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How Can I Monitor My Child’s Text Messages on iPhone & Android

How Can I Monitor My Child’s Text Messages on  iPhone & Android

Parenting is a challenging job, made even more difficult by the dangers of the Internet that children are exposed to daily. Shockingly, statistics reveal that more than 50% of online sexual exploitation victims are teenagers aged 12 to 15. Predators often request sexually explicit photos from their targets.

However, sexual exploitation is not the only threat; cyberbullying is also prevalent. Studies indicate that 37% of children aged 12 to 17 have experienced online bullying, with 30% enduring multiple incidents. Given these alarming figures, it’s natural to wonder how to monitor your child’s text messages without their knowledge.

Fortunately, I’m here to help. In this article, I’ll guide you on how to access your child’s text messages on iPhone and Android to protect them from cyberbullies, sexual predators, and other inappropriate activities. I’ve personally tested these methods to monitor my own 12-year-old son’s phone, and I can assure you they are about 95% effective. Let’s get started!

How Can I See My Child’s Text Messages on Android?

If you look up “how to see what my kid is doing online” on Google, you will find tons of mobile surveillance techniques, and you’ll probably end up confused about which option to pick. 

Luckily, I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ve had real-time experience with spy apps. From my usage, there’s one cell phone surveillance application I can vouch for – eyeZy. 

eyeZy is the total parental control package. It gives you access to key bits of data on a smartphone, including texts, phone calls, location, social media apps, web browser content, history, gallery, email, and notes. 

With eyeZy set up on your child’s phone, it’s as good as having physical access to the device 24/7.

But how does eyeZy enable you to read your child’s texts and IM inboxes? Through its Social Spotlight and Keystroke Capture add-ons. Quickly, I’ll show you how both features work. 

Monitoring Your Child’s Texts With eyeZy’s Social Spotlight and Keystroke Capture

eyeZy’s Social Spotlight comes with a screen recorder that captures every text your child sends and receives on their device, including those from up to ten social media apps. 

If your child has a WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, Hangouts, Facebook, or Instagram account, you’ll have complete access to every conversation across these apps after installing eyeZy on their Android device. 

On the other hand, with its Keystroke Capture, eyeZy records everything your daughter types with her phone’s keyboard. Thus, sexually-explicit texts won’t sneak past you. You’ll also know if she plans a secret hangout with her friends and lies to you about it. 

With parental control features, eyeZy’s claims of being the best monitoring app for keeping an eye on your loved ones are 100% valid.

READ ALSO: How to Secretly Forward Text Messages on Android: Remote & Simple Way

How to Install eyeZy on Android: A Step-By-Step Guide

Most people searching for how to monitor their kid’s text messages often look out for simple spy hacks that don’t require too much tech-savviness. 

Thankfully, eyeZy is one of those apps. Everything from the app’s installation to accessing your dashboard is straightforward. No stress whatsoever. 

Still need proof? Let me show you how easy it is to set up eyeZy on your child’s smartphone and spy on his conversations. 

Step 1. Create an Account

eyeZy requires you to have an account to use the app. However, all that’s necessary to create your account is your email. Once you’ve provided your email on the “Create Account” page, you’ll need to select the OS of your son’s smartphone. 

While eyeZy is compatible with iOS and Android operating systems, you’ll probably need to check if the app is functional on the target device’s exact model via the “Check Compatibility” area (eyeZy’s home page). Some spy apps don’t work on older versions of Android and iOS. 

After selecting the target mobile phone’s OS, the next and final step is picking a subscription plan. eyeZy has several payment plans, and they’re all relatively budget-friendly. 

I’ll recommend you purchase eyeZy’s 12-month plan. It costs $9.99 monthly. 

Step 2. Go Through the Welcome Email Sent to Your Mail Inbox 

Once you’ve made the payment for your subscription, you’ll receive an email from eyeZy with login details to help you access your Control Panel. 

Step 3. Log in to Your Control Panel Using the Details Embedded in the Welcome Mail

Using the details in the eyeZy welcome mail, you can now log in to your Control Panel from any smartphone or PC. 

