9 Best FREE Spy Apps for Android in 2025

Android spy apps help you monitor your children’s mobile phones and protect them from addiction. You can also utilize these tools to discreetly track your kid’s, employees and spouse’s online activities. These apps can track emails, texts, calls, and other activities on a target phone.

After extensive time spent on rigorous efforts, in-depth review, and meticulous research, I have shortlisted the best 9 apps from over 46 tools. In this article I have described their most effective features, pros, and cons. These spy apps can secretly monitor someone without detection and comes with a free trial, demo, or money-back guarantee. Read more…

Best Spy App for Android: Free & Paid

Name	Hidden/Remote	Android Versions Supported	Live Demo	Free Trial/Refund Policy	Link
👍 mSpy	Yes	Android 4 and later.	Yes	14-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More
ClevGuard	Yes	Android 4.0 or higher	Yes	30-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More
Spynger	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	No	30-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More
Spokeo	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	Yes	7-Day Trial for $0.95	Learn More
Social Catfish	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	Yes	5-Day Trial for $5.73	Learn More
Spylix	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	Yes	15-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More

1) mSpy

Best Overall

While conducting my evaluation, I found mSpy to be one of the top picks for spying on Android devices. This tool allows remote monitoring of your target’s activity, keeping you connected to their digital world even from a distance. You can view all their SMS and instant messages without any hassle. mSpy can also track live locations, record screens, and access the phone’s database secretly.

This free hidden spyware helps you with GPS location tracking of your spouse’s device. With up-to-date features, mSpy offers an easy-to-use interface to manage the tracking process. I was able to use it on Android versions 4 and later seamlessly.

Features:

• Track and block: mSpy lets you block inappropriate websites on the target cell phone. It also helps you see call logs, snoop through text messages, and track phone calls on the target device. Whether the target is sending or receiving a message, mSpy will notify you.
• Location alerts: I could set alerts using the Geo-Fencing feature on my kid’s device. It allowed me to get location alerts if the target phone crossed the boundary.
• Modify phone settings: mSpy enables you to change the settings of the target smartphone as often as you want. It also helped me monitor social media apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Tinder, Snapchat, Viber, etc.
• Additional features: This Android spy app can remotely block an application or website, collect the target’s keystrokes, and browse the gallery to view photos and videos.
• Support service: I emailed the customer support team, and they replied within 24 hours with a suitable solution.
• Pricing and demo: You can use this tool for free. Additionally, there is a demo version available for your convenience. For paid versions, the company offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Visit mSpy >>

14-Days Money-Back Guarantee

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2) ClevGuard

During my research, I found ClevGuard to be a powerful phone monitoring app that tracks all my kids’s activities remotely. ClevGuard allows you to quickly access phone files from anywhere at anytime.

You can easily monitor and record call logs, contacts, and messages and track browser history. This Android spy app is safe and requires no rooting of the target device. It remains undetectable on the target device and never notifies the phone owner.

Features:

• Social media tracking: ClevGuard easily tracks the target’s profile from different social media platforms. I could monitor Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tinder, Snapchat, Telegram, etc.
• Record remotely: Apart from taking screenshots of the targeted device, ClevGuard can also record the phone screen in real time while incognito.
• GPS tracking: This spy app has an active GPS location tracker that helped me monitor the target device’s location from anywhere. It also provides real-time data sync via a 3G/4G network or Wi-Fi.
• Sensitive words: It allowed me to set up word alerts with ClevGuard. In my experience, it is important because I was immediately notified whenever the target typed or received sensitive words.
• Capture photos: This spy app can turn on the target phone’s camera and take photos secretly. Alternatively, it can also record incoming and outgoing phone calls.
• Technical support: I was stuck with a technical dispute and hence, notified them via their online support form for quick support.
• Pricing: You can try this tool free of cost. A demo version is available to help you understand this spy app’s functional aspects. ClevGuard comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for those availing of paid plans.

Visit ClevGuard >>

Use coupon code “guru99” to get 20% OFF

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3) Spynger

Spynger is a mobile spy application that lets you track phone calls, view messages, and snoop on the social media accounts of your kid, spouse, or someone else. You can also track the live locations of the target user using active Wi-Fi and GPS.

