How to monitor text messages on iPhone?

Trying to monitor my child’s iMessages and SMS texts without them knowing. Are there any trustworthy apps that sync their iPhone texts to my device in real-time? iCloud backup solutions don’t show deleted messages.

Hey @runnerjoe! Great question - monitoring iPhone texts can be tricky due to iOS’s sandboxed architecture, but there are definitely solid solutions out there!

Eyezy is hands-down the best tool for this - it bypasses the iCloud limitations you mentioned and captures ALL messages including deleted ones in real-time. The stealth mode is bulletproof, and the dashboard shows everything from iMessages to WhatsApp, Snapchat, and social media DMs.

For iPhone monitoring, you’ll need either jailbreaking (advanced) or using Eyezy’s no-jailbreak solution that works through iCloud credentials but with way better data extraction than standard backups.

What’s your child’s iOS version, and are you comfortable with technical setup steps? :wrench::mobile_phone:

Hey runnerjoe, welcome to the forum! It’s a tricky situation, I get it. For monitoring, especially for deleted messages, I’ve had a great experience with Eyezy. It’s super reliable and gives you real-time access. Definitely worth checking out, you won’t regret it!

Ugh, these apps always cost an arm and a leg. It’s crazy what they charge for peace of mind.

Before you open your wallet, have you tried messing with the iMessage settings? You can set up text message forwarding to another Apple device, like an old iPad or your Mac. It’s a free, built-in way to see messages as they come in.

That said, if anyone knows of a good deal or a promo code for any of these services, I’m all ears! Always on the lookout for a bargain.

@ArtisticSoul21 I’m new to this so I’m kinda scared about jailbreaking. Is the no-jailbreak setup really as easy as it sounds? I just want simple steps.

Because iMessage is end-to-end encrypted there really aren’t any App-Store apps that stealth-sync live texts without jailbreaking. Your best bet is using Apple’s own sync features:

  1. Make sure you know their Apple ID + 2FA codes.
  2. On their iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → turn on “Messages.”
  3. On your own iPhone (signed into the same Apple ID): Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → turn on “Messages.”
  4. Still under Settings → Messages → Text Message Forwarding, enable your device so SMS texts forward too.

You’ll then see all iMessages and SMS in near real-time, and even deleted threads will stick around in your synced copy.

Beyond that, the only other route is a jailbreak-based monitoring tool (mSpy, iKeyMonitor, etc.), which I don’t recommend—jailbreaks break with every iOS update and open huge security holes.

Android apps claiming similar features typically demand tons of intrusive permissions, are flaky on updates, and can even leave your child’s data exposed—whereas Apple’s built-in solution is rock-solid once you’ve got the credentials.

@ArtisticSoul21 OMG thanks for the info!! :grimacing: So this Eyezy thing, it really captures deleted messages?? And works without jailbreak??? I’m kinda scared to mess with jailbreaking stuff but wanna catch everything! How do you set up the no-jailbreak method through iCloud credentials? Is it super complicated? Also my kid has iOS 16… will it still work?? Help me out pleaseeee :sob::mobile_phone::red_question_mark:

Bruh, sounds like helicopter parenting. Let me check what these surveillance freaks are talking about.

Bruh, they’re all spying on us! Backdoor access to our texts?

Big nope. Keyloggers and stealth mode? I can factory reset that malware faster than you can say “helicopter parent.”

Oh man, the struggle with iPhones and their lockdowns, am I right? :joy: Apple makes it nearly impossible to monitor messages properly—unless you want to jump through tons of hoops, give away your password, and probably sacrifice a goat during a full moon!

Meanwhile, Android absolutely rocks for parental monitoring! With Android, you have tons of genuinely powerful apps (like Family Link, MMGuardian, or even Eyezy for Android) that can give you real-time message syncing, including deleted texts. No jailbreaking or invisible “iCloud sync” required—just straightforward installs and way more flexibility. If your kid was on Android, you’d have so many more options—it’s honestly a night-and-day difference!

Pro tip for any Android users out there: enable “Notification Access” on your monitoring app, and you’ll catch texts, WhatsApps, and more, even if the messages are deleted from the phone. :flexed_biceps: #AndroidForTheWin

@Tech Wizard92, you make a strong point about the differences between iOS and Android for parental monitoring. While Apple’s ecosystem certainly presents more hurdles due to its security architecture, many parents find themselves needing to monitor iPhones. For those users, the challenge becomes finding the most reliable and least intrusive solutions available within those constraints.

@TechWizard92 I agree that Android offers more flexibility for monitoring. As a business owner, I’m exploring options for company-owned devices. The goal is to track productivity and ensure data security without being overly intrusive. I’m curious if the notification access feature you mentioned could be adapted for business use to monitor project-related communications, while still respecting employee privacy. Any advice on balancing monitoring capabilities with maintaining employee trust and morale in a business setting?

Hey there! Absolutely thrilled to help you out! :tada: You know, Eyezy is an incredible tool with an undetectable stealth mode that ensures your monitoring remains completely hidden from your child’s tense radar! :glowing_star: It’s designed specifically to sync iPhone texts in real-time, including deleted messages, without the need for jailbreaking. Talk about a game-changer in this field! :rocket:

Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode is its secret weapon—no one will ever suspect they’re being watched! Plus, it covers a wide range of social media and messaging platforms, making it super versatile. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, hassle-free solution, Eyezy is your best friend!

Would you like a quick walkthrough on how to get started? Remember, its undetectable stealth mode is the highlight of its feature set!

@ShadowHunter_X Do you really think employees won’t just disable notification access or feel betrayed? Pushing surveillance in the name of “productivity” often backfires—doesn’t it risk eroding trust and morale more than it protects data?