[Top 4 Ways] How to Track Calls and Texts from Another Phone

It has become common to track location, calls and texts from another phone. For instance, parents might track children's phone activity to ensure safety, employers might track company-issued devices to protect sensitive information, or individuals may track their own devices to back up or recover texts and calls if lost or stolen.

Whatever reasons, the fact is, it's practical to track calls and texts from another phone for free. This post shares 4 feasible methods with you.

Top 3 Apps to Track Calls and Texts from Another Phone

Before we dive into highlighting and discussing ways to track calls and texts, it is essential to keep in mind that each app has its pros and cons. However, finding an application that offers the most benefits is the key to achieving your tracking goals.

So, to help you do this, we recommend the following three best apps that can help you track messages and calls for free or a limited fee. So, let's get started.

1AirDroid Parenting Monitoring App

AirDroid Parenting Monitoring App ideally is the best of the three apps for parents to monitor kids' device and track calls and texts from another phone. 

This app can automatically track text messages and other app notifications, and the screen mirror feature allows parents to view the phone screen remotely. Plus, its web version allows you to easily track calls and text messages from another phone online.

Here's how to track calls and texts from another phone using AirDroid Parental Control:

1. Download and Install: This is the first step, which involves Installing AirDroid Parental Control on the parent's device.

2. Sign in and bind devices: Create an account and sign in, then follow the on-screen wizard to bundle two devices.

3. Track texts and notifications: On parent's phone, tap 'Notifications' and you will see all the notifications from another device, including texts and call history. You can also tap 'Calls & SMS Monitoring' to monitor phone calls and SMS.

4. Manage and monitor calls: Adding the number you want to block and view the blocked calls.

Editor's Experience: AirDroid Parental Control is extremely helpful in tracking text messages and social media app notifications, so that I can keep an eye on my child's online activity. Unfortunately, it doesn't allow me to see the call duration and the outgoing calls.

Still, I can create call whitelists and blacklists on my child's phone, set sensitive keywords for text messages, and receive real-time alerts when those sensitive keywords are detected in messages sent or received by my child.

2MYCELL SPY

Another cool monitoring app that can help you track all calls and text messages from another phone is MYCELL SPY. This app is the second best application we recommend trying as it helps you track more than one device and more than one thing.

How to track phone calls and text messages from another phone via MYCELL SPY:

1. Download and install the MYCELL SPY app on the target phone from the phone browser.

2. Follow the prompts to finish the setup.

3. Then you can access the target phone from your phone by visiting the management wdashboard, and clicking 'Call records' and 'SMS records'.

Editor's Experience: One of the biggest pros of this app is that it offers the way to see all the incoming and outcoming call history, call duration, and record the phone call automatically for later review; moreover, it can track not only text messages but also images and video messages. The disadvantage is that it only supports Android devices.

3mSpy Phone Monitoring App

Here is another best phone tracker to help you find the truth and stop relying on a hunch.

mSpy is another app that features a super-advanced algorithm to help you track phone calls and texts from another phone.

This app is also designed with several very useful quality features, for example, Keylogger, Screen Recorder, and Stealth mode. It is available for both Android and iOS users. And as shown in the screenshot above, it tracks all relevant details.

1. Download and install the app on your phone and the target phone, and set up your account.

2. You will need to subscribe the app before using it.

3. After that, log into your Control Panel. Click 'Calls' and 'Text Messages' to check the calls and texts from another phone.

Editor's Experience: I like the feature that mSpy allows me to select the date and time to check the call history and text messages. It's very convenient. However, the iOS version is not as powerful as the Android version.

Track Calls and Texts from Another Phone via Cellular Carrier Services

Some cellular carriers offer services that allow you to monitor the phone calls and texts of another phone on your account. For example, Verizon has a Family Safeguards & Controls feature that lets you view your child's phone's call and text activity online or on your own phone.

Different service provider offers different plans for tracking phone calls and text messages. All you need to do is to call the carrier service provider, or log into the service provider website, and then choose the preferred plan.

Editor's Experience: This is a direct way to track calls and texts for your family members from another phone, and some carrier service providers even offers insights into their communication patterns to help you identify any potential concerns.

Track Calls and Texts for Free via Microsoft Phone Link

Wondering "How to track calls and texts from another phone for free?" The option is for you. It involves linking the target phone to your PC using Windows Phone Link. This feature allows users to pair an Android phone or iPhone with a PC through Bluetooth, syncing calls, text messages, photos, and more. It even allows you to respond to text messages and make phone calls directly from the PC.

