How to Track SMS on iPhone in 2025: 5 Working Solutions

Texting has become a major part of our daily communication, over 23 billion texts are sent every day around the world, and more than 90% are read within just three minutes.

If you use an iPhone, chances are you rely on messaging constantly. But sometimes, there’s a real need to track SMS on someone’s iPhone. You might be a parent keeping your child safe, or you may need to check in on a loved one for peace of mind.

In this guide, you’ll learn 5 easy and effective methods to track SMS and monitor text messages on iPhones. Keep reading to find the option that best fits your needs.

track SMS.

Part 1. Is It Possible to Track SMS on iPhone

Yes, tracking SMS on an iPhone is possible, you just need the right method for your situation. If you're trying to keep an eye on your child’s iPhone activity or check in on a loved one, there are a few reliable options you can use.

For example, if the iPhone is backed up to iCloud, you can view synced messages from another device. You might also use iMessage syncing across Apple devices to access texts.

You also use tools like Gbyte Recovery to track SMS on iPhone and help retrieve deleted or hidden messages. And if you want a more complete solution, parental control apps like Msafely make it easy to monitor SMS and even more.

In the next section, we’ll break down 5 easy methods you can try—so you can pick the one that works best for your needs.

Part 2. How to Track SMS on iPhone: 5 Working Methods

Tracking SMS on an iPhone is quite easy with the right methods. Below, we will discuss 5 easy methods to help you achieve it.

Method 1. Using a parental control app (e.g., Msafely)

Msafely is one of the best parental control apps for iPhones when it comes to tracking text messages on an iPhone.

Msafely has a stealth cloud-based monitoring system, which means it can track iPhone SMS in secret, without the user knowing. Once set up, you get access to all the information you need from a secure online dashboard, and the person you're monitoring won’t even know it’s happening.

Msafely is also regularly updated to remain compatible with the latest iOS versions, ensuring smooth performance even as Apple releases system updates. Msafely also works on Android devices.

Msafely homepage screenshot.

Key features of Msafely for SMS tracking on iPhones

Msafely provides full access to every SMS sent and received on your child’s iPhone device. You’ll see their entire conversation history, including timestamps, contact names, and even messages that have been deleted from the device.

Msafely SMS tracking demo.

If you want to monitor for certain red flags, you can set up alerts for specific words or phrases (like “secret,” “alone,” “meet”). Msafely will notify you in real time if any of those keywords are used in a message.

Msafely keyword alert demo.

Steps to track SMS on iPhone using Msafely

Step 1. Visit Msafely website and sign up with a valid email. This gives you access to your private monitoring dashboard.

Register a free Msafely account.

Step 2. Select your target device and choose a subscription plan.

Step 3. Log in to your Msafely dashboard anytime to view text messages, call logs, GPS locations, media files, and more.


        The Android dashboard of Msafely.

    Pros

    pros

    Tracks all SMS and deleted messages with full metadata.

    pros

    Offers cloud-based tracking—no app install needed.

    pros

    Msafely also tracks social media, call logs, GPS, and more.

    pros

    Works in stealth mode—completely hidden from the iPhone user.

    Cons

    cons

    Need subscription.

Method 2. Using iCloud backup (no app needed)

iCloud Backup is one of the easiest ways to track SMS on an iPhone, and no app downloads are required. If the target iPhone has iCloud Backup enabled, its messages are automatically synced to iCloud. All you need is access to their Apple ID and password.

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Here are the requirements for using iCloud backup:
  • The target iPhone must have iCloud Backup enabled.
  • Access to the person’s Apple ID and password.
  • A device (phone, tablet, or computer) to log into iCloud.com.

Follow these steps to track an iPhone’s SMS by using iCloud Backup:

Step 1. Go to Settings > [Name] > iCloud, and toggle Messages ON.

Step 2. On your browser, go to iCloud website and sign in using the Apple ID and password linked to the target iPhone.

Step 3. If Messages in iCloud is active, you may see synced texts. For older backups, use the backup restore option to view past messages.

Step 4. You need to erase the iPhone before restoring from an iCloud backup. To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings

Step 5. On the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with the Apple ID, select the backup, and wait for the process to finish.

    Pros

    pros

    No need to install any app.

    pros

    Can restore and view deleted messages.

    pros

    Works remotely through a browser.

    pros

    Completely hidden from the iPhone owner.

    Cons

    cons

    Requires Apple ID and password.

Method 3. Using iMessage sync on another Apple device

Once iMessage is enabled and synced across multiple devices, you can receive the same messages as the target iPhone in real time. This method is ideal if you already share devices in your family or if you're setting up a device for your child.

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Here is what you’ll need to use iMessage Sync to track SMS on an iPhone:
  • The iPhone and your other Apple device (Mac, iPad, etc.) must both support iMessage.
  • Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID.
  • Access to the target iPhone for initial setup.

Here are the steps to track SMS on an iPhone by using iMessage Sync:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Messages, and turn ON iMessage.

Step 2. Go to Settings > Messages, then tap Send & Receive. Select the phone number and any associated email addresses from which iMessages should be sent or received.

Step 3. On a second Apple device (like a Mac or iPad), log in with the same Apple ID. Make sure iMessage is also turned on here.

Step 4. Once the devices are synced, you’ll be able to receive all incoming and outgoing iMessages from the iPhone on the second device.

    Pros

    pros

    Real-time access to incoming and outgoing texts.

    pros

    Seamless sync between Apple devices.

    pros

    Great for monitoring kids with family devices.

    pros

    No need for third-party apps.

    Cons

    cons

    Only works with iMessages, not regular SMS.

    cons

    Needs Apple ID access and physical device setup.

    cons

    Won’t show deleted messages unless synced before deletion.

    cons

    Not ideal if person changes Apple ID credentials.

