** This post was updated on: September 15, 2018 **
Since you’re reading this article, I think it’s safe to assume that you’re in need of an SMS tracker app. There are a lot of different reasons that you might need to spy on text messages.
You could be in need of a text tracker to spy on texts from your spouse, or your kids, or maybe even employees! While spying on your spouse or your employees might fall in the morally gray area, there are a lot of good reasons to spy on a kid’s text messages.
However, whatever your reasons may be for wanting an SMS text tracker, I’m not here to judge, simply advise. (In addition to SMS, you should also look into getting a WhatsApp Spy App because these days people communicate mostly through instant messaging apps.)
I’ve spent my whole adult life working in the mobile spy industry and as such I know all about hidden text tracker apps. I’m also an independent writer, not aligned with any particular app, so I’m an unbiased advisor.
It can be difficult to go through all the text tracker apps in the market. So I’ll narrow down your search by giving you a detailed description of the top 10 SMS tracker apps!
Top 3 SMS Tracker Apps for iPhone and Android
I’ve divided this article into two parts – the first has the unbeatable top 3 SMS tracker apps in the market, and the second part has 7 other text tracker apps. The first 3 should be good enough to make your decision, however if you need more options you at least have them.
I have also created detailed charts to summarize all the findings of the different mobile SMS spy apps. If you’re in a hurry, simply go through these.
7 Other SMS Tracker Apps to Spy on Text Messages Without Access the Target Phone
Now that you know about the 3 best text monitor apps in the market, here’s a list of 7 other apps that are also decent.
| SMS Tracker | Price/month | SMS Tracking Features | Invisible? | Need to Root/ Jailbreak? | Has Online Demo? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highster Mobile | $69.99 lifetime license | Examine all received, sent, and deleted messages, along with contact information and date-time stamp | Yes | No | No |
| TheTruthSpy | $16.99/mo | This app can also show you the date and time stamp of all sent and received messages. | Yes | No | No |
| Mobile Spy | $49.97/3 months | This app is competent in tracking all sent and received messages. | No | Yes | Yes |
| XNSpy | $49.99/mo | Even though it's new it can still hack into text messages. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PhoneSheriff | $49.00/6 months | You can check your kid's messages with this app. | No | No | No |
| OneSpy | $18/mo | You can even recover deleted messages with this app. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iKeyMonitor | $49.99/mo | iKeyMonitor can track all messages, and even check Social Media messages. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1. mSpy – #1 Text Messages Tracker for Android & iPhone
mSpy is a really popular text tracker app because it has been sponsored by outlets such as Forbes, CNN, Washington Post, Huffington Post, etc. In order to track text messages, you need to be very careful.
As such, you need a text tracker that is reliable. And there’s no tracker app more reliable than mSpy! It has a sterling and pristine reputation as a text spy app.
In addition to that, it also comes with some of the most powerful features in addition to message spying.
Most Attractive Features
- SMS and Multimedia Tracking: mSpy can efficiently track all SMS either sent, received, or even deleted from the target phone. In addition to that, it can also track all the multimedia shared such as videos, audio files, pictures, etc.
- Keylogging: This is a feature with which you can find out all the keys being pressed in the target phone. As such, you can find out all the target’s passwords. You can use this information to track text messages in WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Tinder, etc, as well.
- GPS Tracking: With this feature, you can find out where the target individuals are at any given point, as long as their phone has access to WiFi.
- Powerful Support: mSpy has a 24/7 support system that can be reached by eMail, through a live chat, or through a phone call (at the rate of $12.99 per hour). However, if you’re willing to shell out some extra bucks, you can even get an mAssistance service for $43.99. With this, you don’t need to worry about jailbreaking or rooting the device yourself. The professionals will handle it.
- Demo: mSpy also offers a FREE live demo so you know what you’re purchasing.
- Rooting and Jailbreak Not Necessary: If you have the target individual’s phone password, you can read someone’s text messages without having to either physically access it, or jailbreaking/rooting it. However, if you want access to advanced features such as Keylogging, you need to root and jailbreak the device.
- Invisible: You can hide the mSpy icon so no one detects it.
