
One of the things that we love the most about this app is that they are battery saving, which means that it’s not going to affect the battery of the target device while it is running.
It is also completely invisible, which means that it is not going to be able to be detected by the user of the phone. It offers three different plans, depending on your budget.
15. Cerberus
Cerberus is another great app that is good not only for security, but is anti-theft. It is a highly recommended app if you are trying to monitor a device in case it ends up being misplaced.
It offers data protection by allowing you to control your target device remotely and it also sends out automatic notifications.
One of the features that we love the most about this app is it lets you take a picture of any intruder who steals the device.
It can also lock and wipe any data off your phone that you don’t want to be stolen.
It is going to pinpoint the exact location of the device on a map, and it is also reliable if you are just wanting to monitor others, like your children.
You can set up boundaries where you don’t want them to be, and you can also track app usage and with their GPS tracking system, you will always know where they are.
16. SpyHuman
SpyHuman is another great choice if you want to be able to control what your children are doing on their devices.
It can monitor things like location, text, calls, social media activity, and browser history, and the best part is that it isn’t hard to work out how to use it.
It is also a good choice if you are looking for an anti-theft app, because it is always going to monitor the location of the device.
With a monitoring app like this, you can get up-to-date tracking data and upload it in real-time.
There is also a live recording feature so you can work out where your children are at all times, by listening to surrounding noises.
You can go through every file that has been uploaded or downloaded to the device, and you can set up certain restrictions on apps, and even take away Wi-Fi.
The only thing that we have to say against this app is that you do have to sign up for a premium subscription, but you can make the most of their free trial before you commit to this.
17. iSpyoo
iSpyoo is a free phone monitoring app that comes with more than 25 features. As well as offering real-time tracking, it also is great for monitoring both employees and kids.
This fun monitoring app is compatible with both iOS and Android, and you can monitor activity remotely, both through your computer, or on your own phone.
With an app like this, you can track SMS, GPS, contacts, calls, and social media on the target phone.
You can record their environment, and you can also keep track of everything through a really easy-to-use control panel.
If you are wanting to use a monitoring app as an employer, it is a good choice for monitoring incoming and outgoing messages, and they have a free trial that lasts for 48 hours, so that you can get to know them before you choose from one of their three subscription plans.
18. Prey
Prey is an app that is well known for being a popular desktop monitoring software.
Of course, it is also great for mobile phone activity, and can be used to monitor a phone against theft, but also track what others are doing, so that you know where they are, and what they are up to.
This monitoring app is going to keep track of the phone’s control zones, so once it goes out of the zones, you will get a notification.
You also be able to access the phone’s location history, and this is updated every hour.
You can encrypt and wipe your data if the mobile phone gets stolen, which is why this app is highly recommended if you are looking for data protection as well.
It even comes with evidence reports of whoever stole the phone, and it is capable of handling multiple tracking tasks at the same time.
19. Aispyer
Aispyer is arguably one of the most user-friendly phone spy apps because it is safe, easy to use, undetectable, and even saves power.
It is pretty popular and is currently used in over 150 countries by some of the top tech businesses in the world. It is so easy to use that you can set it up and have it ready to go in just a minute.
The best part is that the app is completely secure, which means that you have complete control of your data constantly, and you can turn off any trackers or wipe the log data anytime you need to.
It uses unique software that minimizes power consumption, especially considering it runs in the background.
Just like some of the other apps that we’ve talked about, this one has different versions for iOS and Android, but you can also use it on Mac or Windows as well.
FAQs
Why Do I Need to Monitor Someone’s Phone?
We can think of a number of reasons why you might want to monitor someone’s phone.
As we have talked about in this article already, you might have an ex that ended things badly, and you want to see what they are doing with their lives as they move on.
Or perhaps you have children that have just started using social media, and you are worried about how they are using it, or how they’re exposing themselves to cyber bullying, or predators.
Can I Monitor Someone’s Phone for Free?
The majority of the iPhone monitoring apps that we’ve talked about in this article are going to charge you for their features, but this is actually a good thing.
Free monitoring apps should be approached with caution, because at the end of the day, you’ve got to question why their features are free.
The most common answer is because they are low quality, and the last thing you want is to work with a company that is offering free, low-quality features because they are going to make you pay in other ways, like sell your personal information onto a third party.
Is It Ethical to Monitor Someone’s Phone?
The question around ethics when it comes to monitoring somebody’s phone depends on why you are monitoring their phone.
Again, if it is somebody you know like an ex, or it is your child, and then it is ethical.
However, we don’t recommend that you try to monitor somebody’s phone that you don’t know, because this tows the line.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of choices for you to go through, and the best part is that some of them are free, and some of them come with a free trial, so that you can get to know how they work and decide whether they are the right fit for you or not before you commit to anything.
Just remember that some are going to be better suited if you are an employer looking to track your employees, while others are great for monitoring your kid’s activity at all times.
Each one comes with its advantages and disadvantages, so experiment a little bit with a few, so that you can ensure that you are using the perfect one to suit your needs. Good luck!
So, there you have it, what we believe to be the best phone monitoring apps for iPhone and Android handsets in the industry right now.
