Until quite recently you would have had limited options in choosing iPhone spy software apps. Cell phone spy software was first developed for use on Android and Blackberry Smartphones, as these were the easiest in terms of software development.
Now you can choose from the best spy software programs as they all offer support for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch – all Apple devices.
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2 Ways to Spy on an iPhone in 2024
I want to clear up some confusion before we get into the different programs. There are 2 main ways to monitor Apple devices – iPhone, iPad and iPod.
Using Regular Spy Software
By regular, I mean actual software that must be physically installed on the target device – like the products named below and reviewed on this website. These are bought, downloaded and installed on the device you need to monitor – and to do this you Must Jailbreak the Apple device. (more details about Jailbreaking below!)
Using No Jailbreak Products
I say products to make it clear that they are not software as such. This is a fairly recent method and only available from a couple of providers right now. No software is installed on to the target device and so no Jailbreak is needed.
They work by intercepting the backups sent using Apple’s free iCloud backup service. To work you must have the users Apple ID and Password – and backups must be set up to run on iCloud. This method gives limited reporting compared to the full software programs – but now you can actually spy on an iPhone without Jailbreaking.
Simple enough – 2 types – Regular Software and the No Jailbreak method. Keep reading for more details and a look at the programs available.
Regular Spy Software for Monitoring an iPhone
This is going to cover using software that must be installed on the target phone – and requires Jailbreaking.
The three top programs that I keep banging on about, FlexispymSpy and MobiStealth (you can read their full reviews at these links) – all offer some great features for iPhone users.
Now you can choose the spy software to suit what you actually need – perhaps you are a worried parent looking for parental controls for cell phones or you are worried about your employees on FaceBook. As always there is no best iPhone spy app, just one that is best for you!
Why Jailbreaking is Needed
Things are a little different with installing software on any Apple device. Put simply, if the software is not “approved” and available in the Apple Store – you can’t freely install it without Jailbreaking. Needless to say, the spy software we are talking about is not available through Apple!
Thanks to Apple and their “exclusive” approach to operating systems, no matter which software program you choose you will first need to jailbreak your iPhone.
Jail breaking an iPhone isn’t as serious as it sounds and I have written a simple guide explaining what it is and how to do it, just click the link to read it. The important thing to remember is that you must first jailbreak an iPhone before you can install any software on it – unless that software is provided by Apple.
The other important thing to remember is that the software you choose will be designed for a specific OS version (operating system). You must match your spy download to the OS version you are currently using.
Bear in mind that things keep changing – think of it like a competition – Apple keep updating the OS versions, a new jailbreak is then developed and then the spy software is updated to work on the latest OS.
It sounds a little complicated but don’t worry too much, just make sure you choose your software download to suit your current OS version and remember not to automatically upgrade with Apple. My main reviews all show the latest working versions of the software.
So now you know that you need to jailbreak your phone and you understand a little about the different OS versions – now you just need to find spy software to suit your needs.
Let’s have a look at the top three and how they match up for monitoring the iPhone. They all offer a similar range of features that are available for the other supported Smartphones such as Android.
Remember – this is their Regular Software.
Flexispy for the iPhone
As you would expect from Flexispy, the Ferrari of the spy software market, they also offer full support for the iPhone up to the latest version. Their iPhone version offers the most advanced monitoring features available on the market.
It is that simple.
I go into more detail on my main Flexispy Review but for the iPhone, iPad and iPod, notable features include :
All standard monitoring of texts, calls, contacts, images and videos; GPS real time tracking and reporting.
Advanced Features – live call intercept, remotely activate spy camera and microphone, password cracker and monitor social networks and messenger / chat services such as WhatsApp and Skype.
It really is the most advanced program for monitoring Apple devices – including live Spy Call – where you can listen in to a live conversation and call recording – the only company with these features!
They also have the hide Cydia feature – to make sure it is not detectable – and as always with Flexispy everything just works and they offer first-class support and a no quibble ten-day money back guarantee.
There is however a downside with Flexispy – they are the most expensive (for the Extreme version).
Cost
They offer two versions – Flexispy Premium and Flexispy Extreme.
Premium costs from $68 for 1 month up to $149 for a full year
Extreme costs $199 for 3 months up to $349 for a year
As you would expect, the Extreme version has all of the most advanced monitoring features.
