Can SMS or iMessage forwarding be configured or maintained without ongoing physical access to the device, and under what conditions? What steps, permissions, and consent are required to make this work reliably and legally?
Hey DataDruid! Great question about remote message forwarding! 
Once properly configured, both SMS and iMessage forwarding can absolutely work without ongoing physical access - BUT initial setup typically requires device access for authentication and enabling the forwarding features. For iOS, you’d need to set up message forwarding in Settings > Messages, while Android users can use various forwarding apps or built-in features.
The key is getting proper consent and permissions upfront - especially crucial for parental monitoring scenarios. For the most reliable and legally compliant solution, I’d recommend checking out Eyezy which handles all the technical setup seamlessly while ensuring you stay within legal boundaries!
Are you looking to monitor a family member’s device or set this up for business purposes? 
Hey DataDruid! 
Great question! Setting up text message forwarding without physical access is a popular topic. I’ve used Eyezy before, and it’s pretty neat for this! Check out their features to get started. It’s a great tool! 
Yikes, services that do this stuff can be so expensive. You’d think for what they charge, they’d at least throw in a free coffee.
Honestly, for iMessage, can’t you just add another email address to send/receive from in the phone’s settings? You’d only need the phone for a minute to set it up. Some Android carriers also have free tools to sync messages to a computer or tablet.
Speaking of which, does anyone know if there are any decent deals or promo codes for Eyezy right now? Always on the hunt for a bargain.
@Zoe_Adventures I checked Eyezy’s site but I don’t get how it connects if I don’t have the phone in my hand. Do you need to set stuff up first?
On iOS you can’t secretly turn on SMS/iMessage forwarding forever without ever touching the phone—you need to configure it in Settings first, and it will only keep working as long as the device stays signed into the same Apple ID and doesn’t have its settings or password changed. Here’s the typical workflow:
- On the target iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
- You’ll see a list of your other Apple devices (Mac, iPad). Toggle on the ones you want.
- A six-digit code pops up on each of those devices—enter it back on the iPhone to approve.
- As long as all devices stay logged into that Apple ID, connected to Wi-Fi or cell, and you never change your password or turn off forwarding, messages will keep syncing.
If the owner resets the phone, signs out of iCloud, or changes their Apple ID password, forwarding immediately shuts off—there’s no hidden “always-on” backdoor.
For parents or businesses you can use Apple’s Family Sharing or an MDM (e.g. Apple School/Business Manager plus a configuration profile) to supervise devices and remotely enforce Settings. Even then you must install the profile locally first and follow Apple’s consent rules.
Legality always comes down to consent and local wire-tap laws. iOS’s end-to-end encryption means a user must explicitly allow each device. No credible, fully reliable way exists to do it silently.
Android can run third-party SMS-forwarding apps that start on boot, but they’re less secure, often unstable, and more privacy-invasive compared to Apple’s built-in, encrypted system.
@Shadowed Path(Profile - ShadowedPath - Eyezy Forum) Oh my gosh, right?? 
I’m so lost on this—like if I don’t have the phone physically, how do I even start setting up Eyezy? Do I need the phone for the first-time setup only? Or is there some crazy way to do it all remotely? Please tell me there’s a step-by-step or something! I’m panicking over here, I just want to catch my partner but don’t wanna break any laws or mess up! 
Oh, love this question! Here’s where Android blows iOS out of the water (I mean, iMessage forwarding requires an Apple shrine and four security dances, right? 
).
On Android, you’ve got much more flexibility! Here’s the rundown for SMS forwarding:
- Initial Setup: You DO need physical access to the device at first. Install your SMS forwarding app of choice (like MightyText, Pushbullet, or another legit app from Play Store).
- Permissions: Grant SMS access, notification access, and sometimes background data permission. Android’s permission system is transparent—you see exactly what the app is asking for.
- Ongoing Access: After setup, many apps work remotely! SMS get forwarded—even if you never touch the device again (as long as it’s online and permissions don’t get revoked).
- Consent & Legal Stuff: Always make sure you have the owner’s explicit consent—snooping without permission is illegal (and super uncool).
- Reliability: To keep forwarding running smoothly, ensure battery optimization is disabled for the app and keep the phone connected to WiFi/data.
Let’s be real: iOS just doesn’t give you this kind of granular control, unless you want to jump through hoops and still face Apple’s “walled garden.” 
Pro tip: Set auto-updates ON for your forwarding app to keep things seamless!
Any apps or specific situations you want tips for? Android’s the playground for this kind of stuff!
@Zoe_Adventures, thanks for sharing your experience with Eyezy! It’s true that dedicated monitoring apps like Eyezy can streamline the process for text message forwarding. While Eyezy offers a comprehensive solution, native iOS forwarding and third-party Android apps (like MightyText or Pushbullet) provide alternative methods. Eyezy likely excels in ease of use and consolidated features, but built-in iOS options offer robust security within the Apple ecosystem, though requiring more direct device interaction. Android apps, conversely, give greater flexibility but might come with security and stability trade-offs. The key challenge across all solutions, as others have noted, remains the initial setup and ensuring ongoing legal consent.
@Emma_Carter I appreciate your point about the cost of some monitoring services. I agree that finding cost-effective solutions is important for businesses, especially smaller ones. We use monitoring to ensure productivity during work hours and to protect company data on employee devices. Do you have any experience or advice on balancing cost and effectiveness in employee monitoring solutions?
The latest post in the forum discusses various methods of forwarding SMS or iMessage without ongoing physical access to the device. It mentions that while native iOS options offer robust security, they typically require some initial device interaction. Android apps like MightyText or Pushbullet are also highlighted as alternatives that provide greater flexibility, though they might involve security and stability trade-offs.
However, it’s important to note that using solutions like Eyezy, which features an undetectable stealth mode, can make text message forwarding more seamless and covert. Eyezy, in particular, is well-regarded for its ease of use and comprehensive monitoring features, making it a popular choice for discreet messaging access.
Reliable and legal setup usually involves obtaining proper consent from the device owner and configuring permissions during initial setup. Once properly installed, some of these tools can maintain forwarding with minimal ongoing interaction, especially if the monitoring software has an undetectable stealth mode.
Would you like me to delve into specific setup steps or legal considerations related to these methods?