While the idea of spy apps on your Android device may not initially seem appealing, there are valid reasons to consider using one.
For instance, young users may not always understand how to safely navigate their new phones. It’s crucial to be open with your children, or anyone else you intend to monitor before you begin using these apps. Additionally, it’s important to ensure you’re abiding by local surveillance laws.
Once you’ve taken these steps, you can explore our recommendations for top Android spy apps.
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Top Spy Apps for Android
1. MSpy
MSpy is designed around the principle that knowledge is preferable to uncertainty. Packed with features, it provides a comprehensive view of the user’s digital activities.
Advanced GPS tracking lets you know their location at all times. Detailed call monitoring reveals who they’re contacting and who’s contacting them.
Social media monitoring, including Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Snapchat, keeps you informed about their conversations.
Simply install mSpy on a target device to access advanced spying capabilities and all the information you need to make informed decisions.
Available on Google Play store
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2. Cerberus
Cerberus is a phone tracking app for personal use, meaning it monitors your phone rather than someone else’s.
It assists in locating a lost or stolen smartphone and offers several additional features, such as capturing photos of the potential thief, sending SMS commands, locating the phone on a map, and locking and erasing your data.
While it won’t help you track other people’s devices, it allows you to monitor whoever took yours. The subscription service starts at a reasonable $5 per year for a single device.
3. FlexiSPY
FlexiSpy is among the most potent spy apps available for Android. Its powerful features require careful handling.
It enables actions that might be concerning to some, such as activating the microphone to listen to a device’s surroundings, monitoring chat apps, capturing images remotely, keylogging, and the ability to remain hidden from antivirus apps and the app drawer.
Although it’s not available on the Play Store and comes with a high price tag, it offers a plethora of features.
4. Google Family Link
Google Family Link is a tool that enables parents to monitor their children via their Google account.
This application allows you to oversee your child’s device activity, manage applications, and even suggest apps. It also provides the ability to set device restrictions and lock the device when necessary.
Family Link took the place of an older Google service, and as such, not all features were flawless at its inception. Some users have reported issues with connectivity and bugs, but generally, the app should function well for most.
The best part is that it’s a completely free solution you can test out.
5. Google’s Find My Device
Google’s Find My Device is arguably the top app for locating lost or stolen Android phones. It allows you to swiftly locate your phone or other Google accessories on a map.
Additionally, you can erase the phone, make it ring, or secure (lock) the device as needed. However, unlike Cerberus, it doesn’t offer the ability to take photos.
Overall, it’s a straightforward way to keep tabs on your phone’s location at all times.
6. Prey Anti Theft
Prey Anti Theft is another app similar to Find My Device. This one is entirely free and comes with a decent set of features.
These include the standard Find My Phone capabilities such as GPS tracking, phone locking, and alarm triggering.
However, Prey also offers the ability to capture photos with the camera, identify nearby Wi-Fi hotspots, and track details like the device’s MAC address. It’s a pretty good feature set for a free app.
7. Spyera
Spyera is among the most powerful spy apps available for Android. It provides basic features suitable for parents. However, it’s hard to envision a scenario where such an intense app would be necessary outside of corporate use.
It boasts numerous features, including the ability to remain hidden anywhere. It also supports remote control, SMS spoofing, and a variety of other admittedly dubious behaviors.
It’s quite pricey, so it’s not recommended for the average user. It’s also not available on Google Play, so the app must be downloaded from its official website.
8. Carrier Family Locator Apps
Carrier Family Locators are family locator services provided by wireless carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and others.
These services perform as expected. You can track the location of any phone on your plan. They typically include features like on-demand location and various types of alerts, and they work on most devices.
We’ve linked T-Mobile’s service here, but you can search the Play Store or contact your carrier to see if they offer a comparable service.
9. OEM Find My Phone
Several phone manufacturers provide phone finder services as part of their software suite. A notable example is Samsung. You log in with your Samsung account, and you can locate your device using its service.
It works in conjunction with Google’s Find My Device for a potent combination. You can lock (or unlock) your phone, locate it on a map, and access other features.
It’s worth investigating if your phone offers a similar feature.
10. XNSPY
XNSPY is somewhat of an anomaly. It possesses all these eerie features like call log monitoring, GPS tracking, web browsing monitoring, chat access, and a host of other tracking capabilities.
However, it is more affordable than many of its larger competitors like FlexiSpy and Spyera. This is a viable option for businesses or families with some money to invest.
However, families might want to consider Google Family Link or Kiddie Parental Controls before opting for something this robust.
Is it legal to use spy apps?
The legality of Android spy apps is a complex issue that varies from place to place. Laws differ across cities, states, and countries, so it’s essential to consult with local authorities to determine the legality of using such apps, often referred to as “stalkerware” or “spyware.”
Governments enforce anti-spying laws for good reasons. Technological advancements have made it incredibly easy and cost-effective to gather extensive information about an individual. There have been numerous legal cases involving spy apps over the years.
Smartphones provide access to a wealth of personal information, including emails, messages, location data, and banking details. Consequently, spy apps have become a tool of choice for abusive partners, criminals, and other wrongdoers.
Legal and ethical use of spy apps
Despite the potential misuse, there are legal and ethical ways to use Android spy apps. You can use these apps to track or monitor your own devices. It’s also legal to install spy apps on your children’s devices without their consent or knowledge, although this does raise ethical considerations.
Employers often install these apps on company devices, but employee consent is always required. Similarly, you can request consent from anyone else to install such software on their devices.
Detecting and Eliminating Spy Apps
Some of these apps may be on your device without your awareness, and, understandably, you’d want to identify them. Regrettably, due to their stealthy nature, many conventional methods are ineffective. However, there are several strategies to determine if you’re being spied on.
The GlassWire app is a tool that enables you to track data on your device. It allows you to easily identify when a spy app is transmitting data back to its source. We recommend this as the first step because while spy apps can evade task managers and antivirus apps, they cannot conceal their data usage.
Certain antivirus applications can still detect the spy app if it hasn’t been adequately hidden by the host.
Uninstallation guides are available for most major spy apps. For instance, guides for FlexiSpy and mSpy can be found online.
As a temporary measure, you can switch your phone to airplane mode. Spy apps depend on the ability to transmit data back to the host, which they can’t do if you’re not connected to any network.
If all other methods fail, you can perform a factory reset on the phone. This should eliminate all apps, except those pre-installed by the manufacturer.
In conclusion
The world of Android spy apps is as diverse as it is powerful. From parental control apps like Google Family Link to anti-theft solutions like Cerberus and Prey Anti Theft, there’s a tool for every need.
While these apps can be misused, they also offer valuable services when used ethically and legally. Whether you’re a concerned parent, a vigilant employer, or a user seeking to secure your own device, these top 10 spy apps for Android provide a range of features to help you navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively.
Remember, knowledge is power, but with great power comes great responsibility. Always use these tools responsibly and within the confines of the law. Happy safe surfing!