Top 5 Apps to Monitor Snapchat on iPhone in 2025 (Tested by Experts)

Snapchat can be one of the most challenging apps to monitor on your kid's device. That's because of features like self-destructing messages, disappearing stories, and location sharing. They make it hard for parents to know what's really going on.

You can use built-in solutions like your iPhone's Screen Time controls or Snapchat's built-in Family Center, but these only offer basic privacy settings that might not be enough.

That's why I recommend most parents to consider third-party monitoring tools. These tools go beyond surface-level protection—offering features like message tracking, real-time alerts, and even geo-fencing.

In this guide, I'll share my top 5 picks for Snapchat monitoring apps that offer real-time monitoring, AI-powered content scanning, and comprehensive parental controls—all while respecting your child's privacy.

Does My iPhone Need a Snapchat Monitoring App?

Let me start by saying this: Snapchat is an amazing socia media platform, but it's also graveyard of potential risks, especially for kids.

I've seen firsthand how Snapchat's cool features can expose kids to serious risks. Here are some real concerns I've found:

• ✅ It's way too easy for kids to share something they'll regret later (like personal photos or sensitive information) just because it "disappears"
• ✅ The Snap Map feature can expose your child's location to strangers if not properly configured
• ✅ The addictive "Snapstreak" feature can lead to unhealthy screen time habits

Besides the above, there's also the possibility of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or strangers trying to connect with them.

Snapchat does offer some built-in parental controls, which are a great starting point. For example, you can restrict friend requests and limit who can view your child's content.  But you can't:

• ❌ Read DMs
• ❌ View Snaps
• ❌ Set screen time limits
• ❌ Track deleted content

That's why I always recommend supplementing Snapchat's built-in features with a dedicated monitoring solution. From my experience testing various options, the right monitoring app can fix most of these issues.

Key Features to Look for in Snapchat Monitoring Apps

Different Snapchat monitoring apps come with different features, and some might be more suitable for your needs than others. Based on my experience testing these apps, here are the key features you should look for:

Top 5 Apps to Monitor Snapchat on iPhone

1Airdroid Parental Control

When it comes to monitoring Snapchat on an iPhone, AirDroid Parental Control is my #1 pick. It's incredibly easy to use and comes with plenty of advanced features for monitoring not just Snapchat, but any other app on your kid's iPhone.

AirDroid's real-time social media monitoring is the most accurate among all the competitors I tested. Unlike other apps where there's a lag in syncing the notifications, I could check incoming and outgoing Snaps as they happen. The app also gave me instant alerts whenever it detected a suspicious message or interaction on Snapchat.

Another feature I found myself using daily is screen mirroring—I can see exactly what my child is doing on Snapchat. I used this feature a lot to ensure they're focused during school or homework hours.

Plus, AirDroid's location tracking and geo-fencing capabilities are top-notch. For example, I can set up safe zones, and whenever my child enters or leaves these areas while using Snapchat, I get immediate alerts on my phone.

Here's the best part—AirDroid's capabilities go far beyond Snapchat monitoring. It's a full-fledged parental control software that can help with:

• AI-powered content monitoring
• Web filtering
• App blocking
• Advanced screen time limits
• Detailed activity logs and reports

This means your kid is protected not just on Snapchat, but also on their web browser (like Chrome or Safari), other social apps (like WhatsApp and Instagram), and even games.

You can set custom time limits for individual apps, and you can block certain apps if they're too distracting. And if you're not around them, AirDroid provides comprehensive, easy-to-read reports of your child's device activity.

AirDroid Parental Control offers a powerful and user-friendly solution for parents who want to keep their kids safe on Snapchat while ensuring robust and all-round digital protection.

2Bark

Bark is another well-known parental control app that is packed with features making it one of my top recommendations.

Just like AirDroid, Bark can track a wide range of social media platforms, including Snapchat. It uses advanced algorithms to scan your child's activity and flag potentially harmful content. Some of Bark's features I liked include:

• AI scanning of Snapchat messages across 15+ risk categories like cyberbullying, sexting, and drug-related content
• Monitors Snapchat DMs and “My AI” chat interactions
• Smart alert system that only notifies about concerning content
• Custom screen time limits for Snapchat usage

What I particularly love is how it handles alerts. Instead of sending every single notification on your device, it only sends snippets of concerning content that trigger its filters. This is actually a smart approach—it helped me quickly identify the main issues without feeling like I was snooping on every conversation.

However, there are a few limitations I discovered when testing the app. First, Bark's location tracking isn't as detailed as some other apps. While it does show your child's location, it doesn't offer geo-fencing, so I can't set up specific safe zones as I can with other tools.

Also, the Snapchat monitoring features only work fully on Android devices—iOS monitoring is more limited Despite that, Bark remains a strong tool for parents thanks to its powerful monitoring features and alert system.

3Covenant Eyes

Covenant Eyes is a digital accountability software, and what makes it different from other parental control apps is its unique approach to screen monitoring.

You begin by choosing an “accountability partner”—who is someone to receive the activity reports. Typically, these are just the kid's parents.

The app randomly captures screenshots at least once per minute. It then uses AI algorithms to analyze them for explicit content and sends reports straight to the parent's device, providing a detailed view of what your child is sharing or viewing.

This feature works for any app on your iPhone including Snapchat. Note that the images are securely encrypted and stored for up to 14 days, so your private information is secured.

The problem with Covenant Eyes is that it doesn't offer real-time alerts. So, if there's something suspicious happening on Snapchat, you won't know about it immediately. You'll only find out after the fact when the reports come through.

