Here’s the breakdown of methods to monitor your child’s iPhone texts:
iCloud Method: Share their Apple ID to sync messages, but it’s messy - your contacts mix with theirs and it’s not real-time. You need their password and physical access regularly.
Apple Screen Time: Only shows who they text, not the actual messages. Basic oversight without content.
Monitoring Apps (like Parentaler): Shows all texts including deleted ones, doesn’t need their Apple ID, and sends keyword alerts. Takes about 5 minutes to set up.
Reality check: Most teens know these methods exist and just switch to Snapchat, Discord, or Instagram DMs where parents rarely look. The dedicated apps are your best bet for actually seeing their messages, but smart kids will move conversations elsewhere once they figure it out.