Step 4. Go Through the Detailed Installation Guide 

After successfully signing in, eyeZy’s preset installation guide will walk you through downloading and setting up the application on your kid’s Android smartphone. The steps are pretty straightforward, and you should have everything running within 10 minutes.

Step 5. Monitor Your Child’s Texts From Your Control Panel

Immediately you’ve downloaded and set up the app on your child’s phone, you’re all set to spy on their texts. 

From your Control Panel on any phone or computer, you can see texts your child exchanges and any other activity you’d love to keep an eye on. 

But will your son know you’re monitoring him? No, he won’t. 

Upon installation, eyeZy disappears from the phone’s menu immediately after installation. So your kid won’t know you’re spying on him. Remarkably right? Even private investigators aren’t that discreet! 

Video Tutorial: How to Install Eyezy Mobile App on Android & iPhone

How Can I Monitor My Child’s Text Messages on iPhone?

If you’ve spent much of your blog writing career reviewing spy apps as I have, you’ll come across several questions. For example, folks often ask me, “how can I monitor my child’s text messages on iPhone?” 

Every time I get this query, I give one answer: mSpy. 

mSpy is the most reliable spy app for tracking an iPhone. When I switched my son’s phone from Android to iOS, I tested a couple of iOS spy apps to see which offered complete access to everything on an iPhone. mSpy stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

The app features as many as 36 features to help you monitor your child. Virtually every popular social media platform kids are on these days is available on mSpy, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Telegram. 

There was nothing my son could hide from me once I had this app set up on his iPhone, and you can also have the same 100% guarantee if you get mSpy. 

mSpy’s text and social media message monitoring features are particularly impressive. Both add-ons let you see who they’re texting when they exchange texts and the multimedia files in every conversation. 

So, if your daughter comes across a sexual predator that’s requesting sexually-explicit images on Facebook, you’ll know immediately and take measures to ensure her safety. 

mSpy is the equivalent of a surveillance camera; only this time, it’s on her smartphone! 

DID YOU KNOW: With mSpy, you can see texts your son has deleted or conversations they’ve hidden. So, if you’ve been wondering, “how can I see my child’s deleted texts on iPhone?” mSpy should be your go-to alternative

How to Install mSpy to Get Child’s Text Messages on iPhone?

iPhone monitoring

One of the primary reasons mSpy ranks high is its easy setup process. When I tried the application, I had it installed and could read text messages on my son’s phone within 15 minutes. 

Here’s how I pulled off the installation: 

Step 1. Create an Account

To kick-start your smartphone spy journey with mSpy, go to the app’s website and click on the “Try Now” icon at the top of the page. Next, enter your email address in the blank space provided. 

The next page will contain details of the smartphone OS you want to monitor: Android or iOS. Click on iOS, and proceed to choose a subscription plan. 

mSpy prides itself on being an affordable spy app, with its twelve-month plan going for $11.66 monthly. That’s about cheap enough to keep you within your budget. 

Step 2. Open the Welcome Email and Follow the Guide for App Installation 

Once you’ve paid for your subscription plan, you’ll receive a welcome email from mSpy with login details for accessing your Control Panel and installing the application on your son’s iPhone. 

Step 3. Get the iCloud Credentials of the Target Device

There are two ways to get the app running on iPhone: you could either use the phone’s iCloud credentials to sync the device to the spy app without installing it or download and install the app directly. 

While the former will not require physical access to the device, you’ll need to get hold of your son’s iPhone to pull off the latter. I recommend you try the first option, though, because it’s safer. 

If you’ve got your son’s iCloud login details, sign in to your dashboard from any smartphone or PC and enter the information to sync the app with the phone. 

On the flip side, if you don’t have access to your kid’s iCloud details, use the download link in the Welcome Email to install the app on their iOS device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. 

If the device has a password lock, you may need to find a way to get in to download the app. 

Step 4. Monitor Your Son’s Texts from Your Control Panel

After setting up the app using either method, you can read all your son’s texts from your Control Panel, including hidden and private conversations. 

Show me a better iPhone parental monitoring app for text messages. I’ll wait. 