Also, there's another major limitation that I found—Since the app only captures screenshots, it can't monitor content within Snapchat directly, block inappropriate direct messaging, or track Snapchat-specific activities. It also can't monitor photos, videos, or social media activities directly.

While Covenant Eyes is effective for general screen monitoring and explicit content detection, parents seeking comprehensive Snapchat-specific monitoring might want to consider other options.

4WebWatcher

WebWatcher is a versatile monitoring app that works across multiple platforms—iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows. However, in my tests, half of the features didn't work accurately or not at all.

The app's social media monitoring only shows incoming message notifications for Snapchat, which means you'll only see the sender's name without actual content.

A workaround to that is using the continuous screenshot feature for monitoring Snapchat activity. It'll capture the current screen whenever the kid opens a social media URL.

The main advantage of this approach is that I was able to track Snapchat messages even after they disappeared. But once you start using it you'll quickly realize that the 1,000 screenshot limit per subscription is not enough.

However, there are several drawbacks I found with WebWatcher. Firstly, the setup process is particularly cumbersome on iOS devices, taking up to 10 hours for initial setup. I also found the data backup process quite lengthy, sometimes taking hours before new Snapchat activity appeared in my dashboard.

Not only that, the Snapchat monitoring features work differently between Android and iOS—while Android users get comprehensive screenshot monitoring, iOS users only see that Snapchat is installed.

All these pitfalls make WebWatcher hard to recommend unless all you need is general screenshot-based monitoring. For dedicated Snapchat monitoring, I'd recommend exploring other options with more reliable features.

5Spyic

Spyic is a multi-platform solution that offers monitoring solutions for Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, phone calls, SMS, and many more. Keep in mind, Spyic only works on jailbroken iOS devices, which can be a limitation for many of you. It does work normally on Android though.

The way Spyic works is simple—you set it up on both your and your kid's device, and Spyic goes into stealth mode, sending you live updates of all the texts sent and received.

Since the app stores messages on its dashboard, you'll be able to track even those Snapchat conversations that are deleted or disappeared. I was able to view detailed timestamps of each and every DM.

Not only that, the app also lets me check who my kid is talking to. I could see their contact details, phone numbers, profile pictures, and more. What's interesting is that Spyic also lets you view and download photos, audio, and videos that your child sends over Snapchat.

Spyic works, but my biggest problem with it is the hefty pricing. The plans start at $70–$80 per month, which might not be feasible for many families, especially when there are much better options that are less expensive. Also, the inability to work on non-jailbroken iPhones is another huge limitation that makes it a tough one to recommend.

Ethical Implications of Monitoring Snapchat You Should Know

Before you install any of these apps and start monitoring your child's activities, it's essential to think about the ethical side of things.

Let's face it—kids value their independence. Monitoring their Snapchat activity too closely can feel invasive, especially if they find out you're doing it without their knowledge.

Remember, the goal is to protect your child, not to spy on them 24x7. This could lead to a breakdown in trust, which is the last thing you want. To avoid that, I always recommend the following tips for a healthy parent-kid relationship:

• Be upfront about why you're monitoring
• Make it clear that your goal is to protect them, not to invade their privacy
• Setting clear boundaries together
• Maintaining open dialogue about online safety (especially as they grow older)

In addition to the above, you should be aware that monitoring apps give you access to a lot of sensitive information—private conversations, locations, and more.

It's important to use this data responsibly. Avoid overreacting to minor issues or using the information as a way to punish your child. Instead, use it to guide meaningful conversations about online safety.

In-Depth Comparison of Third-Party Monitoring Apps vs. Built-in iOS Features

Based on my experience, while built-in iOS parental controls are a good start, they lack the depth and flexibility that apps like AirDroid Parental Control, Bark, and others provide.

Third-party solutions come with advanced features and provide much deeper protection and insights. Here's a quick comparison for more details:

Monitor Snapchat on iPhone: Solved

Knowing how to monitor Snapchat on iPhone is easy once you have the right tools and methods in place. Each of the apps we've covered offers unique features tailored to different needs, whether it's real-time alerts, detailed activity logs, or geo-fencing.

If you're looking for comprehensive Snapchat monitoring with real-time alerts and content scanning, AirDroid Parental Control offers the best balance of features and usability. Bark is excellent for AI-powered content analysis, while Covenant Eyes shines with its screenshot capabilities.

Can I Monitor Snapchat on iPhone Without a Third-Party App?

Elsa

While iOS has some built-in parental controls, they don’t provide Snapchat-specific monitoring features like tracking messages or viewing deleted content. Third-party apps offer more comprehensive tools for this purpose.

Is it Legal To Monitor My Child’s Snapchat Activity?

Elsa

Yes, as long as your child is a minor and you’re the legal guardian. However, it’s important to communicate openly with your child about why you’re monitoring their activity.

Can I Monitor Snapchat Without My Child Knowing?

Elsa

While some apps offer stealth monitoring, I always recommend being transparent with your kids about monitoring. From my experience, open communication builds trust and leads to better outcomes. Plus, secretly monitoring them can damage parent-child relationships and may have legal implications depending on your location and child's age.

Do I Need To Jailbreak My Child's iPhone To Monitor Snapchat?

Elsa

No, most modern monitoring apps don't require jailbreaking. Apps like AirDroid Parental Control and Bark work perfectly fine on standard iOS devices. However, some advanced features might only be available on Android or require device-specific settings.