Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship. However, sometimes doubt can sneak into our hearts and minds. This is when we look for solid evidence to either dismiss or confirm our fears. Checking your partner’s phone is one of the most common moves many people make. It is ethically questionable. So, make sure to use the below methods only in case of absolute necessity.
Checking your boyfriend’s phone without their knowledge is not an easy task. You might get caught red-handed in the process. That is why it is better to choose methods that help you check his phone without physically touching it. The latest technology offers several ways to do this. You do not even have to be tech-savvy to use these methods. All you need to do is follow some simple steps.
Grab his phone
This old-school technique is the most straightforward. However, it also comes with the highest risks. Your partner can easily walk in on you and catch you reading his text messages. This can ruin your relationship with him for a very long time. If he is in fact cheating on you, he would see it as a warning. In the future, he will be more cautious about leaving his iPhone unattended. He might also change his PIN code and passwords.
Another obstacle here would be the PIN of the iPhone. If you do not know it, you will not be able to unlock your partner’s phone. Trying different PIN codes is not also recommended. After a couple of failed trials, his phone will automatically get locked for a while. If he tried to use his phone during this period, he will figure out that you were trying to unlock it. That is why the below methods are considered “safer”, even if they were more complex.
iCloud Backup
To uncover whom your boyfriend is texting, iCloud can be extremely efficient. Every iPhone has an iCloud storage space. It is used to save the data of the phone as a backup. If you have access to your partner’s iCloud account, you can easily view all the data of his phone from your computer. There is no need to touch his iPhone at all. This minimizes the risks of getting caught.
If you do not have the iCloud sign-in details of your man, you will not be able to use this method. Also, you need to make sure his iPhone has been recently synced to iCloud. Otherwise, the data you find there might not be up-to-date.
Here are the detailed steps to access his messages through iCloud:
- Sign in with your partner’s iCloud credentials.
- Select “Recover from iCloud” Backup Files.
- Choose “Messages” in the pop-up window and start the scanning process.
This helps you find the backup files on iCloud that contain text messages.
- Once the scan is over, choose any message you want to preview.
- Click on “Recover to Computer” to download the selected text messages.
- Now, you will have all the text messages you want on your computer.
Text message forwarding
This feature allows you to forward every message sent or received by an iPhone to another iOS device. However, to benefit from this option, you will need to access his phone at least once. Also, if your partner discovers this trick, he can easily turn off the Text Message Forwarding feature on his iPhone.
You need to make sure you are signed into iMessage with the same Apple ID on both devices.
On his iPhone:
- Unlock the phone.
- Go to “Settings”.
- Choose “Messages” then tap on “Send & Receive”.
- Sign in with his Apple ID.
From your Apple device:
- Open Messages
- Choose Messages then Settings (or Preferences)
- Now click on iMessage.
- Sign in with his Apple ID.
His iPhone again:
- Open “Settings”.
- Go to “Messages” and tap on “Text Message Forwarding”.
- Move the slider in front of your device’s name to the right.
If your partner is not using two-factor authentication for his Apple ID, a verification code will appear on both devices. Enter that code on your iPhone.
As you see, this method leaves a lot of traces behind. If your guy checks the Text Message Forwarding feature on his phone, he will find the name of your device. Also, this option is not available anymore on iOS 12 and iOS 13 devices. Apple has canceled it.
Spying Apps
Today, you will find several cell phone spying apps available online. You can easily install them on your partner’s phone and start monitoring all his activities. These apps allow you to hack into his mobile phone, without needing to touch it. You can remotely check all his text messages and other communications.
Be careful, though. Using these apps might be a violation of the United States federal and/or state law. That is why you need to consult a legal advisor first. Finding out the truth about your boyfriend’s infidelity is not worth getting yourself in serious trouble. Plus, there are plenty of other “legal” ways to uncover his shady behavior.
Cell phone usage records
If the cell phone line your partner uses is registered under your name, you can use this to your advantage. Some cell phone companies, like Verizon, keep records of all SMS text messages sent and received using their lines. Yes, it is a horrible invasion of users’ privacy. However, in some cases, it can be a lifesaver.
This option is more expensive than using a spy app. However, it is less suspicious. Usually, you can order a copy of your calls and SMS records for the past several months. This can be done through the company’s website or application.
Is it legal to spy on someone’s text messages?
First, we must stress on consulting a lawyer first, before trying any of the above-mentioned methods. In general, it is only legal to read someone’s text messages if they have given you permission or if you are their legal guardian. The legality of all other cases is relative. It depends on many factors, such as:
- Do you own the apple device you are spying on? Or is this an employee’s phone that is owned by your company?
- Have you notified the phone’s owner that you will check their text messages?
- Who pays the bills for this phone?
- Is there a history of your partner granting you access to their phone?
- Is your boyfriend’s iPhone usually used by you as a common electronic device?
The answers to all these questions and much more will determine if there is a civil or criminal liability in your behavior. Any evidence you discover on your partner’s phone through intentional spying might not be accepted in a legal case. On the contrary, you might be subjected to potential civil and/or criminal liability.
Can he find out you are spying on his iPhone?
Other than catching you red-handed, some signs might make your partner suspect their iPhone is being monitored. He might not be able to make the solid connection that you are the one spying on them. However, he might still suspect it is you.
In general, any spyware uses mobile data to send information about the hacked phone. Low-quality spyware can make the data usage of your boyfriend’s phone spike. This sudden increase might make him suspect his cell phone is being monitored. With some search and investigation, he can find the installed spyware on his phone and remove it. If you recently had access to his device, he could easily put 2 and 2 together.
Having a spy tool installed on a phone will not just increase its data consumption. The extra load a spy app puts on the phone will also greatly affect the battery life. Your partner will notice that his iPhone battery gets drained quicker than usual. If he decides to track the reasons behind this, he will most probably find the spyware on this device. Alone, he might not trace the spy app back to you. However, with the help of a tech-savvy friend, the spy activities can be connected to you.
In the recent past, accessing someone’s iPhone or remotely reading their text message was almost impossible. You needed to either be a highly skilled hacker or hire one. Now, technological advancement has made everything easy, both legal and illegal. That is why you need to be extremely careful in today’s “digital” world. Never undermine the consequences of your actions or words, just because they are not made face-to-face.
Spying on your boyfriend might not be just illegal. It is also a huge invasion of his privacy. If you get caught, the trust between both of you might be broken forever. So, before trying any of the above-mentioned spying methods, ask yourself: “Is this worth it? Is whatever information you are going to uncover worth taking such high risks? How would you feel if he spied on your phone?” You are the only one who can answer these questions.
Always remember that technology is a double-edged sword. So, use it wisely to keep yourself and others safe!
