How to Monitor an iPhone through Wi-Fi using the mSpy desktop app

Installation on Windows

Installation on Mac

Set up

Troubleshooting

With the help of the mSpy desktop application you are able to monitor a child’s iPhone using a charging cable and Wi-Fi.

After the first sync via the USB cable whenever your kid's iPhone and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi hotspot, the phone sends text messages, phone calls, and other information to your computer.

You can also check WhatsApp, LINE, and Viber messages from your kid's iPhone.

To set up the app, you need to go through the following steps:

1) Install mStar desktop app on your home computer (Windows or Mac)

2) Connect your kid's iPhone to your computer via the USB cable

3) Let the app download the info from the iPhone 

4) Disconnect the iPhone and enjoy subsequent monitoring over Wi-Fi

Once installed you will be able to monitor the following information:

• WhatsApp messages
• Text messages
• Call logs
• Contact list
• Notes
• LINE
• Viber
• Browser history
• Reminders
• Calendar
  
  

Installation on Windows

1. Login to your mSpy account at my.mspyonline.com
2. On the initial setup choose Local Sync method
   
   
3. Download mSpy desktop app for:
   - Windows PC
   (via direct link or email)
   
   
4. Open mStar.exe and install it following the instructions in the installation app
   Choose Run anyway after Unknown publisher pop up shows up
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Restart the computer to complete the installation.
   
   
   
   
6. On a Windows computer, the following prompt may appear two times:
   1) It will appear when you have just installed mStar desktop app.
   2) It will also appear when you have installed the Apple Drivers and rebooted  your PC.
   You need to tick the checkmark for "Private networks" and tap "Allow access".
   
   

Installation on Mac

1. Login to your mSpy account at my.mspyonline.com
   
   
2. On the initial setup choose Local Sync method
   
   
3. Download mStar desktop app for:
   - Mac
   (via direct link or email)
   
   
   
   
4. Open mStar.dmg file from Downloads and drag mStar icon to the Applications folder
   
   
   

5. Open "Finder - Applications" and locate "mStar" in the list.
   
   
   
   

6. Bring up the context menu for "mStar" by holding down the "Control" key and clicking on it without releasing the key. (Note: On some systems, the "Control" key may be labeled "Ctrl".)
   
   
   
   

7. Press and hold the "Control" (or "Ctrl") key, then click on "Open" in the context menu.
   
   
   Sometimes steps 6-7 need to be repeated twice.
8. Launch mStar by clicking "Open" in the popup.
   
   
   
   If the "Open" button is not available in the pop-up, please follow the additional instructions that are specific to your MacOS version.
   For MacOS versions older than 13, follow steps 9-11.
   For MacOS version 13 or later, follow steps 12-16.
   
   
9. Click on the question icon in a warning popup
   
   
   and then click on the "Open the General pane for me" link. 
   
   Or on your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy , then click General.
   

10. Click "Open anyway"
    
    

11. Choose "Open"
    
    
    
    For MacOS version 13 or later:
    
12. Click on the question icon in a warning popup
    
    and then click on the "Open Privacy & Security settings for me" link, and scroll to the “Security” section.
    
    Alternatively, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Privacy & Security, and scroll to the “Security” section.
    
    
13. Click on "Cancel" in the previous window.
    
    
    
    
14. After that, the "Open anyway" button will appear in the settings window. Click on it.
    
    
    
    
15. If prompted, enter your computer account password and click “Modify Settings”.
    
    
    
    
16. In the new window that appears, click "Open" to run mStar.
    
    
    

Set up

1. Open the mStar desktop app and login to your account
   
   
   
   
2. Select the available subscription
   
   
   
   
3. Connect your kid's iPhone to your computer with the USB cable.
   
   
   
   
4. Unlock the iPhone and press "Trust" on the pop-up message.
   Enter the phone's passcode.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Wait for a couple of seconds for the app to detect the phone (Until you see the name of the iPhone) and click on it.
   
   
   
   
6. Create a password (or enter the backup password if it is already encrypted) to secure the backed up data, confirm it and click Next.
   DO NOT FORGET THIS PASSWORD!
   
   
   
   
7. Wait till the backup data is downloaded fully to your PC.
   Please make sure that you have enough disk space to store all the information from the phone.
   
   
   
   
8. Once the backup is completed you will get the synced info in your personal account at my.mspyonline.com
   The data will be periodically renewed if the phone and the PC are connected to the same WiFi hotspot.
   
   
   

For iOS 15.7.1 and higher

If your child's iPhone runs iOS 15.7.1 or higher then you'll have to enter the Passcode on the iPhone each time you want to make a backup. This is done due to changes in backup process by Apple. 

Troubleshooting

The app does not recognise my device.

1. If you are connecting through a USB hub, try connecting the device directly to your computer. Make sure the charging cable is good or try a different USB port.
2. If the first step doesn't help you can restart Apple Mobile Device Services in the app's settings.
   Click on the icon in the lower left corner and select Restart services.

The connection status is disconnected.

1. Make sure your iPhone/iPad and PC are connected to the the same WiFi hotspot.
   
2. Check status of Bonjour service, service must be running.
   
   
3. Click on the icon in the lower right corner and select Restart services (only on Windows PC).
   
   
4. After that, confirm the restart in the popup.
   
   
   

Backup failed

Reboot the app.