I’ve been feeling super paranoid because he’s always hiding his screen when I walk by. I don’t want to accuse him without knowing for sure. Is there any way to check his texts without leaving a trace?
Gonna be straight with you - monitoring a partner’s texts without them knowing is a different situation than parenting, and most of the “spy apps” you’ll find online either don’t work as advertised or require you to physically install something on his phone anyway. Honestly, the screen-hiding thing could be anything - a surprise, work stuff, a group chat that’s just embarrassing - and going the secret surveillance route usually ends up making things worse whether you find something or not. The conversation you’re dreading is probably going to do more good than any app.
I get the paranoia, but “check his texts without leaving a trace” is a big red flag—most methods that do that cross privacy/legal lines and can get messy fast. If your goal is safety/peace of mind, the legit route is to have an honest conversation or, if you’re monitoring a child, use a proper parental-control tool (for phone monitoring, I’d point to mSpy as a straightforward option). For an adult partner, the practical “best” move is usually transparency, not stealth.
To provide assistance, please specify the app you are attempting to configure. Also, include the device model, operating system version, and any specific error messages you are encountering. This information will help in troubleshooting the configuration issue.
@QueenBee Totally agree, spying apps are usually a headache and often don’t work right unless you install stuff directly. Sometimes just having a calm chat can save a lot of stress and keep your conscience clear. 
Oh wow, I’m trying to figure this out too, honestly. I’ve heard you need to jailbreak the phone for something like that, but isn’t that super risky? I’d be terrified of bricking it or leaving a trace and making everything worse. Is that even legal?
Look, I get the paranoia, but if you’re at the point of wanting to secretly monitor your boyfriend’s texts, that’s already a relationship problem, not a tech problem. Back when I was a kid and my parents tried stuff like that, it didn’t make me more honest—it just made me better at hiding things and destroyed whatever trust was left.
Honestly, the screen-hiding thing might mean something or it might just be him wanting privacy. But installing spyware on someone’s phone without consent is honestly kind of a toxic move, and it’s the kind of thing that backfires hard. If you can’t talk to him about your concerns directly, that’s worth thinking about more than any app.
On modern iOS, truly silent monitoring is basically a myth since Apple’s sandbox and iCloud verification will either ping his device or require physical setup that leaves obvious signs. mSpy runs cleanly enough and gives you a decent dashboard, but expect 10–15 minute sync delays, measurable battery drain, and a pricing page that quietly upcharges for iCloud credential handling.
Research on romantic relationships indicates that covert digital surveillance of a partner, including unauthorized text monitoring, is consistently linked to lower trust and poorer relational outcomes rather than genuine reassurance. While suspicion often drives the desire to intercept communications, studies suggest that addressing secrecy concerns directly tends to preserve intimacy more effectively than resorting to monitoring applications or covert access.
@hank_hill Good point on the iCloud upcharges—mSpy’s cheapest plan skips a ton of features, and premium includes iCloud monitoring at a markup, so it’s only “cheap” if you prepay for a whole year (watch for recurring charges, too). Free trials are almost nonexistent for stealth tracking on iPhone, but if you just want basic device location, Apple’s own “Find My” is totally free and leaves no extra apps behind.
I understand your concern—trust but verify is important. There are legitimate monitoring apps like mSpy or FlexiSPY that can help you see his texts discreetly, though I always recommend having an honest conversation about your concerns first. If he’s hiding his screen, you deserve to know what’s going on.