- You can find out more about their features here >
Website: htttps://www.mspy.com
How to track text messages without access to the target phone (For iPhone)
mSpy is an incredibly simple app to download and monitor with. It is simpler than most other apps because in the no-jailbreak feature you don’t need to install any software to the target phone, you just need the target’s iCloud credentials.
In case you get confused about how it’s done, you can also purchase a mAssistance service which will take care of all the setup for you.
Step 1: Go to the mSpy official website. Click on ‘Buy Now.’ You’ll be able to choose between several different packages and license periods. Because you just want the no-jailbreak features, and you just want to track text messages, you should purchase the Basic package, which is incredibly cheap for one month.
Step 2: After you finish the payment process, you’ll receive an eMail confirmation regarding the same. The eMail will have a link to your Control Panel, along with your login credentials.
Step 3: Follow the link and access the Control Panel. Now you’ll need to setup the device you want to track. You’ll have lots of different options to choose from, but click on iPhone (without jailbreak).
Step 4: Now you’ll have to enter the target’s Apple ID and password, and then click ‘Finish’ on the next page.
Step 5: You’ll be taken to your control panel. Scroll down to ‘View SMS’ to be able to track text messages of the target individual. Before you download the software, you can also check out their trial
What if I don’t have the Target’s iCloud Credentials?
If you don’t have the target individual’s iCloud credentials, you’ll need to use the jailbreak method. In Step 3 above, you’ll have to select the “iPhone” option instead of “iPhone (Without Jailbreak)”.
How to spy on text messages on an Android or Blackberry?
Alternatively, if you want to track text messages in an Android or Blackberry, you’ll have to select the relevant options.
Following this, you’ll be given a detailed guide on how to install mSpy into the target phone, be it iPhone, Android, or Blackberry. You’ll have to follow the instructions closely. Once the installation is complete, you’ll be able to hide the mSpy icon. With that, you’ll be done! You can then access your Control Panel and read someone’s text messages remotely.
Comparison of Features available in Android, Jailbroken iPhone, and Non-Jailbroken iPhone
| mSpy Features | Android | iPhone (Jailbroken) | iPhone (Non-Jailbroken) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS Location Tracking & Geo-Fencing | √ | √ | - |
| Text Messages and MMS Logging | √ | √ | √ |
| Keylogging & Blocking | √ | √ | - |
| Call Logging & Browser History | √ | √ | √ |
| Access to Calendar, Notes & Apps. | √ | √ | √ |
| Data Wipe | √ | √ | - |
| Wi-Fi network details | √ | √ | √ |
| Social Media Monitoring | √ | √ | - |
| Access to WhatsApp & iMessage | √ | √ | √ |
| Access to Email photos, and videos | √ | √ | - |
As you can perfectly see from this table, you get access to all the features in an Android phone and a jailbroken iPhone, and you get only limited features in a non-jailbroken iPhone. However, the ability to track text messages is available across the board!
How much does mSpy cost?
As mentioned earlier, mSpy has several flexible payment packages – Basic, Premium, and Family Kit.
As the name suggests, the Basic package has limited features and is ideal for the no-jailbreak version of iPhone.
The Premium package has all the advanced features that are available with the jailbroken version of iPhone and with Android. The Family Kit has all of the advanced features, and it lets you monitor up to 3 individuals together, and as such is useful for families with several kids.
For example, if you want to track WhatsApp text messages, you’ll have to get Premium.
Compatibility
- iOS 6 – 4; iOS 9 – 9.1 (jailbroken)
- All iOS versions (non-jailbroken_
- Android: Android 4+
- Windows: XP; Vista; 7; 8; 8.1; 10
- Mac: OS 10.7 Lion; OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion; OS X 10.9 Mavericks; OS X 10.10 Yosemite; OS X 10.11 El Capitan
Verdict
This is a safe and reliable method with which to track text messages. If your purpose is to only track text messages you can use the no-jailbreak version as it is safe and doesn’t require you to physically handle the target phone, as long as you have the iCloud credentials of the target. You should ideally purchase the Basic package to track text messages.
But incase you have more than one kids, you can also purchase the Family Kit which might be expensive, but allows you to monitor several phones together.
