Aleksandar Stevanovic spent 10 years honing his craft as a freelance content writer. He has a degree in Economics, and extensive experience in software, crypto,…
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Social media is great, but as we already know, it can be used for cheating, cyberbullying, dangerous conversations between adults and minors, and even child trafficking. The best WhatsApp spy app tools let you track who your child, partner, or employee is talking to on the popular chat app.
They’ll keep your child safe by letting you see all their WhatsApp audio, text messages, images, and videos, protecting them from strangers and harmful content. They’ll also tell you who your partner is talking to and when. I’ve reviewed top WhatsApp spy apps to help you choose the best one and avoid scams.
The Best WhatsApp Spy Apps Tested By Our Experts
mSpy — Best Spy App for Detailed WhatsApp Monitoring
I’ve done an in-depth review of each of the best WhatsApp monitoring tools so you can see how they compare and choose the best one for you:
1. mSpy — Best Monitoring App for In-Depth WhatsApp Monitoring
Starting Price
$11.67/month (annually)
No. of Devices
Up to 3 devices on the Family Kit
Free Trial/Demo
Demo
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Money-back Guarantee
14-day refund window
Why We Picked It
mSpy stood out for me as a top WhatsApp spy app because it offers comprehensive insights into the other person’s WhatsApp activities, including the images and videos they send and receive. I also love that it’s undetectable, making it one of the best apps for discreet monitoring.
Features
mSpy may not monitor as many social media apps as some other spy apps, but it won’t miss anything your child, partner, or employee sends via WhatsApp. During my testing, I found that accessing its dashboard’s dedicated WhatsApp tab shows you all their text messages, images, videos, and even call logs, including contact details.
Additionally, it has a screen recorder that periodically takes screenshots of the monitored phone. This feature can capture evasive disappearing messages and WhatsApp stories as the target phone’s user views them.
Beyond WhatsApp monitoring, mSpy gives you call logs and lets you view text messages and messages on other social media and messaging apps, including Facebook, Snapchat, Telegram, and others. Additionally, its accurate GPS location tracking lets you track your child’s or partner’s location if they plan a meet-up over WhatsApp.
Pricing Plans
mSpy doesn’t offer a free trial, but it has an interactive demo you can access to explore its dashboard’s features before subscribing. For the number of features it offers, I find mSpy’s annual plan to offer a lot of value, but you can always subscribe for one month first to try it out and then upgrade if you love it.
Duration
mSpy Pricing
1 Month
$48.99/month
3 Months
$28/month
12 Months
$11.67/month
While mSpy used to have three separate price tiers, the provider recently simplified its structure to have only one plan type that includes all the premium features for Android and iOS. The only difference is the length of time you subscribe, with significant discounts the longer you sign up.
Who It's Best for
mSpy’s Premium plan is an excellent choice for monitoring WhatsApp on iPhones and Androids, as it tracks all the in-app activities on the target device, including disappearing images and stories.
Pros
Displays WhatsApp call duration and history
Logs disappearing messages
Full access to the device gallery
Accurate tracking of GPS locations
Cons
Fewer remote control options for iPhones
Jailbreaking/rooting is needed to monitor WhatsApp
2. Eyezy — Affordable Solution with Keyword Alerts for WhatsApp Messages
Starting Price
$7.99 (annually)
No. of Devices
1
Free Trial/Demo
Demo
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Money-back Guarantee
14-day refund window
Why We Picked It
We don’t all have the time to be watching our kids every second of the day. This is where Eyezy caught my attention. Eyezy lets you passively monitor your child’s or partner’s WhatsApp and other activities with its keywords alert feature. It’s also one of the most affordable WhatsApp trackers on my list.
Features
Eyezy’s keyword alerts make WhatsApp monitoring a breeze for parents or concerned spouses who don’t have the time to watch a spy app dashboard non-stop. Just get Eyezy to flag specific words, and Eyezy will notify you if the other person types them in. For example, flagging “Let’s meet” will alert you if they send this message to someone, and you’ll immediately know who they’re meeting.
Additionally, thanks to Eyezy’s location tracking features, you’ll know where they are. It will also show you which apps they install on their device, allowing you to track their communication with others if they move away from WhatsApp.
If you don’t like an app, you can remotely block it on the other device. This feature is invaluable if you notice that your child or partner spends too much time on WhatsApp or other apps.
