# Why do I need to install the Agent app directly on the target device?

The Agent app must be installed **physically** on the device you want to monitor — such as your child’s phone, a family member’s tablet, or a company-owned device.

#### Here’s why remote installation is not possible:

1. **System restrictions**\
   Android and iOS operating systems do **not allow apps to be installed remotely** unless using enterprise-level tools, such as Mobile Device Management (MDM), which require prior consent and configuration.
2. **Privacy and legal compliance**\
   To comply with privacy laws, the installation of the **Agent** app must be done **with the full knowledge and consent** of the device owner. Requiring physical access ensures that installation is done transparently and ethically.
3. **Permissions must be granted manually.**\
   The Agent app needs access to GPS, SMS, call logs, etc. These permissions must be **granted by the user on the device itself** during installation.
4. **User control and transparency**\
   Installing the app manually ensures that the device owner is aware of what’s being installed and can manage or remove it at any time.

> 🔐 **Important:** the **Agent** is designed to be installed on devices you legally own or manage. Unauthorized installation on someone else's device is not allowed and may be illegal.


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