Tracking SMS is now on the table, given that digital security has become an integral part of modern society, especially when keeping an eye on kids and beloved family members. In an age when kids are glued to cell phones, it’s only natural for parents to worry about who their child is texting and what’s being shared. It is a question of how to do so reliably and discreetly without betraying trust or initiating a conflict with a child.
That’s where Msafely comes in – an intelligent parental control and cell phone monitoring app that claims to offer complete text message monitoring and much more. In this detailed guide, we will cover Msafely’s text message monitoring capabilities, how it can be used to monitor text messages on both Android and iPhone, and why it outperforms the competition as the top SMS spy tool of 2025.
In-Depth Review of Msafely’s Text Message Tracking Feature
With Msafely’s SMS Tracker, parents can view real-time text conversations online using an online dashboard. It records all your outgoing and incoming messages (including those that have been deleted from your device) on Android and iPhone so the receiver can read them.
The user interface, while friendly, is also quite powerful — you get to see message content, timestamps, and contact information all at once, so you don’t have to worry about any dubious texts going unnoticed. With Msafely, you can easily track a child’s text messages.
Complete Text Message Monitoring (Even Deleted Messages)
- Msafely monitors all SMS and iMessages sent and received, including full text, timestamps, and contact information.
- Removed messages are not lost, so parents know what messages are ever going in and out, even after the child tries to erase them.
- Their app works great on both Android and iPhone, so if you need to send messages on these platforms, it’s a great choice.
- Aids in identifying red-flag conversations — like bullying or sexualized chats — before they go off the rails.
- Peace of mind for parents with a clear view of their child’s messaging activity.
Real-Time Alerts and More Than Just SMS Tracking
- Msafely: Real-time syncing of text messages means that parents see messages right when they are sent or received.
- Keyword alerts let you know right away if flagged words like “drugs” and “self-harm” are used in any message.
- It is compatible with over 30 messenger apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Telegram.
- SMS or social app messages – all displayed safely in one secure dashboard.
- Intentionally made simple to use – you don’t need any technical skills to see chats, pictures, or alerts on your phone.
Stealth Monitoring with No Installation on the Target Phone
- Msafely monitors text messages without downloading an app on the target phone in most cases.
- It includes support for cloud sync, iCloud (iPhone) or Google account (Android) for remote setup.
- Fast and discreet, with no visible icons, notifications, or battery drain.
- If you need a bit more data capture than basic, we also offer an advanced hidden app for Android.
- The user-friendly user-friendly web dashboard means that any parent can easily monitor their child.
Steps to Use Msafely for Text Message Tracking
Using Msafely the best parental control app to track text messages is straightforward and can be done in a few minutes. Here are the basic steps to get started:
- Sign Up for a Msafely Account: Visit the official Msafely website and create a free account using your email address. You can do this from any device’s browser. Once registered, log in to the Msafely dashboard.
- Choose the Target Device Type: Inside the dashboard, you’ll be prompted to add a device to monitor. Select the target phone’s operating system – Android or iPhone (iOS) – and then follow the guided setup instructions for that platform.
- Connect Msafely to the Target Phone:
- If the target is an iPhone, Enter the Apple ID (iCloud) credentials of the iPhone you want to monitor. Msafely will use these to securely sync the phone’s data (texts, backups, etc.) via iCloud. You do not need to install any app on the iPhone.
- If the target is an Android, You have two options. The first (no-install) option is to provide the phone’s Google account credentials to enable cloud sync. Msafely will request a verification code sent to the device and then connect to sync text messages and other data remotely. The second option (if you have the phone in hand for a moment) is to install the Msafely Android app on the device quickly. This is a small, hidden app that takes just a couple of minutes to set up. Installing the app can allow more data to be collected, but it’s optional.
- Let Msafely Sync the Data: After you’ve completed the above setup and linked the phone, give Msafely a short time to synchronize the data. The first sync may take a few minutes as it retrieves all existing text messages, call logs, and other data from the phone. Once this initial sync is done, new messages and updates will appear almost in real-time.
- Start Monitoring via the Dashboard: Now the fun part – monitoring. From your Msafely online dashboard, you can view all tracked text messages and other activities in an organized menu. Navigate to the SMS or Messages section to see conversations. Each text will show the contact name/number, the message content, and the date/time it was sent or received. You can also set up alerts or download reports if needed. The dashboard is accessible 24/7 from any web browser once you log in, so you can check your child’s messages from your phone or computer at any time.
