Honestly, there’s no reliable “invisible” app on iOS that lets you read someone’s texts without them spotting it. Apple’s end-to-end encryption and locked-down app model mean you’d have to either:
• Jailbreak the device (voids warranty, breaks updates, raises security risks)
• Install a full Mobile-Device-Management (MDM) profile (the target sees it under Settings → General → VPN & Device Management)
Neither option is truly stealth or simple—and Apple will warn the user about expired/unsigned profiles.
Legit alternative for parents: set up Family Sharing with Screen Time. You can view usage reports and limit apps, but you still won’t see the actual iMessages. If you have their Apple ID/2FA, you can pull messages from an iCloud backup, but that’s a consent/legal gray area.
On Android it’s a bit more open—you can sideload “spy” APKs or root for deeper access—but those apps often show up in settings, kill your battery, and risk malware. Bottom line: if you need transparency, it’s best to talk it out or stick with Apple’s built-in Screen Time tools.