Updated 10/2/23: Before using ANY of these apps you should clearly understand how to use them legally. Using spying apps to monitor someone without their consent may be illegal in the U.S and other countries
The Best Facebook Messenger spy apps are cell phone monitoring apps that are capable of helping spouses and parents spy on chat messages sent within the Facebook Messenger app. Facebook Messenger spying apps capture message content, timestamps, and images.
This information can then be viewed by the spy app user using an online dashboard. These spying apps also track sms messages, phone call logs, GPS location, and more.
The best Facebook Messenger spying apps are chosen based on price, compatibility with iOS and Android phones, user reviews, refund policy, and customer support.
The top 5 Facebook Messenger spy apps include powerful tracking features, competitive pricing, and stealth operation. The best 5 Facebook spying apps with the most powerful features are listed below.
- uMobix
- SPYIC
- mSpy
- CocoSpy
- XNSpy
My top pick is a powerful phone spying app that is perfect for monitoring activities on a wide variety of social network platforms.
Contents of this Guide
The best and most useful Facebook messenger spyware apps include a free-trial period, simple installation on the target phone, and the ability to record activity even when the phone is offline. uMobix is the best overall Facebook spy app thanks to its advanced spying features, and simple installation. SPYIC is second place in the list of best spying apps because it offers fewer features, but is less expensive.
1. uMobix – Best for iPhone & Android
Pros
- Simple installation
- No physical access required on iPhone
- Undetectable (stealth mode)
- Compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices
- intuitive control panel and user interface
Cons
- requires iCloud login information
- 8% more expensive than mSpy
The uMobix Facebook Messenger spy app tracks all activity within the Facebook Messenger app. This includes contact name, conversation history, and image or video attachments sent within the app. In addition to Messenger messages, you can see chat messages from a wide variety of social media and apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram.
The uMobix spy tool also provides full access to the target user’s Facebook account. This includes features like:
- browse the user’s Facebook feed
- see posts, likes, comments, tags, and reactions
- see friend list
The uMobix app is compatible with both iPhones and Androids.
uMobix for iPhones requires the user’s iCloud login credentials. This includes the user’s Apple ID (email address) and password. If 2-factor authentication is enabled on the device, a code will be required to finalize the installation. uMobix does NOT require jailbreaking the iOS device.
uMobix for Androids requires physical access to the target cell phone, as well as the user’s passcode. They offer a one-click-installation process. Total time to install and configure the app is approximately 3 minutes. uMobix does NOT require rooting the Android device.
uMobix offers responsive 24/7 chat support and a 14-day refund policy.
Here are some of the key features of the uMobix FB Messenger spy app:
- Read Facebook text messages
- Monitor their social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat (Android only), etc.)
- Track their location
- See deleted text messages
uMobix offers the most complete access to Facebook and Facebook Messenger. No other spy app offers full access to the user’s Facebook account.
Read more about it’s monitoring features in my full uMobix review.
2. SPYIC
Pros
- Compatible with Android devices
- Compatible with iOS devices (no need for jailbreak)
- It has an easy but intuitive app interface
- Affordable subscription pricing
Cons
- can’t monitor Facebook messenger on iPhone
SPYIC is another powerful Facebook messenger spy app that allows you to track chat conversations. But this spying feature only works on Android phones.
Spyic for iPhones is limited to Whatsapp, iMessages, and SMS text messages.
Here are some of the basic features that SPYIC has:
- Message monitoring
- Tracking GPS locations
- Access to phone content (contacts, calls, WhatsApp, browser history, etc.)
- Stealth mode (discreet)
All in all, we think that SPYIC is a solid choice for those who need to monitor Facebook Messenger on an Android device.
The pricing is competitive. But their customer support is chat based and sometimes unresponsive.
Read more in my SPYIC app review.
3. mSpy
The mSpy tracker app is a solid choice for Android phones. I don’t recommend it for iPhones. The installation process on iPhones requires jailbreaking the iOS operating system.
Here are the spying features of mSpy:
- Tracks phone calls
- Monitors Facebook and text messages or SMS
- Helps track GPS location
- Shows browser history, audio and multimedia files, and photos
- Highly compatible with Facebook messenger
mSpy can access multiple social media platforms that kids often use, such as Facebook Messenger chats, Snapchat, and such.
In addition to Facebook messages it is also a solid tracker app.
But most of all, we appreciate their good customer support. For parents who are not as techy but need to monitor their child, you can rely on the tech support that mSpy can provide!
4. CocoSpy
CocoSpy is also a reputable Facebook messenger spy app (or spy app in general, for that matter).