These steps illustrate how easy it is to get Msafely up and running. The process doesn’t require any special technical skills – if you can sign up for a social media account, you can handle Msafely’s setup. In case of any hiccups, Msafely provides helpful guides and customer support to assist with connecting a device. Within minutes, you’ll have a powerful text message tracking tool at your fingertips.
How Msafely Works on iPhone and Android
Msafely’s approach to text message tracking differs slightly between iPhones and Android phones due to the differences in their operating systems. Here’s a closer look at the setup and functionality on each platform:
Android Setup: Two Flexible Methods with Msafely
Msafely offers two powerful setup options for monitoring Android phones — both designed to be easy, stealthy, and highly effective. Parents can choose based on convenience or the depth of data.
1. No-Installation Method (Cloud Sync)
Perfect for when you don’t have physical access to the target device.
- Simply enter the Google account credentials (Gmail address and password) of the target Android phone into your Msafely dashboard.
- Msafely uses these to connect with Google Cloud services and pull in data like:
- Text messages
- Contacts
- Call logs
- Browser history
- No need to touch the phone — ideal for remote monitoring.
- During setup, Google may prompt you to enter a one-time verification code for security purposes.
- Msafely’s setup wizard will guide you to enter the code if it appears.
- Once verified, Msafely begins continuous or backup-based syncing of messages and other phone activity.
2. Quick App Installation Method
It’s ideal if you have the phone in hand for just a few minutes.
- Download and install the Msafely APK (monitoring app) directly onto the Android device.
- Installation is fast and lightweight.
- After setup:
- The app hides itself completely (icon invisible or disguised as a system process).
- It operates silently in the background.
- Benefits of using the app:
- Real-time data capture
- Access to more advanced features, such as:
- Social media message tracking (Snapchat, Messenger, etc.)
- Call recordings
- Keylogger features
- No rooting is required — this preserves the device’s warranty and avoids unnecessary complexity.
3. Key Advantages of Android
- No rooting required
- Two setup options: remote or direct
- Stealth mode: invisible operation with no notifications
- Secure dashboard access to all synced data in real-time
iPhone Setup: 100% Remote, App-Free Monitoring
Monitoring text messages on iPhones with Msafely is seamless, private, and completely remote. It relies on iCloud synchronization — meaning there’s no need to touch the iPhone or install any app.
1. How It Works – iCloud Integration
- Msafely uses Apple’s iCloud backup system to fetch data remotely.
- During setup:
- You enter the target iPhone’s Apple ID and password into the secure Msafely dashboard.
- Msafely connects to the most recent iCloud backup to retrieve:
- SMS messages
- iMessage
- Contact info
- Attached media (emojis, photos)
- No installation is required — the user will not be aware they’re being monitored.
2. Real-Time Sync & Deleted Message Recovery
- Msafely checks for new iCloud backups or real-time sync updates (if “Messages in iCloud” is enabled).
- Messages appear on your dashboard within minutes after they arrive on the iPhone.
- Even deleted texts can be retrieved as long as they were backed up before deletion.
3. Why It’s So Stealthy
- No app icon to find or uninstall
- No battery drain
- No security prompts or alerts
- No jailbreak is required — you don’t have to modify the iPhone’s system at all.
- Invisible and secure — works like a cloud backup service
4. What You Can Monitor on iPhone
- Complete SMS and iMessage threads
- Emojis, media files, and attachments
- Time stamps, contact details, and sender/recipient info
- Deleted messages (if previously synced to iCloud)
Msafely Alternatives: Why Msafely is Best
There are several other text message tracking and parental control apps on the market. Let’s compare Msafely with a few top competitors to see how it stacks up.
We’ll look at SpyX, mSpy, and Spylix – each popular in the phone monitoring space – and why Msafely still comes out on top in 2025.
1. SpyX – A Notable Msafely Competitor
SpyX is a popular phone spy app and a direct competitor of Msafely. It’s intended to assist users in tracking text messages, calls, and various online activities on Android and iOS devices. SpyX initially appears to offer most, if not all, of the same features, including SMS/iMessage tracking, GPS location tracking, and access to popular apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook Messenger.
Feature Breakdown & Compatibility
SpyX claims to offer over 30 types of phone data monitoring. These include:
- SMS and iMessage tracking
- Call logs and contact history
- GPS tracking and location history
- Access to social apps (WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
- Browser history, media files, and keystroke logging
The platform is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. However, while SpyX promotes itself as a “no-install” solution, the reality is more nuanced.
