6 Proven Ways to See Someone Else's Text Messages on iPhone

While monitoring someone’s text messages is not considered the most ethical, sometimes it is unavoidable. You might want to view your family or employees’ text messages on their iPhone for one or more reasons. Some people wish to stay updated on their children’s activity, whereas others might want to keep an eye on their employees. Especially when you want to monitor people who use an iPhone, you might find it challenging to do so. Thus, the important question is, “How to see someone else's text messages on iPhone?”

This article covers six different methods to see someone else’s text messages on iPhone. Read it till the end to find which one suits your needs the best.

Type text messages on an iPhone.

Part 1. 3 Common Reasons for See Someone Eles's Text Messages on iPhone

There could be numerous reasons for seeing someone else’s messages on iPhone. Here are three most common ‘whys’ behind seeing someone else’s text messages on iPhone.

  • Safety and protection

Family’s protection is one of the most common reasons for seeing someone’s text messages on iPhone. Parents often want to see their children’s activity on the phone to protect them from potential harm from predators. At the same time, monitoring text messages also helps protect elders from text message fraud and scams they may not be able to realize instantly.

  • Cheating suspicion

Seeing your partner’s text messages can be helpful if you suspect them of cheating or being unfaithful. It can protect you from ending a relationship on the basis of suspicion, and offer a clearer understanding of the situation.

  • Employee management

Often, employers provide their employees with mobile phones for company communication. However, monitoring the use of the phone can be challenging. Remotely seeing the messages on iPhone can make it easy to track employee activity when using the phone.

Part 2. How to See Someone Else's Text Messages on iPhone

Have you ever wondered, ‘How to view someone’s texts on iPhone?’ If yes, then we are here to tell you six different methods to view iMessages online without the target person finding it out. Read below to find out how can you read text messages from another iPhone.

Method 1. Use text message tracker-Msafely

The best method to see someone’s text messages is by using the Msafely monitoring app. Msafely, which is primarily a parental control app, can help you easily read anyone’s text messages on an iPhone just by their iCloud credentials. Here’s what you need to do,

Step 1. Go to Msafely’s website, and use your active account to sign up for a free account.

Sign up for a free account using a valid email address..

Step 2. Choose the device you want to monitor. Msafely allows remote monitoring of both Android and iPhone devices. To monitor an iPhone, simply select "iPhone" here.

Choose the target device.

Step 3. Choose your subscription plan and connect your target iPhone.

Step 4. Start monitoring all activities on someone else's iPhone, including text messages, call logs, location, and social media interactions.

iPhone user demo of Msafely.

After you are done with these four steps, you can see who they are texting iPhone in two ways: text messages and the keylogger feature. You will love how much user-friendly Msafely’s Control Panel really is, where you can easily locate the text messages app and see iMessages online.

On the other hand, the keylogger feature records every keystroke made on the target phone, and with that, you can see what and whom they are texting on their iPhones.

Text messages monitoring feature of Msafely.

    Pros

    pros

    See someone's text messages on iPhone remotely.

    pros

    No app installation and physical access is required.

    pros

    Easy-to-use Control Panel.

    pros

    4-step simple app set-up.

    Cons

    pros

    No free trial.

Method 2. By iCloud backup

If you want to use a built-in iPhone feature to see someone’s text messages, iCloud is the ultimate best option available out there. Before diving into the step-by-step method, ensure their iCloud backup is enabled. If you’re unsure, get access to their iPhone and enable iCloud or text message backup.

Now, follow these four simple steps to see who they are texting iPhone secretly in your absence,

Step 1. Log out of the current account on your iOS device and reset the device data by going to Settings>General.

Step 2. Tap on Reset, and select ‘Erase All Content and Settings.’

Step 3. After the device has restarted, click on ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’ from the appeared prompt.

Step 4. Now, log in to your target iPhone’s iCloud credentials, which will restore all their data on your iOS device.

You can now view iMessages online from the backed-up text messages.