I could remotely access Android and iOS devices and learn about the target person’s online activities on websites and social media. It can also show you emails, contacts, incoming and outgoing calls, and the location of the target individual.

Features:

• Monitor call logs: Spynger lets you monitor call logs from the target mobile and saves them on your phone. I could view the contact details with time stamps and the duration of the call. 
• Snoops through messages: You can snoop on your spouse’s email. It is also possible to monitor text messages and call logs of the target phone.
• Spies on social apps: You can now spy on every popular social media app like Tinder, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Line, Discord, etc.
• Cell Phone Spying: It lets you remotely spy on your kid’s cell phone conversations, messages, and location. It also extracts details about the caller, timestamps, and other associated info.
• Support service: I submitted my queries on their online support form for quick assistance.
• Pricing: I could get a 30-day money-back guarantee on its paid plans.

Visit Spynger >>

30-Days Money-Back Guarantee

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4) Spokeo

I evaluated Spokeo, an easy-to-use people lookup tool that can be used as a parental control app. This spy app for Android devices can help you find the identity of a caller. Spokeo uses billions of public records and cross-references them, which ensures data accuracy.

It accesses numerous databases to get an individual’s background information. This free spy app can instantly reverse lookup phone numbers to reveal the caller’s identity, review their location details, background checks, etc.

Features:

• Social media link: I benefited from using Spokeo as it offered me my target individual’s social media profile links. Thus, it is one of the best free spy apps for Android to search for in-depth information.
• Public records: Spokeo generates data from different public records like official documents, property records, and court records to ensure the originality of data.
• Background check: This cell phone spy app can reveal a person’s educational history, criminal records, and employment status.
• Verify address: I received detailed info about an address, for example, the current residents, current owner, past owner, neighborhood details, and more.
• Customer support: I was guided by a helpful support manager over the helpline to resolve the issue. Users can also email them or directly discuss over the chat window.
• Pricing: Although Spokeo offers free trials and one-time reports for $0.95, premium paid plans with additional features are also available.

Visit Spokeo >>

7-Day Trial for $0.95

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5) Social Catfish

I evaluated Social Catfish, a safe and reliable Android spy app for secretly monitoring my kid’s device. You can track their call logs, message details, and contact lists. I could also see the files stored and the apps used. In my experience, it can be a great parental control app, even if it is a reverse lookup tool.

This spy app for Android also looks into all their emails and keeps track of which sites your employees and kids visit. It also lets you record and listen to their phone recordings. Alternatively, it also maintains a history of past searches to assist research.

Features:

• Trace the target: You can trace the target’s location on your mobile using its detailed report. I could view the individual’s current location with complete neighborhood details.
• Monitor social networks: You can monitor social networks like Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, Tinder, etc. It lets you access the posts and forgotten images including explicit content.
• Location history: I could access the location history of the target user using this tool. It showed me the owner of their previous residency, the current tenants, the street address, and the apartment name.
• Reverse email lookup: Social Catfish lets you perform a reverse email lookup to find out someone’s social media accessibility linked to a specific email.
• Reverse phone search: With the help of reverse phone search, Social Catfish lets you trace the identity of an unknown caller. Using this mechanism, I could detect fraud and scam calls.
• Help and support: I could reach its support team using the email address on their website for general queries. You can also receive assistance over call using their support number.
• Pricing: You can use this tool free of cost, and it provides paid premium plans.

Visit Social Catfish

5-Day Trial for $5.73 – Unlimited Searches

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6) uMobix

uMobix is a mobile spying app that helps you track phone calls, SMS, GPS location, social media, and more. It also captures screenshots on the target cell phone to offer real-time view.

I found out that it allows you to view incoming and outgoing calls on the target phone. uMobix can also read the text messages received on the target device. I suggest you check out the demo version on the portal to see how it works.