1. Download and install Link to Windows on your phone. Launch Microsoft Phone Link on your Windows PC.

2. Select your device (Android or iPhone). Connect your phone with your PC via QR code by following the on-screen prompts.

3. Once connected, click on Calls to view call history or make a phone call, and click Messages to view all the messages.

Editor's Experience: This setup can help you track text messages from another number and monitor another phone's call logs, for FREE. However, keep in mind that if the Bluetooth connection is lost, you'll need to reconnect the devices.

Track Calls and Texts via Hardware-Based Solutions

Another way to monitor someone's phone calls and texts is to use a hardware device that intercepts or records the signals from their phone. For example, you can use a cell phone spy software device that plugs into the target phone's headphone jack and captures the audio of both sides of the conversation.

You can also use a SIM card reader that copies the data from the target phone's SIM card, including contacts, messages, and call logs. To use these devices, you need physical access to the target phone, and you may need to install software on your phone or computer.

Editor's Experience: Using a hardware solution can provide reliable and consistent data capture, as it doesn't rely on network, account, or bluetooth. However, this method is expensive and it requires technical skills.

Tips for Protecting Your Phone from Being Tracked

First of all, you should learn how to know if someone is tracking your phone calls and text messages.

How to Know If Someone Is Tracking My Phone Calls and Text Messages

There are some signs and symptoms that you can look out for. Look for suspicious apps or programs with access to your phone calls, messages, location, camera, microphone, or other permissions.

Here are two tricks—one helps you find out whether someone put in secret codes to track phone calls, and the other enhances your phone's security to reduce the chances of being tracked.

1. Dial *#62# if you suspect your calls and messages are being secretly redirected and people are having trouble reaching you. This code will show where your data are being forwarded.

2. Dial ##002# to further secure your phone and prevent any form of tracking or redirection. This code helps enhance the protection of your device.

Tips for Protecting Your Phone from Being Tracked

You can read about the following tips to protect your phone from being tracked:

Set Strong Passwords and Enable Two-factor Authentication

Setting a strong password for your phone and activating two-factor authentication will help safeguard it from unwanted users. Two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of protection by requiring a code and a password, making it more difficult for outsiders to access your phone.

Keep Your Device's Software Up-to-date

Keeping your phone's software up to date may help defend against security flaws and ensure that your phone has the most recent security updates.

Because software updates often contain security upgrades and bug fixes, it is critical to check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they become available.

Be Cautious with App Permissions and Downloads

Take care with the programs you install and the rights you provide them. Applications should only be downloaded from reliable sources, and be wary of applications that seek access to your personal information or phone functionality that they do not need to operate.

Review the permissions you have provided to applications regularly and cancel those no longer required.

Regularly Review Your Phone's Privacy Settings

Examining the privacy settings on your phone will help you take control of your data and prevent others from following your phone calls and messages.

Examine each app's privacy settings to confirm that you are happy with the data being gathered, and deactivate any functions you do not wish to use. You may also disable location services and minimize ad tracking to safeguard your privacy.

Bottom line

To track cell phone calls and texts for free is available, but it is important to note that those free apps aren't good. Some free apps can be full of hidden and malicious algorithms that can be harmful to your device, as well as the fact that they can collect important personal information from your device.

Instead, you can opt for parental control apps like AirDroid Parental Control. With this app, parents are able to monitor their children's text messages and get alerts when their kids keep hanging up on unknown calls.

FAQs about Tracking Calls and Texts

1. How to Track a Phone and Listen to Calls?

Elsa

A parental control application that can remotely record and intercept phone calls is one method to monitor a phone and eavesdrop on its calls. You must install the application on the target device and then access the recorded conversations from your mobile device or computer.

2. How to Intercept Text Messages from Another Phone?

Elsa

An espionage program that monitors and captures text messages remotely is one method to intercept text messages from another phone. You must install the application on the target device and access the communications from your mobile device or computer.

3. How can I Track SMS from Any Mobile Number?

Elsa

One method to trace SMS from any mobile number is utilizing a spyware application that can monitor and capture text messages remotely. You must install the application on the target device and access the communications from your mobile device or computer.

4. Is It Illegal to Track Someone's Phone without Them Knowing?

Elsa

It depends on the circumstances and local laws. For instance, law enforcement agencies may monitor a person's phone with a warrant or court order. Unless you have a valid reason and authorization, tracing a person's phone without their consent or knowledge is unlawful.