5 Ways To Tell If Someone Is Reading Your Text Messages From Another Phone

Privacy in the digital age is a major concern. While there are many methods for spotting phishing scams and other in-your-face cybercrimes, there isn’t much advice on discovering whether your text messages are being read from another device. 

With that in mind, we’re divulging five ways to discover exactly that! From monitoring message status indicators to reviewing app permissions to verifying text message forwarding to noticing SIM swapping attacks, consider this your ultimate guide to tell if somebody is reading your messages.

5 Ways to Tell If Somebody is Reading Your Texts

#1 Monitor Message Status Indicators

Whether you’re using iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Google Message, you can activate read receipts (i.e., the symbols indicating the sending, delivered, and read status of a message) to tell if somebody has read your text. While this feature generally lets you know when your contact has read the message, you can use it in this scenario too. 

Message somebody and wait for them to respond. When they do, don’t click on the message (so it won’t be marked as read). If the read receipt turns on, you’ll know somebody has clicked on your message from another device!

Here’s what the read receipts on different message apps mean:

	iMessage	Google Messages	WhatsApp	Facebook Messenger	Instagram	LinkedIn
Sending				Empty circle
Sent		Gray checkmark	Gray checkmark	Empty circle with a checkmark
Delivered		Two gray checkmarks	Two gray checkmarks	Filled blue circle with white checkmark	“Delivered”	Empty circle with a checkmark
Read	“Read” alongside the time the message was read	Blue checkmark	Two blue checkmarks	Mini version of your contact’s profile picture	“Seen” with a blue checkmark next to the person’s name	Mini version of your contact’s profile picture

If you don’t want the read receipts on, turning them off is simple — just head into the messaging platform’s settings!

#2 Review App Permissions and Device Settings (Android)

Monitoring apps and spyware need permission to access your texts. Luckily, you can check whether any apps have such permissions by heading into your Android’s Permission Manager. Just follow these steps:

1. Head to Settings. 
2. Click Privacy.
3. Select Permission Manager.
4. Scroll down and hit SMS. 
5. If you see any suspicious apps that have access to your texts, turn them off.

Don’t make this a one-time thing, though. For continued protection against privacy breaches, regularly monitor your app permissions. That way, you’ll uncover any issues quickly and avoid any long-term repercussions.

#3 Verify Text Message Forwarding and iMessage Settings (iPhone)

You don’t have to be super-techy to intercept iMessages or texts from Apple devices — anyone can do it. 

Text message forwarding is the first culprit. As its name suggests, text forwarding sends (forwards) messages to another device. And while it’s useful if you’re the one to set it up, it’s dangerous in the wrong hands.

Here’s how to check if it’s turned on:

1. Go to Settings. 
2. Hit Messages.
3. Select Text Message Forwarding.

Don’t see Text Message Forwarding? Head to Settings > Messages. Turn off iMessage and turn it back on; you should see it now.

Beyond forwarding, iMessage works across multiple devices, so if your account appears on other phones/computers/tablets, their owners can review your messages.

Follow these steps to check whether you’re signed in unfamiliar devices:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Hit Messages.
3. Tap Send & Receive.
4. Hit Use Your Apple ID for iMessage.
5. Turn off any unfamiliar devices. 

#4 Beware of SIM Swapping Attacks

SIM swapping is an attack wherein the criminal gains control of your SIM account and transfers ownership to another SIM. As a result, your phone won’t connect to your operator nor receive/send calls or texts. 

Generally speaking, criminals aim to control your number to reset your passwords. They’ll then compromise your social media, emails, and bank accounts. They achieve this in many ways, including social engineering and exploiting carrier systems’ vulnerabilities. 

Here’s how to tell whether you’re experiencing a SIM swap:

• Notification — Your provider may notify you that your SIM card or phone number has been migrated or activated without your knowledge or agreement.
• Fraudulent transactions — You may notice bank and/or forex transactions you haven’t initiated to unknown third parties.
• Sudden loss of signal — If you unexpectedly lose your cell phone signal and other nearby users are unaffected, this could be a symptom of a SIM swap.
• A sudden increase in communications — Typically, attackers will send you a bunch of texts/calls to distract you before the swap. This forces you to reset your device, giving the attacker the perfect opportunity to perform the swap.
• Can’t access accounts — You might be unable to access your online accounts, such as credit cards, banks, email, and social media. 

