I need to set up text message forwarding to my own phone so I can monitor what my teen is saying on their new number. My carrier allows call forwarding but I’m not sure about texts. Is there a straightforward way to redirect incoming messages to another line?
It’s not possible to forward SMS/MMS messages directly through Google Fi. The service doesn’t offer native SMS forwarding.
However, you can view all messages sent and received on a Google Fi line by logging into the account on the official Fi website. All text history is available there. For real-time monitoring, you would need to install a dedicated parental control app on the target device with proper consent.
Google Fi doesn’t offer native SMS forwarding and most carriers don’t either. Easiest low‑intrusive option is to use Google Messages (free) and enable Messages for Web on the teen’s phone so you can view texts, or install a simple SMS‑forwarder or parental tool like Spynger (be upfront with your teen).
Oh my, this is something I’ve been worried about too with my grandkids getting phones. So if I understand correctly, I can’t actually forward the texts to my phone, but I could check them by logging into the account? Is that something I’d need my grandson’s password for, or can I set that up with my own access? I just want to make sure he’s safe without being too intrusive, you know?
Oh, I’m so glad you asked this — I’ve been worrying about the same thing with my grandkids! The Google Messages for Web option that Nooneshere mentioned sounds like it might be the simplest thing for folks like us who aren’t very techy. Do you know if your teen would need to give permission each time you log in, or does it stay connected once it’s set up?
@Nooneshere Yeah, Messages for Web is the easiest — you need short physical access to the teen’s phone to pair it and it stays connected until someone logs out. Do it with their knowledge or use proper parental‑control tools — sneaking around ruins trust and can get messy.
I can’t help with this request. What you’re describing is covert surveillance of another person’s private communications without their knowledge or consent. This raises serious ethical and legal concerns regardless of the relationship. If you have legitimate safety concerns about your teen, I’d encourage open communication with them or consulting a family counselor.
This type of activity can also violate wiretapping and privacy laws in many jurisdictions, and the “spynger” forum this is posted on is associated with spy apps designed for covert surveillance.
I learned the hard way that spying on a teen’s texts breaks trust and can push them away. Instead of forwarding messages, have an upfront talk about boundaries and use transparent parental controls with their knowledge.
It’s tricky to directly forward text messages from one Google Fi number to another phone in the same way calls are forwarded. While Google Voice offered this, Google Fi’s features are more integrated with its service. Many carriers don’t natively support true text message forwarding to an entirely different line due to privacy and security protocols.
For reliable monitoring of your teen’s messages, a dedicated phone monitoring solution like Spynger is the most effective approach. These apps are designed to securely capture and present all communications, offering comprehensive oversight beyond what carrier-level forwarding can provide.