How to Monitor Someone's Texts Without Having Their Phone

How to Monitor Text Messages: 6 Proven Ways

You may be wondering what are the best ways to track someone’s messages.

An app to track text messages is the obvious answer—we’ll cover that and other lesser-known methods below.

1. Use XNSPY SMS Tracker (Android, iOS)

XNSPY is a premier cell phone SMS tracker app. Installing it on a target phone gives the app access to almost all the data and actions taken by the user. XNSPY is supported and works seamlessly on most Android and iOS devices. The app works in stealth mode without alerting the user. Besides text monitoring, it offers social media access, location tracking, call and internet logging, keylogging, and screen recording.

XNSPY’s dashboard offers a fantastic way to view messages remotely and use its myriad features and tools. From the list of options, text monitoring is present in the Phone Logs tab. The text message logs let you find and read all the sent and received messages on the target phone.

XNSPY’s text monitoring app allows you to view messages in Chat View and List View. In the chat view, the messages appear according to a particular contact; opening displays the entire chat history.

While, in the list view, the messages appear as they are send or received on the target phone. You can even search the message list according to particular contact name or number.

All the messages in both views are listed with relevant date and time stamps.

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2. Google Backup (Android)

Text monitoring someone’s messages on an Android phone can be done by accessing its associated Google Backup. Every Android phone runs with a particular Google ID, which means all the phone’s messages, calls, and app data are automatically stored to the its linked cloud service, Google Drive.

Spying text by using Google Backup is similar to viewing messages through iCloud Backup. First, ensure the target device is set to back up data by going to Settings > Google > Backup.Toggle on “Back up to Google Drive,” ensuring that SMS messages are included in the backup.

Once the backup is active, use the credentials to sign in to the target's Google account on another device—access Google Drive, where the backup data is stored. From the options, look for backups and click on the icon. You will be able to view all backed-up messages from there.

Note that this method relies on periodic backup and may not provide real-time text spying. Also, accessing someone’s private data without their knowledge may be illegal and an invasion of privacy.

3. Use the Android Messages Web Version (Android)

Monitoring someone's text messages through Android Messages’ web version requires access to their Android device and permission to link it with a browser. First, ensure Messages by Google is the default messaging app on the Android device. Then, open the web version of Messages on a computer by visiting messages.google.com/web

Open the Messages app on the target Android device, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Device Pairing." Scan the QR code displayed on the browser with the phone, and the messages will sync to the web version. This enables real-time tracking of all incoming and outgoing text messages.

However, the connection between the web version and the phone depends on the phone's active internet connection. Also, note unauthorized access to someone’s messages is not legal.

4. iCloud Backup (iOS)

Text spying on someone’s messages on their iPhone is possible if you have access to the iCloud backup. The process involves getting access to the iCloud account and device settings. First, you have to ensure that the target device has iCloud backups enabled. The device must also be connected to Wi-Fi for automatic backups.

Here are the steps:

Navigate to Settings > [User's Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and toggle it on.

Once the iCloud backup is set up, sign in to the target's iCloud account using the correct Apple ID and password from a separate device. After logging in, navigate to the iCloud backup section and view the messages.

Note that this method may only be used to spy text messages that were present during the most recent backup, as iCloud does not provide real-time monitoring. Also, accessing someone’s private information without consent violates privacy laws, so legal and ethical concerns should be considered.

5. Use Apple's Family Sharing (iOS)

Apple’s Family Sharing feature allows users to share purchases, subscriptions, and more. However, it can also be used to spy text messages and other user activities on an iPhone. You must set up Family Sharing from Settings and log in with your Apple ID and password.

To do this, navigate to the settings on your iPhone or iOS device. Open Apple ID settings, and you’ll find a Family Sharing tab. From here, select ‘Set Up Your Family’. This will enable parental controls on your device and assign you as the parent.

From here, you will be prompted to enter your family member's Apple ID email address. Once done, you can view all messages on your children’s iPhones.

6. Set Up Message Forwarding (Android and iOS)

Another way to spy SMS is to set up message forwarding. This method works on Android and iOS phones.

For Android phones, you have to download the SMS Forwarding mobile app from the Google Play store and install it on the target phone. Setting up the SMS Forwarding app is relatively easy and only takes minutes. Once installed, the text tracking app will send every SMS sent or received from the target phone to your number.

On an iPhone, you have to enable Text Message Forwarding, which allows messages received on one device to be forwarded to another Apple device.

To set this up, click Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding on the target iPhone. You will need to sign in with the same Apple ID on the second device, such as another iPhone, iPad, or Mac, where you want to receive the forwarded texts.

Once configured, all SMS and iMessages sent and received on the target device will also appear on the linked device.

Is There a Way to Monitor My Child's Text Messages Without Installing a Text Message Tracker?

No, you need to install software to monitor SMS on your device, whether it's an Android or an iPhone.

One way to do it without installing the software is to get physical access to your child’s phone and check their text messages. However, the child may be reluctant to hand over the phone. Moreover, the child’s cell phone may be password- or ID-protected, which makes monitoring text even more difficult.

The software helps to remotely monitor the child's text messages through a text message tracker. You only need to access the child’s phone once to install the app. Once installed, the app discreetly gathers all SMS and other phone data and uploads it to a secure dashboard. XNSPY can serve as a purposeful text monitoring app for parents.

Can My Text Messages Be Monitored Without Access to My Phone?

Yes, your text messages can be monitored without direct access to your phone. It could be possible if someone has access to your cloud backups, linked accounts, or message-forwarding features.