Pricing Plans
Like mSpy, Eyezy offers a demo version of its dashboard to help you familiarize yourself with its features, but it doesn’t offer a free trial.
Duration
Eyezy Pricing
1 Month
$38.39/month
3 Months
$22.39/month
12 Months
$7.99/month
Eyezy’s single, affordable plan has a 14-day refund policy. If there are any technical issues that customer support can’t fix, you can use this window to get your money back.
Who It's Best for
In my testing, I discovered that Eyezy basically offers unmatched value for money. If you’re seeking a nearly undetectable spy app that monitors WhatsApp, tracks the target user’s location, and alerts you if they write something inappropriate, it’s a great, affordable option.
Pros
Reports the use of specific words by the target user
3. uMobix — Perfect for Capturing Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Starting Price
$12.49/month (annually)
No. of Devices
1
Free Trial/Demo
Demo
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Money-back Guarantee
14-day refund window
Why We Picked It
We all know that if someone doesn’t want you to see a text message, they’ll just delete it after they send it and it’s seen. That’s why I like uMobix. It makes sure you won’t miss anything your child, employee, or spouse does on WhatsApp by giving you insights into their messaging and calling history. Additionally, it has a dedicated tab on its dashboard for deleted messages.
Features
uMobix shows you everything the target user tries to hide, from deleted messages to deleted contacts, giving you a unique insight into their activities. Like my previous picks, it lets you see what they keep in the chat as well, including their texts, videos, and images.
In addition to displaying the context of their WhatsApp conversations, uMobix will show you information about their contacts. Besides its WhatsApp tracker, uMobix can monitor 16 other social media and instant messaging apps.
Although it doesn’t offer as many iPhone features as mSpy, I found it to be one of the best Android spy apps you can buy because of its remote control features. These features allow you to block access to WhatsApp and other apps or even the user’s entire device. Additionally, you can use it to see and listen to the user’s surroundings by activating their camera and microphone remotely.
Pricing Plans
uMobix has a single pricing plan and a demo version of its dashboard, which makes it easy, so you can use to familiarize yourself with its interface before subscribing.
Duration
uMobix Pricing
1 Month
$49.99/month
3 Months
$29.99/month
12 Months
$12.49/month
Although it’s slightly more expensive than mSpy, I found that uMobix’s remote control features (on Android) and a dedicated tab for deleted messages and contacts feel like enough to warrant the slightly steeper price.
Who It's Best for
I found uMobix to be the perfect tool if you suspect your employee or loved one has something to hide from you. It tracks all deleted WhatsApp chats and even lets you remotely block their access to WhatsApp, other apps, and websites.
Pros
Complete remote control of the device
Monitors WhatsApp and 16 other platforms
Logs deleted WhatsApp chats and contacts
User-friendly interface with a dedicated WhatsApp tab
Cons
Relatively expensive
High battery usage during audio and video streaming
4. Cocospy — Easy-to-Use WhatsApp Spy App for Android
Starting Price
$12.49/month (annually)
No. of Devices
1
Free Trial/Demo
Demo
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Money-back Guarantee
14-day refund policy
Why We Picked It
If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, especially when it comes to jailbreaking and rooting smartphones, spy apps can be kind of intimidating. I like Cocospy because it doesn’t require rooting to monitor an Android phone, making it one of the easiest WhatsApp tracker apps to install and use.
Features
One of my favorite Cocospy features is its Online Status feature, which tells you, at a glance, if your child or partner is online so you can track their WhatsApp conversations in real time. With Cocospy, you’ll not only be able to track WhatsApp chats and group conversations, you’ll also see all exchanged files between the monitored device and its contacts.
I also like that Cocospy’s Android WhatsApp tracker app is lightweight, meaning it doesn’t have a significant impact on the other device’s battery life, allowing you to monitor them for longer while they’re out. This is also true for iOS devices, as instead of being synced to the phone, Cocospy uses iCloud’s backup system to download WhatsApp messages and files.
Although it doesn’t offer keyword alerts like Eyezy, Cocospy has geofencing, which lets you create restricted areas on the map. If the target user enters or leaves that area, Cocospy will immediately notify you so you’ll always know where they are.
Pricing Plans
Like uMobix and Eyezy, Cocospy has no free trial. However, there’s an interactive demo you can use to explore its features before subscribing. Its annual subscription makes it fairly cheap when broken down monthly.