Limitations of “No-Install” Mode
For Android, cloud-based setup means basic data (including WhatsApp messages, call logs and browser history) are accessible by Google Backup. However, if you want more sophisticated tracking (e.g., real-time social media monitoring), then the APK must be installed on the target device.
For iPhone, it operates through iCloud backup syncing (as does Msafely). Still, the setup is reported to be more complex and potentially less comprehensive for many data categories unless backups are enabled and synced at all times.
2. mSpy
Introduction
mSpy is among the best cell phone monitoring applications available. It has been on the market for more than a decade. It is famous for its extensive list of features, particularly the ability to monitor messages, calls, GPS, and social media. While it’s often marketed as parental control, many people use it to monitor the digital behaviour of loved ones.
Features
- Tracks SMS, iMessage, and calls with timestamps and contact info
- Monitors apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and more
- Offers screen recording and ambient audio recording (on Android)
- Allows blocking of apps and websites remotely
- Requires app installation on Android; iOS features are limited without jailbreak
- Runs in stealth mode once installed
Pricing
mSpy’s Premium plan costs $48.99 per month. A 3-month plan drops to $27.99/month, while the 12-month plan is $11.66/month. There is no free trial, but a 14-day refund is available under certain conditions. For text monitoring alone, Msafely offers a more straightforward, installation-free setup with equally strong capabilities.
3. Spylix
Introduction
Spylix is a relatively new monitoring app designed for parents who want to track their child’s phone activity. It supports over 50 data types, including SMS, call logs, GPS, media, and social media apps. Like many in this space, it works on both Android and iOS using either local app installation or cloud sync.
Features:
- Monitors SMS (including deleted texts), call logs, and contact info
- Tracks chats from WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and other major platforms
- Includes a keylogger, GPS tracking, and media file access
- Uses app installation for Android; iCloud sync for iPhone (no jailbreak)
- Offers stealth mode, though the app may remain partially visible until adjusted
- Supports about 15 social apps vs. Msafely’s 30+
Pricing:
Spylix pricing starts at $49.99 per month for full features, matching competitors like Msafely. However, Msafely offers more discreet options (no-install cloud sync), broader coverage, and a faster, more straightforward setup. For busy parents, Msafely provides more value with less effort.
Comparison Table
To summarize the differences, here’s a side-by-side comparison of Msafely versus SpyX, mSpy, and Spylix for key text-monitoring factors:
| Feature/Aspect | Msafely | SpyX | mSpy | Spylix |
| Installation Needed | No (Cloud option) | No (Cloud option) | Yes (app install) | Yes (app install) |
| Stealth Mode | Undetectable | Hidden | Hidden | Visible app |
| Deleted SMS Recovery | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Social Apps Monitored | 30+ platforms | 10+ platforms | 10 platforms | 10+ platforms |
| Price (Monthly) | $49.98 | $49.98 | $48.99 | $49.99 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat | Email only | Live Chat | Live Chat |
| Ease of Setup | Very Easy | Very Easy | Moderate | Moderate |
Conclusion
In closing, Msafely is the best option for tracking text messages in 2025. It provides a unique mix of comprehensive SMS monitoring, which includes viewing even deleted messages and a non-intrusive, installation-free design, unlike other spy apps.
With the use of cloud sync technology (iCloud), Msafely ensures that it is easy for parents to start monitoring their child’s text on iPhone and Android without worrying about technical matters or raising the child’s suspicion. When installed, it runs quietly in the background and provides parents with insight into what their kids are texting, who they’re texting, and what’s being said on certain social media apps.
Our deep dive has also shown us that, although there are some capable competitors like SpyX, mSpy, and Spylix, none of them check all the boxes the way Msafely does. And whether it’s how many platforms it can keep an eye on, how quickly it can ping you an alert if it spots anything suspicious, or how easy its web dashboard is to use by even the most tech-illiterate grandparent, it shines at every level.
At a time when it has never been more critical for parents to keep ahead of their child’s digital communications for the sake of their child’s safety, Msafely provides the peace of mind that they so crave. It’s a reliable, sophisticated, and user-friendly parental control app that tops the list of the best text message trackers and overall phone monitoring apps for this year. Parents who want to keep their kids protected when they’re online can put their trust in Msafely to get the job done both efficiently and discreetly.
