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Writer's pictureGuest Contributor
Jul 26 min read

Spy Apps for Couples to Track Location, Phone, and Online Activity

by Adriana Arias

Spy apps are commonly used by parents to monitor their children’s activity and ensure their safety.

They might also be used by businesses to track employee activity. However, in today’s world, they are also becoming more commonly used by couples. They can be used to build trust or, in the worst-case scenarios, to determine whether a partner is having an affair or doing something illegal. Here’s a look at spy apps that are popular among couples.


SHOULD YOU USE SPY APPS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

According to Tech and SaaS expert Nick Saraev, spy apps give one the ability to remotely and discreetly access another device, like a mobile phone. They can be used to track that device’s online and offline activities. There are plenty of these apps available for major OS platforms like Android, though the best spy apps for Android usually require paid services.


These services can include location tracking, activity logging, and even contact detail lookup. Before installing any spy app, you should consider whether it’s right for your relationship. It probably isn’t the best move if you’re in a new relationship, and it isn’t advisable to bring it up early on in a relationship. However, if you’re in a longer-term relationship, there are reasons why one or both partners might want to consider the use of these apps.


If your partner has a history of straying, spy software can enable you to make sure they’re not repeating such habits. Some people struggle with deep-seated trust issues that may stem from previous relationships and their experiences in them. It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t trust you specifically, but letting them have access to your whereabouts can settle some of the anxiety associated with these issues.

Related articles: 5 Best Personal Safety Apps


On the other hand, knowing your partner’s whereabouts can be good for keeping safe, especially if you live in a dangerous neighborhood. This is also useful if your partner has a potentially dangerous job or if either of you has hobbies or pastimes that involve precarious activities like remote hiking or mountain climbing.


The key to using these apps is trust. They can build trust, but if you abuse spy apps, they can also destroy trust or, in extreme cases, even result in legal issues. Because of this, except in cases where you’re trying to determine whether your partner is cheating, it’s always a good idea to have both partners’ permission before using spy apps.


LOCATION-TRACKING SOFTWARE

Location-tracking apps are the most commonly used spy apps for couples. Again, such apps are probably not something you’d ever want to bring up on a first coffee date. However, these apps are also commonly used by parents to monitor where their children are and what they’re doing. These apps use the same GPS hardware and software that your phone uses to offer directions and other location-based services. They usually offer real-time information, although there may be a lag of a few seconds with some software.


Google Maps and Find My are two of the most commonly used location-tracking apps. Both offer free services but generally require the permission of both parties to work. A better alternative that uses GPS to track a live, online mobile number is Geotracker.mobi. It is a little expensive and requires the other party’s permission, which is given by clicking the link in a text message, but it offers very accurate data. Geotracker.mobi is an Android app, so it won’t work on iPhones.


PHONE ACTIVITY SPYING

Knowing your partner’s location might not be enough to put your mind at ease. Tracking and monitoring their phone activity is a sure way to determine whether they’re up to something behind your back. Text messages, phone calls, and even social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger can harbor illicit conversations and provide precise details of what somebody is getting up to.

Related articles: How to Catch a Cheater


This type of software is sometimes used on business devices, as well as by parents to monitor their child’s activity, but it can also be used to monitor a partner’s activity. mSpy is a mobile monitoring tool that enables you to keep an eye on somebody’s phone activity while also offering geolocation tracking features like geofencing alerts.


Geofencing means you can receive alerts if the phone moves into or out of specific zones. Other features enable you to access photos and messages and even see what apps and software have been installed. However, the app does require full root access for installation and use. It has a monthly subscription, but there is a free demo version that will let you get a better idea of its features and benefits.

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SpyBubble Pro is another premium app that enables you to check the content on a person’s phone. However, it stands out because it makes it possible to look at deleted and altered content. If somebody attempts to hide their activity by deleting messages or call data, it can be very difficult to locate these just by accessing the phone. SpyBubble Pro makes it possible to monitor the activity of even the most tech-savvy and deceitful user. It even provides alerts if the phone user changes their SIM card. However, it doesn’t offer location tracking.


CONTACT TRACING APPS

Some partners might attempt to hide affairs or other activities by claiming phone calls are work-related or that they’re just messaging friends. Even if you have determined they are sending inappropriate content to somebody, you won’t necessarily know who they are, especially if the contact has been saved under an alias.


Spokeo is a contact detection app. It can trace email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details, performing a reverse lookup to identify the true identity of a specific contact. It can also be used to prevent falling for scams and for other personal online security requirements, or to find court records related to the person, so it can be useful for people who are worried their partners are up to no good. The app won’t spy on phone activity, though, so you will either need to use it in conjunction with another app or use it to look up a suspicious contact detail you already have access to.


ONLINE ACTIVITY TRACKING

Social media has a lot of benefits and viable uses. It is great for keeping in touch with friends and family, as well as for finding new and entertaining content. However, it’s also being increasingly used by people looking to start and pursue extramarital relationships or to cheat on partners. Users tend to think it is more discreet than text messages and phone calls, and it is indeed more difficult to track a person’s social media messages.


uMobix is a user-friendly Android app that has a host of useful spying features. It has a keylogger, so it can be used to gain usernames and passwords for social media sites and other accounts. In today’s world, online activities vary from shopping to social media and new-age trends like crypto gambling.


It can be used to look at deleted content, so it is useful for monitoring more savvy phone users, and its keylogging features can even be used to monitor Snapchat conversations. Finally, it enables you to activate the microphone and even the video camera of a device, so you can find out exactly what your partner is up to at any time.


There are plenty of reasons a person might need to spy on their partner or track their location and activity. As well as determining whether they are having an affair, other less controversial reasons include being able to ensure their well-being or determining whether they are taking part in any illegal activity. The apps above represent some of the best spy apps for use by couples, that monitor location, activity, and even content that has been deleted from phones.

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