How To Read Text Messages On Child's Iphone

These days, most children have access to an iPhone or an iPad, either their own, or one that belongs to their parents. However, this could lead to the kids being exposed to inappropriate content, online predators, and such. Therefore, it's necessary that parents provide guidance and take precautions. The easiest way to keep an eye on your child and their phone usage is to monitor the device and text messages.

In this article, we're going to show you how you can monitor text messages on your child's iPhone or iPad.

Also see: How to limit kids' access to apps and media to only those with age-appropriate ratings

How to monitor text messages on your child's iPhone or iPad

Of course, it's important to respect the privacy of your children, but it's also best to keep an eye as kids can be influenced easily. There are a couple of ways to keep an eye on your kid. You can enable Parent control on their devices, restrict your kids Screen Time on iPhone or iPad, or just check their phone from time to time. There are also several paid software and apps available that can monitor messages, location, and more.

However, when it comes to monitoring text messages, there are two free methods that you can use on the iPhone.

Note: These methods will only work for text messages, and not other messages sent via WhatsApp or other messaging services.

Use iCloud Sync

You can use the iCloud sync feature in iOS to receive text messages from your child's iPhone. This means that you'll have to know your child's Apple ID and password. You would also have access to the device to allow messages to be synced to iCloud. This method will also give you access to other things such as Photos, Apps, and more. Here's how to do this.

1) On your child's iPhone, launch Settings app.

2) Tap on the Profile name and select iCloud.

3) Slide the toggle next to Messages under Apps using iCloud.

iCloud sync Messages iPhone

The iPhone will take some time to sync the messages to iCloud. Once completed, you can sign in using the same Apple ID and password on another iPhone or Mac, and have access to all the shared data. Again, make sure that you have access to your child's iPhone when you sign in on another iPhone. Apple will send a notification, and you wouldn't want your kid to see that, unless you're open about monitoring their messages.

Forward text messages

Another free method is text forwarding on iOS. You can simply set up the messages on your child's iPhone to be forwarded to your iPhone or Mac. Once again, you'll need access to your child's iPhone to set this up. Follow the steps below to do this.

1) Launch Settings on your iPhone.

2) Scroll down and select Messages.

3) Tap on Send & Receive. You should see a page showing your current numbers.

iMessage Send and Receive iOS

4) If you've not set up an Apple ID, you can select Use your Apple ID for iMessage option. Now select Use Other Apple ID.

5) Enter your child's Apple ID and Password to Sign In.

6) Go back to Messages, enable Text Message Forwarding and choose a device where you want the messages to be delivered.

Text Message Forwarding iPhone

You should now receive a verification code, which you'll need to enter on the device to confirm text forwarding. Henceforth, all the messages coming to your child's iPhone will also be forwarded to your iPhone or Mac.

To track your child's location, you may want to use the Find My app on your iPhone.

Wrapping up

In this digital world, a lot of bad things can happen online, and mobile devices such as iPhones are one of the mediums. If your child has access to an iPhone or iPad, you must be aware and careful. It's easy to monitor text messages and find out if someone bad is targeting your child. There are other things you can keep an eye on as well, with the help of apps and software. We hope this tutorial helped you learn how to track text messages on your child's iPhone.