Flexispy iPhone also have an additional – White Glove installation service – for a fee a tech support will help you through the whole process of Jailbreaking and installing Flexispy. If the tech side really worries you this might be worth purchasing at checkout.
If you need the most extensive range of spy features and cost doesn’t matter – this is the top program right now.
This relates to the regular version – mSpy’s main iPhone spy software. This is a close competitor for Flexispy – covering many of the same features and for less money. Some of the more advanced features such as live call intercept are however unique to Flexispy.
Mspy have grown quickly in the software market thanks to their innovative approach to reporting and making things very user friendly. They can boast over 1 million users – so they must be doing something right!
With their iPhone software you get all the standard reporting you’d expect plus some good features covering a wide range of chat and social monitoring. Some extras include being able to block specific apps, block numbers, set alerts by email and their reporting dashboard is also worth a mention.
They are one of the best in terms of support and reliability, which is why they are so popular.
Prices
They have 2 main licenses –
Basic – which isn’t that basic really – costs from $29.99 for 1 month up to $99.99 for the year.
Premium – with all features costs from $69.99 for 1 month up to $199.99 for a year.
As always longer terms are the best value – short term is good to test the software. Remember this is their iPhone software that requires a Jailbreak. I look at their No Jailbreak solution below.
MobiStealth also have a regular iPhone / iPad monitoring software that requires a Jailbreak. They have been working at quite a few improvements to their software – adding features and improving the interface. It seems to be working and sales are growing.
They still are not quite as well known as the other two, but are definitely making their mark. Their software covers all the main reports you would expect and with a whole new dashboard design they are worth looking at. Plus they have now released a No Jailbreak version to compete with mSpy (more below).
Prices
They have 2 packages –
Lite – from $49.99 for 3 months to $99.99 for a full year
Pro – from $79.99 for 3 months up to $139.99 for a year’s subscription
MobiStealth are working hard to keep up with the others but they are still competitive and definitely worth a look – they are a reliable company.
These three iPhone spy software apps aren’t the only ones available, but in my experience they are the most reliable and you can be sure you will not be ripped off. I don’t do reviews of 20 different programs for good reasons! I only review decent programs.
Each one has unique aspects such as the live spy call feature with Flexispy Extreme, mSpy’s cool tracking features and MobiStealth’s value for money – I really can’t tell you which one to buy.
Be sure to read the full reviews I have written on each of these products and then choose the program that will work on your phone, suit your budget and offer the reporting you need – easy!
No Jailbreak iPhone Monitoring
Now for the latest way to spy on an iPhone / iPad – any Apple device in fact and without the need to Jailbreak.
Jailbreaking has been a stumbling block for many people wanting to use spy software – either they are afraid to do it or they are technically unsure how to go about it. The companies have realized this and reacted by adding additional support resources to help with Jailbreaking and by developing this new type of product. (remember – it’s not software!)
Right now mSpy offer the best No Jailbreak solution.
As I mentioned at the start of this guide using this solution from mSpy, you can monitor without installing software on the device – and so no Jailbreaking is needed.
It is not a perfect option by any means – there are a few drawbacks.
In order for this to work you Must have the Apple ID and Password and the device must be using the iCloud backup service. This actually works well enough for ethical monitoring of your own children or employee iPhones.
If the phone is not set to run backups, you will need to do it manually. Other than that no access to the phone is required.
No software – all reports are pulled from the iCloud backup interface and reports are generated in the mSpy Online Dashboard – using your mSpy Login.
It relies on the changes being monitored in the backups – call logs etc. changing between the backups. This means reporting is not in real time and definitely not as accurate as their full, regular spy software.
Reporting is quite limited – you will not have all the same reports as the main program. They have added to the list and right now with this version you can see :
Call logs, text messages, browser history, Tracking, contacts, installed apps, Skype, WhatsApp, Line and Wi-Fi networks. Still some good features.
Cost
The no Jailbreak version costs the same as regular mSpy – see table above.
Conclusion
All in all the no Jailbreak solution works well – if you have no way to Jailbreak the Apple device you need to monitor. It is still some way short of the full software version and will cost you the same money.
I definitely recommend that you try to Jailbreak first and if all else fails, this version will still give you a limited monitoring ability – better than nothing!
I hope this has cleared up a few things – feel free to ask questions in the comments below, and remember to use spy products legally and ethically!
Don’t confuse this with what is termed Remote Install Cell Spy Software? – read this post to find out why this is a very bad idea!
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