If you want to find out more about mSpy, you can visit the mSpy official webpage or read my detailed mSpy Review article.
Pros
- Reliable
- Flexible price packages
- Powerful Features
- No rooting or jailbreaking necessary for SMS tracking
Cons
- Rooting is necessary for tracking messages on instant messaging and social media apps
2. FlexiSpy – The Most Powerful SMS Tracker in the World
FlexiSpy is doubtlessly the most powerful SMS tracker app in the whole industry. No other tracker app can compare to it.
However, that sheer perfection and power come with an expensive price tag as well. If you have money rolling around in the bank, get this. However, if you’re on a tight budget, I suggest you skip over this.
Website: https://www.flexispy.com
Most Attractive Features
- SMS and Multimedia Tracking: Even the rudimentary package of this app can easily track text messages and MMS. You can read outgoing, incoming, and deleted message. You can also delete messages or find out the details of the contact.
- Keylogging: If you want to also tap into social media and instant messaging text messages, you’ll need to use the keylogging feature.
- Call Interception and Recording: This feature allows you to add yourself as a third party silent caller on an ongoing call and listen in. You can even record the conversations. Check FlexiSPY review for more information.
- Rooting and Jailbreak Necessary: In FlexiSPY rooting and jailbreak are necessary for all features.
- Invisible: You can hide the app icon and any signs of jailbreak and rooting as well.
- Demo: They offer a free FREE Live Demo of the interface.
How to track text messages without root or jailbreak the target phone?
The process of installation of FlexiSPY is quite different for different devices, so in this guide I’ll only outline the broad and general steps for setup that are common across all devices.
Step 1: First, you’ll have to go to the FlexiSPY website, and buy either the Premium or the Extreme package. I’ll explain the differences between the two later.
Step 2: You’ll receive an email with the link to your control panel and your login information.
Step 3: When you log into your Control Panel, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to install the app into the target phone.
Step 4: Now you’ll have to jailbreak the iPhone or root the Android phone. Following that you’ll have to follow the installation guide to install the app into the device. Be sure that you have a few minutes alone with the device. You can even call customer support to guide you through it.
Step 5: After the installation, hide the Cydia and SuperUser icons.
Step 6: If the target phone is in a stable network connection, then all the data will be transferred to your control panel.
Step 7: Log into your control panel using your login details. Scroll down to the Messages tab, and click on it. You can now track text messages remotely!
What are these ‘Powerful’ features with which to track text messages?
Spoof SMS:
This is a special feature which is unique to only FlexiSPY!
With this feature, you can send out messages to people in the guise of the target individual. The SMS will be sent to the recipient without anything to trace it back to you, and you can send out the message to any number at all, regardless of whether it’s in the contact list of the target individual.
This is a crucial method by which to gain information from another individual who has the confidence of the target individual.
For example, if you suspect your kids might be taking drugs with some of their friends, you can send out a message to their friend from your kids’ number, and based on the response you’ll find out the truth.
Control SMS Keywords:
With this feature, you can set up certain keywords or phrases, so that whenever the target individual receives a message with those words, it will be filtered out. This is a good means of protecting your kids from sensitive content.
In addition to these, there are also all the regular features to track text messages, like SMS and MMS logging. In the next Part, you can check out a table comparing the SMS features of the three apps mentioned in the article.
How much does FlexiSPY cost?
FlexiSPY has two packages – Premium and Extreme.
Premium has all the features that a regular spy app should have.
Extreme has some special features that no other app has, such as the ability to control which SMSs are received by the individual, sending spoof SMSs, listening to phone calls live, recording phone calls, etc. You also get a complementary Password Cracker software with the Extreme package.
Compatibility
- Till Android OS 6.0.1
- Till iOS 9.1
- Till Blackberry1
- Anna and Belle platforms of Nokia Symbian
- Windows: 7, 8, 8.1, and 10
- Mac: OS X Mavericks, OS X Yosemite, and OS X El Capitan
Verdict
FlexiSPY is the most expensive app in the market and so I would suggest that you skip it and get one of the cheaper alternatives above. That is, unless you really need the special SMS tracking features mentioned earlier.