Duration
Cocospy Pricing
1 Month
$49.99
3 Months
$29.99/month
12 Months
$12.49/month
Cocospy has recently updated its pricing structure to include three different plans that get cheaper the longer you subscribe.
Basic Plan: This plan provides fundamental monitoring capabilities suitable for most users. It includes essential features such as call, message, and location tracking, allowing you to monitor your device’s basic activities.
Premium Plan: Cocospy’s Premium plan expands on these features with additional functionalities aimed at more comprehensive monitoring. In addition to everything offered in the Basic Plan, it includes advanced features like social media tracking, keylogging, and access to multimedia files. This plan is designed for those who require a deeper level of oversight and detail.
Family Plan: The Family plan is ideal for users needing to monitor multiple devices. It includes all the features of the Premium Plan but extends them to cover up to three devices. This plan is perfect for families or groups wanting to manage and monitor several devices from a single account, providing a cost-effective solution for broader monitoring needs.
It is important to note that the above-mentioned prices are inclusive of a first-subscription discount, and will increase upon your automatic renewal. Cocospy has a 14-day refund window you can use to get your money back if you run into unresolvable technical issues.
Who It's Best for
Cocospy is ideal for spy app beginners who want to monitor WhatsApp on an Android phone. It’s easy to install and use, even if you’re not tech savvy, and tells you when your child or partner is using their phone or when they enter or leave an area you mark on the map.
Pros
Access to complete WhatsApp chat and call logs and all exchanged files
Tracks the other person’s online status
User-friendly interface
Real-time GPS location tracking and geofencing for Android
5. Hoverwatch — The Best WhatsApp Tracker App for Monitoring Several Devices
Starting Price
$8.33/month (annually)
No. of Devices
Up to 25 devices
Free Trial/Demo
Demo, 3-day Free Trial
Compatibility
Android, Windows, macOS
Money-back Guarantee
❌
Why We Picked It
I picked Hoverwatch because it’s one of the best WhatsApp monitoring apps that lets you monitor more than one device at a time under one account, making it perfect for parents of multiple children or employers with company devices. It’s also one of the few WhatsApp trackers that logs in-app voice messages besides the standard texts, images, and videos.
Features
One of my favorite Hoverwatch features is its Mobile Viewer app, which you can install on your phone to monitor all the information Hoverwatch collects without logging into its web-based dashboard.
The dashboard and its app have a dedicated WhatsApp tab that allows you to track WhatsApp messages and see who your partner, children, or employees are talking to. It’s also one of the few apps that logs WhatsApp audio messages they send or receive.
Although its Windows and Mac apps don’t have a dedicated WhatsApp monitoring feature, I learned through my research that thanks to its keylogging feature, you’ll still be able to see everything the target users type in WhatsApp or any other app for that matter. However, if you are looking for a dedicated iPhone WhatsApp tracker, you’ll need to pick an alternative like mSpy or Eyezy.
Pricing Plans
Hoverwatch has three affordable plans for monitoring a single phone or computer under its Personal plan or up to 25 devices under its Business plan. There’s also an interactive demo version that gives you a preview of how it monitors Windows, Mac, and Android devices.
Duration
Personal
Professional
Business
1 Month
$29.95/month
$49.95/month
$149.95/month
3 Months
$19.98/month
$33.32/month
$99.98/month
12 Months
$8.33/month
$16.66/month
$41.66/month
Personal: Its entry-level plan lets you monitor a single device’s WhatsApp activities, location, calls, and texts. This plan doesn’t include access to its Mobile Viewer app.
Professional: This plan can monitor up to five devices and adds the Mobile Viewer app to its Personal plan features.
Business: Monitors up to 25 Windows, Mac, or Android devices and shows you their users’ locations, web browsing history, and WhatsApp activities.
Hoverwatch doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, but it’s one of the most affordable services for computer and smartphone WhatsApp activities monitoring.
Who It's Best for
If you need to monitor multiple Android devices but you don’t want to break the bank by buying separate plans for each kid, Hoverwatch is a great option. It lets you listen to WhatsApp audio messages your child, employee, or partner sends and receives, making it an invaluable tool if that’s their preferred way of communicating.
