8 Best Tracking Apps for iPhone: Free & Paid Picks Reviewed

A tracking app for your phone often becomes inevitable, requiring the need to search for the best ones. Whether you want to add an extra layer of security as a precaution or wish to track you family’s whereabouts for their safety, tracking apps do it all for you. While it is comparatively easier to monitor Android phones, tracking an iPhone can be challenging. Thus, it is important to choose the best cell phone tracking app for iPhone that takes all your worries away!

We’re compiled the best tracking apps for iPhone in this article so you can select the one that suits your needs and budget the best.

Track iPhone location.

Part 1. Overview of 10 Best Tracking Apps for iPhone

 MsafelySpyXKidsGuard ProSpylixuMobixLife360Google MapsFind My
Tracks location
Requires installationNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo
Requires jailbreakingNoNoOne connection method requires jailbreakingNoNoNoNoNo
Free trial/demoFree demoFree demoFree demoFree demoFree demo7-day free trialFreeFree
Price$8.33/month$11.66/month$9.16/month$8.33/month$12.49/month$14.99/monthFree of costFree of cost
Money back guarantee15 days15 days30 days15 days14 daysComplicated refund policyN/AN/A

Part 2. 8 Best iPhone Tracking Apps: Our Tested Reviews

To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed the eight best cell phone tracking apps for iPhones. These detailed reviews not only discuss the features of each best family tracking app for iPhone but also include their installation requirements and pros and cons. These reviews tell you everything you need to know about the best tracking apps for iPhone.

1. Msafely

Msafely is a parental control app that serves as the best tracking app for iPhone and Android phones. It can help you track real-time location, SMS, calls, photos, videos, browser history, installed apps, iCloud drive, Wi-Fi networks, and whatnot. In addition, you have access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, LINE, WeChat, and Tinder-like apps with website blocking, geofencing, and keylogger features at your fingertips.

Msafely is not only the best tracking app for iPhone in terms of features but also ease of use as it doesn't require jailbreaking, physical access, or installation on any phone. All you need is the person's iCloud credentials, and you can monitor them using your phone remotely without them getting suspicious.

To start tracking with Msafely, go to Msafely's website to create a free account, select your target phone, and choose a suitable plan. Then, connect your target iPhone and start tracking.

Msafely homepage screenshot.

    Pros

    pros

    It tracks real-time location, browser, social media, calls, photos, videos, and more.

    pros

    Works in complete stealth mode.

    pros

    Geofencing, keylogger, and website blocker.

    pros

    No app installation or jailbreaking requirements.

    pros

    No physical access required.

    Cons

    pros

    No free trial.

2. SpyX

SpyX is the best cell phone tracking app for iPhone that you need to track your children's activities. From SMS, calls, media, locations, and browser history to installed apps, WhatsApp, LINE, Messenger, Snapchat, WeChat, and Kik, SpyX can track every possible activity performed on your target iPhone.

Like Msafely, SpyX only needs your target iPhone's iCloud credentials, with no jailbreaking requirements. Moreover, it doesn't need to be installed in your target iPhone, so you will not need physical access.

Here's how you can set up your SpyX account: Go to the website, create an account, and select your target device type, which, in this case, is iOS. Then choose a subscription plan, log in to your account, enter your target phone's iCloud credentials, verify it, and let's go tracking.

SpyX homepage screenshot.

    Pros

    pros

    It monitors location, social media, Wi-Fi networks, emails, browser history, etc.

    pros

    Tracks location through GPS.

    pros

    Jailbreaking is not required.

    pros

    No app installation means no physical access is necessary.

    pros

    Works in hidden mode.

    Cons

    pros

    No free trial.

    pros

    Needs physical access and app installation in some cases.

    pros

    The price is a bit higher compared to competitors.

3. KidsGuard Pro

KidsGuard Pro is the best phone tracking app for iPhone that offers three different connection methods, each offering a unique set of features. These three connection methods are: iCloud, Jailbreak, and USB. Other than the jailbreaking method, the other two don't require jailbreaking. Plus, the software doesn't ask to install the app on the phone.

While an iCloud connection gives access to photos, videos, locations, contacts, calendars, notes, and reminders, the jailbreaking connection provides access to extra features like SMS, calls, browser, Wi-Fi, and screenshots. In contrast to these two methods, the USB connection offers most of these features along with social media apps such as WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat, etc.

To track your kid's iPhone with KidsGuard Pro, first sign up for an account, then subscribe to a plan and select the target device, i.e., iPhone. Once done, follow the remaining prompts and start monitoring right after.

