Updated: June 2025
Looking for the best iPhone spy apps in 2025 that actually work – without jailbreaking? After testing dozens of monitoring apps over the years, I’ve narrowed it down to the top 11 apps that deliver real results. Whether you’re a parent, employer, or just looking to track your own device, this guide covers tested solutions, pricing, pros and cons, and which ones are undetectable.
Why Trust This Guide?
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Personally tested on iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 17
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Over 6 years in digital parenting & security
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Updated monthly—last reviewed June 2025
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Apps checked for updates and support
Table of Contents
What are iPhone Spy Apps?
iPhone spy apps – also called iOS monitoring or tracking tools enable parents and employers to securely monitor device activity in stealth mode. From GPS location to social media chats, these tools provide access to call logs, texts, browser history, app usage, and more. Updated for 2025, all apps here support iOS 17 compatibility.
Are iPhone Spy Apps Legal in 2025?
Using iPhone spy apps is legal under certain conditions, such as:
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Monitoring a minor’s device as a parent or guardian
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Tracking a device you legally own (e.g., work-issued phone)
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With the explicit consent of the device user
Monitoring someone without their consent can violate privacy laws. Always review your local regulations before installing any monitoring software.
Legal Notice: Monitoring should only be used with legal permission, such as on your child’s phone, company devices, or with explicit consent. Unauthorized use may be against the law. Consult local regulations.
Why Do You Need to Monitor an iPhone?
Monitoring an iPhone isn’t necessarily unethical. In fact, it can serve many responsible and security-focused purposes:
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Parental Control: Ensure children are safe online and protected from inappropriate content.
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Employee Monitoring: Track company-issued devices to prevent data leaks and maintain productivity.
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Relationship Transparency: Address suspicions in a relationship through mutual agreement.
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Lost Phone Recovery: Track a lost or stolen iPhone.
How Do iPhone Spy Apps Work?
iPhone spy apps work by accessing iCloud backups or, in the case of jailbroken devices, by installing software directly. Once installed or connected to iCloud, these apps send data from the target phone to a secure online dashboard easily accessible from any smartphone or desktop.
Some key methods include:
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iCloud-Based Monitoring: No physical access required, but limited to data stored in iCloud.
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Jailbreak-Based Monitoring: Enables deeper access but requires device access and technical knowledge.
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Stealth Mode: Most apps work invisibly to avoid detection.
Some apps offer more advanced functions like ambient recording or live camera access, but those usually require jailbreaking.
Quick Comparison Table of the Best iPhone Spy Apps
| App Name | No Jailbreak | Call Logs | GPS | Social Media | Price (Starting) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XNSPY | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $4.99/mo | Full features |
| mSpy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $48/mo | Parents |
| FlexiSPY | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $68/mo | Advanced users |
| eyeZy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $47.99/mo | UI simplicity |
| iKeyMonitor | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $16.66/mo | Screen time logs |
| Spyera | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $89/mo | Undetectable |
| MobiStealth | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | $16.66/mo | Simple tracking |
| TheTruthSpy | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $21.99/mo | Budget spy tool |
| Appmia | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $29.99/mo | Versatility |
| Highster Mobile | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | $29.99 one-time | One-time fee |
| OwnSpy | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | €19.99/mo | Real-time tracking |
If you search the App Store, you’ll find dozens of apps claiming to track a child’s phone, but only a handful truly deliver. Over the years, I’ve tested numerous iPhone spy apps firsthand, and through continuous use and evaluation, I’ve narrowed down the top 11 that work. While there may be more apps out there, the ones I’ve selected stand out for their features, performance, and customer support, more importantly.
So, in this post, I’m sharing my all-time favorite iPhone spy apps, covering both jailbroken and non-jailbroken devices. These apps have been personally tested and verified by me through years of hands-on experience. In fact, I currently use one of them on my daughter’s iPhone to help ensure her online safety, with her full consent, of course.
Wondering which app I trust the most? Stick around, I’ll reveal it at the end of this post.
Top 11 iPhone Spy Apps in 2025
1. mSpy
With around 1.0 million+ satisfied users, mSpy is one of the prominent iPhone spying and tracking apps for your kids, loved ones, and employees. I personally like mSpy because its interface is quite user-friendly.
There are two versions of the mSpy iPhone spy.
