4 Proven Methods to Check Messages from Another Phone

Whether you want to monitor your child’s interactions with their friends, keep an eye on your spouse’s phone conversations, or protect your old parents from scams, checking their messages from another phone can be helpful. But the question arises, “How to check messages from another phone?”

While it can be slightly complicated, it is not impossible. You can check messages from another phone through various methods, including text forwarding, parental control software, cloud backup, and many others. We’ve shared the best methods to check messages from another phone to ensure your family’s safety.

Keep reading the article till the end to find out how to view text messages from another phone, even when you do not have physical access to the phone.

Part 1. 4 Proven Methods to Check Messages from Another Phone

Checking someone’s messages from another phone remotely may not have been possible in the past with keypad phones, but now you can do that – thanks to cloud backup and apps like Msafely. Check these four simple, yet effective methods to check messages from another phone, and pick the one that suits your preference the best.

Method 1. Use sms tracker (Android & iOS)

When looking for ways to see text messages from another number, on Android or iPhone, there’s nothing better than an SMS tracker. SMS tracker apps like Msafaly allow you to view messages on the target phone without physical access to it. The best part is that using this app is incredibly simple, especially when you want to monitor your family’s phone activity or whereabouts as well besides text messages.

With Msafely, you can:

Monitor sent, received and deleted messages remotely.
Spy on the sender’s name and number.
Track the recipient's details, including the name, time, and date the message was sent or received.

Text messages monitoring feature of Msafely.

Other than SMS tracking, Msafely also helps you track:

General features: Call logs, Contacts, Photos and videos, Location & geofencing, Keylogger, Browsing history, Emails, Notes/ Reminders, Documents, Calendar
Social media apps: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Telegram, Tiktok. LINE, Tinder, Discord, Kik, Skype, Viber, Hangout, WeChat

How to use Msafely:

Using Msafely is pretty straightforward, with only three easy steps. Here’s how you can use the app to track messages from another phone:

Step 1. Go to Msafely website and register a free account online.

Step 2. Select a subscription plan and connect the target phone to your Msafely account.

Step 3. Open your Msafely Control Panel on any device and select SMS tracking to view text messages.

Requirements:

You need the target phone’s credentials to connect it to your phone.

Method 2. Check via iCloud (iPhone only)

If you’re an iPhone user, you can check your child’s iMessages via iCloud backup, viewing the synced messages on another device easily. This method is an excellent choice for families that use iOS devices and communicate via iMessages. Here’s a simple method to backup iMessages on iPhone:

Step 1. Go to Messages in Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2. Open iMessages.

Step 3. Sign in with the target phone’s credentials.

You will see the synced messages in iMessages. Alternatively, sign into iCloud with the target phone’s Apple ID and choose the iMessage backup.

If you’re unsure if sync is enabled on the target phone, follow the following steps:

Step 1. Open Settings on your phone and click on your name.

Step 2. Select iCloud from the options.

Step 3. Look for ‘Apps using iCloud’ and tap ‘iMessage.’

Step 4. Turn on ‘Sync this iPhone.’

Requirements:

iMessage sync must be enabled on the target phone.
You need the target phone’s iCloud credentials to view iMessages on another device.

Limitations:

You can see someone’s iMessages only if you have an iPhone.

Method 3. Use Google messages backup (Android only)

Now that you know how to see text messages on another phone when using iOS, don’t worry, we have a solution for Android users as well. Like iPhone users, you can also leverage backup to see text messages from another number. In fact, Android users can see another phone’s messages through the web, similar to WhatsApp web. Check both the methods in detail here to find out which one suits your situation better.

Option #1. Web version real-time sync

To connect and view messages from another phone via web for Android phones, follow this simple process:

Step 1. Open the Messages app on the target device.

Step 2. Tap three dots or > and select ‘Device Pairing.’

Step 3. Open Google Messages for Web on your device’s browser.

Step 4. Once logged in, select the three vertical dotted lines.

Step 5. Toggle ‘Remember this device.’

Step 6. Scan the QR code shown on the screen to pair both devices.

Requirements:

You need access to the target phone to connect your device to it.

Limitations:

Google Messages can be active on one device at one time.

Option #2. Cloud backup restoration

When you do not have access to the target phone, cloud backup can be your savior to read texts from a different phone. Unlike Messages for Web, you will not get real-time updates on received messages, you can view backed up messages on the target phone. Here’s how to view someone’s text messages via cloud backup on Android phones:

Step 1. Open Settings and go to Accounts and Backup.

Step 2. Select Samsung [or your device] Cloud.

Step 3. Click Restore data.

Step 4. Choose Messages and select Restore.

