A spy app is surveillance software designed to track and monitor activity on iOS and Android-based smartphones. The best spy apps are used by parents, spouses and partners to spy on the mobile device of a child, employee, spouse, or loved one.
Phone spying apps work by recording a wide range of data from the targeted device. This includes social media activity, GPS location, SMS text messages, iMessages, website browsing history, incoming and outgoing phone calls, chat and dating apps, and more.
Spy apps were invented shortly after smartphones became commonly used. FlexiSPY is one of the oldest spy apps. It became commercially available in 2004. In 2010, mSpy introduced more user-friendly spy software. This made it possible for less technically proficient people to track and monitor a smartphone.
Contents of this Guide
How Do Spy Apps Work on iOS Devices?
iPhone spy software works in two different ways. One method accesses target phone data through the device’s iCloud account. The second method requires jailbreaking the phone and installing the software on the phone itself.
How Are Spy Apps Installed on iOS Devices?
There are two installation methods for iOS-based spying apps. These methods are jailbreak and no-jailbreak. The jailbreak installation method involves installing the spying app directly on the targeted iOS device. The no-jailbreak method involves accessing the targeted phones iCloud account to download phone backups.
What is the No-Jailbreak Spy App Installation Method?
The no-jailbreak spy app installation method does not require jailbreaking the target phone. This is the most convenient method of installing a spying app because it only requires brief access to the targeted phone.
Requirements of No-Jailbreak Spying Apps
Below are the requirements of no-jailbreak spying apps.
- user’s iCloud username and password
- iCloud backups must be enabled on the target device
- brief access to the device if 2-factor authentication is enabled
After logging into the target user’s iCloud account, the spy app downloads all of the backup data from the iCloud account and stores it on a server.
The purchaser of the spy app can then view this phone data from an online control panel.
What Are the Advantages of the No-Jailbreak Installation Method?
The benefits of spying apps that do not require jailbreaking include:
- does not require installation of software on the target iPhone
- monitoring is unaffected by iOS updates or factory reset
- only requires access to target device for 2-factor authentication code
What Are the Disadvantages of the No-Jailbreak Installation Method?
The disadvantages of spying apps that do not require jailbreaking include:
- access to fewer social media and chat apps (no Snapchat or Tinder)
- cannot listen to or record phone calls
What are the Steps in the No-Jailbreak Method?
The steps in the no-jailbreak installation of a spy app on iOS devices are listed below.
- Sign up for an account with a spy app company.
- Choose your subscription plan and pay.
- Enter the user’s iCloud email address and password in your account dashboard.
- Enter the 2 factor authentication code that is sent to the target phone.
This method is the easiest and most convenient way to monitor an iOS device because it requires little to no access to the target phone.
What is the Jailbreak Spy App Installation Method?
The jailbreak spy app installation method involves jailbreaking the target device before installing the spying app. This method offers access to more smartphone activity, but takes longer due to the jailbreaking process.
What Are the Benefits of the Jailbreak Spy App Installation Method?
Jailbreaking the target iPhone facilitates the tracking of more data from social media platforms, dating apps, chat apps, and phone calls.
What Are the Disadvantages of the Jailbreak Spy App Installation Method?
There are disadvantages to jailbreaking an iOS device.
- jailbreaking an iOS device can be complicated.
- the installation process requires physical access to the target device.
- jailbreaking voids the warranty of the device.
What are the Steps in the Jailbreak Installation Method?
The steps in the jailbreak installation of a spy app on iOS devices are listed below.
- Sign up for an account with a spy app company.
- Choose your subscription plan and pay.
- Jailbreak the targeted iPhone according to the spy app company’s instructions.
- Install the spy app directly on the targeted iOS device.
How Do Spy Apps Work on Android Devices?
Android phone’s don’t back up to a cloud account. An Android spy app must be installed directly on the target device. The app then sends data to a server for storage and viewing.
Because the Android operating system sees surveillance apps as a threat, the security settings of the device must be changed during the setup process.
How Are Spy Apps Installed on Android Devices?
Android spy software must be installed directly on the target device. This requires physical access to the phone and the user’s passcode.
The installation process for Android devices is as follows:
- Sign up for an account with a spy app company.
- Choose your subscription plan and pay.
- Change the necessary security settings on the target phone per the emailed instructions.
- Download the spyware software onto the target device.
Can Spy Apps Be Installed Remotely on Android Devices?
It is not possible to remotely install a spy app on Android mobile devices. You must have access to the target Android device.
How Do Spying Apps Transmit Data?
Spy software utilizes the target device’s cellular data or WiFi internet connection to send and receive information. If the phone has no internet connection or is in “dead zone“, transmission of data is delayed until the internet connection is restored.
Can Data Transmission Methods be Changed?
It is possible to change the method of data transmission in the online control panel of the spying app. In the settings menu, users can choose to send all data over cellular and Wifi. They can also choose to transmit media files, like photos and videos, over WiFi only.
Can Spy Apps Work Without Internet Access?
Yes, spy apps can work without Internet access by using the SMS communications channel on a cell phone.
Smartphone surveillance software can also be programmed to wait until your cell signal or Wi-Fi connection is restored to send data.
Will Spy Apps Work If the Target Phone is Turned Off?
Some spy functions will work even if the target phone is turned off. iOS-based surveillance software monitors iCloud backups. Any data uploaded to this cloud account is accessible.
Android surveillance software cannot transmit data while the phone is off. It will transmit once the phone is turned back on.
The installation process for spying apps is relatively straightforward. It differs depending on the operating system of the phone. Below is a brief explanation of how to install spyware on an Android and iOS device.
What Are Spy Apps Disguised As?
Spying apps are disguised to look like legitimate apps or services on the target device. Some examples include “Play Services”, “SyncManager”, and “Update Service”.
What Are Other Names for Spy Apps?
Below are some alternative names for smartphone spy apps:
- phone spyware
- spying apps
- phone surveillance apps
- phone spy software
- stalkerware
How Do Spy Apps Track a Phone’s Physical Location?
Spy software uses several common technologies to track the location of a phone. These include cell tower triangulation, GPS signals, and nearby WiFi networks.
