No matter how hard we try, we must occasionally make a phone call. Messages are useful, but there’s no denying that phone calls excel at exchanging information or having a conversation much faster than messaging apps. However, unlike emails and messages, phone calls are more difficult to save. As a result, it may be necessary to record a phone call from time to time. Whether it’s a work call, an interview, or a legal call, you may require a solid record of the call.
Unfortunately, Apple’s iPhones, including the most recent iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, lack built-in tools for recording calls. Your best options for recording a call are to record it with another device, use a specialist app, or use Google Voice’s services — and we have guides for all of them. Also, if you want to record customer service calls or find resources to solve consumer-related issues, keep in mind that the website GetHuman is a potential workaround for using one of these recording options.
Finally, when recording calls, make sure you are adhering to local laws. So you know what to do, we’ve included a must-read section at the end of this guide.
The simplest way to record a call is to use another device to record your call while it is in speakerphone mode. This is by far the most straightforward option. However, it does necessitate the use of an additional device, so it is not suitable for everyone. You can also use a computer with recording software and a microphone, but this necessitates the use of those extra devices, which not everyone may have. Finally, it’s best for one-time calls; if you record calls frequently, we recommend looking into other call recording options.
We recommend that you set up your recording equipment ahead of time, so the steps below reflect that. Keep in mind that recording on the iPhone taking the call will not get you around the additional device requirement because the microphone is turned off during calls.
Step 1: Set up your recording environment. You won’t be able to move away from your recording device, so make sure you’re comfortable and have enough privacy (if required).
Step 2: Download and install the recording software you intend to use. If you have a smartphone, we have a list of the best voice-recording apps for Android and iPhone, but in brief, Voice Memos is ideal for iPhone users, while Easy Voice Recorder is ideal for Android users.
You can use the built-in recording software on a Mac or PC, or something free like Audacity. You’ll also need some kind of microphone, so make sure you have one. We have a list of the best microphones for streaming, but we don’t recommend spending money on a microphone just to record one call.
Step 3: Open your recording software and place the phone from which you’re making the call close enough to be heard. To ensure that it can be heard, play some music or watch some YouTube videos.
Step 4: Begin your call, and make sure to switch to Speakerphone mode by tapping the Audio button on your phone.
Step 5: On the recording software of your choice, press the Record button.
Step 6: If necessary, inform the person on the other end of the line that you are recording the call.
There aren’t many high-quality, free call-recording apps available, but there are a few if you’re willing to pay a small fee. We tested a number of apps and found that some are clearly superior to others. These apps usually have subscription fees, so they’re best if you’re a frequent call recorder.
TapeACall Pro: Call Recorder ($11) — By far the best iPhone call recording app available. For $11, you get unlimited recording for a year, and it’s $20 after that. It combines calls into a three-way conversation and records everything, including your voice. However, this app is only available if your carrier supports three-way conference calls. The recording can be listened to in the app or shared with a variety of cloud storage services. If you’re going to be recording a lot of calls, this is a great app.
Call Recorder Pro ($10) for iPhone — Call Record Pro, another good option, uses three-way calling, so make sure your carrier supports it.You can start recording in the middle of a call and share the recordings via email, cloud storage, or other apps. However, its pricing structure falls short, as the $10 fee upfront only entitles you to 300 minutes of calling. After that, you’ll need to purchase credits to increase your call time.
Call Recorder – IntCall — Our first free option, IntCall specializes in international calling and operates on a credit system. It requires a GSM network to function (the majority of the world uses GSM networks), and it makes the call using VoIP. Prices vary according to the country called, but most are between 10 and 20 cents per minute. If you’re not calling internationally, you can also purchase a weekly subscription, but this requires three-way conference calls, so make sure your carrier supports it.
If you’re looking for a good, free option that allows you to record incoming calls and filter out unwanted calls, Google Voice might be the best option. To use the recording feature, you must port your phone number to Google, and it cannot record incoming calls. This is inconvenient if you want to record any conversations you need to initiate, or if you like your current carrier, but it’s a small price to pay for free recording. Read our guide on how to configure Google Voice if you’re not familiar with the app.
You must first create an account in order to record incoming calls with your Google Voice account on an iPhone. Simply go to Google Voice and follow the on-screen instructions. Once your account is activated, the next step is to enable call recording, which allows you to record and save your conversation as an MP3 file. Keep in mind that you’ll have to answer the call within the app using your Google Voice number, so you won’t be able to record phone conversations using just your iPhone’s phone number.
Remember that only personal Google Voice accounts can record, and Voice for Google Workspace accounts cannot. Google Voice is only available in the United States, but you can dial outside of the U.S. from within it on Google Voice.
Step 1: Open the Google Voice homepage.
Step 2: In the upper left-hand corner of the window, click Settings (gear icon).
Step 3: Scroll down to the Calls section and enable Incoming call options.
Step 4: To record calls, you must first install the Google Voice app.
Step 5: When you’re ready to record, begin the call by pressing 4 on your keypad. When you do this, you and the person on the other end of the line will hear an automated voice message informing you that the call is being recorded.
Step 6: To stop recording, press the number 4 key on your keypad again, or simply hang up. When the recording is finished, Google will save the conversation so you can refer to it later.
Step 7: If all of your settings are correct and you’ve already answered and recorded a call with the app, the conversation will appear under Calls and voicemail tab. To listen to the recorded audio, click the arrow and make sure your volume is turned up. The app will also send you an email with a link to your conversation, which you can view in a browser.
“Your calls may be recorded for training or monitoring purposes,” is a common phrase when calling a customer service number, and for good reason. Many states have passed two-party consent laws. It is expressly illegal in 16 U.S. states (California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington) to record a phone call without the consent of the other call participants.
Check to see if you need to notify the other person on the line that they are being recorded, as you could get in trouble if you don’t. Do your homework, and err on the side of caution if in doubt. Remember that if it’s a multi-person call, you’ll need the permission of everyone on the call, not just one.
Be aware that some of these laws will also apply internationally. Always check to see if the local law requires you to notify people that the call is being recorded.
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