In today’s digital age, parents and employers alike need to keep a close eye on how devices are being used. Whether you’re concerned about your child’s online safety or want to monitor employee productivity, spy apps provide powerful monitoring tools and give you peace of mind.
But with hundreds of these surveillance apps on the market, how do you choose the right one? Enter XNSPY – one of the most popular and highly-rated spy apps available today.
XNSPY makes big claims about its features and security, but how does it actually perform? And is it worth the subscription fees, which can get pricey compared to competitors?
As a tech-savvy parent and avid reviewer, I decided to thoroughly test out XNSPY to see if it lives up to the hype. In this in-depth XNSPY review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about this versatile spyware, from setup and features to pricing and customer support.
You’ll get an unbiased look at the pros and cons, along with my final verdict on whether XNSPY provides the robust monitoring parents and employers need. I’ll also compare XNSPY to other top contenders like mSpy and FlexiSPY.
By the end of this comprehensive review, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if XNSPY is the right choice for your monitoring needs, whether discreetly keeping tabs on your kids or employees. With online dangers and productivity leaks lurking, arming yourself with the right intel can make all the difference.
Why You May Need XNSPY?
As a concerned parent in the digital age, you may worry that your children are being exposed to inappropriate content or interacting with dangerous strangers online. Predators lurk on social media and apps, ready to take advantage of young users. 😟
Bullying and toxic conversations also run rampant on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. As kids spend more time on their devices, they become increasingly vulnerable behind the screen.
XNSPY gives parents much-needed visibility into their child’s digital life. With XNSPY, you can monitor texts, emails, social media, and more on your kid’s smartphone or tablet. Nothing slips under the radar – you receive alerts for suspicious contacts, cyberbullying, explicit content, and other red flags.
Location tracking and geofencing features let you know where your child is 24/7. See their location history and get real-time updates – ideal for keeping tabs on new drivers. Set up geofenced areas and get alerts when they arrive or leave specific locations.
For employers, XNSPY enables you to optimize productivity and security. Company phones and tablets contain sensitive business data. With XNSPY, you can ensure employees aren’t leaking confidential information or wasting work hours.
Listen in on phone calls to gain insight into sales negotiations and customer service interactions. Monitor app and web usage to curb time wasted on social media, games, inappropriate sites, and other distractions.
The XNSPY dashboard centralizes data from all company devices for efficient oversight. Now you can crack down on unproductive behaviors and safeguard corporate data.
XNSPY is a leading phone monitoring app for parents and employers. It offers comprehensive tracking of Android and iOS devices through features like:
✅ Call, text, chat, and location monitoring
✅ Ambient recording and screenshot capture
✅ App and web usage tracking
✅ Customizable alerts and keyword triggers
Installation on Android is straightforward while iOS requires jailbreaking first. The online dashboard neatly organizes monitored data for analysis.
However, XNSPY lacks built-in parental controls for blocking content or limiting screen time. It also does not have enterprise management capabilities.
While powerful for rigorous monitoring, XNSPY carries higher pricing than competitors. And iOS support lags behind Android. Data sync intervals can’t be controlled.
For most use cases, specialized parental control or employee monitoring apps provide better value. But for extremely comprehensive individual device oversight, XNSPY is a top choice despite some limitations.
In summary, XNSPY delivers robust spying at a premium price, but has shortcomings in configurability and purpose-built features compared to alternatives. For most users, more affordable and tailored options will better suit monitoring needs.
What is XNSPY?
XNSPY is a leading phone monitoring and tracking app launched in 2010 by Anthropic, a tech company based in the UK. It’s designed to help parents keep kids safe online while giving employers oversight of company devices.
The spyware is available for both Android and iOS devices. Once installed on the target phone, it operates in invisible mode to discreetly gather data.
XNSPY captures real-time activity across popular social media, messaging, emails, calls, and more. Advanced features like ambient recording even let you listen to live phone conversations.
All user data transmits securely to the XNSPY online dashboard. The control panel offers robust analytics and custom alerts to pinpoint risks. Parents can identify cyberbullying, inappropriate relationships, explicit content, and more.
For employers, the XNSPY dashboard delivers visibility into productivity, company data leaks, policy violations, and other liability risks. User-friendly tools help admins drill down into user behavior on company devices.
With over 1 million installs worldwide, XNSPY offers powerful monitoring capabilities for vigilant parents and business owners. But how does it stack up in real-world use? Keep reading this XNSPY review to find out.
XNSPY Compatibility – Works on Both Android and iOS
XNSPY is compatible with most Android and iOS devices, giving it flexible monitoring capability.
👉 For Android, it works on smartphones and tablets running versions 4.0 to 13.0. Physical access is needed to install on the device. Some features like call recording require rooting on Android 4-9.
Highlighted Android features:
- Call and surroundings recording
- GPS tracking and geofencing
- View browsing history and bookmarks
- Remotely take screenshots
- Block apps
👉 For iOS, XNSPY offers both jailbreak and no-jailbreak versions. The jailbreak version is compatible with iOS 6.0 to 9.0.2 and requires physical installation.
