How to Record a Phone Call on iPhone
Learn how to record a phone call on iPhone with the built-in feature in iOS 26, where recordings and transcripts are saved, and which regions block it.
For years, recording a phone call on iPhone meant jumping through hoops with third-party apps and conference call workarounds. That changed in October 2024 when Apple released iOS 18.1 with a built-in call recording feature.
It is still built in on iOS 26, the current release as of August 2026, though the button has moved since launch. It records both sides of the conversation, creates a transcript, and saves everything to the Notes app. No extra apps needed.
There is one catch worth knowing upfront. The moment recording starts, both people on the call hear an automatic voice notice saying so. You cannot skip it or mute it. Apple built it that way to help with recording consent laws, and honestly, it is probably a good thing.
Check that your iPhone supports call recording
Call recording arrived in iOS 18.1 and is still built in on iOS 26, the current release as of August 2026. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see which version you are on and install anything waiting. iOS 26 runs on iPhone 11 and later, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR stop at iOS 18, so they still record calls, just with the older button covered in step 3. Anything older than those will not show the option at all.
Good to know: Not sure which iPhone you have? Go to Settings > General > About and look at the Model Name field.
Make or answer a phone call
Open the Phone app and place a call, or simply answer an incoming one. Call recording works with regular cellular calls and FaceTime audio calls. It does not work with group calls, FaceTime video, or third-party calling apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Skype.
Tap the record button during the call
During the call, look for the recording option on your screen. In iOS 26 and later, tap the More button (three dots) in the bottom-left corner, then select Call Recording. In iOS 18.1 through iOS 18.x, tap the waveform icon in the top-left corner of the call screen. The first time you use this feature, a privacy notice will appear. Tap Continue to proceed.
Heads up: Recording laws vary by state. In about a dozen US states, all parties must consent before a call is recorded. Apple's automatic announcement helps with compliance, but you should know your state's recording laws before you hit record.
Wait for the announcement to play
Recording does not start quietly. Both people on the call hear an automatic voice notice telling them the call is being recorded, and there is no way to skip it, mute it, or turn it down. Assume the other person hears it and reacts. From there the recording runs on its own. A visible indicator stays on your screen for the rest of the call so you always know it is active.
Stop the recording
When you are done recording, tap the record button again to stop. Siri will announce that the call is no longer being recorded. If you simply hang up, the recording stops automatically and saves everything captured up to that point.
Find and share your recording in Notes
The fastest route is to tap View Saved Call as soon as you hang up. Otherwise, open the Notes app and look for the Call Recordings folder. Each recording includes the audio file in M4A format plus a full written transcript. The transcript often lags a minute or two behind the audio, and you may see a message saying transcription is still in progress, so do not assume it failed. Apple also cautions that a transcript is not a perfect record of the conversation, so play the audio back before relying on it for anything that matters. To share a recording, open the note and tap the three-dot menu on the audio player. Choose Share Audio to send it via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or any other app on your phone. You can also tap Save Audio to Files to store it somewhere else.
Good to know: If your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro or later), you will also get an AI-generated summary of the call alongside the transcript.
Once you know where the button is, recording a phone call on iPhone takes about two taps. The hardest part used to be finding a reliable third-party app that actually worked. Now it is built right into the Phone app. Keep in mind that your recordings sync across devices through iCloud, so you can access them from your iPad or Mac as well. And since the transcripts are searchable, you can find a specific call by typing a name or keyword in the Notes app. If you want to get more out of your iPhone, check out our Apple Device Tips series for guides on AirPods, Apple Watch, Apple Pencil, and more.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
Yes. An automatic voice notice plays to everyone on the call the moment recording starts, and there is no way to silence it while you record. Apple designed it this way to help comply with consent laws across different states and countries.
It depends on where you live. Under federal law, only one party needs to consent to record a call. But about a dozen states, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, require everyone on the call to agree. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press maintains a detailed state-by-state guide.
No. The built-in recording feature only works with standard cellular phone calls and FaceTime audio calls between two people. It does not support third-party calling apps, group calls, or FaceTime video calls.
First, check your version under Settings, then General, then Software Update. You need iOS 18.1 at minimum, and on iOS 26 the button sits inside the More menu rather than at the top of the call screen, so it is easy to miss. If you are already on the latest version and still do not see the option, call recording may not be available in your region. Apple lists call recording as unavailable in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, the European Union, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Yes, but you will need a workaround. You can use a third-party app like TapeACall, which works by merging your call with a recording line. Another option is to put the call on speakerphone and record the audio with a second device. Google Voice can record incoming calls, but only incoming ones, and only after you switch on Incoming call options in its settings. Once that is on, press 4 during the call to start and stop recording. Pressing 4 without enabling the setting first does nothing.
Yes. Call Recording is switched on by default, which is why the option appears in the More menu on every call. To remove it, go to Settings, then Apps, then Phone, then Call Recording, and turn it off. The option disappears from the call screen until you switch it back on. This is worth knowing if you hand your phone to someone, or if you would rather not have a recording button one tap away during a work call.
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How to Record a Phone Call on iPhone
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