Top 8 iPhone monitoring apps for parents to choose from

Apple devices have been dominating the market, with an ever-increasing user base day by day. People from all walks of life prefer using iPhones due to their better security and multiple other features. In addition to adults, iPhones are equally popular with children. That’s why parents are usually in search of iPhone monitoring apps for parents. 

Responsible parents are usually concerned about their children’s safe phone usage. They don’t want their children to see content that’s not appropriate for their age groups. While you may find hundreds of parental control apps on the internet, you may always wonder which app offers solutions for all of your worries at an affordable price. 

This article will discuss the top parental control apps for iPhones that parents can use to ensure that their kids use their phones safely and securely. We will also compare those apps so that it is easy for you to choose the best option. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of the app that’s best for you and your kids according to your preferences. 

Why do parents need monitoring apps?

As parents, it is our prime duty to ensure the safety and promote our children’s healthy development. At the same time, it’s hard to stop the young generation from using smart devices, as they need to stay relevant in today’s world. Regardless of the methods you prefer, the goal remains the same: keeping your kids safe, informed, and empowered in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The following are some of the top reasons why parents need monitoring apps: 

Managing the screen time

Mobile devices offer a world of options for kids and adults, to the point that they can become addictive. This is especially true with the children. They may not feel it or know what addiction is. Parents must take steps to avoid this issue and help kids build healthy lifestyles. 

A study by the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) found that between 2021 and 2023, more than 50% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 spent more than four hours daily on screens. Among them, approximately 27.1% experienced anxiety or depression symptoms (25.9%) in the past 2 weeks. In contrast, among teens who spent less than 4 hours per day on screens, the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was 12.3% and 9.5%, respectively.

Monitoring social media and interactions

Responsible parents always want to know about their children’s activities and friends circle. Monitoring apps help parents stay updated on the conversations and social interactions their children have, so they can offer advice to their children based on their needs.

Location tracking & Geo-fencing

One of the most common points of worry for parents is knowing about the locations their kids visit. However, they cannot go with their children to all the places. That’s why parents want an app that does this job for them. 

Filtering inappropriate content

A phone with an internet connection opens a world of possibilities for users. That applies to children, too. Blocking certain apps or sites is an effective way to stop exposure to inappropriate content and addiction. At the same time, parents cannot accompany their kids in person all the time. A good monitoring app does this job for them. 

Avoiding scams and bullying

The virtual online world is full of scams and dangers. Children are usually the biggest targets of scammers. Scammers and predators know how to tap into children by incentivizing them with different techniques and tricks. That’s why many parents want to supervise their kids’ activities to keep them safe from social media bullying and scams.

Best 8 iPhone monitoring apps for family

As promised, let’s compare the 8 best and tested iPhone monitoring apps for parents. The following table provides a brief overview of the information you need to make a quick decision about the right monitoring app for your kids.

A comparison chart 2025

Let’s have an overview of the top 8 iPhone monitoring apps that are best suited for your family protection and safety needs: 

FlashGet Kids

FlashGet Kids is a hot pick among parents from the list of the best iPhone monitoring apps, as an all-in-one tool with comprehensive features. Like most parental control apps, it comes in two parts. You just need to install the parent’s version on your phone and the child’s version on your kid’s phone. 

After you synchronize both apps, you will start receiving updates from your kid’s phone, including overall device usage, notifications, and social media activities they perform on their phone. It allows you to set geofencing, block certain apps, and limit their screen time. There are additional safety features, including a remote camera, one-way audio, snapshot capabilities, and content filtering. You can have all these features at an affordable price.

Best for: Parental controls and live monitoring

FamiSafe

Trusted by countless parents, FamiSafe is another popular parental monitoring app offered by Wondershare, designed for parents who need help safeguarding their children’s digital well-being. It focuses on ensuring that kids access the internet in safe ways. You can use this app to track your kid’s location and manage their screen time for a healthy lifestyle. It also provides geofencing that enables parents to ensure their kids are in a safe area. 

Best for: Location tracking and screen time management 

Aura

Aura is a company that provides digital security solutions. The primary objective of this company is to provide cybersecurity solutions. That’s why this app offers features to protect against online threats, scams, and identity theft. Unlike other similar apps, it offers identity theft protection and identity theft insurance. In addition to the security features, this app provides screen monitoring, app blocking, and location tracking. This app also provides geofencing features to ensure that your kids are in safe zones. 

