If you want to retrieve text messages, one of the best ways to do it is via spy phone software, sometimes referred to as cell phone monitoring software.

Spy phone software is available for all of the most popular cell phones such as:

• Android (Droid, My Touch 3G, Incredible, Nexus One, etc.)
• BlackBerry
• iPhone
• Nokia
• Windows Mobile

The current list of supported phone is too large to list, but just about any 'smartphone' is compatible.

The reason why cell phone monitoring software is the BEST way to retrieve text messages, is because you not only get to see the complete contents of both incoming and outgoing text messages, but you also can view the messages from the comfort of your own home, no matter where in the world you are.  This is compared to using a SIM Card spy product which requires you to always get access to the SIM card.

HOW DOES SPY PHONE SOFTWARE WORK?

The way spy phone software works, is you purchase the software online from one of the many cell phone monitoring software vendors.  You then you install the software directly on the phone that you want to retrieve text messages from using the phone's internet browser.  Once installed, the software will record all incoming and outgoing text messages, and then upload them to your online account.  This account is set up when you purchase the software, and is available via any internet connected device that has a web browser.

Once inside your online account, you'll get access to complete text messages.  This includes date, time, direction (incoming/outgoing), and who the messages was sent to or received from.  Here is a screenshot of how it looks.

As you can see, you get access to everything.

What I like about cell phone monitoring software as a way to retrieve text messages, is you get a full historical log of all the text messages, so you can go back at any time to view what was said. In addition, spy phone software usually comes with added benefits such as being able to read emails, call logs, track GPS location, view photos, view videos, and even listen in on live calls.

Essentially, you get a very powerful way to retrieve text messages --- PLUS a way to monitor and track the person whose messages you want to retrieve.

The only downside to using cell phone monitoring software as a way to retrieve text messages, is you MUST have access to the phone that contains the messages you want to retrieve. In addition, the software will only enable you to retrieve text messages that are received or sent AFTER the software is installed. This means if you want to retrieve text messages before you had a chance to install software, you'll have to use a SIM card spy product.  There is absolutely no way to retrieve text messages using spy phone software if the messages are sent/received prior to installing the software.  However, once you do get the software on the phone, you WILL NOT need to access the phone again.

HOW MUCH AND WHERE TO BUY?

The three current market leaders in spy phone software are:

• MOBILE SPY (www.mobile-spy.net) - Supports Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Symbian, & Windows Mobile. Great value for the money. Has all the "must have" cell phone monitoring features.

• STEALTHGENIE (www.stealth-genie.com) - Supports Android & BlacBerry. Has features comparable to Spyera, but at a much lower price. Highly recommended.

The cost for cell phone monitoring software ranges anywhere from $49.99 to $199 USD.  Obviously, if you spend more money, you get all the best features. If I were to choose one, I'd start with Mobile Spy because they support the largest range of handsets, have lots of great features, and have various pricing options.

I would then check out StealthGenie if you want more advanced features such as remote monitoring.

Good luck!

DISCLAIMER: Cell phone monitoring software is designed for monitoring your children or employees on a smartphone you own or have proper consent to monitor (in compliance with applicable laws), and you must inform anyone who uses a device upon which the software is installed that their activity may be monitored. You should NEVER attempt to spy on a cell phone you don’t own, monitor your spouse, significant other or adult children with any cell phone monitoring product without the consent and knowledge of such persons. Doing so may be illegal, and violate local, state, and federal laws in your country and you could be subject to civil or criminal penalties. We will cooperate with authorities in investigation of any allegations of misuse. If you are uncertain of your rights to monitor the usage of a cellular device, you should consult legal counsel BEFORE purchasing.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This disclosure is provided so you as a consumer understands the relationship between a person reviewing, endorsing, or writing about a product or service and the product owner or service provider. This website participates in various affiliate programs in which the owner(s) receive a commission whenever you purchase through a link on this site. These links can be in the form of text links located throughout the site, in blog posts, on pages, linked from images within a post or on a page, buttons, within the sidebar, and graphic ads such as banners. Even though the owner(s) of this website may have been provided compensation, we always post honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences based on our research and/or experience with the product or service. We are independently owned, and the views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the writer’s own. Any product claim, feature, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified. For more details click HERE.

If you are looking for a quick way to retrieve text messages, then check out SIM card spy products such as Cell Spy Elite.  What it does is enable you to quickly retrieve text messages from most phones that have a SIM card.  The way it works is you simply remove the SIM card from the phone that you want to retrieve text messages from.  You then place the SIM card into the Cell Spy Elite device, and then plug the device into your computer.  Using the included software, you can now retrieve text messages.  A few things to point out.

1) If you want to retrieve text messages from a phone on a CDMA network, you'll have to find another solution because this product does not work on CDMA phones.

2) Not all phones are supported, so make sure you check the phone compatibility list before purchasing.

3) Not all messages can be recovered.  The quicker you can try to retrieve text messages the better.  As more messages are received, they will gradually overwrite the space that the old message was using.  For best results, it's best that you use SIM card spy products as soon as the message is deleted, versus waiting days or weeks.

For more information go to: Cell Phone Spy Elite: SIM Card Reader

Have fun,

Spy Tech Guy

PS. Here is a great video that shows you how SIM card spy product quickly enable you to retrieve text messages.  If you are not sure that these products work, then check out this video.

DISCLAIMER: Cell phone monitoring software is designed for monitoring your children or employees on a smartphone you own or have proper consent to monitor (in compliance with applicable laws), and you must inform anyone who uses a device upon which the software is installed that their activity may be monitored. You should NEVER attempt to spy on a cell phone you don’t own, monitor your spouse, significant other or adult children with any cell phone monitoring product without the consent and knowledge of such persons. Doing so may be illegal, and violate local, state, and federal laws in your country and you could be subject to civil or criminal penalties. We will cooperate with authorities in investigation of any allegations of misuse. If you are uncertain of your rights to monitor the usage of a cellular device, you should consult legal counsel BEFORE purchasing.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This disclosure is provided so you as a consumer understands the relationship between a person reviewing, endorsing, or writing about a product or service and the product owner or service provider. This website participates in various affiliate programs in which the owner(s) receive a commission whenever you purchase through a link on this site. These links can be in the form of text links located throughout the site, in blog posts, on pages, linked from images within a post or on a page, buttons, within the sidebar, and graphic ads such as banners. Even though the owner(s) of this website may have been provided compensation, we always post honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences based on our research and/or experience with the product or service. We are independently owned, and the views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the writer’s own. Any product claim, feature, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified. For more details click HERE.