- mSpy without jailbreak
- mSpy with Jailbreak
mSpy without jailbreak:
Without a jailbreak, you will be able to track contacts, call history, text messages, internet activity, iOS notes, and apps.
The most prominent feature of mSpy is a no-jailbreak feature, which allows the user to spy on an iPhone without jailbreaking it. For all those users who don’t have in-depth knowledge of iOS, they can get assistance from trained technicians provided by mSpy.
Features with mSpy no jailbreak:
With mSpy no jailbreak, you can track and monitor the following features on your target iPhone.
- Contacts stored on your target device
- Call history
- Text messages
- Internet activity, including websites visited
- iOS notes and apps
What do you need to spy on an iPhone without a Jailbreak?
You need iCloud login details to spy on your iPhone without jailbreaking, along with iCloud backup. If iCloud backup is not enabled on the target iPhone, you will need physical access to the phone.
Steps to Install iPhone Spy mSpy No Jailbreak:
For installing mSpy iPhone with no jailbreak, here’s the step-by-step process
- Get access to your child’s non-jailbroken iPhone to install mSpy software
- Once you get access, you need to purchase the no-jailbreak package
- You will get an email with installation instructions
- Install the software on your child’s iPhone
- Log in to your dashboard, known as the ‘control panel’, and start tracking his/her phone
- Their support is available 24/7, so you need not to worry if you need help with the installation
How much does mSpy no jailbreak cost?
- mSpy 1-Month Premium Subscription is $48
mSpy with jailbreak:
All you need is to install this app on the iPhone you wish to monitor and activate the app by inserting the activation key.
This way, you will be able to track the target iPhone activity on the mSpy online portal.
Logging into the online portal, you can easily access the target iPhone’s information, such as phone calls, messages, social site data, and much more.
It also has some advanced features such as Keylogger, parental control, social media monitoring, and iPhone spy no-jailbreak.
So, mSpy is my personal best spy app for the iPhone. It’s relatively easy to use, and it offers lots of features along with excellent customer support and service.
mSpy Pros:
- 24/7 tech support
- Undetectable and no jailbreak version
- Chat support is available to help you install the spy app remotely
- you can read deleted text messages on the target device
- monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscriptions
- 45+ features
- 14-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied
mSpy Cons:
- Requires jailbreaking to monitor advanced features
- No call recordings, you can just see the call logs
Price: $29/month (Basic)
Compatibility:
Make sure your iPhone and iPad:
- Compatible with iOS 11 – 14.8.1* (Also depends on the device model)
- Wi-Fi Sync, iOS version: 13-16 (Connect their phone to a Mac or PC for the first sync, then get updates whenever they’re on the same Wi-Fi)
2. FlexiSPY
In my opinion, FlexiSPY is a top-quality and robust iPhone spy app that I’ve ever used. It is among the list of few spying apps that offer call interception. This is one of my favourite features that Flexispy offers that lets you intercept a call and listen to and record the conversation in a real-time.
It can also remotely activate the iPhones camera and microphone to record the surroundings which are a great feature.
The only side effect of this app is that it works on a jailbroken iPhone. But no worries! They helped me jailbreak the device, which solved my issue.
Features by FlexiSpy iPhone:
- Phone Call Recording & Interception
- Environment recording
- IM Apps Call Recording
- SMS Keyword deletion
- RemCam & RemVid
- Spoof SMS
- Call logs
- SMS / MMS messages
- iMessage
- IM Chat Messages
- Browsing activity/bookmarks
- Application activity
- Installed applications
- Application Screenshots
- Keylogger
- Photos & Videos
- Audio files
- Wallpaper images
- Location tracking
- SIM Change Notification
It does not offer as many features as mSpy, but it is still the best spy app for Android users, with most of the features one likes to have.
If you wish to spy iPhone without jailbreaking it, then FlexiSPY is not the right app for you, as it is also considered one of the most expensive iPhone spying apps.
Compatibility:
Make sure your iPhone and iPad:
- Compatible with iOS 11 – 14.8.1* (Also depends on the device model)
- Connected to the Internet
For more details, do check their website here.
Price: $68/month
3. Highster
It is considered the best secret spy app for Android. It merely works by installing it on the target phone you want to spy on. Upon activation, with the license key, you can log in to your account and enjoy its features.