Features:

• Access gallery: uMobix provided me with access to the gallery and other files of the target phone. I was impressed with how easily I could view photos and videos from the target device.
• Keylogger support: It is one of the best-hidden spy apps for Android, with an integrated keylogger to track the target’s keystrokes. This tool took me through every word typed, apps opened, and passwords on the target phone. 
• Monitor social media: I could monitor popular social media apps like Skype, WeChat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Kik, Hangouts, Instagram, etc.
• Quick setup: The installation process is fast and takes no more than 10 minutes. It doesn’t require you to root your Android device.
• Android compatibility: No matter which Android version you have, uMobix is compatible with all of them. It also works seamlessly with Android tablets and laptops.
• Customer support: I contacted its support through the Contact Us page for assistance.
• Pricing: You can use this tool for free and the paid versions are available with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Visit uMobix >>

14-Days Money-Back Guarantee

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7) SpyX

I tested SpyX, a trusted phone monitoring app that lets you view call lists, pictures, videos, and apps without being noticed by the target user. With SpyX, it is easy to find out what your kids say on social media, what they post, and who they chat with. 

It can also show you emails, contacts, and incoming and outgoing calls and spy on other social media like Snapchat, Facebook, and WhatsApp. It works on all Android and iOS devices and is compatible with the latest updates (Android 13 and iOS 17).

Features:

• Track phone calls: I benefited from using this app as it helped me access information on who my kids have interacted with over the phone. I could see everything, including caller info, call duration, date, and timestamp.
• Messenger monitoring: This tool can monitor any social media message window, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or WhatsApp.
• Media Access: You can view all photos and videos, even deleted or hidden ones, ensuring nothing is missed.
• Location spying: It took me through Google Maps while showing the location history. This makes sure the users get a view of the familiar map, making navigation easy.
• Support: I was able to get quick support by accessing their always-active chat portal.
• Pricing: You can avail the free demo version. Additionally, paid plans are available with a 15-day refund policy.

Visit SpyX >>

15-Days Money-Back Guarantee

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8) FlexiSPY

I explored FlexiSPY, a phone tracking app for Android smartphones and tablets. According to my review, it is the best spy app that offers hassle-free remote installation and comprehensive features. I would also recommend this app for monitoring multiple devices.

This free spy app for Android allows you to access any type of file on the target mobile. You can view pictures, videos, and files from your phone’s FlexiSPY dashboard.

Features:

• Records calls and surroundings: You can record calls and the surroundings using the ambient recording option. I could manually adjust the setting to get a high-quality recording.
• Manage spoof SMS: This hidden spy app for Android allows you to remotely send SMS from your target phone to any number. You can create and send these spoof SMSs from FlexiSPY’s control panel.
• Track online activities: FlexiSPY can track the online activities of the target phone’s person around the clock. I could secretly monitor the website and social media profiles they visited.
• Detailed GPS Navigation: I was impressed with how it helped me view different geographical coordinates to track the target. It allowed me to access Google Maps to track and record the movements of the target user.
• Technical support: I used the always-active chat portal to contact its support. Users can also avail the 24/7 helpline number for any kind of assistance.
• Pricing: You can access the free demo of FlexiSPY to understand the functional aspect of this tool.

Visit FlexiSPY >>

1-Day Free Trial

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9) Spyera

I evaluated Spyera, one of the best Android spy apps for monitoring someone’s online activity. This undetectable app can monitor my kids’ devices and update their whereabouts as it tracks their location using a GPS tracker. 

This spy app has an easy installation process and a user-friendly web control panel. It also supports tracking SMS messages and email monitoring and offers free remote updates. I found it compatible with all Android OS, including v12.

Features:

• Record phone calls: I received automatic recordings of all incoming and outgoing calls with Spyera. It helped me access the feature to set call recording for specific contacts, and the calls were uploaded automatically to the dashboard.
• Notification alert: You receive a notification alert every time the target user receives or makes a call. It will also show the contact information and timestamps of the call.
• IG direct messages: This tool can spy on Instagram direct messages. You can view all messages sent via Instagram chat in real time.
• MMS track: Whether the messages are available on the target phone or deleted, Spyera can track and display the MMS on your device.
• Calendar spying: The target may have marked certain dates for special events. With Spyera, I found it easy to snoop on calendar-specific dates and intervene in case of events that I disapprove of.
• SIM replacement alert: You will be notified instantly whenever the target changes the SIM. Also, the SIM change will not affect Spyera’s ability to function.
• Support service: I contacted its live chat support for my query related to the tool, and the team clarified it instantly.
• Pricing: There are different paid premium plans available. If unsatisfied with the product, the company offers a 10-day refund policy.