While I know that not everyone has the time, some people want to monitor WhatsApp in real time while their target person is using their phone. I found XNSPY to be a strong choice for active WhatsApp monitoring due to its robust, real-time tracking capabilities. You’ll see detailed WhatsApp activity, including incoming and outgoing messages, media files, and chat timestamps, providing a comprehensive view of conversations.
Features
XNSpy stands out for me as one of the best WhatsApp spy apps for real-time monitoring due to its extensive feature set designed for comprehensive oversight. It provides live access to all WhatsApp messages, including sent and received texts, multimedia files, and timestamps, so you can track all conversations in real time.
I also liked that you get full call logs, so you can see who your target person was talking to and for how long. This means that you’ll get the phone number and name of the person your child is talking to, which can help you keep them safe from WhatsApp scams, predators, and cyberbullying.
There’s also GPS location tracking and access to 12 other social media and instant messaging platforms, ensuring a thorough view of all device activity.
XNSPY also offers remote screenshots you can take with one click to get an instant update of everything on the other person’s screen. If you notice that your child or partner is hiding their phone while chatting with someone on WhatsApp, this feature can help you find out what they’re doing in seconds.
Like Eyezy, XNSPY lets you flag specific words you want tracked. When the target user types them in a WhatsApp message, XNSPY will send you a notification to keep you informed.
Its user-friendly interface and efficient data reporting further enhance its effectiveness, making it a powerful tool for those needing up-to-the-minute insights into WhatsApp interactions.
Pricing Plans
XNSPY has a single-tier plan similar to Cocospy and an interactive demo version of its dashboard that lets you explore its features before subscribing, but there’s no free trial option.
Duration
XNSPY Pricing
1 Month
$49.99/month
3 Months
$29.99/month
12 Months
$12.49/month
It also has a 14-day refund window you can use to get your money back if you run into unresolvable technical issues.
Who It's Best for
XNSPY is the best WhatsApp tracker for anyone needing active monitoring and quick insights, as you can see nearly everything on the device in real time as well as take a snapshot of the other device’s screen in seconds. It also alerts you when certain words are typed in on the phone.
Pros
Access to complete WhatsApp chat and call logs and all exchanged files
Tracks the other person’s online status
User-friendly interface
Real-time GPS location tracking and geofencing for Android
7. ClevGuard’s KidsGuard for WhatsApp — Dedicated WhatsApp Monitoring Solution
Starting Price
$7.50/month (annually)
No. of Devices
1
Free Trial/Demo
Demo
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Money-back Guarantee
30-day money-back guarantee
Why We Picked It
ClevGuard’s KidsGuard for WhatsApp is perfect for anyone looking for a cheap and cheerful comprehensive WhatsApp tracker and nothing more. Designed solely to track WhatsApp, it lets you track nearly all activities on this instant messaging app, down to the emojis they send in the chat.
Features
ClevGuard’s KidsGuard for WhatsApp is a standalone monitoring app in ClevGuard’s lineup of spy tools. Because it’s designed just to monitor WhatsApp, it has some unique features. Unlike my previous picks, it can show you the screen time statistics for your child’s WhatsApp usage to help you determine how often they use the app. If they use it too frequently, you can set time limit restrictions to manage their screen time.
Its WhatsApp tracker app features include logging their texts, images, videos, and audio files to give you a 360-degree view of what they talk about on the app. In addition, ClevGuard’s KidsGuard for WhatsApp is one of the only tracking apps that lets you listen to their WhatsApp calls as it records them.
Surprisingly, ClevGuard’s WhatsApp package also monitors the other person’s location using WhatsApp’s built-in GPS. However, unlike uMobix and mSpy, it can’t monitor other social media and messaging apps since it’s designed to specifically monitor WhatsApp and WhatsApp alone.
Pricing Plans
ClevGuard offers two plans tailored to social media and Instagram monitoring. There’s also a detailed demo so you can try out all its functions before committing.
Duration
KidsGuard for WhatsApp Pricing
1 Month
$24.99/month
3 Months
$20/month
12 Months
$7.50/month
These plans are set up to auto-renew, and the price increases after the first subscription, so it’s in your best interest to subscribe for a full year if you think you’ll be using the app often.
No matter which subscription model you opt for, you’ll have access to all of ClevGuard’s features for WhatsApp monitoring. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try its features risk-free today.