Important note
You must have your iCloud account’s data backed up before logging out of your account.
!
Requirements:
  • You must have your target iPhone's iCloud credentials to check iMessages online with the iCloud backup method. In addition, you may need the target phone in your hand in order to ensure that the Messages in iCloud backup are enabled.

    Pros

    pros

    No extra app installation.

    pros

    Free of cost.

    Cons

    pros

    May require physical access to the target iPhone.

    pros

    Requires target phone’s iCloud credentials.

Method 3. Through iTunes

Other than iCloud backup, iOS devices have another default backup feature: iTunes backup. iTunes backup can help you extract the last backed-up text messages from the target iPhone via an app or Apple’s very own feature.

If you want to know ‘How to see someone else’s text messages on iPhone through iTunes,’ we’ve got you the honest answer right here:

Step 1. First, make sure that the target iPhone has the latest iTunes backup. If not, connect the phone to your computer through iTunes and select ‘Back Up Now’ from the options.

Step 2. Once the backup is completed, you can extract the text messages by installing a third-party app (such as iBackup Viewer or PhoneRescue) or through Windows.

Step 3. Install any of these apps and follow the prompts to extract text messages from iTunes backup easily.

Once the scanning is completed, you can read iMessages online on your device without any further hassle.

!
Requirements:
  • To see someone’s text messages through iTunes backup, you need your target phone’s iCloud credentials while making sure they have their iTunes backup enabled. If not, you may need physical access to the target phone to enable backup. Moreover, you will need to install a third-party app, in case you choose to.

    Pros

    pros

    Extracts all messages after the latest backup.

    pros

    Can read messages through Windows or an app.

    Cons

    pros

    Requires iCloud credential.

    pros

    May require physical access.

    pros

    Requires text extracting app sometimes.

Method 4. By text forwarding

Apart from the iCloud and iTunes backup methods, text forwarding is another iOS feature that can help you view iMessages online from someone else’s iPhone. However, both iOS devices must be using the same Apple ID, and you must have physical access to your target iPhone.

Do you want to know ‘How to see someone's iMessages through text forwarding?’ Here is how,

On your Mac:

Step 1. Go to Messages, tap on Preferences > iMessage, and confirm that you are using the same iCloud account on both devices.

Step 2. Now, Go to Settings App > Messages > Send and Receive.

On target iPhone:

Step 1. Go to Settings App > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.

Step 2. Here, you will see the devices connected to the iCloud ID, including your Mac. Select the Mac or any other device (where you want to receive messages) from the list of devices.

Step 3. Now, if you don’t have two-factor authentication, all other devices will receive a verification code. Enter this code on the iPhone and confirm the text forwarding to the device, which, in this case, is a Mac.

You will receive the texts on your Mac, where you can now check iMessages online.

!
Requirements:
  • This method requires physical access to the target iPhone and the Apple ID credentials. Also, both the sender (iPhone) and receiver (Mac or any other device) devices must be logged in to the same Apple ID.

    Pros

    pros

    No backup is required.

    pros

    No extra app installation.

    pros

    Complete transfer of text messages.

    Cons

    pros

    Requires physical access to target phone.

    pros

    The same Apple ID must be logged in on both devices.

Method 5. Using iMessage web access

You can view messages on the target phone using your Apple laptop. By connecting the target phone’s Apple ID to your laptop, you will be able to view the messages on the device. Follow these steps to access the target phone’s messages:

Step 1. Go to the iMessage application from the Launchpad.

Step 2. Sign into the Apple ID of the target device.

You’ll see the messages on the device remotely.

!
Requirements:
  • You need the credentials of the target phone to see iMessages on your laptop.

    Pros

    pros

    No physical access to the target device needed.

    pros

    Messages can be easily accessed on a laptop.

    Cons

    pros

    Requires iCloud credentials of the target phone.

    pros

    You need an Apple laptop to access iMessages.