KidsGuard Pro homepage screenshot.

    Pros

    pros

    Three different connection methods.

    pros

    Tracks location.

    pros

    Offers extensive tracking features.

    Cons

    pros

    One method requires jailbreaking.

    pros

    Expensive plans than other tracking apps.

    pros

    No free trial.

4. Spylix

Spylix has earned its place in our list of the best tracking apps for iPhone, primarily because of the simple connection through iCloud. It helps you track your target iPhone's photos, videos, locations, notes, and events. Plus, it needs no jailbreaking.

Setting up an account is simple: a free sign-up followed by prompts for subscribing and then

connecting Spylix on the target phone; that's all.

Spylix homepage screenshot

    Pros

    pros

    It tracks locations, photos, and videos.

    pros

    No jailbreaking required.

    pros

    Simple set-up process.

    Cons

    pros

    Very few iPhone tracking features.

    pros

    Sub-par customer service.

    pros

    Needs physical access to the target phone in some cases.

    pros

    No free trial.

5. uMobix

uMobix is another excellent tracker app for iPhone, offering a wide range of tracking features, including location, downloaded files, browser history, apps, and activities, by installing an app on the target iPhone.

Moreover, if you log in to the person's iCloud account, you'll get access to their messages, camera, calls, Wi-Fi, calendars, and notes.

However, if you want to monitor social media, you'll need to log in to their specific social media account (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Tinder, etc.) together with their iCloud.

Compared to other iPhone tracking apps, the process with uMobix is a bit more complicated. To use all its monitoring features, you'll first need to get the target iPhone and install the app. After installation, you'll have to enter the target iPhone’s iCloud account and password in the uMobix dashboard, along with the login details for each social media account.

uMobix homepage screenshot.

    Pros

    pros

    Tracks location with other excellent monitoring features.

    pros

    No jailbreaking required.

    Cons

    pros

    The APK method needs physical access and app installation.

    pros

    Social media access requires account credentials for specific apps.

    pros

    Expensive subscription plans.

    pros

    No free trial.

6. Life360

Life360 is the best family tracking app for iPhones available online. The app effortlessly connects all family members in a group to track each other's locations at any given time. However, you need your target phone's access to install the app and set it up for location tracking.

Life360 not only tracks location but also provides road safety, emergency assistance, and crash detection features. In addition, the strong SOS alert feature works best to inform the family in any emergency. Not to forget the 7-day free trial and free Life360 plans that help you see how the app really works.

Life360 homepage screenshot.

    Pros

    pros

    Tracks location at all times.

    pros

    SOS alerts and crash detection.

    pros

    Location history tracking.

    Cons

    pros

    Target phone must have a stable internet connection.

    pros

    Needs physical access and app installation.

    pros

    Not discreet.

7. Google Maps

If you're looking for the best app to track iPhone from Android for free, Google Maps is your ultimate best option. You can track your target person's location without spending a single penny. The best part about using Google Maps is that it doesn't need jailbreaking.

There is only one thing you need to do: Get access to the target phone, install Google Maps, and add your account to the location-sharing contacts. Once done, you can track your target person's real-time location from anywhere.

Google Maps logo.

    Pros

    pros

    Free of cost.

    pros

    Tracks real-time location.

    pros

    No jailbreaking is required.

    pros

    Easy connection method.

    Cons

    pros

    No other monitoring features.

    pros

    Needs physical access to target iPhone.

    pros

    Doesn't work secretly.

8. Find My

Find My is the best tracking app for iPhone free of cost, as it is built-in iOS software. This eventually means no installation or jailbreaking is required to use it for location tracking. With Find My, you can remotely track your target iPhone's real-time location at all times. However, other than location, you cannot track any activity on your target iPhone.

Go to Find My on your phone and create a family plan and your children's iPhones in it. Then, get your child's phone and enable the Find My feature in the app. That's all; you can now track your children's physical presence by clicking on their profile in your Find My app.

Find My app homepage screenshot.

    Pros

    pros

    Tracks real-time location and location history.

    pros

    Free of cost.

    pros

    Built-in iOS software.

    pros

    No jailbreaking or app installation is required.

    Cons

    pros

    Needs physical access to target phone.

    pros

    No other tracking features.

    pros

    Doesn't work secretly.

    pros

    The target phone must have an active internet connection.

