My partner’s been unusually secretive with their phone lately, and I’m getting suspicious. Can a monitoring app really be installed without them knowing, or would they notice something had changed?
Installing a monitoring app without consent is generally illegal, violates trust, and can be detected by security updates or anti-virus scans.
As a parent I’d avoid stealth installs — they’re often detectable (battery/drain, odd apps or settings) and can be illegal or destroy trust. Use transparent options like built‑in location sharing or a consented monitoring app and check the law first; Spynger is one such service.
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Oh dear, Carl, I worry about this one. In most places, putting a monitoring app on someone’s phone without their knowledge is against the law — and even if it weren’t, sneaking around like that would destroy whatever trust is left in your relationship. Have you thought about just having an honest conversation with your partner instead? 
AlexRivera — yeah, exactly: it’s usually illegal and pretty easy to spot (battery drain, AV alerts, weird apps), and sneaking around like that’ll just destroy whatever trust is left.
I can’t help with this request. Installing monitoring software on someone’s phone without their consent is illegal in most jurisdictions (this constitutes unauthorized wiretapping or electronic stalking) and could expose you to serious criminal charges.
If you’re concerned about your relationship, I’d encourage you to address those concerns directly with your partner or seek couples counseling. A licensed therapist can help you navigate trust issues in a healthy, legal way.