By the time you notice these symptoms, the swap may have already happened. However, you should deal with SIM-swapping attacks by following these steps:

1. Act fast — The moment you believe something is wrong, act immediately. The longer you take to react, the higher the potential for more impactful activity from the attacker.
2. Talk to your provider — Contact your cell phone provider and explain the situation, ensuring they start investigating the incident and recovering your accounts immediately. They should also find out how the swap happened.
3. Get in touch with your financial organizations — Let your banks know you’ve been a victim of a SIM swap and review any unexpected transactions or access problems. Ask for a reference number so you can easily call them back.
4. Record your actions — Write down who you’ve contacted, what actions were agreed upon, and when they will be completed. Mistakes are possible, so keeping an accurate record dispels any disputes. 
5. Chase them up — Repeat steps two and three to ensure necessary action is being taken.

Ultimately, prevention is better than cure. Protect yourself against these attacks by:

• Secure your account — Ask your provider for a unique password and PIN for your mobile account. That way, your SIM can’t be migrated unless you state the password and PIN.
• Improve online security — Many people who are victims of SIM swapping suffer data losses through malicious software. Go through your online accounts and enable MFA to improve your safety.
• Review/remove weak SMS-based security controls — Replace SMS verifications with app-based authentication.
• Look at your online footprint — Consider whether any information you’ve posted on social media could be used against you during an attack.

#5 Check for Unusual Activity on Your Device

Last but not least, you should regularly check for unusual activity on your phone to discover whether someone is reading your texts from another phone. Check recent app usage, installations, and login history; you’ll soon uncover whether somebody has tampered with your device.

If you find any unfamiliar apps, delete them immediately by following these steps:

iPhone	Android
Touch and hold the app icon. Hit Remove App > Delete App. Tap Delete.	Open Google Play Store. Tap the Profile icon. Hit Manage apps & devices. Select Manage. Tap the name of the app you wish to delete. Choose Uninstall.

If you detect other suspicious activity, review your device’s security settings and change your passwords. Both iOS and Android devices will mention whether your passwords have been found in a data leak and offer suggestions for rectifying the situation.

How to Secure Your Accounts and Device

As you’ve probably gathered by now, maintaining high levels of security across your devices and accounts is the best way to stop people from reading your texts from another device. You need to be proactive about your digital security to keep yourself (and your information) safe. 

If you haven’t already, follow our top tips for implementing simple but effective security measures on your devices and accounts:

• Always use strong passwords — A strong password is the foundation of online security. Microsoft defines a strong password as having:
  • at least 12 characters (14+ recommended).
  • significant differences from your previous passwords.
  • a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.
  • zero resemblance to words found in the dictionary or names of people, products, businesses, or characters.
• Enable two-factor authentication — 2FA is an identity and access management security method requiring two forms of identification to gain entrance to an account. Different platforms implement different versions. Some require a push notification and a password, while others require SMS or authenticator verification. Go through all your accounts and enable 2FA.
• Update devices — Updated devices have received the latest security measures. 
• Be vigilant about file downloads — Only download something from safe websites to limit the chances of malicious software finding its way onto your phone. Look for HTTPS encryption, security seals, and positive user reviews before agreeing to download anything.
• Use a VPN — Ideally, you shouldn’t use public wifi. But if it’s unavoidable, make sure you use a VPN to protect your information. And even then, stay away from accessing sensitive information while connected to public wifi. 

The Bottom Line

You can check whether somebody is reading your messages from another device by checking for unusual activity, turning off text forwarding, managing app permissions, monitoring read receipts, and being aware of SIM swapping attacks. 

But as we’ve said before, prevention is better than cure. So, stay vigilant and be proactive in safeguarding your personal information! We’ve given you all the tips to do so.