Part 3. Key Factors When Choosing the Best Tracking App for iPhone

Understanding the features, pros, and cons of these tracking apps can help you only when you know what you are exactly looking for. Consider these key factors when choosing the best cell phone tracking app for iPhone:

  • Compatibility

When looking for a tracking app for an iPhone particularly, it is important to check if it is compatible with your phone. Some apps may be compatible with the older iOS versions, but might not work well with the latest ones. Similarly, some apps may not work with iPhone at all. So, checking the software’s compatibility is the most important factor when subscribing to a phone tracker.

  • Download and working mode

Usually parents wish to install tracking apps on their children’s phone without informing them when they are being too secretive. However, an app that shows an icon among others can bust your plan. When looking for the best app to track iPhone from Android for free or with a paid subscription, it is best to choose one that does not require downloading. Yes, some apps allow you to connect the target phone directly via cloud without installing the app. Most tracking apps work in stealth mode, without the icon appearing on the screen.

  • Installation method

All apps that require installation on the target phone are not easy to download and install – some require jailbreaking or rooting. You must remember that rooting and jailbreaking and compromise the security of your phone, leading to an increased risk of data theft. Avoid opting for apps that require any of these, and choose those that work without damaging the phone.

  • Additional features

While you can find numerous apps that allow you to track an iPhone online, one with the best additional features is no less than a lottery. All of the above-mentioned apps have some specific features to help you keep an eye on your child’s activity beyond the real-time location. Besides options like social media monitoring, some apps also offer screen recording and access to browser history. Think of what you’re interested in, and select an app that caters to all of those.

  • Budget

We may not often admit it openly, but the budget is the primary deciding factor when subscribing to a tracking app. Some people might want to start with a free tool, while others wish to get the best. You may stretch your budget a little for the best family tracking app for iPhone, but going over-the-board can be hard. Thus, the most ideal way to approach this is to set a budget range and short-list a few apps within that range. Then, look at the features and finalize the one that meets your criteria the best.

Considering the factors above and based on my personal experience, here are my ratings for these 8 iPhone tracking apps:

iPhone tracking appsRating
Msafely⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SpyX⭐⭐⭐⭐
KidsGuard Pro⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spylix⭐⭐⭐
uMobix⭐⭐⭐
Life360⭐⭐
Google Maps
Find My

Part 4. How to Use the Best Tracking App for iPhone

The majority of the best tracking apps for iPhone have an easy-to-use and navigate user interface to ensure people of all ages can use it to protect their family or retrieve a lost phone.

However, some might be complicated and require clicking on multiple icons and menu options to get to the tracking part.

Msafely is not only easy to register, but using the app is also incredibly simple. Check the steps here:

Step 1. Sign up for a free Msafely account with your valid email.

Sign up for a free account using a valid email address..

Step 2. Choose the device type you want to monitor. Here, select iPhone. If you want to monitor Android devices, such as Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc., please choose the Android option.

Choose the target device.

Step 3. Choose a suitable subscription plan. And connect the phone you want to monitor with your registered account.

Step 4. Go to your Msafely Control Panel to start tracking the target device.

iPhone user demo of Msafely.

Part 5. FAQs about Best Tracking App for iPhone

Q1. Can I track someone’s location in real time using a tracking app?

While some tracking apps fail to deliver real-time updates, you can track someone’s location in real time you pick the best tracking app for iPhone.

Q2. Can tracking apps run in the background without being noticed?

Yes, most tracking apps work in stealth mode. It means that they leave no trace on the target phone. Yet, they can be detected using other software or by monitoring changes in the phone’s performance.

Q3. Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to use a tracking app?

Jailbreaking may not be necessary. Some iPhone tracking apps require you to jailbreak the target device,

but many do not, such as Msafely, SpyX, Google Maps, and others.

Q4. Is my data safe when using a tracking app?

Most credible and reputed phone tracking apps ensure data safety and end-to-end encryption to avoid data breach. However, they might require access to phone apps to work properly, without risking your data.

Q5. Do I need physical access to the iPhone to install a tracking app?

Unfortunately, many apps require physical access to the target phone to install a tracking app. But the good news is that some apps like Msafely do not need downloading on the target device. You can track your child’s iPhone hassle-free with Msafely in stealth mode.

Part 6. Conclusion

Kids today want to live on their own rules and do not like informing their parents of their activities and whereabouts. In such situations, as parents, it is natural to look for ways to ensure their safety. A tracking app for iPhone can help you keep a close eye on your children, even when they’re away. The best tracking app for iPhone also comes handy when you lose your phone. When getting a tracking app, consider all the factors we’ve mentioned, and choose the best from the top ones, depending on your requirements.