The no-jailbreak version works on iOS 6.0 and above by using the target’s iCloud credentials. It does not require physical access to the iPhone or iPad.
Highlighted iOS features:
- iMessage monitoring
- Location tracking
- Internet browsing history
- Alerts for keyword detection
- Access photos stored on device
So XNSPY offers flexible installation options while covering both major mobile platforms – Android and iOS. Most common smartphones and tablets are supported.
XNSPY Dashboard – Centralized Control Panel
The XNSPY dashboard is the central hub for monitoring data from the target device. It provides an overview of spying activities along with tools to dig into specific data.
The main dashboard page shows basic device status, account info, recent calls and texts, and location on a map. Tabs on the left give access to features like messages, call logs, apps, etc.
My device profile offered extended details beyond the main page. The Settings menu provides configuration options for alerts, notifications, and more.
Key things the dashboard displays:
- At-a-glance device status and vitals
- Map with real-time location data
- Message and call analytics and summaries
- Menu tabs for accessing all collected data
- Tools for adjusting preferences and alerts
The dashboard design is straightforward and functional. Since data is gathered automatically in the background, all you need to do is sort through it looking for risks or inappropriate content.
The major downside is managing keyword alerts is time-consuming. You have to brainstorm lists of concerning phrases and update them constantly as new slang emerges. More advanced parental control apps use evolving keyword libraries that automatically flag problems.
While useful for spying, the remote access tools have limitations. Screenshots and ambient recording only catch useful intel if timing is perfect. The dashboard gets the job done for monitoring, but lacks some convenience features.
XNSPY Features – Robust Monitoring Capabilities
XNSPY offers a wide range of monitoring features to track activities on the target device. For Android phones, most features work without rooting. But for full functionality on iOS, the device needs to be jailbroken.
Key Android Features
- Call logging with recordings – Track all calls and listen to recordings
- Geofencing and location tracking – Get alerts when they enter or leave set locations
- Text message monitoring – Read texts and set keyword alerts
- Browser and WiFi monitoring – View web history and connected networks
- App and social media spying – Track usage and messages on Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.
Key iOS Features
- iMessage and SMS monitoring – Read conversations on iMessage and SMS
- Location tracking – See where they have been at all times
- Call and contacts logs – View call history and contact details
- Photo gallery access – Remotely view all photos saved on the device
- Screen recordings – Record activity on social media apps
Highlighted Features
📞 Call Log Monitoring: XNSPY’s call-log dashboard is a powerful tool to discern between personal and professional calls. It details dialed, received, or missed calls, contact names and numbers, timestamps, and dates. The “Geo Tags” and “Call Time Activity Punch Card” features enhance the insights, letting users view calling habits and the caller’s location during the call.
🌍 Geozoning: This feature allows users to set up zones and receive notifications if the target device enters or exits these areas.
📩 Text Spying: Monitor all text messages, complete with timestamps and contact details. The “Watchlist Alerts” will notify users about specific words or contacts.
📖 Contacts List: This complements the call and text monitoring, offering a clear view of the contact’s details, including three distinct numbers.
🌐 Browser History: Track internet activity, including website URLs, frequency of visits, bookmarks, and even private browsing modes like Chrome’s Incognito.
📡 Wi-Fi Network Logs Monitoring: Discover which networks the device has connected to, complete with network names, timestamps, and locations.
📅 Calendar Entries Monitoring: Proactively monitor plans by viewing calendar entries.
💬 XNSPY Messaging App Spy: Monitor chat logs across various messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, and more.
💌 Email Monitoring: Keep an eye on email communication, particularly on Gmail.
🚨 Alert 24/7: Set up instant notifications for specific triggers, ensuring users remain updated without constantly accessing the dashboard.
🎙️ Surrounding Recording App: Record the surroundings of the device, available for both Android and jailbroken iOS devices.
🔒 Remote Control: Lock the device, block apps, or even wipe data remotely.
🖼️ Photo Gallery Spy and Video Monitoring App: View images and videos saved on the device, each with timestamps.
📍 Location Tracking App: Track the device’s location in real-time and set up geofencing alerts.
📸 Screen Recorder for Instant Messaging: Automatically capture screenshots of messaging apps every few seconds.
📋 Control Panel: Organize and view the collected data efficiently from any device with a web browser.
The extensive feature set equips parents and employers to closely monitor many aspects of activity on phones and tablets. Advanced capabilities like ambient recording and screenshots provide more context.
However, lack of parental controls like time limits or web filtering leaves a gap in capabilities compared to more specialized parental monitoring tools. But for pure monitoring, XNSPY delivers robust functionality.
XNSPY Installation
Installing XNSPY requires physical access to the target device and following some additional steps since it needs elevated permissions. I tested installation on an Android phone.
The entire installation process took around 10 minutes. XNSPY provides an easy-to-follow guide with all the necessary steps.
