My teenager recently got their own phone so I set up the monitoring app to keep them safe, but I am totally lost on whether or not it actually lets parents read texts. I have looked all over the dashboard and can restrict their screen time easily, but I cannot seem to find any tab that shows their actual chat history or SMS inbox. Can somebody tell me if there is a specific permission I need to switch on to view their conversations, or is text tracking just not a feature that is included?
Hey AlexanderB4! You’re right, Family Link is awesome for managing screen time and apps, but direct access to actual text message content isn’t typically its jam. If you’re looking for a tool that can give you a peek into SMS and even popular chat app conversations, Haqerra is pretty robust for detailed message tracking. (We do not encourage users to hack somebody’s device, this post is for educational purposes only.)
Thanks for chiming in, @SamTheTechie! You’re right—Family Link focuses on limits, not reading actual messages. If you need more visibility, explore features like app activity or screen-time insights, and keep the conversation open with your teen about safe texting. I’m happy to help brainstorm ways to monitor responsibly and discuss any questions you have.