When it comes to the price, Highster Mobile is the most economical spy app with a nominal price of $69.99, which is to be paid once only with no additional recurring fees.
These include Real-time GPS Tracking, access to contacts, calendars, and apps, Text Message Monitoring, Call Logs view, photos, browser history view, and social media monitoring.
So, if you’re in search of a low-cost spy app, Highster Mobile should be the first app to be considered as it is economical, offers a variety of useful features, easy to use with a user-friendly web interface.
Compatibility:
- iOS 7 – iOS 15 (only jailbroken)
4. iKeyMonitor
The iKeyMonitor is a powerful and straightforward hidden spy app for iPhone. It has the provision to record text messages and visited websites, and it logs every keystroke and sends the recorded information to your registered email. The interface of the app is simple. I’ve used iKeyMonitor on my iPhone 7 with iOS 10.1, and it never let me down.
The only disadvantage is that the iKeyMonitor is installed only on jailbroken iOS devices.
The critical features of iKeyMonitor include:
- Capture passwords entered,
- View every keystroke typed,
- Capture screenshots periodically,
- Multi-language support and the most attractive of all, it offers you a Free 3-day trial.
If you are interested in monitoring the activities on the target iPhone, iKeyMonitor is the best spyware for iPhone, in which you can record every single activity performed on the target iPhone.
Compatibility:
- No Jailbreak – iOS 9+ (Require iCloud ID & Password)
- Compatible with all jailbroken iPhones/iPads (Physical Access Required)
5. MobiStealth
Mobistealth has not updated its features for a long time, like mSpy or Flexispy, but it’s still a handy monitoring tool. It’s a hidden spy app for iPhone and Android that allows the user to monitor all activity on the target phone, and their record is uploaded to a web-based secure account to be viewed at any time. Its use is quite simple.
You need to install this app on the phone you want to spy on. Upon installation, it works in stealth mode, and it’s 100% untraceable.
Even the phone user would know that it’s running in the background. The recorded content can easily be accessed through a web interface with the aid of a laptop, computer, or tablet device having internet connectivity.
The main features of MobiStealth are:
- It is undetectable
- It can record the happenings in the surroundings
- It can remotely view photos, emails, texts, and videos
- 24/7 availability of technical support
- It comes with a 15-day money-back guarantee
The disadvantage of the MobiStealth monitoring app is that the user must have to jailbreak the target iPhone before downloading and installing the MobiStealth spy app.
It’s not a free iPhone spy app, but the features and their customer support justify the cost of it, available with a per-month and per-year subscription.
They also have an iPhone spy no jailbreak solution, so do check out that too – supported up to iOS 13.x.
- SMS History
- CALL History
- WhatsApp Chat
- WeChat Logging
- Kik Chat
- Line Chat
- Viber Chat
- Contacts
- Pictures
- Location Tracking
Compatibility:
- MobiStealth without jailbreak – all iOS versions
6. Spyera
Like other iPhone spy apps, Spyera offers 100% undetectable tracking and monitoring features to the user.
You have to install this application on the target iPhone you wish to spy on and can remotely access the recorded data on the secure online portal.
The features of Spyera are:
- It can listen to live calls
- It can record Phone calls
- It can record the surroundings by accessing the camera and microphone
- It can access the audio-video files on the iPhone
- It can monitor social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc
- It can record all the text messages, even the deleted ones.
The installation of this spyware app is possible only on jailbroken iPhones, which is considered a disadvantage, yet is reviewed as the most powerful monitoring software.
Pros:
- The most powerful monitoring software
- offers advanced features that no other provider provides
- Spy camera lets you take pictures remotely
Cons:
- No live chat support for your queries
- Expensive software
- Requires jailbreaking of the iPhone
7. TheTruthSpy
TheTruthSpy app is very convenient to download and install on the target phone.
It provides the following list of useful features:
- Record and Spy a live phone call
- Access to contact history
- View browser history
- Access to multimedia files
- Spy camera
8. Appmia
The Appmia software has the combined strong advantages of spying apps. It is a presentable application for spying, and it offers the following features.
- It can record the call time and duration.
- It can access emails and messages.
- It can track the GPS location of the target phone.
- It can record web browser history.
- It can access all the media files.
Along with all these features, there are a few disadvantages too.
GPS tracking is only available with internet connectivity.
