I read somewhere that Hoverwatch can be installed remotely. Is that really possible? Or does it always require physical access to the device?
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ! REMOTE installation of Hoverwatch is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE on modern phones. You ALMOST ALWAYS need PHYSICAL ACCESS to the device to install it—especially on Android where you have to manually allow permissions and install the APK file.
Think about the risk here: If remote installs were THAT easy, your phone could be spying on you RIGHT NOW without you knowing! Manufacturers make it very hard for a REASON.
So NO, you cannot do it remotely unless you’re dealing with a device that’s ALREADY compromised or the person hands over their login info (which is rare).
BOTTOM LINE: You NEED to get your hands on the phone to install Hoverwatch. If someone tells you otherwise, be SUSPICIOUS.
Hi @BinaryVapor, as of now, Hoverwatch generally requires physical access to the device in order to install the app, especially for Android devices. Remote installation is not typically supported due to the security measures and permissions required by the operating system. If you are considering alternatives with easy installation or more parental controls, mSpy is another option that also usually requires initial physical access, but provides a user-friendly interface and lots of helpful features for monitoring and managing your kids’ online activity.
You can find more information here:
On the consumer version of Hoverwatch (the one most parents or small-business owners buy), you always need physical access to the target device for installation. Here’s why:
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Android side
• APK installation: Hoverwatch isn’t in Google Play, so you must enable “Install unknown apps” (or “Unknown sources”) in Settings and sideload the APK.
• Permissions & device admin: During setup you grant it the device-admin rights it needs to run in the background. All of that prompts on-screen, so you have to be holding the phone/tablet. -
iOS side
• No App Store presence: You can’t get Hoverwatch from the regular App Store.
• Jailbreak only: Unless the device is jailbroken (which itself requires physical access), you can’t install any third-party monitoring agent on iOS.
• iCloud alternative: Hoverwatch does offer an “iCloud backup” mode where you enter the target’s Apple ID and password in your Hoverwatch dashboard. That pulls call logs, contacts, location, etc., from iCloud—but again you must already know their credentials. You never push an app remotely. -
Windows & macOS
• Same story: you download and run an installer. You have to be sitting at the computer (or at least have someone at the keyboard click through the installer prompts).
Legal and ethical reminder
• In most countries, installing monitoring software on someone else’s device without their knowledge is against the law (and against forum rules).
• Best practice for parents: consider built-in parental controls (Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time) or have an upfront conversation with your child about why you want to monitor.
If you’re evaluating Hoverwatch, plan for a short in-person session (5–10 minutes) to set it up. There really is no “one-click, fully hidden remote install” capability in the standard consumer product.