Top 5 iPhone Parental Apps for Monitoring Text Messages 

If there’s one thing I can tell you about spy apps, it’s that there are tons of them. Try searching “how can I see my child’s text messages on Android and iPhone” on Google and see the many spy app alternatives that pop up. 

For first-time users, these numerous options can make it challenging to select. Thankfully, you have access to my in-depth experience testing different spy apps. 

In this section of this article, I’ll show you the top 5 of the best parental control spy apps for iPhone. These apps are comprehensive, ticking multiple boxes, including features, affordability, ease-of-use, security, and stealth monitoring. Top mentions include:

  1. mSpy
mspy

The fact that mSpy appears twice in this article should tell you how good the app is. I don’t believe there’s any iOS parental control app out there that can beat what mSpy offers. 

I’m not the only one caught up in the mSpy fever, as the app has over 1.5 million customers to prove its efficiency. With mSpy, you can monitor conversations on your daughter’s social media accounts.

Whether she’s into adverse vices with friends, suffering cyberbullying, or exposing herself to sexually-explicit content, you can find out and take steps to protect her. You can even monitor her movements with the app’s GPS tracker. 

If you feel she’s lying about that sleepover, no worries; keep an eye on her from your mSpy dashboard. Who needs a chaperone when you’ve got mSpy? 

Throw in the fact that you can access her contacts, gallery, calendar, web browser, and app menu, mSpy grants you access to her cell phone, albeit on a virtual front, all day long. 

DID YOU KNOW: According to a study, 75% of adolescents have tried alcohol because of peer pressure, while 70% of teen smokers were influenced by their friends. With mSpy installed on your child’s phone, you can ensure they aren’t mixing up with the wrong gang. 

  1. TheSpyBubble
thespybubble

Referred to as the jack of all spying trades, TheSpyBubble is a spy app that focuses on doing the basics. A quick trip to its website and the minimalist interface lets you know the application isn’t about winning points for a colorful design. Instead, it’s focused on efficiency and providing customers with the features they need the most. 

All the basics, including text message and social media monitoring, GPS tracking, geofencing, and phone call monitoring, are available.

On the compatibility front, TheSpyBubble trumps the competition. Unlike most mobile surveillance solutions, TheSpyBubble is compatible with older versions of the iOS and Android operating systems, including iOS 6 and Android 4.0. 

So the version of your daughter’s iPhone shouldn’t stop you from keeping an eye on her activities. 

  1. Phonsee
phonsee

Phonsee is another reliable spy app that offers all the basics plus a few additions that most spy apps don’t have. 

For example, you can monitor the usual activities, such as reading your child’s texts on his SMS inbox and social media accounts, alongside controlling your son’s iPhone from your dashboard. 

Interestingly, you can remotely lock the device, reboot apps, or use SMS commands to initiate several other controls. 

I couldn’t help but notice that the app was lacking in a few departments, though. For instance, some features available on Android weren’t available on iOS, such as the keylogger, geofencing, and remote activity control features. Some social media apps weren’t available on iOS for tracking as well.  

Compatibility is another challenge users may face. Phonsee is only compatible with iOS versions 6.0-14. 

As such, if your child uses an iPhone with iOS 15 or higher, you won’t be able to use this app to monitor them. 

Although the app has several drawbacks, it’s still a reliable option to help you to monitor your child’s text messages on their iPhone. 

  1. MobiPast 
Mobipast New

MobiPast offers 30+ features to enable you to monitor your daughter’s phone, including an SMS tracker, keylogger, web browser tracker, and a phone call spy. The app is just about as comprehensive as it gets. 

It’s also compatible with a host of iOS and Android operating systems. Also, the setup process is relatively stress-free, and you’d be ready to commence spying on the target’s device within 5 minutes. 

  1. Parentaler 
Parentaler app

While Parentaler adopts a minimalistic interface, the app is anything but basic. With access to over 18 social media apps alongside the SMS inbox of the target phone, this app focuses on being as comprehensive as possible. 

Older and unpopular social media apps, like Line and Kik, are available on Parentaler. The spy app also offers several bonus offerings that you won’t find elsewhere, such as a SIM Card Replacement feature that lets you know when there’s a SIM card change on the target device. 

