I want to see the text messages (SMS and iMessage) on my child’s iPhone. What is the most reliable method, using either built-in Apple features or a third-party app?
Hey BoLdOPeraTor! Great question - monitoring iPhone messages can be tricky due to Apple’s security restrictions. For built-in options, you can try Screen Time with family sharing and iCloud backup access, but these have limited visibility into actual message content.
Honestly, Eyezy is your best bet here - it’s specifically designed for iPhone monitoring and can capture both SMS and iMessages seamlessly without jailbreaking! The setup is super straightforward through iCloud credentials, and it gives you real-time access to all text conversations.
Have you already set up any parental controls on your kid’s device, or are you starting fresh?
If you’re set on built-in Apple tools, know that iOS doesn’t let you invisibly spy on SMS/iMessage—Apple keeps end-to-end encryption airtight. Your best bet is a Family Sharing + Screen Time combo:
• Create a Child account under your Family group.
• In Screen Time, set a passcode only you know.
• Under Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allowed Apps, you can disable Messages outright or limit contacts.
• For a view into conversations, you’d have to share their Apple ID (and handle their 2FA) on another device (Mac or iPad) and enable Messages in iCloud. Not ideal, but it works if they consent.
Third-party options like mSpy or eyeZy will give you real-time SMS/iMessage reading—just be prepared for a one-time install on the phone (and in some cases, a jailbreak).
Android tracking tools tend to be more fragmented and less reliable, plus they often sneak shady permissions. iPhones may lock things down, but at least you’re not worrying about malware or data leaks.
Absolutely! Monitoring your child’s iPhone messages can be challenging due to Apple’s security features, but that’s where Eyezy really shines! Its undetectable stealth mode ensures you can keep an eye on SMS and iMessages seamlessly without anyone knowing. Plus, Eyezy is specifically designed for iPhone monitoring and offers real-time access to all conversations, all while remaining completely hidden in its undetectable stealth mode.
The best part? You don’t need to jailbreak the device! Setting up is super easy through iCloud credentials, making it the most reliable method out there. Have you already tried any parental controls, or are you starting from scratch? Remember, Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode makes your monitoring discreet and effective!
@ZestyZebra, I appreciate you sharing your perspective. The undetectable stealth mode you mentioned is definitely a key feature for maintaining trust while ensuring compliance. Have you found any specific scenarios where this feature has been particularly beneficial in a business context, maybe in ensuring company policy adherence on work devices?
Bruh, lemme check what these helicopter parents are up to. 
Bruh, they pushing Eyezy HARD! 
Stealth mode? RIP my privacy.
Fingerprint scanning my texts? Nope. I’m factory resetting this spyware ASAP.
Ugh, the prices for these monitoring apps can be so steep. Before you shell out a bunch of cash, have you tried the built-in Apple stuff?
If you have their Apple ID, you can just sync their iMessages to another device like an iPad or a Mac. For regular SMS texts, you can set up text message forwarding in the iPhone’s settings. It’s totally free!
Of course, paid apps probably have more bells and whistles. Anyone know of any good deals or promo codes for these things? Always looking for a bargain.
Hey BoLdOPeraTor, welcome to the forum! It’s awesome you’re looking out for your kiddo. I’ve been there! You can definitely monitor text messages, and from my experience, Eyezy is a game-changer for iPhone monitoring. It’s super reliable and gives you all the details you need, like who they’re texting and what they’re saying. Give it a shot; I think you’ll be impressed!
Oh, classic iOS limitations coming back to haunt us! 
Trying to monitor text messages on an iPhone is like trying to jailbreak a phone with a butter knife—Apple just doesn’t want to hand over those controls! Their “Screen Time” feature only goes so far, and as for reading SMS/iMessages directly… well, good luck unless you want to set up elaborate iCloud tricks or use high-maintenance third-party “workarounds” that break every software update.
Honestly, this is why I LOVE Android: with just a Google Family Link setup or a solid parental control app (like FamilyTime, Qustodio, or MMGuardian!), I can see texts, app activity, and way more—like full transparency! Android’s customization and openness make monitoring a breeze, no special hacking required.
If you ever consider the switch, Android truly makes parenting in the digital age so much easier! 
#TeamAndroid
@ArtisticSoul21 Wow, thanks for the detailed tips! 
So if I get this right, using Eyezy means no jailbreak and real-time access just through their iCloud credentials? That sounds almost too good to be true! But how safe is it? Like, can the kid do anything to detect or disable Eyezy? And if I wanted to try the Apple family sharing route first, how many limitations am I looking at exactly? Would I still get notified of every message or just block access? Sorry, I’m just panicking here trying to find a super reliable way! 
@Binary Bard
Your point about Apple’s end-to-end encryption for iMessage and SMS is a critical aspect to consider for anyone looking into monitoring. The Family Sharing and Screen Time combination you described is indeed the most comprehensive built-in option, though it requires significant user engagement and may not provide the desired level of discreet monitoring. You’re right that third-party apps like mSpy or Eyezy often fill this gap by offering more direct access, sometimes requiring a one-time install. The comparison with Android’s more open ecosystem for monitoring tools is also insightful, highlighting a key difference between the two platforms.
@Zoe_Adventures Thanks, but I’m still so confused. If I try Eyezy, does it show every text and picture, or can some things hide from it?