High software cost
It can be installed only on jailbroken iPhones.
Compatibility:
- Supports devices up to iOS 9.0.x
9. OwnSpy
The OwnSpy tracking and spy app allows you to control not only your personal iPhone device but also your kid’s. OwnSpy was created by a Spanish company, Mobile Innovations, with more than 15 years of experience.
Some features of OwnSpy are:
- Recording of text messages
- Access to contacts and calendars
- Access to call history
- It can be reinstalled remotely
- Access to browsing history
- Keyboard tracking
- Social media monitoring
The disadvantage of the OwnSpy app is that it requires the target iPhone to be jailbroken before installing it. Another problem is that it consumes a fair amount of battery while recording calls, and sometimes it is detectable and visible to the user on the App Manager.
10. eyeZy
eyeZy is a new kids’ phone monitoring app for iPhone. I’ve been using the app on my boy’s phone, and till now, I’ve not found any bugs, and it’s reporting real-time data on my dashboard seamlessly. It allows you to monitor the target iPhone’s activity, remotely. It allows you to see and access text messages, track the GPS, and monitor social media activities. The recorded data can be obtained anytime through a secure web browser.
eyeZy is designed in a way that allows tracking of your child or employee. Some features of eyeZy are
- Live screen view
- Instant GPS location
- Access to SIM info
- Remote locking of the device
11. XNSpy
XNSPY has quietly become a market leader in iPhone monitoring. With over a decade of active development and regular updates, it supports all iPhones from iOS 6 to iOS 17.5. I installed it on a test iPhone 15 Pro Max and had it running in under 10 minutes with live support from their team.
The app dashboard is functional, though not the flashiest, but its powerful features more than make up for that. From call logs and recordings to ambient audio and precise location tracking, XNSPY gives you access to almost everything. It also monitors 13+ social apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tinder.
Key XNSpy Features:
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Call & ambient recording
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13+ social apps (Snapchat, WhatsApp, Tinder, etc.)
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Accurate GPS + geofencing
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Texts, iMessages, and more in chat view
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Compatible with iOS 6 to iOS 17.5
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From $4.99/month (Basic); $7.49/month (Premium)
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Verdict: Feature-packed and affordable; top choice for serious users
XNSPY Pros & Cons
Pros:
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Full feature set: call recording, GPS, social media, ambient mic
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Works on iOS 6 to iOS 17.5 (excellent compatibility)
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No-jailbreak mode available (via iCloud)
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Quick setup with responsive 24/7 customer support
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Budget-friendly pricing from $4.99/month
Cons:
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Dashboard UI feels outdated
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Only one device per subscription
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Requires iCloud credentials (non-jailbreak mode)
Jailbreak vs No-Jailbreak iPhone Monitoring
| Feature | Jailbreak Required | No Jailbreak |
| Call Recording | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ambient Recording | ✅ | ❌ |
| iCloud Sync Required | ❌ | ✅ |
| App Installation | Yes | No |
| User Detection Risk | Low | Low |
How to Choose the Right iPhone Spy App
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Purpose: Kids vs employees vs partner?
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Features Needed: Social media, calls, GPS, etc.
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Budget: Some are one-time purchases, others are monthly.
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Compatibility: Make sure the app supports the target iOS version.
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Ease of Use: Choose an intuitive interface if you’re not tech-savvy.
How to Install an iPhone Spy App
Installing an iPhone spy app is simple, and it depends on whether the device is jailbroken or not. For non-jailbroken iPhones, all you need are the iCloud credentials of the target device, no physical access required. Just sign up for a spy app, log in to your dashboard, and start syncing data via iCloud.
For jailbroken devices, installation involves downloading the app directly onto the iPhone using tools like Cydia. Once set up, the app runs silently and sends data to your online dashboard in real-time.
No-Jailbreak Method:
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Subscribe to the spy app.
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Enter iCloud credentials of the target iPhone.
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Enable iCloud backup on the target device.
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Access data from your web dashboard.
Jailbreak Method:
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Jailbreak the iPhone.
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Install the spy app via Cydia.
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Configure and hide the app.
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Start receiving data on your dashboard.
Over to You!
I’ve reviewed top spying apps that are untraceable, and in my recommendation, my vote goes to mSpy, being 100% undetectable and working in the background without creating an icon on the target device. Do use it and share your thoughts.