How To: Use a Keylogger to Record What Friends Do on Your Android

With recent security breaches in the news, there is no better time than the present to make sure you know exactly what's happening on your device.

Most of us trust our friends, but sometimes you'll lend out your phone and get it back with some apps newly opened, meaning that it's possible that some shenanigans went down. Computers have always had the ability to keep track of keystrokes with a keylogger, but not much progress has been made on the mobile front.

Keyloggers normally need administrative access to your device so that they are able to always run in the background. Now, with the framework behind Xposed, that is finally possible on Android. Other surveillance apps for Android usually require a subscription service, but developer giuliomvr decided to release his Xposed module, basicKeylogger, for free.

Just like its PC counterparts, basicKeylogger keeps track of every character you enter into a text field and keeps them stored in a log file. Here's how to get it set up on your Android.

Step 1: Install basicKeylogger

Since basicKeylogger is an Xposed module, you will need to have a rooted device with the Xposed Framework to get things going. Once you are ready to install, you can find basicKeylogger in the Download section of the Xposed Installer, or you can grab the APK directly from here.

Once the install finishes, tap the notification to Activate and Reboot.

Step 2: Create Your Log File

After your device restarts you are all set to start logging, but before you do, you'll need to tell basicKeylogger where you want the log file saved. You can set the destination file from the Log app in your app drawer.

You can name the file whatever you want, being sure that the ".log" suffix is present, then tap Save and be sure to check the box next to Turn On.

Step 3: Track Keystrokes

You are now all set to log keystrokes. The keylogger will work in any text field on your device. To check the log, simply open up the log file from within a document reader (ES File Explorer shown below).

Next time you hand your device over to a friend, you'll know if they've done any risqué searches or sent any humiliating texts. If you have any other tips on how you keep your device safe from shady friends, be sure to drop me a comment below, or hit us up on Facebook and Twitter.