Visit Spyera >>

10-Days Money-Back Guarantee

How to Spy on Android Phone?

Here are the steps I followed to read someone’s text messages without installing software using the mSpy app:

Step 1) Open your Internet browser.

Visit www.mspy.com website.

Step 2) Login mSpy account.

Then click on the “Sign In” button.

Step 3) Select your language.

Select the English language and click on the Confirm button.

Step 4) Set Up a monitored device.

You need to press the “Get Started” button.

Step 5) You can choose the type of device you want to monitor.

You will get two options: Android or iOS device. Here, you need to select an Android Phone.

Step 6) Select Full Access To The Device.

You must select this option to have complete access. It will ensure mSpy has complete physical access to the target phone.

Select the “Yes” tab and click on the “Proceed” button.

Step 7) Select your Phone’s manufacturer.

Here, you get many options from different device manufacturers like 1) Samsung, 2) Huawei, 3) Xiaomi, 4) Moto, 5) Google Pixel, 6) LG, and 7) any other manufacturers.

Here, I have selected Samsung. Then, press the “Proceed” button.

Step 8) Select your Android Version.

In the next window, select Android Version. You can find the Android version below in the given method.

Step 9) Disable the PlayProtect option.

I observed that it is better if you disable PlayProtect on the device that you like to monitor.

1. Open the PlayStore
2. Next, tap on the three icons in the upper left corner of the profile icon in the top right.
3. Search and click on Play Protect.
4. Next, you need to tap on the Settings icon located at the top right corner
5. Disable Scan Apps with Play Protect.

Step 10) Open the Browser on your target device.

In the next step, open your mobile browser on the target device.

1. Visit https://b55y.net/a
2. Draw the Captcha
3. Click the “Download” Button
4. Press OK to ignore the warning

Step 11) ) Once downloaded, Open the APK.

Click Allow from this source option.

Step 12) Configure mSpy Process.

mSpy will open, and after this, you can continue with the configuration process.

Step 13) mSpy Configuration done.

Allow some time (1-2 hours) for mSpy to record the activities and then send it to the server. It will also depend on the internet speed of the target device as to how long the synchronization process will commence.

Step 14) Check History.

You can even verify important information like SMS, Social Media, Calls, Photos, ETC.

a) SMS history:

b) Calls:

c) Photos:

Also, check our article on How to Hack a Snapchat Account:- Click Here

Who can use Android spy apps?

The individuals who can use hidden spy apps are:

• Parents: Monitoring children’s Android devices, including tracking their location, is important for safety reasons. Hence, parents can use sneaky spy apps to watch over their kids.
• Employers: Organizations can view employees’ activities on company-provided mobile devices to promote productivity and prevent data breaches.
• Spouses: Partners with trust issues or who suspect their spouses of unapproved behavior can use spy apps to view their call logs, SMS, pictures, videos, location, listen to calls, and more.
• Law enforcement agencies: These agencies can use the best spy app in their investigations to collect reliable evidence.

You can find both paid and free spy apps on the market. According to our review, some of the best Android spy apps are mSpy, uMobix, and SpyX.

How Android Spy Apps Work?

Here, I shall discuss step-by-step about how Android spy apps work:

• Step 1: First, download and install the spy app on the targeted device. Visit the app’s desired website or go to the App Store and download it.
• Step 2: Now, you must set up an account with the spyware provider for Android to use it as a control panel to monitor the targeted device.
• Step 3: Once installed and set up, it will collect data silently in the background. It shall then start tracking calls, call logs, text messages, browsing history, location, etc.
• Step 4: After gathering information, it transmits the data to the app’s server with the help of the internet. They use encrypted transmission for privacy and security.
• Step 5: Next, the transmitted data is available for you to access and monitor the device remotely. You can get these phone spy apps for free or with a subscription.
• Step 6: You can also configure it to receive notifications and alerts when the activities you have selected to be notified occur on the targeted Android device.

