Are you looking for the best free Android spy apps? There are dozens of free spy apps for Android making it harder for beginners to choose from.
In this post, we have hand-picked five best hidden spy apps that you can download on your Android devices. Most of these apps allow you to monitor without needing to “Root” the device.
How to Spy on an Android Phone
A spy app lets you remotely monitor another person’s phone — without them knowing. To get started, all you need to do is download and install a small tracking app on the target phone (the phone you are monitoring), then just sign in, and you can start spying on the phone right away.
When using Android spying software, you will be able to see:
- The phone’s location on a map
- Sent, received and deleted text messages
- Browsing history, contacts list, bookmarks and apps installed
- Phone calls made, received and missed
- Photos and videos taken on the phone
- All incoming and outgoing emails
- Instant messages sent and received on the phone using Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Skype
All of the apps listed below offer a free trial, so you can spy on an Android phone for free.
1. SpyBubble
SpyBubble is one of the oldest and best-known spying apps. By installing the app on a person’s phone, you can see exactly where they are, what they are doing and who they are with.
SpyBubble can record their phone calls, track their location, and monitor phone activities including call logs, messages, contacts, and more. The app tracks all of these activities and sends the data to your online account. SpyBubble runs in stealth mode, which means that the phone user cannot see that there is tracking app installed on the phone.
One of the best things about the SpyBubble app is that it doesn’t require rooting and can be set up in just a few minutes.
2. StealthAndroid
StealthAndroid, as the name suggests, is a hidden spy app for Android. It works like SpyBubble or other tracking apps, as it monitors their phone and web activity and sends it to your StealthAndroid account.
The StealthAndroid app is relatively easy to use – even if you’re not very tech-savvy.
After you install the app directly onto the phone you want to track, it will begin silently recording all activities. You can log in to view activity reports on StealthAndroid’s Web site at any time.
3. Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch is one of the most downloaded free spy apps in the world because it’s simple and works well. This spy app includes a Screenshot feature that lets you remotely take screenshots of apps running on the target phone.
I like that you can choose to run Hoverwatch in stealth or non-stealth mode. That way, you have the option of using it with or without the phone user knowing that you are monitoring the phone. If you feel uncomfortable spying on those you want to monitor, you can make Hoverwatch’s interface visible and let them know that you will have access to their messages and other information.
Hoverwatch is cross-platform and can be used on Windows, Mac, and Android.
4. Mobile Tracker Free
Mobile Tracker Free is a full-featured free phone tracking app that you can install on Android. It allows you to monitor phone calls, text messages, social media, and even turn on a device’s camera or microphone. You can also remotely control their phone through a web portal or SMS from your phone.
Using Mobile Tracker Free is easy: Just install the app on the target device, sign into or create a free account, configure the app as you wish, and then track and control the phone via the website.
5. mSpy
mSpy is a very popular monitoring app that allows parents to monitor their children’s phone usage. With mSpy, you can block apps and websites, monitor what your child is doing online, block calls from unwanted numbers, and keep an eye on their screen time.
There’s a 7-day trial available, but after that it’ll cost $29.99 a month for a subscription. You will have to enter your credit card information to sign up for the trial.
What’s the difference between free and paid services?
When you’re considering spy apps, you can choose from two subscription types, paid and free services. If you use a spy app that’s free, you’re most likely going to deal with a bunch of advertisements. These advertisements obnoxiously fill your internet window as you browse. If you don’t mind the continual pop-ups, this can be a great way to go; however, you may find it more practical to pay a small fee and then not have to bother with the distraction of countless ads. Typically, paid subscriptions also come with other benefits, such as access to premium features and tech support.
Is it Safe to Use a Spy Software?
Unfortunately, using spy software can be risky. Not all cell phone monitoring services are ethical. Some will gather information about you, including your passwords, sites you visit and more. They then sell this information to third parties. The worst part about this is that there’s no easy way to identify whether a spy software is really keeping your information private. Chances are, if they’re not ethical, you’ll find out when you discover that your identity has been compromised.
Before you pick a spy app, do some research to ensure the company has a good reputation and they have been in business for a while.