iOS disables the ability for apps to record audio while a call is active. With no way to turn this setting off, many people choose to use a third-party app to record calls on their iPhones. Many of them implement a third phone number to divert calls through for recording, while others power the voice calls on their own cloud platforms. Here are the best call recorder iPhone apps available.
The laws surrounding phone call recording vary by state and country so it’s recommended you check applicable law to learn what your rights and obligations are before attempting to make a recording of a call.
Easiest Voice Recorder iPhone App: Skype
Microsoft’s Skype offers a variety of phone-related features, but one of its best is the ability to immediately begin recording a call with the push of a button within the same app making the call.
Video and voice calls can be recorded on iPhone.
All recordings are automatically backed up online and available for download.
Recording is only available for Skype-to-Skype calls.
Recorded calls need to be downloaded within 30 days.
This feature is limited to voice calls made between two or more Skype accounts, not phone numbers, but it’s completely free, can be quickly activated once a call has begun, and the recording becomes available to download for 30 days for all parties in the conversation log.
The 30-day limit may be frustrating to some, but you can download the file to your iPhone as many times as you like for sharing or editing before the deadline and then use it for whatever you like for as long as you like. Using Skype is definitely one of the most popular methods for how to record conversations on the iPhone. So much so that it’s even used by many podcasters to record their episodes.
Most-Popular iPhone Recording App: TapeACall
TapeACall has earned itself a reputation for being the go-to app for those who want to record phone conversations on iPhone. It gets around Apple’s restrictions on audio recording by creating a three-way voice call between your contact, yourself, and its servers, which record the call and send it to you afterwards as a download.
Supports a lot of regions worldwide.
Very minimal UI once set up.
Aggressive advertizing of the premium subscription upon start-up.
$29.99 for a year of full access is expensive for some.
A 6-day free trial is available to test the call record feature, though you need to look for it when first opening the app. If you attempt to read more information on how the app works from its welcome screen, the free offer disappears and you have to delete it and reinstall it to get the free offer to appear again.
Best Transcribing and Call Recorder App for iPhone: Call Record
Call Record is an iPhone app for those who want to record on audio and in the written word. It’s linked to the No Notes website and service and it allows for the recording of all phone calls on an iPhone. It also offers an additional transcription service that can be requested while making a call or afterwards when listening to the recording.
The transcribing feature is a great extra.
Clean, professional-looking app interface that’s nice to use.
Transcribing starts at $60 for one hour of audio which may be too much for casual users.
Each screen can take a while to load.
Transcribing costs around $60 per hour of audio, which could be expensive or cheap depending on your industry and usual budget. However, a variety of bundles are available for those who want a more custom experience with their recording and transcribing.
Most Creative Call Recording App for iPhone: Record Calls+
Record Call+ is a fun iPhone app that lets you record your calls and add fun filters that change your voice and add background noises. It may not be the best app for those who need transcribing or other professional features, but for those looking for something different, this app is a good choice.
Voice distortion and background noises are a fun idea.
No paid subscriptions.
No support information within the app.
Credits start at 20 for $5.99 and you burn through them quickly.
Watch out for the credit system, though. You can quickly use these up, which can make the app rather pricey.
Most User-Friendly iPhone Recording App: Call Recorder & Voice Memo
Call Recorder & Voice Memo is an app that does exactly what it says. Once set up, it records phone calls between multiple people and also doubles as a voice recorder for when you want to tape a personal message for reference later.
A one week free trial is available and gives you access to all features.
Support for a Dark Mode and loads of support info within the app.
Lots of guides and support links within the app.
Requires in-app purchases for recording.
Prices can reach as high as $50 depending on your needs.
This app is a good place to start for those wondering how to record audio calls on the iPhone, as there are a plethora of guides, walkthroughs, and animated demos built directly into the interface that fully explain all of its features. Call Recorder & Voice Memo does require a monthly subscription but it’s not any more expensive than its rivals.
Most Trustworthy Way to Record a Call on iPhone: Google Voice
Google Voice is a service offered by Google that provides you a phone number you can have forwarded to your regular phone or accessed via your computer or smart device. One of its many features is the ability to begin recording inbound phone calls simply by tapping the number 4 after you pick up.
Informs the listener when they’re about to be recorded.
Recording is easy to activate via the Google Voice website.
Can only record incoming phone calls.
You need to set up a Google Voice account to use it.
You don’t technically record on iPhone, as all of the recordings are done by Google in the cloud and made available to you afterwards. It does enable you to record any calls you get to your iPhone from your Google Voice number, and that’s really all that matters. Unfortunately, you can’t record calls you make to other people, so if you want to record someone, you need to ask them to call you back.
Watch out for scam calls that try to take advantage of those using Google Voice numbers.
iPhone Recording App Backup: Call Recorder RecMe
RecMe works in a near-identical way to several other iPhone call recording apps on this list, and it generally works very well and boasts a solid app design that’s easy for beginners and tech heads to use.
- Routing numbers are only available for the U.S., UK, Canada, Brazil, and Malaysia.
- Relatively expensive.
What sets it back, however, is its price. $9.99 for just a week of access is very expensive when similar apps charge that much for a month. Still, RecMe can be a good backup if the other apps stop working due to a bug or lack of support.
Best Alternate Option With Two Devices: Voice Memos
While there is an increasing number of iPhone apps that can record a phone call made on the same device, it’s also possible to record a call by placing the person on speakerphone and simply capturing the entire conversation via a secondary device.
Requires no additional apps or memberships.
Is easier for a lot of people.
You need an additional device to record your iPhone phone calls.
Apple’s restrictions prevent you from using the free pre-installed Voice Memos app for recording calls on the same iPhone, but there’s no way to stop it from recording audio made by another iPhone.
All you need to do is open Voice Memos on an old iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad you may have lying around, then tap the red Record button.
You can also use the voice recording feature on any other app, such as Microsoft OneNote, for this iPhone call recording trick.
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