Method 6. Via Apple Watch

If you want to stay updated on someone’s text messages all the time, connecting the phone to your Apple Watch is the best way. It gives you access to their text messages as soon as they receive them. Here’s how you can pair your Apple Watch with their iPhone:

Step 1. Turn on the Apple Watch by pressing the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Step 2. Bring it close to your iPhone.

Step 3. Click ‘Continue’ when a pairing screen appears and follow the instructions to pair both devices.

Step 4. Open the Watch app on your phone and go to ‘Notifications.’

Step 5. Select ‘Messages’ and tap ‘Mirror My iPhone’ to ensure you get the text messages on your watch.

Once the watch is connected and you start mirroring the iPhone’s messages, you’ll stay updated about the texts as received.

!
Requirements:
  • Connecting the target device to your Apple Watch requires physical access to the phone.

    Pros

    pros

    Real-time updates.

    pros

    No need for iCloud credentials.

    pros

    Get updates without taking out your phone.

    Cons

    pros

    Requires Apple Watch.

    pros

    Physical access to the iPhone needed.

Part 3. Which One is the Best Way to See Someone Else's Text Messages on iPhone

 MsafelyiCloud backupsiTunesText forwardingiMessage web accessApple Watch
iCloud/iTunes backup needed
Ease of useVery easyModerateModerateDifficultModerateModerate
Requires Apple ID credentials
Requires physical accessMay require physical accessMay require physical access
Third-party software needed
LimitationsNoneiCloud backup must be enablediCloud backup must be enabledBoth devices must be logged into the same Apple IDiCloud credentials and an Apple laptop are required.Requires Apple Watch.

After comparing all six methods to see someone’s text messages, we conclude that Msafely is the best and safest option in terms of user-friendliness and ease of access with no extra conditions or drawbacks.

Part 4. FAQs

Q1. Can I track iMessages on a phone bill?

Apple offers discretion on the messages shared among iPhone users and the phone bill does not share the messages sent or received from other users.

Q2. How can I see someone else’s iMessages on my phone?

You can see someone else’s iMessages on your phone by mirroring their phone that allows you to see what the other person is sending or receiving on their device. Using a third-party app like Msafely or SpyX can also help sneak into someone else’s messages.

Q3. How can I receive messages from another iPhone?

If you wish to receive messages from another iPhone, turn on Text Message Forwarding from the intended device. Go to ‘Settings,’ open ‘Apps,’ and click ‘Messages.’ Select ‘Text Message Forwarding’ from the menu. Select the numbers you want to receive messages from.

Q4. Can I read someone’s text messages through iCloud?

Yes, you can read anyone’s text messages through iCloud. You need access to that person’s iCloud ID and password to access the stored iMessages on the cloud.

Q5. How can I check text messages on an iPhone from another phone?

Signing into iCloud on your phone is one of the most straightforward methods to see text messages on an iPhone from another. You can also view messages using iTunes or remotely connecting the phone to yours with an online spy app.

Q6. How can I see who someone is texting on an iPhone?

You may not be able to see someone else’s activity on their iPhone, until you have access to their iCloud credentials. Signing into their iCloud gives you access to their saved messages every time after backup.

Q7. How can I read someone’s iMessages without signing in?

If you do not have access to the other person’s iCloud, you can read their iMessages through text forwarding or connecting their phone to your Apple Watch.

Q8. Can I track iMessages using iCloud?

Yes, you can easily track iMessages using iCloud on any Apple device including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, you must be logged into the iCloud to access the messages.

Part 5. Conclusion

Whether you want to protect your family from fraud, track employee activity, or if you doubt your partner’s faithfulness, seeing their text messages can be helpful. Use text forwarding, iMessage web access, iCloud backup, or iTunes to see someone else’s text messages on iPhone. You can also monitor the target phone’s text messages by connecting it to your Apple Watch.

Moreover, text message trackers like Msafely also give you access to other people’s text messages remotely. Choose any of the above-mentioned methods to see someone else’s text messages on iPhone that suits your needs and preference the best.