If you want to find out more about FlexiSPY, you can visit the official FlexiSPY official webpage, or read my detailed FlexiSPY Review article.
Pros
- Most Powerful Features in the industry
- Reliable and trustworthy
Cons
- Rooting Necessary
- The most expensive app in the market – both Extreme and Premium packages
3. hoverwatch – The Cheapest SMS Tracker Without Them Knowing
Hoverwatch has some great text tracker features in it. It’s available at a really reasonable price and it’s also very reliable. Considering the fact that it’s a relatively new app, it’s not as popular as mSpy, however, it seems primed to take over the text tracker app industry.
Most Attractive Features
- SMS and Multimedia Tracking: It saves all the SMS and MMS conversations, even if they’ve been deleted by the target individual. Furthermore, you also get all the details of the SMS and MMS, such as the date, time, and the contact of the recipient/sender.
- Free Android Keylogger: In addition to tracking SMS, hoverwatch also comes with a free keylogger. With this tool, you can figure out all of the target’s passwords and thus hack their Facebook and other Social Media messages as well.
- Demo: They offer an interactive demo as well.
- Stealth Mode: When you install the app into the target phone, you’ll get a message saying “Activate an invisible mode on the device.” This renders the app completely invisible. If you want to access the app yourself, you’ll have to use a secret PIN that you’ll be given.
- Rooting Not Necessary: Hoverwatch can be used as a text tracker even without rooting the device.
Compatibility
- Android x-7.x
- Windows PC/ MAC OSX
Cost
With hoverwatch, you may opt for the “Personal” or the “Family” packages. You can access both of them for their text message tracking features. However, with the Family package you can track as many as 5 devices at the same time. As such, it’s ideal for families with several kids and employers. The packages are available on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. 
Pros
- Very cheap
- Stealth Mode
- No Rooting necessary
- Can monitor up to 5 devices in Family package
Cons
- Not available for iOS devices
4. Highster Mobile: A Budget Text Tracker App to Spy Text Messages
Highster Mobile is a great tool with which to spy on text messages because it’s very simple and minimalistic to use. It’s mostly preferred by people who like their options to be minimal and easy to locate.
Just like what I mentioned in Highster Mobile review article, it’s the cheapest text tracker app in the market, and it offers a single package with a lifetime license.
Most Attractive Features
- Rooting and Jailbreak Not Necessary: It’s not necessary to either root or jailbreak the device.
- Invisible: Highster Mobile is discrete and invisible.
- Unfortunately, Highster Mobile doesn’t offer an Online Demo. However, if you find that the app doesn’t work well they offer a refund within a certain time period.
How to track text messages without installing software on the target phone (For iOS devices)
The no-jailbreak setup process for Highster Mobile is every bit as simple as the one for mSpy. The only thing you need is the iCloud credentials.
Step 1: Buy the app from the website.
Step 2: You’ll receive a link to your Control Panel along with your password to login with.
Step 3: After you access the Control Panel link, you’ll need to setup the target phone. Choose “no jailbreak” when given the option.
Step 4: Enter the target individual’s iCloud credentials when asked.
Step 5: Highster Mobile will now be able to access all the data stored in the target phone. If it’s connected to the internet, all that data will be transferred to a secure server.
Step 6: You can now enter your Control Panel, select the ‘SMS’ tab, and track text messages!
How to spy on someone’s text messages without them knowing on Android or Blackberry?
In this case, you’ll have to purchase the license for the app, and then download and install it manually into the target phone when you get the chance. However, this is also a very simple process and only takes about 2 minutes to complete.
Step 1: After you’ve made the purchase, download the app into the target phone.
Step 2: The installation of the app is very direct. After the installation, you’ll need to access it and enter your license key and mobile number. You need to enter your own mobile number so that you can receive SMS notifications regarding phone activities.
Step 3: You’ll receive a message stating that the installation has been successful. Tap ‘Ok’ and that’s it!
Other Features of Highster Mobile
Highster Mobile only offers one package with an unlimited license. As such, there is no discrepancy between which features you can access and which you can’t. The app only has one set of features which you can always access. These are all the features besides the ability to track text messages:
- Call logging
- Access to personal control panel with which to remote control target phone
- GPS tracking, along with access to route history
- Remote control the camera and take pictures discreetly
- Track Browser history
- Access the phone’s gallery of videos and photos
- Check all eMails coming in or going out of the phone
- View all the contacts and events in the phone
- Access and remote control social media and instant messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, etc.
