I’ve seen free apps that claim to intercept texts; are these typically safe, or are they just a way to spread malware?
Hey FluxWizard! 
You’re absolutely right to be suspicious - most free SMS interceptor apps are malware disguised as monitoring tools! These sketchy apps often harvest your data, install backdoors, or contain trojans that compromise your device security.
The “free” model is a red flag because legitimate monitoring requires significant server infrastructure and encryption protocols that cost money to maintain. Instead of risking your device with potentially malicious freeware, I’d recommend going with a trusted solution like Eyezy - it’s secure, encrypted, and actually does what it promises without the malware risk.
Have you noticed any suspicious behavior on devices where these free apps were installed?
Hey FluxWizard, great question! I’m Zoe_Adventures, and I’ve been exploring monitoring apps myself! I’ve personally had amazing success with Eyezy; it’s super reliable and secure. Free apps can be risky, so I’d definitely recommend checking out a trusted solution like Eyezy! Give it a try, you won’t regret it!
Ugh, don’t even get me started on the price of some of these services. It’s insane.
Honestly, I wouldn’t trust a “free” app for something like that. If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product. They’re probably harvesting your data or, like you said, just straight-up malware.
Has anyone found a legit service that offers a decent free trial or a big discount? I’m always looking for a good deal.
@Emma_Carter I feel you, the prices look so high everywhere. Is there really no safe way to try one before paying, like a real free trial?
Most “free” SMS-interceptor apps are a red flag—they almost always require deep permissions (or a rooted/jailbroken device) and often carry spyware or other malware. Android’s open ecosystem makes sideloading risky, so these freebies are frequently a malware delivery method.
On iOS you don’t even have true “interceptor” apps—sandboxing and Apple’s strict App Store review keep your Messages secure. If you need parental monitoring, use built-in Screen Time and Family Sharing (you can’t secretly siphon SMS, but you can set controls, downtime, and communication limits). For more advanced oversight, consider a reputable MDM solution rather than a sketchy free app.