In today’s digital age, it’s no surprise that many people search for the best spying apps or even apps to spy on Android and iPhone. Parents want to protect children from online risks, while companies need ways to secure employee devices. The truth is, there are safe and legal solutions designed exactly for these needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the best parental control apps, trusted phone monitoring apps for parents, and enterprise-level tools for businesses. You’ll also learn how to detect spy apps on your phone and why you should avoid shady software that crosses legal and ethical lines.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Monitoring software should only be used by parents to supervise minor children or by businesses managing company-owned devices with employee consent. Installing apps to spy on phones you do not own — or without the owner’s explicit knowledge — may be illegal in your country. If you suspect you are being monitored without consent, seek legal advice or contact your local authorities immediately.
Legal & legality (is it legal to spy on someone)
Installing monitoring or “spy” apps on a device you do not own — or doing so without the owner’s informed consent — can be illegal. In the United States, unauthorized access or surveillance may violate federal statutes such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and wiretapping laws under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA).
In the European Union and the UK, data-protection rules (including GDPR) and national privacy laws require a lawful basis, transparency, and proportionality for most employee or third-party monitoring; regulators (for example, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office) publish guidance saying employers must be clear, necessary, and fair when monitoring staff.
Stalkerware and covert surveillance tools are frequently used in abusive situations, and while enforcement against vendors and users has historically been inconsistent, prosecutions and civil claims have occurred — and privacy advocates urge treating these tools as serious criminal or civil risks. If you’re an employer, parent, or concerned individual, get written consent where required, limit data collection to what’s necessary, and consult legal counsel about local rules; if you suspect illegal surveillance, contact law enforcement or a lawyer and seek specialist help (anti-stalking NGOs and privacy lawyers can assist).
Why do people search for “spying apps”?
Every year, more parents and businesses look for the best spying apps or apps to spy on phones. But here’s the truth: what people really need are legitimate phone monitoring tools that protect kids online or help companies secure their data.
With kids spending hours daily on smartphones and employees increasingly using company devices remotely, having visibility and control has become essential. At the same time, malicious stalkerware has grown, making it important to understand both safe apps and how to detect spy apps on a phone.
This guide highlights the best parental control apps, trusted enterprise monitoring tools (MDM), and also explains the risks of shady “spy” apps you should avoid.
How to tell if someone is spying on your phone (warning signs).
If you suspect someone used one of the apps to spy on phones or other covert software, watch for clear signals:
- Sudden battery drain or overheating when you’re not using the device.
- Unexplained spikes in mobile data usage.
- Strange background noise during calls.
- Random reboots.
- Apps you don’t remember installing.
- On Android, check Settings → Security → Device admin apps for unknown administrators.
- On iPhone, look under Settings → General → VPN & Device Management for unfamiliar profiles.
- Be alert for unexpected pop-ups, new browser bookmarks, emails with password-reset notices you didn’t request, or messages sent from your account that you did not write.
These can all indicate unauthorized monitoring. Learning to detect spy apps begins with noticing these behavioral and configuration clues.
What to do immediately if you think you’re being monitored.
Don’t ignore it: back up important data, change passwords (use a different device to do so), enable two-factor authentication on key accounts, and revoke suspicious device admin rights or profiles.
Run a reputable mobile security or anti-stalkerware scan and uninstall any unknown or suspicious apps; on Android, revoke “Device admin” before uninstalling. If problems persist, perform a factory reset after a secure backup. If you feel threatened or the surveillance appears malicious (domestic abuse, stalking, corporate espionage), preserve any evidence (screenshots, logs) and contact local law enforcement or a specialist privacy lawyer—and if needed, reach out to local domestic-violence hotlines or victim-support NGOs for urgent help.
Info! If you're looking to protect your phone with the best security tips. Learn safe habits, avoid scams, block viruses and malware, use trusted apps, VPN, and Antivirus
App 1. FlexiSpy
FlexiSpy is often mentioned among the best spying apps because of its extensive set of features. It can capture calls, messages, GPS location, keystrokes, and even activate the device’s microphone to record surrounding audio. It also runs in stealth mode, making it difficult for the phone’s user to notice. While it’s powerful, it’s also one of the more expensive apps to spy on phones, and it requires direct installation on the device.
Parents sometimes consider FlexiSpy, but it’s more commonly used by companies that claim they need advanced monitoring. However, many experts warn against its misuse. If you are a parent looking for a phone monitoring app for parents, FlexiSpy may feel too invasive. Instead, it’s better treated as an awareness example when discussing how to detect spy apps that may be secretly installed on your phone.
App 2. mSpy
mSpy markets itself as one of the leading apps to spy on phones, with a focus on accessibility. Once installed, it provides a simple dashboard where you can see call logs, text messages, WhatsApp chats, GPS location, and browsing history. It’s designed as a subscription service and has gained popularity with users who want detailed reports without much setup.
For parents, mSpy highlights its ability to help keep children safe online by monitoring their communications. However, as with all parental control apps, it must be used responsibly and with the understanding that older children deserve some privacy. From a defensive perspective, knowing that mSpy is one of the best spying apps helps individuals recognize warning signs and detect spy apps that may be misused against them.
