Mobile phones have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. No longer are they thick with monochrome displays; in fact, most of the modern models utilize touch screen technology- something that was unheard of back in the 90’s!
Not only has that changed, but feature-wise the possibilities have also grown to be endless. Before, you were lucky to have a few decent games on your phone; nowadays, you can download a variety of apps- from heart rate monitors to RPG games directly from the online store. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if less and less people were using them for actual phone calls- if anything, most individuals have moved onto texting (and with how convenient it is, who can blame them?)
What are Smart Phones Capable of Nowadays?
Chances are, most of you are already familiar with what a smart phone can do. But did you know that they can be used to to do the following?
- Scan lottery tickets
- Remote control a desktop client (i.e. you can control your PC from elsewhere as long as you’re in range of your WiFi network)
- Tune your guitar (or any other instrument, really)
- Check remote controls for dead batteries
The point is, their capabilities have grown tremendously- a better question to ask is probably, “What can’t they do?”
The Dangers of Smart Phones
Still, there is another side to the coin- that is, as awesome as they are, there are associated risks that come along with the smart phone’s shiny features. For instance, security has become somewhat of an issue. Seeing as how most devices are now connected to the web, it’s not surprising to know that malware is a thing. We’ve listed some other common concerns with smart phones below.
- In-app purchases can be made when playing games without parents noticing
- Some apps can expose children to online predators
- Texting while driving
- Online bullying through social media
As you can see, most of the dangers are associated with the fact that one can easily access the internet with a smart phone. In the end, the ease with which one can access the web proves to be a double-edged sword.
What can we do about it?
Fortunately for us, there are many precautions that we can take to avoid the above from happening. For instance, there are several softwares out there that allow you to track a phone remotely. On this page in particular, we will be taking a look at Fonemonitor.
What is Fonemonitor?
An efficient monitoring software, FoneMonitor can easily be used to “spy” on both iOS and Android devices. Not only can it be used to track social media applications such as Instagram and Facebook, but it also records data such as location, browser history, call log, and more.
Seeing as how it’s generally frowned upon to spy on a spouse, the software is mostly used by parents who’d like to keep a closer eye on their younger children. In some cases, companies may also make use of Fonemonitor to keep track of an employee’s work phone.
Fonemonitor’s Main Features
What exactly is the software capable of? Well, to get the best idea I think you should check out the demo here. That said here are some of the main features!
Tracking Installed Apps
Wondering if any new apps have been installed to the device? Now you can easily find out through the control panel.
Accessing WhatsApp
For those who are unfamiliar with WhatsApp, it’s a popular app that allows for online texting and phone calls. With FoneMonitor, you can easily see the contents of one’s WhatsApp conversations.
Spying on iMessages
Similar to WhatsApp, the program can be used to spy on iMessages on iOs devices.
Spying on Phone Calls
Curious to know whether or not any phone calls have been made? You can easily find up through the FoneMonitor app.
Monitoring Browser History
What websites are visited? With the program, the device’s browser history can be viewed through the control panel.
Checking Downloaded Photos
By logging into the FoneMonitor control panel, you can see exactly what photos have been downloaded to the Android/iOS device.
Compatible with both Android and iOS
The software can be used to monitor both iOS and Android mobile devices. For the monitoring platform, simply login through any web browser!
Remotely Read Text Messages
With Fonemonitor, you can easily read and keep track of text messages remotely on iOS and Android devices.
Good Way to Keep Your Kids Safe
By tracking and monitoring your children’s phone activities, you can take it easy knowing that what they’re doing is safe.
Track GPS Location
Need to track a location? No problem- the software can easily track a device’s GPS location with the press of a button.
Track Up to 29 Types of Data
You can easily track up to 29 different types of data (e.g. text logs, phone logs, GPS location, etc.) at one time.
How to use FoneMonitor for an Android Phone
Before you can get started, there are three things that you need to do beforehand:
1.) Register for an account on FoneMonitor.com
2.) Install the FoneMonitor App on the target Android device (e.g. phone, tablet)
From there, all you need to do is login to the FoneMonitor platform through a web browser to view the monitored data
Note: To access all of FoneMonitor’s features, you will need to purchase the premium or ultimate editions.