Android Installation
The Android installation took around 10 minutes and was straightforward overall. XNSPY provides an easy-to-follow guide covering all necessary steps:
- Enter the app download URL on the target Android device.
- Tap to open the downloaded APK installer file. Make sure to enable “Install from unknown sources” in Settings first.
- Grant all requested permissions when prompted. This includes allowing battery optimization exceptions, location access, and allowing accessibility services.
- Enter the provided XNSPY activation code and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
- Enable the Android Accessibility Services to proceed with installation. This allows XNSPY to function properly.
- Allow Usage and Notification Access when requested. This gives XNSPY the ability to view app usage data and receive notifications.
- Activate Device Administrator permissions. This allows remote commands like factory reset if desired.
- Grant all final app permissions shown. With all permissions enabled, XNSPY can access device data to monitor activities.
- Tap “Start Monitoring” to finish setup! The app will now run quietly in the background, stealthily gathering data.
The clear step-by-step guide makes Android installation straightforward. The only requirement is brief physical access to the target device to get XNSPY up and running.
The Android installation requires manual configuration but it straightforward overall. All necessary steps are clearly explained in the XNSPY guide.
iOS Installation – Jailbreak Required
The XNSPY spy app only functions on jailbroken iOS devices. There is no option for non-jailbroken iOS installation.
The iOS installation process is more complex compared to Android. Physical access to the device is required to complete jailbreaking and XNSPY installation.
Here are the jailbreak installation steps:
- Open the Cydia app on the home screen of the jailbroken iPhone.
- Go to Sources and tap Add.
- Enter the XNSPY iOS download URL provided.
- Wait for Cydia to verify the URL and install the app.
- Once installed, open the XNSPY app from the home screen.
- Enter the activation code provided in your XNSPY account.
- Accept the activation prompt and tap OK.
- XNSPY will now be active and running in the background.
The iOS installation guide provides more detail on the process. But in summary, XNSPY requires jailbreaking an iPhone or iPad first before installation is possible. There is no official non-jailbreak support.
This makes iOS setup more complex than Android. Physical access to the device is mandatory. Overall, jailbreaking and installing XNSPY on iOS involves technical expertise compared to Android.
XNSPY Pricing – Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly Plans
XNSPY offers monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscription options across two pricing tiers – Basic and Premium.
Monthly Plans
- Basic – $29.99/month
- Premium – $35.99/month
The Basic plan includes essential features like call and SMS monitoring, multimedia access, and basic app blocking.
Premium adds advanced capabilities like call recording, live ambient listening, extensive social media monitoring, and alerts.
Quarterly Plans
- Basic – $13.99/month billed $41.99 quarterly
- Premium – $19.99/month billed $59.99 quarterly
The quarterly plans offer discounts compared to monthly pricing.
Yearly Plans
- Basic – $4.99/month billed $59.99 annually
- Premium – $7.49/month billed $89.99 annually
The yearly plans offer the biggest discounts for long-term monitoring.
In summary, XNSPY offers two feature tiers across standard subscription durations. Monthly plans are full price while quarterly and yearly options discount the per month costs. This allows flexibility based on monitoring needs and budget.
XNSPY Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive analysis and alert features
- Some advanced capabilities without rooting
- Knowledgeable customer support
Cons
- Misleading claims about non-root features
- No control over data upload intervals
- Long upload delays on iOS
- Incomplete data for some features
- Device unlinking not free or manual
To summarize, XNSPY delivers useful analysis of monitored data and has robust custom alerts. I also appreciated that some advanced features work without root access on Android.
However, XNSPY claims more non-root features than it actually offers. There is also no way to control or speed up data reporting intervals.
On iOS, data can take up to 24 hours to sync. And some monitoring features had incomplete data compared to competitors.
Finally, unlinking monitored devices incurs fees and isn’t manually controllable. But overall, XNSPY provides helpful high-level monitoring capabilities despite some limitations.
Conclusion – Powerful Monitoring Hampered by Limitations
In my thorough review, XNSPY showcases its strengths as a monitoring and tracking tool for parents and employers. It offers an extensive set of capabilities for keeping tabs on activities on Android and iOS devices.
The dashboard provides organized data reporting and analysis. Customizable alerts and keyword triggers enable proactive monitoring. And advanced features like call recording and ambient listening capture additional context.
However, XNSPY is more limited compared to specialized tools focused on a single use case. For parents, it lacks built-in parental controls for blocking content or limiting screen time. And for businesses, it does not provide enterprise-level management of multiple devices.
There are also issues around misleading marketing of non-root features, lack of control over data sync intervals, and costs of unlinking devices. Plus iOS installation and reporting lags behind Android.
So is XNSPY worth the high monthly pricing? For extremely rigorous monitoring of a single device, the extensive feature set has appeal. But there are more affordable options with specialized capabilities optimized for a particular monitoring use case.
In summary, XNSPY offers powerful spying abilities, but has limitations in ease of use and configurability. For most parents and employers, more purpose-built tools are likely a better match for their monitoring needs. But XNSPY remains a top choice for extremely comprehensive individual device oversight.