Know the legality of recording calls
Before going into details about how to record your phone conversations, it is essential to mention that in some countries and regions, recording calls without prior consent of the parties involved may be illegal. Therefore, we recommend that you inform yourself about local laws and regulations regarding call recording before you begin using any of these methods.
As for recording calls itself, there are several ways to do it without having to install additional applications on your phone. Below, we present some of the most notable ones.
Recording calls on Android phones
Most modern Android devices have a call recording option built into their native phone app. To find out if your device has this feature, follow these steps:
1. Open the phone app on your Android device.
2. Access the settings menu (represented by three vertical dots in many interfaces).
3. Look for an option called “Call Recording” or something similar. If you find it, activate the function.
Please note that some devices may not offer this option due to legal restrictions or differences in Android versions.
Use an automatic call recorder on Android
If your Android phone does not have a built-in call recording feature, you can also try an automatic call recorder. Although there are many third-party apps that offer this feature, Google Voice is a free and easy-to-use solution.
To get started, follow these steps:
1. Sign up or sign in to Google Voice (https://voice.google.com/).
2. In the upper left corner, press the hamburger (three horizontal lines) or access "Settings" in the web version.
3. Go to “Calls” and activate the “Call Recording” function.
4. When receiving or making a call with Google Voice, press the number "4" on the numeric keypad to start recording.
5. Press "4" again to stop recording. The call will automatically be saved to your Google Voice account.
Recording calls on iPhone
Unlike Android, iOS does not offer a call recording feature built into its operating system. However, it is possible to use external services such as VoIP call recorders to obtain the same result.
A good example of this is the free Rev Call Recorder app, which allows you to record incoming and outgoing phone calls via an access number. To use it, download and install the application on your iPhone from the App Store.
Once installed, follow these simple steps to record your calls:
1. Open the Rev Call Recorder app.
2. Press “Start Recording” to call the Rev access number.
3. Make the call normally through the app.
4. The call will be automatically recorded and available in the “Recordings” section of the app when it is finished.
Use an external device
Another method of recording calls is to use an external device such as a digital recorder or voice recorder. This can be especially useful if you don't want to use third-party apps on your phone.
To use an external device, follow these steps:
1. Connect the recording device to your phone via a 3,5mm auxiliary audio cable (usually a male to male cable). You may need an adapter if your phone does not have a 3,5mm port.
2. Make sure the call recorder is turned on and set to record sound.
3. Make the phone call. The recording device will automatically capture the audio of the call.
4. When you end the call, save the recording to the external device and transfer it to a computer or online storage for later reference.
Manual Techniques for Recording Calls
If you do not have digital tools or external devices, you can always resort to manual call recording methods. Although these methods may be less accurate and reliable, they can be useful in situations where systematizing call recordings remains within legal regulations.
- Place your phone on speaker near an audio recorder or microphone connected to a computer or recording device.
- Use a Bluetooth speaker to improve audio quality and make recording easier.
Always remember that call recording may be subject to legal restrictions in your country or region. Therefore, inform yourself about local laws and be sure to obtain prior consent from all parties involved before recording any phone calls.