Who It's Best for
If you’re looking for an affordable WhatsApp monitoring solution that doesn’t overcomplicate things with tons of other features, you can’t go wrong with ClevGuard’s WhatsApp tool. It may not offer features to monitor other apps, but it has all you need to monitor all WhatsApp activities.
Free with basic functionality
WhatsApp monitoring add-on for $9.99/3-days
No. of Devices
Up to 25
Free Trial/Demo
Free Plan
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Money-back Guarantee
30-day
Why We Picked It
I picked iKeyMonitor because it lets you monitor WhatsApp chats and other popular messaging and social media apps, such as KIK, Snapchat, and Telegram. Other useful features of iKeyMonitor include call recording, keystroke capture, and GPS location tracking — everything you’d need for peace of mind.
Features
What I love about iKeyMonitor is that, like with Eyezy, you can set up keyword alerts to be immediately notified whenever a certain word or phrase is mentioned. This helps ensure your child isn’t engaging in inappropriate, harmful, or dangerous conversations on WhatsApp and other apps.
Like ClevGuard, it lets you set screen time limits, but iKeyMonitor also lets you schedule them. For example, you can disable your children’s access to WhatsApp during their studying hours or bedtime to ensure they aren’t distracted by the messaging app.
With iKeyMonitor, you can also record your child’s or partner’s WhatsApp calls, giving you unique insights into their plans and interests. Additionally, the app will log each outgoing and incoming call and provide its date, time, and contact information.
Pricing Plans
While iKeyMonitor has a free plan, you’ll need to pay for its add-on services to get WhatsApp access.
Free plan: The free version offers SMS messages monitoring, call recording, GPS Tracking, and Wi-Fi connection history.
Add-ons: Add-ons cost $9.99 for 3 days or $16.66/month. Available add-ons include social media monitoring, input logger, screenshots, surrounding listening, remote control, and apps and website blocking. You will need the social media add-on to monitor Instagram.
While it may sound misleading to call iKeyMonitor a free WhatsApp spy app, at first, I wanted to add it to my list because its free features are also super useful. The truth is that completely free spy apps that are also reliable and safe simply don’t exist, and you should be suspicious if you see one claiming to be free with tons of features. They generally are either trying to steal your data, or they are just free trials.
With iKeyMonitor, you can try out the add-on features for $9.99 for three days before you commit to see how you like it. At the very least, you might find everything you’re looking for within those first three days, but I’m pretty confident that you’ll find its features are worth the subscription cost.
Who It's Best for
iKeyMonitor offers excellent WhatsApp parental controls that allow you to limit your child’s screen time. It’s also a solid tool for passive monitoring, as you can set it up to alert you when your child sends or receives inappropriate messages.
Pros
Free forever plan
Displays disappearing media
Remote camera and mic control
Alert-Words and input logger facilitate full parental control
Cons
The free version doesn’t cover social media monitoring
9. TheOneSpy — Best for Monitoring WhatsApp Video Calls
Starting Price
$5.75/month
No. of Devices
1
Free Trial/Demo
Free Demo
Compatibility
iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Money-back Guarantee
14-day
Why We Picked It
TheOneSpy stood above the crowd for me as one of the few apps that lets you record and preview WhatsApp video calls via your dashboard. This feature can be super handy if you’re trying to collect physical evidence of your partner cheating and need to record and save any WhatsApp video conversations.
Features
TheOneSpy offers a unique feature that lets you record the other person’s phone or computer screen to give you insights into everything they’re doing. In my testing, I found that this works while they are in a WhatsApp video call on their phone and you can even record their calls on a computer if they’re using Chrome.
I also love TheOneSpy’s keylogging software that stores all WhatsApp logs in a separate tab. It offers an accurate keylogger for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices that will register everything your child or partner writes, even if they decide not to send the message. That means you won’t have to search for what they wrote in-app by searching through all the other records.
Additionally, its Password Chaser feature will help you get physical access to their phone by showing you their PIN codes, pattern passwords, and similar WhatsApp data. However, I feel that TheOneSpy’s dashboard isn’t as user-friendly as Cocospy’s, which is a better choice for beginners.
Pricing Plans
TheOneSpy has two plans for spying on Android devices and separate plans for other platforms, including iOS, Windows, and Mac. Unlike many spy apps, it doesn’t offer an interactive demo, but there’s a list of images you can scroll through to get a view of its interface.