Best for: Family and kids’ digital security 

Bark

Bark is another top-level phone tracking app for iPhone and Android, offering detailed protection against online threats. If you worry about your kids being bullied online or scammed, consider using the Bark app. Bark especially focused on monitoring kids’ social media activities and their involvement in making online payments. Additionally, you can also monitor mobile phone messaging conversations and emails. This app sends instant notifications to parents based on the child’s behavior. The suspected behaviors under check include inappropriate content, financial transactions, and depression. 

Best for: Social media monitoring on a large scale

Life360

If you have an interest in family safety tracking apps, you must have heard of Life360. It is quite popular due to its reliable monitoring and risk alert features. You will also have an option to use the geofencing features.

Best for: Family-oriented location tracking

Qustodio

Qustodio is also a popular and reliable parental control app. It offers multiple features to control your kids’ activities. You can track and monitor up to 15 devices using this app. Like most parental control apps, Qustodio also offers features like location tracking and geofencing. Additionally, you can use this app to filter content to ensure your kids only see age-appropriate content. It provides detailed device management options. Parents can set limits on overall device and specific app usage. 

Best for: Monitoring multiple devices at the same time

uMobix

The uMobix app tells you details about what your kids do with their smartphones. It enables you to monitor remotely, from calls to contact lists and social media interactions. You can also block access to certain websites or risky apps. Most importantly, this app even stores reports of the apps, messages, and calls that your kids delete. So, you won’t miss anything that your kids have done in the past or are currently involved in. 

Best for: Secret monitoring and spying on your kids.

OurPact

OurPact is a fantastic iPhone monitoring tool for parents who want a straightforward yet powerful app to manage their child’s screen time, particularly for those with younger children who may require more hands-on supervision. Its scheduling features make it easy to set boundaries on phone usage, while its app-blocking feature ensures your kids stay on task and away from distractions, and balance screen time with other activities.

The app includes geofencing and location tracking features. Besides, it comes at an affordable price and with a 14-day free trial. Don’t miss it if it meets your needs.

Best for: Screen time management and app blocking for kids of all ages.

What to look for in the best free iPhone monitoring apps?

When selecting the best phone monitoring apps for children’s safety, whether for iPhone, iPad, or Android devices, parents should consider the following key factors.

• Value for money: While many apps offer free trials or basic free versions, the value of advanced features like detailed monitoring, app blocking, and geofencing should justify the overall cost. You should check for pricing plans that effectively balance price and features.
• User interface: A user-friendly interface is crucial for parents who may not have a special interest or experience with tech devices. The app should be easy to install and make all features easily usable.
• Compatibility with devices: Ensure the app works smoothly across different iOS devices and is compatible with the latest updates and versions. Apps that also support multiple platforms offer greater flexibility.
• Customer support: Reliable customer service can make a big difference. This is especially true for troubleshooting issues or learning how to use complex features. Look for apps with responsive customer support via chat, phone, or email.
• Privacy and stealth mode: Privacy is crucial in monitoring apps. Parents should be able to secretly track their child’s activity without violating trust. Features like stealth or secret mode ensure the app operates quietly in the background.
• Free trial and subscription flexibility: Look for apps that offer a free trial period or flexible subscription plans that allow you to explore the features before you go for a paid long-term plan.

At this point, the easy installation process and monitoring options make FlashGet Kids ideal for parents. Above all, its affordable pricing plans and flexible cancellation policy would further strengthen your confidence in this app. 

Final takeaways

Choosing the right iPhone monitoring app is an essential step in ensuring your child’s online safety while promoting healthy screen time habits. With the wide range of features available across the top 8 apps we’ve reviewed, you should already have found the right option that fulfills your needs and doesn’t put a strain on your hard-earned money. 

While every parenting app may offer unique options, FlashGet Kids takes the lead in many ways. Ultimately, the key is staying connected to your child’s digital world without compromising their privacy. Meanwhile, you must maintain trust and a healthy relationship with your children by educating them about the benefits of constructive and meaningful monitoring.