App 3. SPYERA
SPYERA is another well-known brand in the monitoring market. Like other spying apps, it provides access to calls, SMS, and popular messaging apps, while also supporting features like ambient listening and camera activation. One of its selling points is that it works across multiple platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, and macOS, which makes it appealing for people managing different devices.
While SPYERA promotes itself as a solution for parents and employers, its stealth features make it a controversial product. From an SEO and awareness standpoint, it’s often listed among the best apps to spy on phones, but its real usefulness lies in teaching readers what these tools can do — so they know how to detect spy apps that may compromise their privacy.
App 4. Cerberus
Unlike most apps on this list, Cerberus is not designed for secret spying — it’s an anti-theft app. It allows you to locate your phone if it’s lost, lock or wipe it remotely, and even take photos of a thief using the front camera. Because of these functions, Cerberus is sometimes mentioned alongside the best spying apps, but its true focus is on device protection.
For parents, Cerberus can also serve as a light version of a parental control app, since you can track the phone’s location and ensure a child’s safety. The fact that it’s legal, transparent, and affordable makes it a good alternative to invasive apps to spy on phones. If you’re learning how to detect spy apps, knowing the difference between legal tools like Cerberus and hidden stalkerware is crucial.
App 5. Google Family Link
Google Family Link is one of the most popular phone monitoring apps for parents. It’s completely free and works directly with your child’s Google account. Parents can approve or block apps, set screen-time limits, and see the location of the device. It doesn’t market itself as a spy app, but many families searching for the best spying apps discover that Family Link covers most of their needs legally and safely.
The strength of Family Link is transparency: children know that supervision is happening, which avoids many of the ethical problems associated with hidden apps to spy on phones. For SEO purposes, it’s important to note that this is the only major parental control app fully supported by Google, making it trustworthy. Learning to use Family Link is also a great step for parents who want to protect their children without needing to detect spy apps later.
App 6. Spyic
Spyic positions itself as an easy-to-use phone monitoring app that requires minimal setup. It allows users to view call history, SMS, GPS location, browsing activity, and social media messages. Its dashboard is designed to be simple, which is why it’s often highlighted among the best apps to spy on phones for people who want quick access to device data.
From a parental perspective, Spyic is marketed as a way to keep children safe, but it still operates with a level of stealth that makes it controversial. For businesses, it can provide oversight, but it’s less secure than official MDM platforms. If you’re researching how to detect spy apps, knowing about Spyic’s features can help you recognize whether such a tool has been installed on your own phone.
App 7. Appmia
Appmia is another commercial product that goes beyond basic parental control apps. It offers features like call recording, SMS tracking, environment audio capture, and blocking of apps or websites. Like other apps to spy on phones, it emphasizes invisibility and claims to work silently in the background.
Because of these features, Appmia is often mentioned among the best spying apps available online. But for parents and businesses, such stealth is not always desirable. While its technical abilities are impressive, its existence is most useful as an example of the type of tool you may need to look for when learning to detect spy apps on your phone.
App 8. Prey Anti Theft
Prey is a popular anti-theft app that is free for basic use. It allows you to track lost or stolen devices, trigger an alarm, lock the phone remotely, and even take a picture with the camera. Although not a traditional spy app, it often shows up in lists of the best spying apps because it shares some of the same monitoring functions, especially location tracking.
For parents, Prey can double as a phone monitoring app for families, since it lets you know where a device is at all times. Unlike hidden apps to spy on phones, Prey is transparent and legally safe. If your interest is in protecting your own device, Prey is more suitable than stealth surveillance apps — and knowing about it helps you distinguish between safe security tools and apps you may need to detect as threats.
App 9. XNSPY
XNSPY is a mid-range monitoring service with standard features like call logs, GPS tracking, email monitoring, and access to social media chats. It is often promoted as one of the best apps to spy on phones because of its balance between affordability and functionality.
For parents, XNSPY can act as a parental control app with advanced options, though it still raises concerns about privacy. Businesses sometimes try it, but it’s less secure than official enterprise solutions. For readers who want to detect spy apps, XNSPY serves as another example of the kind of software that may run silently on a device, collecting sensitive information.
App 10. Spyzie
Spyzie is widely advertised as an easy way to monitor Android devices. It can track SMS, calls, location, keystrokes, photos, and popular apps like WhatsApp or Facebook. This is why it’s frequently listed among the best spying apps for Android.
However, while marketed toward parents, Spyzie functions more like a stealth surveillance tool than a transparent phone monitoring app for parents. For SEO, it’s important to note that many people searching for apps to spy on phones come across Spyzie — but it also serves as a reminder of why you should know how to detect spy apps that may compromise your privacy.
Final Thoughts
There are many tools marketed as the best spying apps or apps to spy on phones. Some, like Google Family Link or Prey, are transparent and legal options for families or individuals protecting their own devices. Others, like FlexiSpy or mSpy, are controversial and should be treated with caution.
If your goal is to protect your children, stick to reputable parental control apps. If you are a business, use official MDM platforms instead of consumer spy tools. And if you are worried about your privacy, make sure you learn how to detect spy apps and remove them from your phone.