How to Record Phone Calls on iPhone

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Need to know how to record phone calls on iPhone? We’ve got you covered. Whether it’s for work, research, or if you need to gather condemning evidence, we’ll walk you through the best, tested ways on how to record a call on iPhone, as well as the laws around the US on whether it’s legal.

Techopedia’s Top Picks for iPhone Call Recorders

In a hurry? These are the top 3 tracker apps we’d recommend:

  • Spynger — Best app for recording your partner’s call in stealth mode
  • mSpy — Best app for recording family calls on an iPhone securely and discreetly
  • uMobix — Best for recording your children’s iPhones undetected

Is Call Recording Legal?

Whether or not it’s legal to record a phone call depends on the law of the state where the conversation is taking place. Many U.S. states use the one-party consent rule, which basically means it’s okay to record a phone conversation if you’re a party to it–even if the other person has no idea.

Things get a little tricky when the other person is in a different state. This is especially true if that other state has an all-party consent rule, which requires everyone in a conversation to consent to it being recorded. Otherwise, call recordings could legally be considered wiretapping.

Before recording any phone calls, you should make sure you’re 100% certain of the relevant laws, especially if you are planning to record international calls or even across state borders. It’s also always best to be transparent and get the other party’s consent because they likely wouldn’t want to be recorded without it.

Can You Record Calls Directly on an iPhone?

Not on every model. Most Android devices have a built-in call recording feature, making recording phone calls hassle-free. But the same can’t be said for iPhones.

With the iOS 18.1 release, a call recording can be initiated on certain devices, but the other party will be notified that the call is being recorded through a pop-up and an audio prompt. Once the call is disconnected, the recording is saved to your iPhone and can be accessed from the Notes app.

If you have an older device that isn’t compatible with iOS 18 or you don’t plan on updating your iPhone right away, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to record a call on an iPhone, though. There are still quite a number of workarounds you can use.

Top 3 Ways to Record Calls on iPhone

Several apps are capable of recording calls just fine. But sometimes, you might want to get a bit more information. Maybe you need to keep tabs on your underaged kids to make sure they’re browsing the internet safely, or you want to get detailed information on a partner you suspect is cheating. Below, I list the best tested ways to record calls on iPhone. The first is my favorite way on the list.

1. Using a Specialist App

Specialist apps like iPhone spy apps do offer much more than just call recording functionality. With mSpy, Spynger, and Phonsee, you can monitor everything on a specific device, including call logs, messages, app usage, and browser history, and track a location,

My top recommendation is mSpy, which offers a complete solution if you need more in-depth monitoring. You can track much more than just calls—you get access to call logs, durations, and even deleted call info, along with text messages, social media interactions, browsing history, GPS location, and a lot more.

How to Record a Call on iPhone

  1. Create Your mSpy Account

    • Go to the mSpy website and click TRY NOW at the top right corner to create your account.
    • Enter your email address (you can also use Google’s single sign-on option), and choose an operating system (iOS in this case).
    • Pick a subscription and continue. Once subscribed, mSpy will send you an email with your login information and a link to the dashboard.
    <strong>Create Your mSpy Account</strong>
  2. Set up mSpy with iCloud

    • Sign in to the mSpy dashboard and select iOS in the installation wizard.
    • Pick “Know iCloud Credentials” to continue.
    • Enter the iCloud login information.
    • If you have two-factor authentication set up, enter the 6-digit code that they will receive on their phone.
    <strong>Set up mSpy with iCloud</strong>
  3. How to Record Calls on iPhone with mSpy

    • Once you enter all the required login information, mSpy will take up to 10 minutes to complete the installation process.
    • If you’ve installed mSpy on your device to record calls, go to Call Recordings, dial the number, and start the recording. The recorded conversation will be available in the dashboard.
    • If you’ve installed mSpy on another person’s device, open the dashboard and go to the Calls section to find call logs and recordings.

However, before using these apps, it’s important to understand what it means for you and whoever you’re tracking—both legally and ethically. Monitoring someone’s phone without their knowledge is illegal, so it’s a good idea to check if it is illegal to spy on someone in your state without their consent.

2. Google Voice

Many people aren’t aware that Google offers this service, likely because it’s a US exclusive. Google Voice is a handy VoIP tool that does more than provide free call recording. You can get a free phone number and voicemail to make and receive phone calls. And yes, you can record calls, too, but there’s a catch—it only works for incoming calls. Here’s how you can set it up:

  • Set Up a Google Voice Account: First, sign up for a free Google Voice number. This will give you a second phone number linked to your Google account.
  • Enable Call Recording: Once your account is set up, head into the settings and enable call recording.
  • Record the Call: During an incoming call, simply press “4” on the keypad, after which you’ll hear a voice notifying both parties that a recording has been initiated. To end the recording, you can press “4” again or end the call. The recording will then be automatically saved to your Google Voice inbox.

You can access your recordings directly from your Google Voice app or through your Google account on a desktop browser. The recordings can be downloaded, saved, or shared whenever you need to. While Google Voice is a quick and efficient way to record calls, access is limited, and the option to record only incoming calls is a drawback.

3. Rev Call Recorder

Rev Call Recorder is an app designed to record and transcribe incoming and outgoing calls on a Rev 3-way call. As a third-party tool, it’s pretty straightforward to set up, but it won’t provide the advanced features you’d get with an app like mSpy.

  • For outgoing calls, you first open the app, which allows you to call the Rev recording line or dial +1 (415) 738-2935. Then, press ‘Add Call’ to add the phone number of the person you would like to record your phone call with and simply merge both calls.
  • For incoming calls, you follow a similar process, answering the call, adding the Rev recording line to the call through the app, and then merging both calls. You can then find the recorded call in the Rev app.

While Rev is free, like Google Voice, its service is only available to U.S. users and can’t be used for international calls except for calls to Canada, which could be less than ideal for some use cases.

The Best Apps for Recording Calls on iPhone Tested by Our Experts

iOS monitoring apps make it easy to record calls on an iPhone, whether you’re recording your own calls or someone else’s. These are the best apps you can use:

mSpy — Best for Recording Family iPhone Calls Securely and Discreetly

Free Demo
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Spynger — Best App for Recording Your Partner's Calls in Stealth Mode

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
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uMobix — Best For Recording Your Children's iPhone Calls Undetected

Free Demo
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Phonsee — Best iPhone Call Recorder for Non-tech-savvy Users

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Eyezy — Best Budget-friendly App to Record Calls on iPhone

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Conclusion

We’ve reviewed a few ways to record phone calls on an iPhone. While options like Rev, Google Voice, and the Voice Memos app provide basic call recording workarounds, they each have limitations.

If you’re looking for a way to record calls on your iPhone without limitations, a mobile spy app like mSpy is a great option that does it all—call monitoring, location tracking, and more. It’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve.

FAQs

Can I record a phone call on any iPhone?

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Does iPhone’s Voice Memos have a time limit?

Where are my call recordings on my iPhone?

Can you use iPhone screen recording to record a phone call?

 

Andrew Ekuwem
Technology Expert
Andrew Ekuwem
Technology Expert

Andrew Ekuwem is an experienced writer with over five years of work in the tech industry. While studying Business Administration at the University of Lagos, he began freelancing as a tech writer, and it has been his professional focus ever since. Andrew has written for well-known publications like HowToGeek, SlashGear, and TechWriteable, where he covers topics ranging from consumer technology to software development and digital trends. He has a knack for making complex technical concepts accessible and engaging, which has earned his work citations in tech forums and articles.