Saturday, August 24, 2019

How to record calls on your Android phone

Huawei P30 Pro on a call.

There are plenty of reasons why you may want to record a phone call. Google's mobile OS has no official way of doing this, but Android users know where there is a will there is a way. Today we will show you various ways of keeping your mobile conversations on record.

Google's OS has no official way of recording calls, but Android users know where there is a will there is a way.

Edgar Cervantes

Is it legal to record calls?

Keep in mind legal consequences may come from recording calls. It's your responsibility to research laws regarding the matter, whether they be local, state, federal, or international. In some places you need one person's approval to record calls, while other areas require permission from both parties. Bottom line, you'll want to make sure you find out what you can and can't do before moving forward.

Keep in mind legal consequences may come from recording calls.

Edgar Cervantes

Google against call recording

Android Q Beta 5 Dark Mode Boot Animation Google Logo

For the same reasons mentioned above, Google hasn't been an advocate of call recording for years. Getting in trouble with governments across the world is no fun!

Google hasn't been an advocate of call recording for years.

Edgar Cervantes

The official API for call recording was removed with the launch of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Developers are hard to stop, so they found workarounds to keep this feature alive, but Google finally killed off the ability to record calls with Android 9.0 Pie.

Users with Android 9.0 Pie or higher are now forced to root their phones if they want to keep recording their calls via third-party apps. Rumors of future support have been circulating the web, but nothing is confirmed yet.


Record calls with a voice recorder

Sound recorder attached to Sennheiser headphones.

Those who don't want to deal with confusing apps, rooting, or any other complications can do things the old way. Just get yourself a voice recorder to store conversations using the speakerphone. Quality may not be ideal and it requires physical steps, but the simplicity may save you some headaches.


Record calls using another device

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Google Pixel 3 XL laying side to side.

If you have a secondary smartphone, tablet, or a computer laying around, you can also use it as an improvised voice recorder. Most smartphones come with voice recorder apps pre-installed. If your's doesn't, or you want something more advanced, click the button below for our recommendations.


Record calls using Google Voice

A smartphone with the Google Voice app open.

The most official way to record calls is using Google Voice, a service offered by the search giant itself. There are some downsides to this service, though; it doesn't work outside the U.S. and can only record incoming calls. It's a great option otherwise.

You will be assigned a phone number, which you can pick from a list of available options. Another number can then be linked to your account to allow for re-routing calls and messages. After you are all set up, activating call recording is a breeze.

  1. Access your Google Voice account using the web or official app.
  2. Access Settings.
    1. If using the web, this will be a cog button in the top-right corner.
    2. If using the app, this will be an option under the hamburger menu icon.
  3. Look for Incoming call options and turn the toggle on.
  4. Answer any call to your Google Voice number.
  5. Tap the number four to start recording.
  6. An announcement informing both parties the call is being recorded will play.
  7. Press four or end the call to stop the recording.

Record calls with a third party app

A screenshot of Automatic Call Recorder, one of the best call recorder apps for android

Plenty of third party applications can record your conversations. Just keep in mind recent Android versions and certain manufacturers may not support them.


We are still hoping for a native solution, or at least official support for call recording apps, but for now these are the best ways to keep record of your phone conversations. Enjoy!



from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2L7fS1d
via IFTTT

No comments:

Post a Comment