The bad news is that, if youโre an Apple user, thereโs no built-in iPhone call recording feature you can use.
The good news? Thereโs a way around this that doesnโt involve downloading an app.
Tell People You Are Recording a Call First
As a general rule, you should always get the other partyโs consent before you start recording because itโs common courtesy and it might be illegal if you donโt.
Check the legal requirements for recording calls in every state in the U.S. If you or your conversation partner live outside of the U.S., make sure to check with the legislation in that country.
How to Record a Call On Your iPhone Without Downloading an Appย
iPhones come with a recording app, but it canโt be accessed during actual calls. And you donโt want to download an external app for recording calls. So, what do you do?ย
Use another device to record the call. This option does require work to set up properly. However, itโs the best way around having to download a call recording app.ย
Hereโs what you need to do:
- Get your iPhone and the device you want to use for recording (another phone, tablet, or recording device).ย
- Test the recording quality. Call a friend and ask them to speak while you record to get a sample. Listen to your recording to make sure the sound quality is up to par. You might need to make adjustments to how loud you speak or your proximity to the recording device.ย
- When youโre satisfied, make your phone call. Put it on speakerphone and place the device youโre using for recording next to it with the recording app open.ย
- When everything is ready, hit the record button on your recording device and start your call. Remember to ask the person youโre on the phone with for their consent to record the conversation.ย
If you use Voice Memos on another iPhone to record your call and want to transfer the recording file to another platform, follow these steps:
Tap on the recording file.
Tap on the three dots.
Tap Share.
Choose where you want to share it (Gmail, WhatsApp, Slack, Facebook Messenger, or another app).
How to Record a Call on Your iPhone Using an App
If you find that the no downloads option is more work than you anticipated, go with one of the top options out there for iPhones, Rev Call Recorder.ย
Rev Call Recorder
Rev Call Recorder is a free app that allows you to record voice calls. You get unlimited call recordings, unlimited storage, and the ability to share and export recordings. You can also get your calls transcribed for a fee.ย
The one major disadvantage of this app is that it only works with U.S. phone numbersโso if you want to call someone outside of the U.S. or if youโre based outside of the U.S., you wonโt be able to download and use this app.
That said, the app receives a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars rating in the App Store from more than 13.1K users.
Hereโs how to record an outgoing call on an iPhone using Rev Call Recorder:ย
- Open the app and tap โStart Recorded Callโ
- Press โOutgoing Callโ
- Enter the phone number you want to call
- Follow the prompt to initiate the call with Revโs recorder
- Press โAdd Callโ to dial the number of the person you want to call
- Once the call connects, press โMerge Callsโ to merge the call with Revโs recorder and start recordingย
- Hang up to stop recordingย
Hereโs how to record an incoming call on an iPhone using Rev Call Recorder:
- Accept the callย
- Open the Rev Appย
- Hit โStart Recorded Callโ
- Tap โIncoming Callโย
- Call Revโs recorder when the app prompts you
- Tap โMerge Callsโ when the call connects to start recordingย
- Hang up to end recordingย