How to Record a Phone Call on iPhone: What You Need to Know

Have you ever had a phone conversation with someone and wished you’d recorded the call? Maybe you were given a complex set of instructions over the phone that were tough to remember. Or perhaps it was something more sentimental like a conversation with a loved one. No matter the reason, knowing how to record a call on an iPhone can come in handy. While Apple doesn’t offer a built-in way to record iPhone calls, the workarounds provided in this article make recording a conversation on an iPhone possible, albeit a bit clunky. 

How to Record Calls on iPhone: 3 Ways

Although Apple doesn't explicitly provide call recording features, there are a few ways to go about recording calls on an iPhone.

1. Use Apple's Voice Memos App

The Voice Memos app is one of Apple's preinstalled apps for your iPhone. It's a self-recording tool that can be used to capture a phone conversation—but you’ll need a second calling device. Here's how:

• Gather your iPhone and another device you can use to place calls (e.g., landline, Apple Watch, Mac, iPad, Android, another iPhone).
• Open the Voice Memos app on your iPhone.
• (Before the call) Hit the big red button at the bottom to start recording.
• Place your call or have the recipient call you directly on your other device. 
• Once started, put the device on speakerphone and keep your recording iPhone close by.
• (After the call) Hit the big red button again to end and save the recording on your iPhone. 

The biggest drawback of this method is that it requires two devices: one to place the call and a separate one with the Voice Memos app to record the call. And because your phone listens to you through the speakerphone, it could diminish the recording quality.   

2. Use Third-Party Call Recording Apps

Third-party options are the best way to record audio on an iPhone if you don’t have access to a second device as required in the first method above. The App Store offers plenty of highly rated third-party call recording apps for iPhones. 

To find reputable apps, we always recommend reading App Store reviews and paying special attention to the permission settings. Depending on the developer, your contact information and call logs can be used differently. So, protect your privacy by doing due diligence before downloading the app.    

While each recording tool will vary, here's the general step-by-step on recording a conversation with a third-party app:

• Research and select the recording app that is best for you.
• Download the app, then organize it into an iPhone app folder. 
• Open the new app, then read and accept the terms. 
• Follow the app prompts to set recording preferences and enable call recording on your iPhone.
• Place your call and save the recording. 

Most of these recording tools are free to download. However, some paid options may offer enhanced privacy or premium features that could be worth considering. 

3. Use Google Voice 

Google Voice is a cloud-based phone system for personal and business use. The pros of Google Voice are that it is compatible with iPhones, creating a personal account is free, and recording is easy.  

However, Google Voice has a few limitations, chief among them that it can only record incoming calls, not outgoing calls. In addition, you must use a separate phone number in the Google app, and it also only works over WiFi, so you can't make or record calls on LTE or 5G data. To record an incoming call via Google Voice, here’s what you need to do:

• Start by going to the App Store to download the Google Voice app.
• Open the app, create a free account, and choose a phone number.
• Once in the app, go to the top-left corner and hit the three-line icon. 
• Tap the "Settings" button.
• Select "Calls" and enable the toggle for "Income Calls Options."
• When an incoming call comes in, answer and hit "4" on the keypad to start recording the conversation. 
• The person on the other line will hear, "This call is now being recorded." Hit "4" again to stop recording. 
• After ending the call and recording, conversations are stored in the "Voicemail" tab of the app. 

Reminder: When it comes to recording an outgoing call, you’ll need to use one of the previously mentioned methods.

Use Cases: Why Record Conversations on iPhone 

Saving audio recordings on an iPhone has plenty of practical purposes. The main being to capture details from conversations for future reference. For example, a phone recording of a call with a customer service rep can be incredibly helpful when it comes to multi-step processes like how to switch phone carriers. Another instance when recording conversations can be useful is when a friend or colleague provides you with directions on how to do something. Similarly, you can use recordings to transcribe conversations for reference materials. If you're on a training call, recording the conversation gives you something to refer to later.

And, let’s not forget there can be sentimental reasons for recording conversations, like a birthday, anniversary or congratulations call with a loved one. Phone recordings are fantastic for preserving these milestone personal moments. 

Record Calls on iPhone: Ethical Considerations and Legality 

Before recording any and all conversations on your iPhone, remember there could be legal ramifications. State laws vary when it comes to what and how you're allowed to record. While some only need one-party consent, others require two-party consent, where both participants agree to the recording. So, check your state's specific laws before hitting that record button.

There are also ethical reasons to consider. Some people don't like the idea of compromising their privacy or could get embarrassed by how they sound over the phone. That’s why even if your state doesn’t require two-party consent, it’s wise to let the person on the other side of the line know you are recording in case they object. 

The Bottom Line 

Knowing how to record a call on an iPhone is a great way to capture important details and personal moments. You can do so through your Voice Memos app, a third-party recording tool, or Google Voice. But before hitting that record button, don't forget to check your state's law and obtain verbal consent to ensure compliance. 

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