As surprising as it may sound, one of the things you can’t do with your iPhone is record a phone call. This might be because Apple does not want to associate itself with the legal issues that come along with recording phone calls.
Recording calls is not a very common practice, and it’s not even legal under all circumstances. So it is quite apparent why Apple hasn’t installed it as a core component of iOS. Still, there are certain situations where you are legally allowed to record a call and sometimes it’s necessary. For example, if you’re interviewing over the phone or otherwise have been given permission to record.
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Legal Provision
Since Apple’s main target is the US market, it is important to be aware of the legal status of recording calls in the US. Legally speaking, it is important to inform the person on the other end of the line that you’re about to record.
Some US states like New York require only one-sided consent, which means you can legally record without telling the other person. In California, however, all parties involved in the call must know that they’re being recorded. Under federal law, one-party consent is okay, but only if you are part of the conversation; otherwise, it would be considered eavesdropping.
In order to play safe, it is recommended that you ask for permission. Not doing so could lead to criminal charges if the person wishes.
Recording Calls On iPhone with Apps
If you are interested in recording both incoming and outgoing calls, the best option would be to use a call recording app. You won’t get many free options; you’ll find several options if you’re willing to spend a little money – and good ones too.
Once you get consent, there are several apps available that allow you to record calls on your iPhone. Here are a few applications you can consider:
Rev Call Recorder (free)
Using this free app, you can record incoming and outgoing calls on your phone, as long as you have a U.S. phone number registered. The best part is that there is no limit on the length or number of conversations you can record, no hidden costs, and the quality is also pretty decent.
TapeACall Pro ($11)
If you intend to pay for the app, consider TapeACall Pro. For just $11, you get unlimited call recordings for one year. The mechanism behind it is that TapeACall creates a three-way call between the caller you want to record, you, and the company’s service.
Call Recorder Pro ($10)
With this app, you can record incoming or outgoing phone calls on iPhone. Before moving on, you must set up a three-way call by putting your call on hold, then dialing in the recorder using the app, and then merging the calls. It might appear to be a hassle, but it means you can start recording calls already in progress, which is a feature not many other apps have.
IntCall Call Recorder (free)
IntCall Call Recorder gives you the option to record national or international calls and save them on your phone. The catch is that you must use a GSM carrier and support both hold and conference calling. Depending on the country you’re calling, IntCall may be an excellent choice.
How to Record Calls on iPhone Without Apps?
Using Google Voice Assistant
If you haven’t used your Google Voice account in a while, this is the time. It provides the option of recording conversations on incoming calls. For the recording to work, it must be activated in settings. You will be given the option for calls to be answered either via the app directly or by having the call forwarded to your mobile number. Either way, technically, you won’t be recording directly on your phone. It would all be done on Google’s servers.
When you answer calls made to your Google Voice number, tap 4 on the pad. Participants will hear a robotic voice saying that the recording has begun. This is Google’s way of keeping you legal.
Using Your Voicemail
This method depends on your carrier – whether it works and how useful it is. The first thing you will have to do is check whether your carrier allows you to download your voicemail messages. To record a phone call on iPhone using voicemail, click on the Phone app and tap on the Voicemail tab. If you see a list of voicemail messages appear, this means you can download them and keep them on your device.
If you only see a Call Voicemail option, then you’re out of luck. You will still be able to try this method, but your recording will be stuck in your carrier’s voicemail inbox.
Using Another Device
This is probably the quickest, easiest, and basic way of recording a phone call. All you will be needing is another device with a microphone that can record. Provided you’re in a quiet environment and can use your iPhone’s speakerphone, it is pretty simple to pull off. Start the call and then tap on the Speaker icon. Start recording on your external recorder. Place the phone close to the microphone so that when you speak, it picks up your voice too. In the end, you can save the recording.
Which iPhone Call Recording Method Works Best for You?
In our opinion, the two most reliable ways of recording a phone call on your iPhone are using the Google Assistant method or paying for a third-party service to record the call for you. In either case, you will still need to make sure you notify the other party that you’re recording them.
If all this still does not work out for you, you can always consider switching to Android as they allow much better recording options. Not only do many of the Android phones come with built-in call recording features, but they’ve also got plenty of free options to choose from.
Besides, if you’re looking for more information on the iPhone and its features, visit our blog.
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