Duration
Android XLite
Android Premier
iPhone, Windows, and Mac Premier
1 Month
$35/month
$39/month
$29/month
3 Months
$18.33/month
$26.33/month
$16.33/month
12 Months
$6.58/month
$8.25/month
$5.75/month
Android XLite: TheOneSpy’s entry-level plan doesn’t offer WhatsApp monitoring, but you can still block the target’s user access to WhatsApp and other apps.
Android Premier: This plan unlocks all its WhatsApp monitoring features and remote controls.
iPhone Premier: TheOneSpy has a separate plan for each platform, but they’re priced equally. All three plans come with WhatsApp monitoring features, including a keylogger and screen recorder for video calls.
The above-mentioned prices are reflective of a current discount and could be for the first subscription period only.
Who It's Best for
TheOneSpy is an ideal choice if you’re looking for an app that lets you remotely. monitor and record their WhatsApp video and voice calls.
Pros
WhatsApp voice and video call recording
Real-time screen recorder
Accurate keylogger
Helps you physically unlock the monitored phone
Cons
The entry-level plan lacks advanced features
No interactive demo or free trial
Its refund policy only gives you 50% of the money back
Whether you need to monitor your kid’s WhatsApp or you want to look into some suspicions you might have about a cheating partner, I’ve made it easy to find the best solution. Here’s a quick comparison table of the best WhatsApp monitoring apps:
Important Note: Spy software is not legal to use without the device owner’s permission in many countries and states. When we test spy software, we do so only with the explicit consent of the device owner and in compliance with local laws and regulations.
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular spy applications on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
General Features: We evaluate the comprehensive feature set of each spy app, including but not limited to features such as App Management, Time Management, Call Monitoring, Device Control and GPS Tracking.
Ease of Use: We gauge the user-friendliness of each app, considering factors such as installation process complexity, the necessity of jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) the target device, and more.
Device Support and Compatibility: We thoroughly examine the compatibility of each spyware app with different devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android. We also assess whether the app offers a unified dashboard accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support provided by each app developer. We evaluate the availability of support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, as well as the satisfaction ratings of customer assistance.
Price and Value for Money: We assess each spyware app’s pricing structure in relation to its features and functionalities, aiming to determine its overall value proposition. We analyze whether the app offers different subscription tiers, flexible payment options, and discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, we check whether the app provides free trials or demos for users to test its capabilities before making a purchase.
Privacy and Security: We prioritize the privacy and security of user data in our evaluation. We scrutinize the app’s data encryption measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and commitment to regular security updates to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or breaches.
Who Needs a WhatsApp Monitoring Tool?
There are several ethical reasons as to why someone would want to use a WhatsApp tracker app. Here are some of the most popular ones:
WhatsApp monitoring tools are primarily used by parents of underage children who want to ensure that their kids are safe on the internet. The best spy apps give you the critical information you need to know who they’re talking to, what types of conversations they’re having, and what they’re searching for online.
Over 5 million businesses use WhatsApp, and therefore, WhatsApp tracking apps are also used by businesses that want to ensure employees are using company phones for business purposes. Keep in mind that this applies exclusively to company-owned mobile devices and only during work hours.
If you want to spy on your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, be advised that doing so without their knowledge and consent is considered illegal. Even if it wasn’t, it’s highly unethical and damaging to the relationship.
How Does a WhatsApp Tracker App Work?
Spy apps work remarkably simply. After installing them on the target device, the application sends all the data to a remote online server.
This includes phone call logs, text messages, WhatsApp chat logs, and all media exchanged between the monitored device and other devices.
Once installed, as the data is on the cloud, you can access it by logging into the app’s dashboard.
Additionally, the best phone spy apps can leverage GPS and Wi-Fi tracking to provide you with the real-time location of the device, so you’ll know where your child is at all times.
Do I Need Physical Access to the Target Device?
That depends on what app you end up choosing and what type of device you want to monitor.
If you want to monitor an iOS device that’s connected to iCloud, some spy apps like Cocospy show you how to spy on WhatsApp messages without target phone access. Since all the data is directly uploaded and backed up on iCloud, all you need to start monitoring the device is your child’s iCloud password.
Android devices, on the other hand, don’t support this functionality, so you’ll have to physically install the app on the target phone you wish to monitor.
