Kerry Wan
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'key takeaways
- iOS 18.1 and later lets you record iPhone calls directly in the Phone app.
- Recordings are saved with transcripts and AI summaries (on newer models).
- Always check local laws before recording, as rules vary by state.
Conducting interviews, doing research, or otherwise need to document a conversation? There are many reasons you may want to record a phone call -- and with an iPhone, it's easier than ever.
As of Apple's iOS 18.1 update, released in late 2024, you can now record phone calls directly on your iPhone. The Phone app's recording feature saves your audio in the Notes app alongside a transcription of the conversation, and it even provides an AI-generated summary of the call. (Summaries are part of Apple Intelligence, which is still in beta and requires a newer iPhone.)
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Apple historically hasn't allowed recording through the iPhone's built-in mic while you're actively on a call. For example, the AI transcription service Otter.ai will refuse to record if your phone is on a call, citing iOS restrictions. Apple's native solution changes this: When you start recording, your iPhone plays an audio message to all call participants to announce the recording, and plays another notice when you stop. (All participants are notified per Apple's policy , even if you're in a one-party consent state.)
But there are several ways to record a call on your iPhone -- with and without third-party apps. Before you do, always check that recording is legal, because states and countries have varying laws. You can check your state's policy here.
How to record an iPhone call (with iOS 18.1 or later)
What you'll need: An iPhone XR or newer, running iOS 18.1 or later (iOS 26 also supports phone call recording). Note that Apple Intelligence-powered aspects of the feature, like summaries, only work on the iPhone 15 Pro and later. Older supported iPhones can still record calls and generate an automatic transcript, but you won't get a summary of the conversation.
1. Start a phone call
To begin, open your iPhone's Phone app and initiate a call as you normally would. You'll need to be connected to the call before the recording option becomes available.
- Open the Phone app.
- Dial a number or choose a contact.
- Tap Call.
2. Open the More menu
Once the call has started, tap the More button to find your iPhone's call recording feature.
- On the active call screen, tap More options (three dots).
- A pop-up menu will appear with additional call features.
3. Select Call Recording
From the More options, choose the Call Recording feature to begin capturing your conversation.
- Tap Call Recording in the pop-up menu.
- If this is your first time recording, tap Continue on the feature introduction screen.
4. Listen for the recording audio prompt
Apple requires that all participants are notified when a call is being recorded. You'll hear an audio prompt confirming that recording has begun, and visual indicators will appear on your screen.
- Listen for the audio prompt that alerts everyone on the call.
- Look for the waveform with a timer and Stop button on the call screen.
- A banner notification from the Notes app will appear, reminding you that you can take notes during the call.
5. Take notes during the call
While the recording is in progress, you can enter a note attached to the call to see a real-time transcript and to add more thoughts if you have them.
- Tap the Notes banner notification or tap the waveform on the call screen.
- This will open a new note titled "Call with [contact name]".
- Add any text notes you'd like during the conversation.
6. End the recording and review
When the call ends, the recording will stop automatically and save to the Notes app. You can also stop recording manually while keeping the call active. If you end the recording, you'll hear an audio prompt notifying all call participants. You can then open the call's note afterward to review the transcript, summary, and recording.
- To stop recording early, tap the Stop button on the waveform, or simply hang up.
- Open the Notes app to find the saved note titled "Call with [contact name]".
- Inside the note, you'll find the audio file (tap to play), a transcript of the conversation (tap to expand), and a summary of the call (on iPhone 15 or newer with Apple Intelligence).
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Show moreFAQs
Can you record an iPhone call without iOS 18.1 or later?
Yes. You can still record calls with another device or a third-party service.
The most common approach is to use a second device as a recorder: Put your iPhone call on speakerphone and capture the audio with another iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Android phone running a recording app (for example, Voice Memos on iPhone/iPad or an Android recorder like this one). Do a quick test, play it back, and adjust volume, distance, and environment until the sound is clear.
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If a spare device isn't an option, apps and services can help -- but they usually rely on workarounds that can be clunkier and may come with additional costs. Popular apps include TapeACall for iOS (Apple App Store ) and Google Voice (iOS app ), the latter of which can record incoming calls made to your Google Voice number.
Is it illegal to record phone calls?
In the US, it's legal to record a call only with proper consent. Federal law requires consent from at least one party, meaning you can record if you're part of the call. But many states -- including California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts -- require all parties to agree. Recording without the needed consent in those states may violate wiretapping laws.
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Laws abroad vary, too. For example, Canada requires one-party consent, while the UK allows personal recordings but restricts sharing without permission. Apple's built-in recorder announces to all parties when a call is being recorded, but that doesn't replace legal obligations. The safest approach is always to tell the other person and get their OK before you start.
In short: Check your local laws, and when in doubt, get consent. You can see all 50 states' recording laws here.
Is there an app to record calls on an iPhone?
Yes. There are several third-party apps that can record calls on an iPhone. Because Apple doesn't allow direct microphone access during calls, these apps usually rely on workarounds like merging in a recording line. Options include TapeACall , Google Voice for incoming calls, and Call Recorder -- IntCall . Most require either a subscription or per-minute fees.
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Alternatively, you can use a mic-equipped computer or tablet to record a call on speakerphone. iPadOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows devices all support many audio recording apps and even have their own built-in tools.
Does Apple have an app to record iPhone calls?
Apple doesn't offer a standalone call-recording app.
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Instead, the feature is built directly into iOS. The option appears in the Phone app during calls, with recordings saved automatically to the Notes app. Before iOS 18.1, Apple had no native call-recording option. Voice Memos was available, but it won't capture call audio on the same device -- though it can be used on a second device to record a call on speakerphone.
Will screen recording record my iPhone call?
No. Screen recording won't capture phone or FaceTime call audio -- only what's on your iPhone screen and system sounds. Apple blocks call audio for privacy and legal reasons.
Does iPhone's Voice Memos have a time limit?
Apple doesn't impose a specific time limit on recordings in the Voice Memos app. That means the only real limitation is your available storage. As long as you have space and battery, you can record for hours until you stop the recording session.
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If you plan to record something lengthy, check your available storage first under Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Freeing up space -- by offloading photos or apps, for example -- can help prevent your recording from cutting off unexpectedly during a call.
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Keep in mind that very large audio files can be harder to export or share. It's a good idea to back up important recordings to iCloud or another service, and, if possible, break long recording sessions into smaller chunks.
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