How to Record a Phone Call

How to record a phone call: check that you may record, then use your phone’s built-in recorder, a call recorder app, or speakerphone with a second device. Which works depends on your handset, carrier and region.

If you want a general-purpose recorder for the speakerphone method, our guide to the best audio recording app for iphone sits in the wider audio recording hub. The steps below put the legal check first, then the method for each platform.

What you need before you start

• Agreement from the right people. Consent rules vary by place, so know where you and the other person are before you press record.
• Your software and handset details. The built-in option on an iPhone depends on the iOS version. On Android it depends on the manufacturer, the carrier and the region.
• A fallback. If your phone offers no recording control, a second device and speakerphone will still work, with lower sound quality.
• A plan for the file. Know where the recording will be saved and whether the other person will hear an announcement.

The expected outcome is a clear, legally defensible recording that you can find again afterwards.

Recording a call, step by step

Step 1: Check whether you may record

Recording is lawful in some places and restricted in others, so decide this before choosing a tool. In the US, federal law sets one-party consent as the national baseline. Under that rule only one participant has to agree to the recording. The same overview says 12 states enforce the stricter all-party standard for telephone calls. Most states are one-party, but several, such as California, require everyone on the call to give the go-ahead.

If you and the other person are in different states, the position is not clear across one-party and two-party lines. Treat the stricter rule as the safe one and get agreement at the start of the call.

Outside the US, the same overview says that in the UK you may record a call for personal use. If you record without consent and share it, you breach UK privacy and data protection laws. It also lists France and Germany among countries with two-party consent. For anything beyond personal use, such as evidence, publication or business records, check your local statute or ask a legal adviser first.

Step 2: Work out which method your phone supports

Many people find no record button because their phone does not include one. An iPhone running iOS earlier than 18.1 needs a third-party app. On Android, built-in recording varies by manufacturer, carrier and region, so two phones of similar age can behave differently.

If your calls run through a business phone service instead of the phone’s own dialer, look at the service. Phone.com, for example, offers call recording as an add-on for all accounts and includes it for Pro users. Pick a method from the next four steps once you know what your handset allows.

Step 3: Record on an iPhone with built-in recording

iPhones running iOS 18.1 or later have a built-in recording feature. Once the call has started, tap Start Call Recording. Both participants hear an audio announcement that the call is being recorded, so you cannot start it silently.

The finished recording appears in the Notes app, in a dedicated Call Recordings folder, with automated transcription. A transcript makes it quicker to find a detail later. If your iPhone is on an older iOS version, skip to the app step.

Step 4: Record on an Android phone

Android recording starts from the dialer, and the controls differ by brand. On a phone that uses the Google Phone app, open the app, tap the three dots or the gear, open Settings and make sure Call Recording is on. Some Samsung Galaxy models and Google Pixel phones from the fourth generation upward offer built-in recording. On recent Samsung phones (One UI on Android 12 or later), tap the three dots in the upper right of the call screen and choose Record Call. On a Pixel, both parties hear a notification when recording starts.

Google Voice is a separate route. You press 4 during an incoming call and all parties are alerted. It cannot record outgoing calls, needs a Gmail link and is not yet available in many countries. If the recording option never appears on your phone, move to an app or the speakerphone method.

Step 5: Use a call recorder app when there is no built-in option

No single call recorder app is best for everyone. The sensible choice depends on your phone and how often you record. Third-party recorders are typically charged by recurring subscription, or sometimes by the minute, so check the price in the app store listing before you rely on one.

• TapeACall. It is subscription-based with no free plan, and its 3-way call method means a slower start to recording.
• Call Recorder iCall. It suits an iPhone on older iOS, but it is iOS only and cannot be used on Android.
• Cube ACR. It is an option on Android, but performance is inconsistent on some devices because of operating-system restrictions. Test a short call before an important one.

An app that works on a friend’s handset may not work on yours, so test it with a throwaway call first.

Step 6: Use speakerphone and a second device

This method works on any phone. Put the call on speakerphone, then record it with a second device, such as another phone or a voice memo app on a tablet or recorder. Place the recorder close to the speaker and start recording before you begin the conversation.

The trade-off is quality. The recording will not be as good as tapping the source directly, because the recorder hears the speaker rather than the call itself. If you use this method often, compare the best external microphone for smartphone options for the recording device. The other party will not hear an automatic notice, so the consent check matters most here.

Checkpoints for each method

Before you rely on a recording, run a short test call and play it back. The table sums up what each method needs and where it falls short.

These figures come from Trint’s recording guide and Numberbarn’s phone call recording guide.

• Both voices clear. Play back the first few seconds and confirm you can hear yourself and the other person.
• File located. Know the folder, such as Call Recordings in Notes on an iPhone, before the real call.
• Consent settled. Make sure the legal check matches where both parties are.

Frequently asked questions