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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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;
Method | Requires Apple ID | Physical Access Needed | Real-Time Tracking | Tracks Deleted SMS | Stealth Mode | Best For |
Msafely (Parental Control App) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Parents, relationships, full tracking |
iCloud Backup | Yes | No | No | Yes (from backups) | No | Reviewing past messages |
iMessage Sync | Yes | Yes (initial setup) | Yes | No | No | Shared devices, family iPads/Macs |
Gbyte Recovery Tool | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Recovering old or deleted messages |
Screen Time & Communication Limits | No | Yes (setup only) | No | No | Yes (indirectly) | Parental contact control |
Part 4. FAQs
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.