Smartphone monitoring apps are a special category of apps where a handful of services dominate the market. That being said, it is still difficult to choose between the limited options because almost all the apps seem familiar. However, this is not the case. If you are confused about which app you should go for, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will review one of the top smartphone monitoring apps called XNSPY. We will identify the price and compatibility options for the service, and review in detail the features available with it. Furthermore, we will also detail how to install and use the app, before listing some important pros and cons. Before we proceed though, bear in mind that smartphone monitoring apps are designed for legal use only. You must obtain the consent of the other party before you install the app as not doing so is typically illegal. Parents seeking to monitor their children are an exception to this rule.
XNSPY
XNSPY smartphone monitoring app has become a well-known platform over the past couple of years. This is primarily because it offers competitive pricing, in-demand features, and an effective alerts-based system. Most users have ranked the app amongst the most reliable subscription-based services they have used.
Can I install it on my phone?
You do not have to worry about compatibility because XNSPY supports all Android phones running on OS versions above 4.0. Similarly, iOS devices using versions above 6.0 are compatible with the app.
How much does it cost?
We were quite surprised to discover the XNSPY is widely ranked among the most affordable smartphone monitoring apps. For example, the basic version of the app costs USD 4.99 per month but does not offer all features. The full-function package, the premium version, comes in at USD 7.49 a month. This is far cheaper than many other apps that we have reviewed whose cost ran up to a hundred dollars!
What kind of features does XNSPY offer?
XNSPY has a comprehensive array of features that make it suitable for use in a wide variety of contexts. Let’s take a look at some of these features and evaluate their utility.
- Call tracking
XNSPY can monitor all incoming, outgoing, and missed calls. This information is organized in a detailed call log that lists the date, time, and call duration as well. Moreover, you can also remotely record telephone conversations and download the recordings. Unlike some apps though, XNSPY cannot intercept on-going calls.
- GPS tracking
With this feature, XNSPY can monitor the location of the device. The GPS tracking occurs in real-time, so you can see exactly where they are, and where they are headed. Location history can also highlight their previous positions. Moreover, XNSPY has a geofencing solution too. You can fence any area on Google Maps, and the app will immediately notify the moment they violate the geofence. This is a very useful feature for parents who don’t want their kids to go to a dangerous street.
- IM/Social media monitoring
Instant messaging and social media apps are becoming a core part of our socializing process. While XNSPY can help you view SMS/MMS, their utility in this day and age is declining. The app can view messages and multimedia files exchanged via popular platforms such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, Tinder, LINE, Kik, and others. This is an indispensable feature, particularly for parents who want to keep track of who their child is talking to.
- Online activities
XNSPY can track all online activities such as web browsing history, bookmarked pages, and emails. However, one major disadvantage of the app is that it does not have a content filtering tool. As a result, parents will have to use a different app for this purpose. Fortunately, most such programs are free of cost, so it should not be a cause for concern.
- Multimedia & app management
You can use this feature to view all multimedia files saved on the phones such as photos, videos, and audio files, along with calendar entries. Similarly, you can also view all apps installed on the phone, and block any app with the click of a button. Parents seeking to limit inappropriate or excessive use will likely find this feature to be quite useful.
- Remote control
The app can be used to remotely control the smartphone. For example, you can view all saved contacts, take screenshots, turn on the microphone, and lock the device. You can even delete all data to protect privacy in case of theft.
- Instant alerts
We were highly impressed with the instant alert feature because many apps promise such a function but fail to deliver in practice. With XNSPY, you have three dedicated watch lists. You can add anything to the words watch list, the locations watch list, or the contacts watch list. XNSPY will notify you the moment it detects activity related to your entries. For example, the app will alert you if there is any communication with a contact number you have added to the related list. This is a highly useful feature that keeps you informed on the go.
- Additional features
XNSPY has a couple of other important features as well. These include a keylogger, a Wi-Fi logger, and device-use reports. The reports can be generated via the control panel, and include information such as the most-visited website or calls with the longest durations.
How to use XNSPY
Before learning about how to use XNSPY, you must bear the requirements in mind. For example, you need to physically access the Android phone to install the app, and all monitoring afterward is done remotely. On the other hand, you need the Apple ID/password of the iPhone you want to monitor.
You need to use the XNSPY control panel if you want to use any of the aforementioned features. To do so, you must log in to your XNSPY account. You will get a username and password when you subscribe to the service. Select the phone you want to monitor from the “My Devices” option. The page will then take you to the control panel. Browse to the left side and you will see a menu bar with drop-down options. You can access all phone data and use remote control options through this menu. Besides, you can renew your subscriptions, and toggle on/off features via the settings option at the bottom of the list. One thing that we disliked about this process was that it is quite difficult to find your way around the control panel, particularly for specific features such as watch list alerts.
Now that we have considered all relevant details, let us wrap up our review by identifying some of the most important advantages and disadvantages of the service.
XNSPY Advantages and disadvantages
For
- XNSPY scores top marks on the affordability scale.
- The alerts based features are incredibly valuable and work superbly.
- The app is flexible enough for daily use since you can simply turn off any feature that is not required.
Against
- You may have to root/jailbreak the phone if you want to use some features.
- The app does not have a content filtering tool.
- It can take a while before you wrap your head around the control panel.
Here’s a quick look at XNSPY.
| XNSPY | Quick info |
| Price | USD 4.99 for basic; USD 7.49 for premium. |
| Compatibility | +4.0 for Android; +6.0 for iOS. |
| Telecommunications | Call logs, call recording, SMS, and MMS. No call interception feature. |
| GPS | Real-time location tracking, location history, and geofencing solution. |
| IM/Social media | Messages and multimedia files exchanged via commonly used apps of this nature. |
| Online activity | Web browsing history, emails, bookmarked pages. No content filtering available. |
| Multimedia | Photos, videos, audio, and calendar entries. |
| Remote control | App management, phone lock, screenshots, surround-recording, data deletion. |
| Instant alerts | Available for contacts, words, and locations. |
| Miscellaneous features | Keylogger, Wi-Fi logger, device-use reports. |