Here are some of the basic features of Cocospy:
- Tracks phone calls and location
- Track SMS, WhatsApp, Viber, Snapchat, Instagram
- Geofence alert
- Track Facebook messages
- Stealth mode
- Track website and history
- Track SIM Location
Like mSpy, CocoSpy provides similar features, more or less. It also positions itself as a spy app for parents and guardians.
One main difference, however, is the compatibility of social media platforms. This is an important spy feature to have since who knows what apps your target users are on. CocoSpy has less.
But generally, if you’re looking for a Facebook spying app that’s more affordable and delivers the same purpose, CocoSpy is already a good software choice.
5. XNSpy
Shifting away from guardians-children, the XNSpy specialized in more “professional” spying.
This is more often used in workplaces and more serious settings where the target users are monitored with greater responsibilities at stake.
Here are some of the basic features that XNSpy has:
- Social account or app screen recording
- Can record calls and the surroundings of the target phone
- Compatible with 12 social media apps – not just Facebook!
- Watch list locations, people, and words
- Monitor calls, email, & photos
All in all, we like how this software is not just a spying app but also an accountability tracking device at the same time.
It also has a new screen recording feature, which is already MORE ADVANCED than any messenger spy app out there.
According to their positioning, businesses use this to monitor the people and employees working with them. This helps with productivity and accountability among professional communities.
6. Hoverwatch
PROS
- iOS and Android compatible
- More than 1 target device
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent customer service
- Keylogger for iOS Mac
CONS
- Less social media platform compatibility
- Not the best choice professional use
The first-ever spy app on this list that is capable of handling 5 devices without being over-the-top expensive! We’re excited about Hoverwatch.
Here are some of the basic features that Hoverwatch has:
- Stealth mode
- Record logs
- Phone internet history
- Track Facebook messages and chats
- Track SMS
- Android screenshots
- Track camera and to-do list
We appreciate that the Hoverwatch software has features that other messenger spy apps don’t have – examples are the keyloggers for iOS, more than one device per spy app account, and the screen recording.
And you’d think that for Facebook messenger spy apps, the price will be high. But nope! It’s still affordable for all the features you’re getting.
7. GuestSpy (FREE!)
And last but not least, if you don’t want to pay to spy on Facebook messenger, GuestSpy offers their messenger spy apps for free.
Features
Here are some of the basic features that GuestSpy has:
- Spy on Facebook messages
- Free call spy
- Free GPS tracking
- Spy on Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, Viber, etc.
- Live Voice Recording
PROS
The benefits of GuestSpy that grabbed our attention are:
- FREE! What else can we say?
- Android compatible
CONS
But then, we wish GuestSpy can improve on these things:
- Not iOS compatible
- It lacks a lot of features
Final Thoughts
If you need to track Facebook messages of a user but are not willing to pay subscription prices, it’s understandable.
GuestSpy can be a reliable Facebook spy app that delivers the purpose without adding to your everyday costs.
But of course, don’t expect the experience to be as premium as the paid Facebook messenger spy apps such as SPYIC, mSpy, etc.
How Do Facebook Messenger Spying Apps Work?
Facebook Messenger spying apps work by downloading message information from a target phone and uploading this data to a remote server. From this remote server, the messaging data can be viewed by the spy app user. Facebook Messenger spying apps function differently depending upon the operating system of the target phone.
How Do Facebook Messenger Spying Apps Work on Android?
Facebook Messenger spying apps for Android devices are installed directly onto the target Android device. The installation process of the spying app requires physical access to the target phone. The installation process takes approximately 5 minutes.
How to Install a Facebook Messenger Spying App on Android
The installation process for a Facebook Messenger spying app on an Android device requires the following steps.
- Create an account with a spying app company like uMobix.
- Pay for the spying app.
- Unlock the target phone
- Use the supplied QR code to go to the download page for the uMobix app.
- Download the app and follow onscreen instructions for disabling the necessary Android security features.
- Activate the installation with the supplied code.
Once the installation of the Facebook Messenger spying app is complete, all messages will be downloaded to an online dashboard for the spying app user to view.
How Do Facebook Messenger Spying Apps Work on iOS?
Facebook Messenger spying apps for iOS do not require installation on the target iOS device. All messages are downloaded from the target user’s iCloud account. The setup process takes approximately 3 minutes to complete.
How to Install a Facebook Messenger Spy App on iOS Devices
- Create an account with a spying app company like uMobix.
- Pay for the spying app.
- Enter the target user’s iCloud login credentials (username and password) in the necessary field.
