Can you subpoena text messages from T-Mobile?
Asked by: Charlotte Cormier | Last update: July 2, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (28 votes)
Federal law prevents companies from producing these documents without a court order or subpoena. Text message records must be obtained from a party's cell phone provider. An attorney can obtain a court order or subpoena to get the records directly from the service provider.
Can you get text message records on T-Mobile?
No. T-Mobile doesn't save copies of texts. Once they're delivered, they're done.
How hard is it to get a subpoena for text messages?
Subpoena for text messages is a difficult area of discovery practice. The fact is that the service provider, absent some bizarre situation, does not store the information, so obtaining text messages really must come from the opposing party.
Can you subpoena text messages that were deleted?
How Far Back Can Text Messages Be Subpoenaed? In regard to federal government cases, text message subpoenas are not limited to a time frame. They can be requested going as far back as they exist.
Can I get a copy of my spouse's text messages?
Your Texting History is Almost Always Accessible
Some people who backed up their text messages to a shared cloud account with their spouse are able to view their spouse's text messages. Logistically, most people have to ask their spouse or their spouse's paramour for the information, or to inspect their cellphone.
9 Signs Your Phone Has Been Tapped & What You NEED To Do
Can I subpoena my wife's text messages?
Text message records must be obtained from a party's cell phone provider. An attorney can obtain a court order or subpoena to get the records directly from the service provider. However, there are limitations on what the provider can produce.
Can my phone company give me copies of text messages?
Under federal privacy laws, such as the Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006, your cellphone carrier can't give you these phone records, even if you own the phone and pay the bill. That's because these records often show messages sent and received by someone else, and that person has privacy rights.
How long does T-Mobile keep text messages for subpoenas?
T-Mobile: Retains call record details for 5 years; cell towers used, "officially, 4-6 months, really a year or more;" text message details 5 years; text message content, not kept; Internet session and destination info is not kept.
Is there a way to get a transcript of all text messages?
Yes, you can get a transcript of text messages by manually copying them, using a third-party app, or working with a transcription service to convert messages into a formatted document for legal or personal use.
What phone records can be subpoenaed?
Subpoenaed phone records can include much more than basic call logs and texts. Whether it's video evidence, recorded conversations, or internet search results, the scope of information available highlights the importance of understanding what subpoena phone records show in the context of legal cases.
Can screenshots of text messages be used in court?
Just like social media posts, screenshots of text messages can be used in court, but face similar challenges regarding authentication. Without the original metadata and context, proving that a screenshot is an accurate and unaltered representation of the original message can be difficult.
Can you subpoena text now?
If you are a private attorney, private investigation agency, or private citizen seeking user data you must submit a valid legal order, such as a subpoena, to lawenforcement@textnow.com. The order must be addressed to: TextNow, Inc.
Can I see my husband's text messages on T-Mobile?
If you're the Primary Account Holder for your family plan, you can see messaging history (incoming and outgoing numbers and time stamps) for any of the lines on your account - but we don't have records of message content.
Can text message records be obtained?
California. California's Public Records Act (CPRA) treats electronic communications, including text messages, as public records if they are used to conduct public business. This law applies regardless of whether the communication device is personally owned or provided by the government.
How to retrieve deleted text messages?
All your deleted text messages can be found in the Messages app. To find your trashed messages, open Messages and tap the Edit option at the top left. Then tap Show Recently Deleted.
Can I get a printout of text messages from T-Mobile?
Tmobile doesn't keep a record of actual text messages but if they do you would need a court order.
Can you ask your cell phone provider for copies of text messages?
If you need deleted text messages for legal purposes, in situations of crime and the sort, some cellphone providers can provide you with the content of the messages upon request; however, most companies do not keep text message records.
How can I get my full text message history?
How Can I See Past Text Messages? Past messages and message conversation history is accessible via two sources. First, you can get it through the messaging app. Secondly, you get it online through your cloud storage; Google Drive for Android and iCloud for iPhone.
Can old text messages be subpoenaed?
Under the SCA, a government entity must get a search warrant to access electronic communications (such as emails or texts) stored for 180 days or less (relatively new messages). To access older communications, the entity can issue a subpoena with prior notice to the subscriber.
Can someone on your phone plan see your texts on T-Mobile?
Hey there 😊 We do not store the content of messages online. The primary account holder or users with full access can see time stamp information of messages through my.t-mobile.com.
How much does it cost to subpoena phone records?
Based on these factors, the costs of complying with a phone records subpoena could range from: $25 – $200 for a basic subscriber information request covering a short period. $500 – $3,000+ for detailed call logs, text transcripts, and other records over an extended period, especially if third-parties are involved.
Does T-Mobile keep records of text messages?
According to a T-Mobile representative online, you cannot get text message records from T-Mobile, as the company doesn't save text message copies.
Can the owner of a phone plan read texts?
This question pops up often, especially in families where one person pays the bills and everyone else uses their phones freely. In a nutshell, while the primary account holder can view details like call log history and data usage, they cannot see the contents of text messages you send and receive.
How can I get a printout of my text messages?
There are apps on the Google Play Store that let you export your text messages in a printable format like PDF. Apps like "SMS Backup & Restore" are popular for this. They let you back up your texts and then you can email the backup to yourself or directly print it from the app if your printer supports mobile printing.