- Uninstall remotely without needing to physically handle the phone
How much does Highster Mobile cost?
Highster Mobile is the cheapest app in the market as it just cost you $69.99, and that too for a lifetime!
Compatibility
- Android: OS 2.1+
- iOS: All iPhone models and iOS versions.
Verdict
Unlike mSpy, Highster Mobile cannot boast fame and reputation. However, it is the cheapest app in the market, and if you want a no-jailbreak option it doesn’t get better than Highster Mobile because it has a much wider selection of features than mSpy.
However, if you use the jailbroken version of mSpy, then that would definitely have far more powerful features than Highster Mobile. But as long as your intent is to only track text messages, this is perfect.
If you want to find out more about Highster Mobile, you can visit the official Highster Mobile webpage or my detailed Highster Mobile Review article.
Cost
Highster Mobile is famous for how cheap and reasonable it is amongst all other SMS tracker apps. It costs only $69.99 for a lifetime license.
Pros
- Extremely Cheap
- No Rooting/ Jailbreak Necessary
- Money Return Guarantee
- Lifetime License
Cons
- No online demo
- Basic Features
5. TheTruthSpy Text Message Hacker: Hack Someone’s Text Messages Without Them Knowing
TheTruthSpy is a discreet but ultimately unreliable SMS tracker app meant for Android devices. On the outset it has some of the most advanced features amongst all other apps with which to spy on text messages.
But what’s really bad about this spy app is that it has received almost a unanimously scathing set of reviews.
Most Attractive Features
- Rooting and Jailbreak not Necessary: Rooting is necessary to access all the advanced features. However, if your purpose is to simply use it as a text message tracker, then rooting isn’t necessary.
- Invisible: A single press of a button can hide the app icon from the target phone, rendering it invisible.
- There’s no Demo for TheTruthSpy. However, you do get a 48 hours free trial to work on it.
Compatibility
- iOS: 4.x to 7.1.2
- Android: 2.2 to 5.x
Cost
TheTruthSpy is available in 3 packages – Standard, Premium, or Gold. The license is available monthly, quarterly, or yearly. However, if you just want to use it as an SMS tracker, the Standard package is good enough.
Pros
- 2 Day Trial Period
- Advanced Features
- Rooting and Jailbreak not Necessary
Cons
- Scathing Reviews
- No Demo
6. Mobile Spy: #6 Text Spy App
Mobile Spy is a text spy app that is mostly used by parents and employers to mind their children or employees. As such, this is a completely ethical app which you can’t hide from the target individuals. It’s very powerful and has a lot of features even beside text message tracking.
However, it comes with the one major limitation of visibility. So you should definitely go for this app if you’re tracking someone’s cell phone with their permission or awareness. but if you’re trying to be sneaky this isn’t the one for you.
Most Attractive Features
- Rooting and Jailbreak Not Necessary: To access advanced features such as social media hacking you need to root or jailbreak the target device. However, if you simply want to track text messages, rooting isn’t necessary.
- Completely Visible: As mentioned earlier, Mobile Spy is a completely ethical app that can’t be used for spy purposes.
- Demo: You can access a demo of the control panel.
Cost
You can purchase the Basic or the Premium package for a quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly license. However, if you just want to use it as a text message tracker, the Basic package is good enough.
Pros
- Powerful Features
- Strong Compatibility
- Good for ethical monitoring of children or employees
- Rooting and Jailbreak not Necessary
Cons
- Completely visible
7. XNSPY Text Spy: #7 SMS Spy App for Android and iOS
XNSPY is a text tracker app that has recently come into the market. However, despite being such a fledgling it has already made quite a reputation for itself because of the new features.
But despite that, you should approach this app with a fair degree of caution. One of the great and unique features about this text message tracker is that it offers both online and offline tracking.
SMS Tracker Features
- Rooting is Necessary, Jailbreak is not Necessary: It’s necessary to root the target Android phone to hack into it. However, if you have an iPhone and you just want to access the SMS, then you don’t need to Jailbreak.