What to Consider when Choosing a WhatsApp Tracking App
There are many things to consider when choosing spy app software. This includes:
Pricing — An annual subscription is usually cheaper, and some WhatsApp tracking tools offer free demos so you can test before signing up for a paid plan.
Compatibility — Certain spy apps, such as Cocospy, are better suited for Android and others for iOS. It’s important that you make sure the spy tool you have chosen is compatible with the device you want to monitor.
Features — It’s important to ensure that you get the features you’re looking for at the price point you’re after.
Jailbreak — You might need to jailbreak the target device to get access to all the functionality the spy app offers. Make sure you’ve checked this beforehand.
WhatsApp Tracking Apps Free Vs. Paid – Which is Best?
While there are some free spy apps for Android and iOS, there are a lot more scams and shady businesses out there. Think about it — creating a phone monitoring app requires a full team of developers, requires time, and costs a ton of money.
Why would anyone offer the finished app for free? One common reason is that they’re trying to steal and sell your sensitive data. In the case of legitimate apps, free plans are a marketing gimmick.
These free plans are extremely limited and serve as a free trial for the app, enticing you to choose them over the competition. Then, to access all the app’s core functionalities, you must upgrade to a paid plan.
Paid apps are by far the best option, especially regarding safety and reliability. The paid spy apps I recommend in this guide generally offer a demo or give you an opportunity to try them out risk-free with their money-back guarantees – so you can get started with the best spy apps for Instagram and WhatsApp today.
How to Use a WhatsApp Spy App – Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to install and use a WhatsApp spy app, using mSpy as an example:
Step 1 — Purchase An mSpy Subscription
Visit mSpy’s official website and click the “Try Now” button.
Enter your email address, choose the type of device you wish to monitor (you can also select “decide later”), and select the pricing plan that best fits your budget.
Step 2 — Download and Install mSpy on the Target Phone
After you purchase a subscription, you’ll receive a confirmation email from mSpy. Within, you’ll find the account details and the download link.
Using the device you wish to monitor, click the download link and proceed to install the app on the device.
The installation process is rather straightforward: follow the prompts on your screen and make sure to give mSpy the necessary permissions by clicking “I accept” when prompted.
Use the login credentials provided in the confirmation email to log into the mSpy dashboard on another device and start monitoring.
Step 3 — Review the Monitored Device’s WhatsApp Activity
Once you log in, you’ll find a convenient menu on the left-hand side of your mSpy control panel.
Scroll down until you reach the WhatsApp section. Here, you’ll be able to review all the chat logs with different contacts. Click on any contact to browse through all of the exchanged voice messages or text messages.
WhatsApp Spy FAQs
Are spy apps safe?
All the apps I recommend in this guide are safe. The data from the monitored device is uploaded to a secure cloud server that only you’ll have access to. That said, there are many shady businesses and scams around, so make sure you opt for a reputable spy app with a good track record and plenty of positive user reviews.
Is WhatsApp spying legal?
The legality of WhatsApp spying comes down to consent. If you’re spying on an underage child in your care, you don’t need their consent. In all other cases, whether you’re monitoring employees or your partner/spouse, you need their informed consent before you can install the spy app on their device.
Which is the best app for WhatsApp tracking?
After reviewing the most popular phone spy apps with WhatsApp tracking capabilities, I’ve concluded that mSpy is the best choice in terms of both functionality and value for money.
Can I spy on WhatsApp calls?
If an app supports WhatsApp call recording, you certainly can. For this purpose, I recommend apps like Hoverwatch and ClevGuard.
Do WhatsApp tracker apps really work?
Yes, they do. After a spy app is installed on the target device, all the data, including chat logs, messages, and exchanged media files, are uploaded to a cloud server. By logging into the spy app’s dashboard, you’re effectively accessing that server and can review all the WhatsApp activity, even if the messages get deleted on the monitored device.
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Aleksandar Stevanovic spent 10 years honing his craft as a freelance content writer. He has a degree in Economics, and extensive experience in software, crypto, and cybersecurity industries. He covers a multitude of topics, writing factual and informative articles, helping individuals better understand the intricacies of the online world. Over the last two years, his research focus shifted more towards tech and software content, as evidenced by his publications on CEX.IO, Business2Community, and Techopedia. He believes in simplifying complex topics and bringing them closer to like-minded individuals. His work is as detail-oriented as it is creative, and is designed to…