I won’t forget to mention that with Parentaler, you can monitor as many as five devices. So if you have more than one ward, you can spy on them simultaneously. Talk about all-around parental control! 

READ ALSO: Top 3 Ways to Read Someone’s Text Messages Without Installing Software for Free & Fast

What Are the Pricings For Text Monitoring Apps? 

It’s pretty common to hear someone ask me, “can I monitor my child’s text messages for free?” The apps in this article require payment before you can use them. 

Most spy apps require you to purchase a subscription before you can install them on the target device. 

However, I’ve focused on providing you with the most affordable options. You’re not likely to break the bank to purchase these spy apps. 

Let’s quickly compare each of them based on pricing and other metrics to help you determine which one is the best option for you. 

eyeZymSpyPhonseeTheSpyBubbleMobiPastParentaler
Pricing$9.99$11.66$28$27.99$28$10,17
FeaturesSocial Spotlight, Keystroke Capture, Phone Analyzer, Pinpoint, Plans Breaker, Friendly Installer, Magic Alerts, Invisible Shield, Connection Blocker, Web Magnifier, Files FinderRead Emails, Access Contacts and Calendar, Record Their Screen, View Multimedia Files, Monitor Internet Activity, Manage Calls, Track Text Messages, Read Messaging Apps, Track GPS Location, Control Apps and ProgramsCalls, Location History, Online Chats, Contacts, Texts (SMS, MMS, iMessage), Photos and Videos, Browse Control, Bookmarks, Calendar, Notes, Geofencing, Emails, Applications, Keylogger, Remote Activity Control, Reboot Application, SMS Commands, SIM Change Notification, Removal ProtectionCall Monitoring, SMS Commands, Text Message Monitoring, GPS Tracker, Control Panel, IM Tracking, Photo Monitoring, Read Contacts and Notes, YouTube Monitoring and Email Check, Alerts on Prohibited Actions, Read Contacts and Notes, Social Media and Website MonitoringPhone Calls, SMS Monitoring, Keylogger, Email, Browser Monitoring, UndetectableRecord Calls, Phone Internet History, Stealth Mode, Track SMS, Track Facebook Messages, WhatsApp Spy, Snapchat Spy, Viber Spy, Track Phone Location, Android Screenshots, Detect SIM Card Change, Save All the Contacts, Track To-do List, Track Calls, Track Camera, Keylogger for Mac, Webcam Shots, Track Laptop and PC Location, Save Clipboard
CompatibilityAndroid / iOSAndroid / iOSAndroid / iOSAndroid / iOSAndroid / iOSAndroid /  Windows / Mac
Customer Support24/7 live chat, email, phone24/7 live chat, phone, email24/7 Customer SupportEmailEmail (24-48 hours response)
Rating⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FAQ About Spy Apps

Most people (especially first-time users) often have several questions about spy apps. In this section, I’ll answer the top three questions I get asked frequently. 

How Do I Know the Best Spy App for Me? 

Knowing the best spy app for you is more about your needs than the app itself. In other words, you should ask, “which smartphone activity do I want to monitor?, and does the app have this feature?” 

You should also consider your budget. Regardless of how great a spy app is, consider the spyware out of bounds if it doesn’t tally your finances.

There are tons of spy apps on the market with various subscription plans; find one with the right features and budget-friendly payment packages. 

Are Spy Apps Secure? 

Yes, most spy apps (especially the ones in this article) are 100% secure. However, I’d recommend going for reputable variants like mSpy and eyeZy.

Can I Get Caught Monitoring My Child With a Spy App? 

No, the spy apps in this article (and several others that I know about) disappear from the phone’s app menu immediately after installation. In other words, they work 100% in stealth mode, and you’re not likely to get caught spying on your child. 

Conclusion

Parenting is all about keeping our children safe, and in this era of social media, it has become even more challenging. Luckily, there are parental control apps like eyeZy and mSpy that provide the peace of mind parents seek. With these apps, you can now monitor your kids round the clock and protect them from the perils of the internet and teenage life.

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