- Unlock the target phone and enter the 2-factor authentication code that is sent to the target phone from the uMobix spy app system.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation
Once the setup process is complete, the spying app will download all of the target phone data and upload it to a remote server where it can be viewed by the spy app user.
How Much Do Facebook Messenger Spying Apps Cost?
Facebook Messenger Spying apps are available in multiple subscription plans. These subscription plans range from 1 month to 12 months. The price range for each plan varies by spying app provider. Below are the pricing plans for uMobix, SPYIC, and mSpy.
Spying App | 1 Month | 3 Month | 12 Month |
uMobix | $49.99/mo | $29.99/mo | $12.49/mo |
SPYIC | $49.99/mo | $29.99/mo | $12.49/mo |
mSpy | $48.99/mo | $28.00/mo | $11.57/mo |
Frequently Asked Questions
After getting a glimpse of the best Facebook messenger chat apps in the market, let’s address some FAQs.
Is It Legal to Have a Facebook Spy App?
As long as the owner of the target device or tracked phone is yours – or if not, the person you’re tracing should know the app’s existence – then yes, it’s perfectly fine.
Admittedly, many controversies surround Facebook spy apps because some people use the app for malicious purposes.
If you’re tempted to do so, always remember that a person’s phone, chats, messages, and account are their private data. And yes, regardless if that person inputs a password or not.
If your ill-intent without consent is caught, it’s a reasonable ground for imprisonment.
Can SPYIC Spy on Facebook Messenger? Does SPYIC Have A Fee?
Though SPYIC is generally a phone tracking app, it’s designed to be compatible with social apps, including Facebook Messenger.
From there, you can easily spy on Facebook messages of the target device and even access their media files.
And for the second question – yes, SPYIC does charge users for the premium account versions. You can use the SPYIC app for free but with minimal features.
Are These Apps Exclusively for Facebook Messenger?
No, there are many features and data you can access through these Facebook app platforms.
To make it easier to understand, their original target is the data of the actual phone or target device – the call logs, messages, location, and such.
With Facebook being an app of the device, the spy app is now capable of accessing Facebook messages.
Why Are the Android Features More Elaborate Than That of IOS?
If you’re a person who uses Apple or has been following Apple around, you know how much they value the privacy and security of their users.
And this isn’t to say that Android doesn’t care, but Apple is definitely a lot stricter with their app authentications, phone verifications, and the likes.
For this reason, a Facebook spy application – or any spying app in general – can have a harder time penetrating the messages and data of Apple devices. But it’s not entirely impossible.
If you really need to get into the phone of a non-Android user, you’d be glad to know that many of these apps are becoming more compatible with Apple.
Are All of These Apps Compatible With Android? Can They All Track Messages?
All of the apps on this list are compatible with Android devices. None of them require rooting the device.
The easiest thing to track in a phone are the messages of a user or target device – be it text or Facebook messages since the encryption is not that complicated.
Is It Acceptable for a Parent/Guardian to Install a Facebook Spy App Without the Kids Knowing?
This is really up to the parent to decide.
Since we’ve entered the tech era, your kid is probably glued to his/her phone, and it worries you.
Young ones also have social accounts nowadays. This early exposure to Facebook messenger, Facebook messages, and strangers online can endanger them once they meet just one bad person.
Being cyberbullied by their so-called “friends” is also rampant, and it can change their behaviors drastically.
These things are reasonable, and a Facebook spy app is not the most diabolical thing – just don’t overdo it (like the mom in Arkangel).
Can You Get Into Someone’s Facebook Messenger Without Them Knowing?
An app usually has stealth mode (i.e., SPYIC and uMobix have this mode), which allows you to get into their Facebook messenger without them knowing. As they describe it, you can be as discreet as possible.
And yes, this is applicable whether if the user is using Android or not.
This is more applicable for a parent who owns the device, and your kid uses the Facebook app from time to time.
You can monitor what the user does on the Facebook app, what Facebook messages they exchange, and who they interact with.
Do Facebook Spy Applications Really Work on Android?
Yes. Many of these applications have demo samples on their websites, which shows you a good glimpse of how you can spy on Facebook messenger, how you can see messages, and how you can access the phone in general.
All of these apps require an internet connection to function.
Conclusion
We hope we helped you find the best app to spy on Facebook Messenger and that it helps you address urgent situations.
But as we’ve repeatedly mentioned throughout this article, Facebook accounts, Facebook messages, phone data, call logs, photos, and all of those things are the private information of a person.
Please only use these Facebook spy applications for emergency purposes and think that someone is in imminent danger.