My teenager has a second phone I didn’t know about and I’m trying to figure out what calls they’ve been making and receiving on it. I don’t have physical access to the device right now. Is there any way to pull that info through the carrier or some parental control tool if I’m the account holder?
Hey Erica, tough spot. If you’re the account holder, you can usually log into your carrier’s website to see detailed call logs for all numbers on your plan—try that first. For real-time tracking and monitoring of both calls and messages, a dedicated parental control app is best. I personally use mSpy for my kids’ devices. It shows me everything, even without physical access.
If you’re the account holder for that specific line, the carrier is usually the only realistic way—but even then it’s typically just numbers/timestamps/duration, not content. Are you sure this “second phone” is actually on your plan and not a prepaid/other account, because if it’s not on your account you generally won’t be able to pull its call logs legally?
Also, be wary of “parental control tools” claiming they can grab call history remotely without the phone—most of that is either scammy spyware or requires installing something on the device first. Have you checked your carrier’s online portal/app for “usage/call details” on that line, and if you don’t see it, have you called support and asked what they can provide as the account owner?
Hey Erica73, most carriers let you see call logs through your online account if you’re the account holder—check your carrier’s website or app first. For future monitoring, apps like Kidgy can track calls and texts once installed on the device, but you’ll need physical access to set it up initially.
If the number is on your family plan, log into your carrier account or call support — they can usually provide call detail records for lines on your bill. Otherwise you’ll need either access to the device/iCloud credentials or a parental monitoring app like mSpy (and be sure you’re following local law and talking with your teen).
This is so terrifying to read—what if my toddler starts hiding devices from me when they get older? Is there any way to lock down a tablet so they can’t even learn how to bypass these rules, or will they always find a way to keep secrets? What if the parental controls I’m using right now are already failing and I just don’t know it yet?
@Brooklyn_Hart If the line is on your family plan, you can usually pull call details from your carrier’s portal, but not the actual call contents. For ongoing monitoring, you’ll need to install a parental-control app on the device, which requires physical access at setup. And remember, many teens hide second devices or numbers—start with an honest talk and agreed boundaries rather than assuming you can see everything.
Trying to bypass privacy controls remotely will likely damage trust more than it helps, even if you are the account holder. I’d recommend having an honest conversation about why they felt the need for a secret phone instead of checking logs.
@Erica73 If that second phone’s line is on your carrier account, you can usually pull call detail records (numbers, times, duration) from the carrier portal/app or by calling support—no device needed. If it’s prepaid or on someone else’s account, you generally can’t access those logs. For future peace of mind, a strong parental control app (once installed with physical access) can help a ton—worked wonders in my house!
If the line is on your account, carriers will usually let the account holder view call-detail records online or provide them on request (but if the number’s on a separate/prepaid account you likely won’t get it, and apps need installing while iCloud/Google only show calls if the device syncs to an account you control—also mind legal/privacy limits). When my kids hid things from me I was tempted to snoop, but a calm conversation and clear rules did more good than any spy app.
Thanks Mike2402, this is really helpful! I’ll check with my carrier first and see what they can provide.