- Premium FoneMonitor:$29.99 per month, $39.99 for 3 months, or $89.99 for 1 year
- Ultimate FoneMonitor:$39.99 per month, $49.99 for 3 months, or $99.99 for 1 year
Instructions on How to Use FoneMonitor for an Android Device
1.) Register for a Fonemonitor account by clicking on “Sign Up” on their main page.
2.) Install the FoneMonitor app on the target device. A setup wizard will guide you through the necessary steps.
3.) On the target Android device, go to the “Security” menu by clicking on “Settings.” You’ll want to check off “Unknown sources: allow installation of apps from sources other than the play store” under “Device Administration.” Click “OK” if you get a confirmation pop-up window.
4.) Download and install the FoneMonitor app.
5.) Launch the app and login with your account. Grant the app permission, and press “Start Monitoring.” By doing so, the app icon will be hidden so that it cannot be found directly by the device’s owner.
6.) You can now view the monitored data either from a web browser or through the control panel app.
Instructions on How to Use FoneMonitor for an iOS Device
1.) Sign up for a Fonemonitor account through their main page.
2.) Upon registering you’ll be prompted to fill in some information about the iOS device that you’d like to monitor.
3.) Input and verify the device’s iCloud ID and password. Be sure to double check that the iCloud backup/syncing has been activate.
4.) After verification, you can start monitoring on the device from the control panel.
Note: Unlike Android devices, which require installing the FoneMonitor app on the target phone, you do not need to install it for an iOS device. Instead, make sure access to the iCloud account has been granted.
FoneMonitor Pros and Cons
On the fence on whether or not to try FoneMonitor? To help you with your decision, we’ve compiled a list of some of its pros and cons.
FoneMonitor Pros
- Can be used to track both Android and iOS devices
- App interface is user-friendly and easy-to-use
- Effectively tracks phone/app activities
- Tracking can be done from both a web browser and the app
- An easy way to keep up with what your children are up to on the phone
FoneMonitor Cons
- Subscription plans can be pricey
While it’s true that the software isn’t free, its many features make up for it.
What do Users Have to Say About FoneMonitor?
Though there aren’t too many reviews on the app, those who have used it are satisfied with the program. That is, FoneMonitor does exactly what it’s supposed to- it effectively tracks app and phone activities.
FoneMonitor vs Other Phone Monitoring Programs
As you can probably expect, there are several other monitoring apps that allow parents to monitor one’s phone activities. For instance, there’s the mSpy, Highster Mobile, and iKeyMonitor, to name a few. While they’re all solid options however, most of them cater toward a single operating system (either iOS or Android).
In terms of pricing, most, if not all of the monitoring programs do require some sort of purchase, whether it’s a monthly subscription fee or a one-off fee.
Here’s a price comparison of some of the other phone monitoring programs:
Highster Mobile: ~$180 one time fee
mSpy: $92.99 per month or $264.99 for a year
iKeyMonitor: $49.99 per month
FoneMonitor: $29.99 per month (down from $39.99 at the time of this writing) or $89.99 per year
As you can see, FoneMonitor is one of the more affordable options out there when it comes to monitoring phone activity.
FoneMonitor: Our Verdict
If you’re in need of a phone monitoring service, FoneMonitor is definitely worth considering. Not only is it affordable at only $29.99 per month, but it packs a number of features such as the abilities to see WhatsApp messages and browser history.
Easy to use, both downloading and installing the app is a breeze. If you’re still on the fence, why not give it a try for one month? You can always extend your subscription afterward!
So, Should I Use FoneMonitor?
FoneMonitor might be a good option if you…
- are looking for something that can track/spy on both Android and iOs devices
- are looking for an affordable monitoring option
- are wanting to monitor your children’s phone/tablet activities
- are looking to monitor your employee’s work phone activities
- are looking for something that’s straight forward and easy-to-use
Where can I Download FoneMonitor?
You can download a free trial of FoneMonitor on their official website here.
Note: To make use of all the features that it offers, you will need to purchase a premium account. You can view the different subscription plans here.