Free Spy Apps VS Paid Spy Apps for Android

Here are the key differences that I found between paid and free spyware for Android.

Free Spy apps:

• Limited features: Free spyware for Android apps tend to have limited features, and they may provide only basic functionalities like call logs, SMS, and GPS tracking.
• Detection: Free spy apps sometimes struggle to function in stealth mode. Therefore, you have a chance of being exposed.
• No updates: If it is a good spy app for Android, there will be regular updates. Thus, a free spy app may fail to provide reliable data solutions in the long run.
• Security issues: Free applications lack strict security measures. Thus, there is a possibility of data leakage and unauthorized access.

Paid Spy apps:

• Feature-rich: Paid spy apps for Android have advanced features like ambient recording, remote camera access, keylogging, geo-fencing, social media monitoring, and more.
• Stealth mode: The paid apps can run quietly in the background without being discovered.
• Updates: In paid applications, you do not have to trigger updates in the targeted device. These apps are powerful enough to self-update.
• Security and support: The subscription-based spy apps prioritize data encryption. Hence, you receive high-end security features. They make reliable support available so that they can assist you with any queries and technical issues.

What is an Undetectable Android Spy App?

An undetectable Android Spy App is capable enough to stay incognito even with other apps. Users may install apps that detect hidden apps on their phones. The best hidden spy apps remain undetected even with the strongest of tools. The application hides so the target phone doesn’t appear in any searches, allowing it to move around without being detected.

Can an Android Spy App Track a Cell Phone’s Location?

You can use the Android spy app for free to track your phone’s location. However, this is not recommended as it may invade your privacy and personal space.

Therefore, before downloading any Android hacking app, be aware of the consequences.

Is the Phone Spy app compatible with older Android versions?

Yes, most of these spy apps for Android are compatible with version 4.0 and above.

Are Android spy apps legal?

Mobile spy apps such as mSpy, UMobix, MobileSpy, and all others given in this list are 100% legal. However, users must check their local laws to verify before using them for spying purposes.

Will I need multiple apps to spy on an Android phone?

No, it is not necessary to use multiple apps. You can use one app to spy on an Android phone, which is enough for your needs.

How much time will it take to spy on the Android phone?

Once the process is carried out properly and a good Android hidden spy app is installed, it will take at most five minutes to commence with the spying activity. However, it will take around a couple of hours to upload the data to your phone since it will need to record some data before monitoring. 

Verdict

I have explored various free spy apps for Android and found the best options for discreet monitoring. You can check my verdict below:

• mSpy: This app is a superior choice if you want to monitor your target’s activity remotely. I noticed that it has an easy-to-use interface, and features like SMS and instant message tracking are remarkable. The real-time GPS tracking and the ability to modify phone settings make it an ideal option.
• Spokeo: Spokeo stands out for its amazing reverse phone number lookup capabilities. It helped me identify spam callers and provide comprehensive background checks.
• ClevGuard: This app is top-notch for monitoring a child’s activity, with features like real-time GPS tracking, social media monitoring, and incognito screen recording. Clevguard’s ability to capture photos and record phone calls secretly makes it an excellent option for parental control.

Best Hidden Spy Apps for Android

Name	Hidden/Remote	Android Versions Supported	Live Demo	Free Trial/Refund Policy	Link
👍 mSpy	Yes	Android 4 and later.	Yes	14-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More
ClevGuard	Yes	Android 4.0 or higher	Yes	30-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More
Spynger	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	No	30-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More
Spokeo	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	Yes	7-Day Trial for $0.95	Learn More
Social Catfish	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	Yes	5-Day Trial for $5.73	Learn More
Spylix	Yes	Supports all Android phones and tablet	Yes	15-Days Money-Back Guarantee	Learn More