- Invisible: The XNSpy icon can easily be hidden so that the target individual doesn’t find out he’s being tracked.
- Demo: You can also check out a demo before purchase.
Compatibility
- Rooted Android x, 5.x, 6.x & 7.0
- Jailbroken iPhone 6.x, x, 8. up to 9.0.2
Cost
This text tracker app is available in Basic and Premium packages. However, since you just need to track texts, Basic is good enough. You can go to the “Buy Now” page to learn more about the price packages and their licensing.
Pros
- Good set of features
- Jailbreak not necessary
Cons
- Not a very reputed and reliable app
- Rooting is necessary
8. PhoneSheriff: Monitor Your Child’s Text Messages Without Them Knowing
PhoneSheriff is a text monitoring app meant to be used by parents, so that they know what their kids are always up to. Because it’s meant to be used by parents, the interface looks really loony and fun. As such, because it’s meant to be used by parents, it’s not discreet.
Most Attractive Features
- Rooting and Jailbreak Necessary: You need to root and jailbreak the respective devices to track the messages.
- The app can’t be hidden from the target phone.
- No Online Demo available.
Compatibility
Completely compatible with all OS versions and types, and all mobile devices as well.
Cost
There are only two options. You can get a half-yearly license for $49.00. Or you can get the yearly license for $89.99.
Pros
- Features perfect for parental control
- Cheap and easy to use
Cons
- Can’t be hidden
- Ideal only for parent-children
- Rooting and Jailbreak Necessary
- No online demo
9. TheOneSpy SMS Tracker: Track Text Messages Without Having the Target Phone
TheOneSpy has all the necessary spy and text tracker app features so it can be used by anyone. However, it has been designed specifically for parental use.
Most Attractive Features
- Rooting and Jailbreak are necessary.
- It’s discreet and the app icon can be hidden.
- Online demo is available.
Compatibility
- All Android versions and devices
- iOS 4 to iOS 8.0, but not iOS 9.x.x
- All Blackberry versions and devices
Cost
Three packages are available – Lite, xLite, and Premier. Their price starts at $0.6, $0.9, or $1.6 per day, respectively.
Pros
- Powerful features.
- Invisible.
- Easy to Install.
Cons
- Doesn’t work with iOS 9.x.x
- Rooting and Jailbreak are necessary
10. iKeyMonitor: Monitor Your Child’s Messages on iPhone Without Installing Software
iKeyMonitor calls itself the “No 1 iPhone Spy APP” in the market. While its being “No.1” might be up for contestation, it’s an undeniable fact that it is quite great for iPhone, and decent for Android as well. ( Check the 10 best Android tracking apps here.)
The website has been designed in a very amateur style however the app is most certainly user-friendly and powerful. It also comes at a far more reasonable cost that most other SMS tracker apps in this list, and it has also been sponsored by the likes of DailyMail and TNW.
Most Attractive Features
- Demo: You can also try out a free
- Rooting and Jailbreak Not Necessary: Rooting and Jailbreak aren’t necessary if the target phone uses one of the following languages: EN, DE, FR, IT, RU, ES, and PT. For all other languages and advanced features, rooting and jailbreak are necessary.
- Invisible: iKeyMonitor hides the app icon and any signs of the device having been tampered with.
Compatibility
- Android3 – 7.x
- All jailbroken iOS versions 6.0+
- Non-jailbroken iOS versions 9.0+
Cost
Only one package for monthly or yearly license, costing $49.99/m or $24.99/m respectively.
Pros
- Strong Features
- Doesn’t overwhelm with options. Only one reasonable price package.
- Rooting and Jailbreak not necessary
Cons
- Bad website design
Conclusion
So now you know all there is to know about SMS tracker apps and how to spy on text messages. You should ideally go for one of the top 3 Editor’s Choice apps. However, if for some reason they don’t work for you, feel free to check out the others.
However, be sure to read all the fine print regarding invisibility and rooting/jailbreak (highlighted parts) as they might help you determine the ideal app. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have and I’ll answer to the best of my abilities!
Highster Mobile