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At some point, parents should use a parental control app to monitor their child’s Android cell phone. Parental control applications are highly useful whether parents want to prevent cyberbullying or their child got their first cell phone. Below, we discuss what these apps are and list the best Android parental controls apps on the market.
What Is A Parental Control App?
A parental control application can be used to track a child’s smartphone activity and control what they have access to. Parents are able to see activities including texts, private messaging, web browsing history, social media, photos, videos, and more! These apps also enable parents to block certain applications and websites they don’t want their child accessing. On the market, there are many control applications with different features and price points.
Categories We Used To Choose The Best Android Parental Controls Apps
- Cost
The question we asked ourselves regarding cost was, will a parent be able to afford this app? Parents are often on a tight budget and we took this into consideration when choosing the top Android parental control apps.
- Features
The applications we chose needed to have the essential features a parent would need to monitor their child’s phone. This includes tracking a child’s phone activities, blocking apps and other content, and being undetectable.
- Compatibility
App compatibility is a major component we addressed when looking at parental control apps. All of the applications needed to be able to work on all Android smartphone models and operating systems, new and old.
- Ease of Use
We made sure that the parental control applications chosen were easy to use and could be understood by everyone including non-tech-savvy parents.
- Reviews
Taking current customers into consideration, we looked at control app reviews. Did users like it? What were the pros and cons? What’s the most highly-rated app by customers?
Top 5 Parental Control Apps For Android
PhoneSpector
PhoneSpector is new to the market but has proven itself to be one of the best Android parental control apps. It’s easy to use, has the features many parents are looking for, and includes a 30-day money back guarantee.
An added bonus is that this app is invisible, so your child will never find out you’re monitoring them!
Features:
- Monitor all incoming and outgoing calls, texts, and emails.
- View the applications on an Android phone.
- Access private messaging apps like WhatsApp, Kik, and Skype.
- See the websites they’re visiting.
- Know the phone’s real-time GPS location.
Compatibility:
- Samsung, Motorola, LG, and HTC devices
- Android 3 – 9 operating systems
Price: $69.99 (One Time Payment)
McAfee Safe Family
McAfee has made a name for itself as selling the top antivirus software. However, it has other products to help protect the home including its McAfee Safe Family product. This parental control software doesn’t just focus on monitoring Android smartphones, but all tech devices used in the household.
The only downsides I found with this product are that it requires high-speed internet and is expensive.
Features:
- Monitor device activity.
- Filter websites and block device apps.
- Create “Time-Outs” when kids can’t use their devices.
- Track a device’s location.
Compatibility: Android 4.4 and higher
Price: $99.00 for the first year
Auto Forward
Auto Forward is an all-around great control app many parents have relied on. It’s efficient at collecting phone data, compatible with the latest Android devices, and is super easy to use.
With the price and features included with this product, Auto Forward is hard to beat.
Features:
- Can backup a phone’s data.
- The app’s undetectable and invisible.
- Tracks a smartphone’s calls, texts, emails, photos, social media, and more!
- Receive web search alerts.
- Remotely lock the phone from anywhere.
Compatibility:
- Samsung, Google Pixel, HTC, LG, Motorola and Other Major Android Devices
- Operating Systems: Android 3 – 9
Price: $69.99 (One Time Payment)
Norton Family Premier
Just like McAfee, Norton is reputable and known for its many security products. Norton Family Premier is similar to McAfee Safe Family but it’s more affordable. Plus, this app allows you to securely send notes back and forth. However, some features of this product such as social media supervision and personal information protection are not available on the Android app.
Features:
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- Time, search, video, app, text, location, and web phone supervision.
- Can instantly lock the phone.
- Send notes back and forth within the application.
Compatibility: Android 4 or later
Price: $49.99 for the first year
Highster Mobile
Highster Mobile rounds up our list of the best parental control apps for Android. This application does everything from monitoring a phone’s activities to backing up phone files.
Here’s what one mother had to say about this product:
“Highster Mobile has been a life saver! My teenage daughter is super secretive and doesn’t share anything with me anymore. With this app, I’m now able to know what she’s up to without seeming invasive.”
Features:
- Remotely monitor phone activities undetected.
- Backup all phone files (even deleted text messages).
- View a phone’s applications including Facebook Messenger and Viber.
- Locate where the phone is.
Compatibility:
- Motorola, HTC, LG, Samsung, Google Pixel, and Other Android Smartphones.
- Operating Systems: Android 3 – Honeycomb through Android 9 – Pie
Price: $69.99 (One Time Payment)
Hopefully, this article helped you find the best Android parental control app to meet your needs. Learn more about other ways to protect your child on Safeguarde.com.