Requirements:

Messages must be backed up on cloud to view them.

Limitations:

The above-mentioned method is suitable for Android devices with a built-in cloud backup system.

Method 4. Set up Text Message Forwarding (iPhone only)

Other than iMessage backup, text message forwarding is an excellent feature in iPhone that allows you to sync messages on your iPhone across multiple devices. Here the big question is “How to forward texts to another phone?” The answer is pretty simple. Follow these steps to turn on text message forwarding on Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS.

Step 1. Open Settings on your phone and select ‘Messages.’

Step 2. Click ‘Text Message Forwarding.’

Step 3. Select a device among the list of devices connected to your Apple ID and toggle the switch.

Step 4. Check the code on the screen of the device you selected; enter this code on your iPhone.

Requirements:

You need access to the target phone to enable text message forwarding.

Limitations:

iMessages must be turned on for text message forwarding.

Part 2. What is the Best Way to Check Messages from Another Phone

	Msafely	iCloud	Google Messages	Text Message Forwarding
Compatibility	iOS & Android	iOS	Android	iOS
Real-time text messages	✅	❌	Only for Google Message for web	✅
Real-time alerts	✅	❌	❌	❌
Remote setup	✅	❌	❌	❌
Other monitoring features	✅	❌	❌	❌
Success rate	High	Moderate	Moderate	Low to moderate

While you can use iCloud, Google Messages for Web, and text message forwarding, these methods do not offer remote setup options or keystroke monitoring. You might also require physical access to the target phone to connect it to your device. On the other hand, Msafely provides real-time text messaging, real-time alerts, and also monitors other apps on the target phone, including location, web browsing, and other social media. What’s even better is that you can set it up remotely from anywhere and connect the target device to your account.

Part 3. Conclusion

If you want to see your partner or children’s phone and are wondering how to check messages from another phone, we hope this article helps you find the best choice for your needs.

iPhone users can view previous messages via iCloud or forward texts to another phone using Text Message Forwarding. At the same time, Android users can view another person’s text messages via cloud data backup or connecting the target phone to a device by using Google Message for web to access messages online.

If you’re looking for a solution that works equally well for Android and iOS devices, an SMS tracker app like Msafely can be your best choice. It allows you to track someone’s messages online without requiring physical access to the device. Apps like Msafely also enable you to monitor other apps on the target phone, including WhatsApp, Instagram, LINE, Discord, Viber, notes, reminders, contacts, and much more. Select the method best suited to your requirements and preference to view text messages sent and received from another phone.

Part 4. FAQs

Q1. Can I check my text messages from a different phone?

Yes, you can check text messages from a different phone through various methods, such as cloud backup and Google Messages for Web. While cloud backup gives you access to backed up messages, Google Messages allows you to see received and sent messages in real time.

Q2. How can I see my old messages on another phone?

If you haven’t been able to see your old messages on your new phone, the best way is to install SMS Backup and Restore on your old and new Android phones. Backup your SMS history on your old phone, move it to the Drive, and import it to your new phone to restore it on.

Q3. Can someone see my text messages from another phone?

Yes, another person can see your text messages from another phone. They might set up text message forwarding or iCloud for iPhone or use Google Messages for Android phones. Alternatively, using a third-party app may also give access to your text messages and other details online.

Q4. How to transfer phone messages to another phone?

To transfer phone messages to another device, open your device’s Settings app and tap Google. Under the services, look for Backup and restore, and select Backup. Within Backup details, see the backed up data on your device.

Q5. How to check voice messages from another phone?

When you cannot check voice messages from your phone, tap Voicemail on another iPhone and follow the instructions. In case you want to retrieve your iPhone voice messages from another phone, dial your mobile number and press * or # to bypass greetings. Now, enter the voicemail password to access your voice messages on that phone.

Q6. How to link phones to see messages?

You can use SMS tracker software like Msafely to see messages on another phone. It gives you real-time access to the messages on the target phone. At the same time, Google Messages for web also enables you to view messages on another phone. Install Msafely and connect it to the target phone or open Google Messages for web on your browser and link your device.

Q7. How to check mobile messages online?

Check mobile messages online with Google Messages. Open Google Messages on your phone and go to Device Pairing. Sign in with your Google Account if you have not logged in already or select from the connected accounts. Open Google Messages for web on a browser on your laptop or computer and connect the target phone to your device.

Q8. How to check iPhone text messages from another phone?

Other than using an SMS tracking or parental control app, you can set up text message forwarding on the target iPhone to view their messages on your phone. Open Settings on your iPhone and select Messages. Click Text Message Forwarding and select your device from the linked devices. Open the device you want to receive the messages on and enter the viewed code on the target phone.