Method 4. Using third-party tools like Gbyte Recovery

If you're trying to track and manage SMS activity on an iPhone, especially when messages may have been deleted, third-party tools like Gbyte Recovery are incredibly helpful.

Gbyte Recovery is designed to scan for and recover both existing and deleted SMS and iMessages, letting you keep tabs on conversations that may no longer appear on the iPhone itself.

It’s a solid choice if you’re trying to dig deeper into someone’s messaging history—like your child’s or loved one’s phone—without needing to install an app on the device.

Gbyte iOS Recovery homepage screenshot.
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To use third-party tools like Gbyte Recovery to Track SMS on iPhone, you need to note the following;
  • Access to the person’s Apple ID and password.
  • A Windows or Mac computer to run the recovery tool.
  • A stable internet connection.
  • The iPhone should have iCloud backup enabled or have synced recently.

Here are the steps to track SMS on iPhone with Gbyte Recovery:

Step 1. Download and install the software on your computer from , then open the program.

Step 2. Use the target Apple ID credentials to connect the software to their iCloud backup.

Step 3. Select the Messages section and let the tool scan iCloud or the device backup for all available and deleted messages.

Step 4. After scanning, you'll be able to preview texts before downloading them. Select what you want to recover, and save them in a readable format to your computer.

    Pros

    pros

    Can recover deleted SMS and iMessages.

    pros

    No need to install anything on the target iPhone.

    Cons

    cons

    Requires Apple ID and password.

    cons

    Limited recovery unless iCloud backup is active.

    cons

    Computer and internet access required.

    cons

    Not ideal for real-time SMS tracking.

Method 5. With Screen Time & Communication Limits

Apple’s built-in Screen Time feature is another smart way to track and manage an iPhone’s SMS usage—especially for parents.

With Screen Time Restrictions and Communication Limits, you can control who the iPhone communicates with during allowed and restricted times.

Even though you won’t be able to read the SMS directly, this method helps limit who can text your child and when, giving you a layer of oversight and safety.

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Here are the requirements to track iPhone SMS with Screen Time & Communication Limits:
  • Physical access to the iPhone (for initial setup).
  • Screen Time passcode (only you should know it).
  • iPhone must be running iOS 13 or later.
  • Ideally used for child’s device under Family Sharing.

Follow these steps to track SMS on an iPhone using Screen Time & Communication Limits:

Step 1. Tap on “Turn On Screen Time” if it isn’t already enabled.

Step 2. Choose “This is My Child’s iPhone.”

Step 3. Tap Communication Limits > During Screen Time and During Downtime. Choose specific contacts allowed.

Step 4. You can check usage reports and update contact restrictions whenever needed.

    Pros

    pros

    Built into iPhone—no app needed.

    pros

    Helps limit who can send and receive texts.

    pros

    Great for parental controls.

    pros

    Works alongside other family safety features.

    Cons

    cons

    Doesn’t show actual SMS content.

    cons

    Requires initial access to the device.

    cons

    Not useful for tracking adults or reading deleted messages.

    cons

    Limited to iOS 13+ and Family Sharing setups.

Part 3. SMS Tracking Methods Comparison: Which Is Best for You

After discussing the five ways to track SMS on an iPhone, it’s clear that Msafely is the best.

If you want a powerful, and feature-rich tool that secretly tracks text messages, call logs, real-time GPS, and social media activity, then Msafely is your best bet. It brings all these features together in one convenient place.

It’s ideal for parents who want peace of mind, or anyone who needs full visibility without ever touching the iPhone again. The setup is quick, the dashboard is easy to use, and there’s 24/7 support if you need help along the way.

Here's a comparison table of the five methods;

MethodRequires Apple IDPhysical Access NeededReal-Time TrackingTracks Deleted SMSStealth ModeBest For
Msafely (Parental Control App)YesNoYesYesYesParents, relationships, full tracking
iCloud BackupYesNoNoYes (from backups)NoReviewing past messages
iMessage SyncYesYes (initial setup)YesNoNoShared devices, family iPads/Macs
Gbyte Recovery ToolYesYesNoYesNoRecovering old or deleted messages
Screen Time & Communication LimitsNoYes (setup only)NoNoYes (indirectly)Parental contact control

Part 4. FAQs

Q1. Can I track SMS on an iPhone without installing an app?

Yes, methods like iCloud Backup or Msafely use cloud-based tracking, so you don’t need to install anything on the target iPhone.

Q2. Can I track SMS on an iPhone in real time?

Yes, you can use iMessage Sync for real-time updates on shared Apple devices or apps like Msafely for more advanced monitoring.

Q3. Will tracking SMS slow down the iPhone or affect performance?

No, methods like iCloud Backup and Screen Time run in the background or outside the device, so they won’t slow it down.

Q4. Can I track SMS on an iPhone without jailbreaking it?

Yes, all five methods in this guide—including iCloud Backup, iMessage Sync, and Msafely—work without needing to jailbreak the iPhone.

Q5. Is it legal to track someone’s iPhone messages?

Tracking is legal for parental control or with consent. Always check local laws before monitoring someone else’s phone.

Part 5. Conclusion

Tracking SMS on an iPhone is easier than you might think—especially with the right method. If you're looking for the most complete solution, Msafely stands out as the best choice.

Msafely offers powerful, real-time tracking of text messages, deleted conversations, call logs, GPS, and even social media activity—all in stealth mode.

For simpler needs, iCloud Backup, iMessage Sync, or Screen Time can also help. But if you want full visibility and peace of mind, go with Msafely. It’s easy to use, secure and gives you everything you need from one simple dashboard.