3 ways to record a phone call on an iPhone

A woman wearing a pink sweater and sunglasses holds a phone to her ear.

It’s the 2020s, and there’s still no way to record a phone call on your iPhone without using an app or a separate device. But alternatives abound, and we’ve rounded them up here.

What to know before recording

The legality of recording calls differs from state to state, with some territories requiring the permission of all parties on the call. Be sure to check the legality of recording in your state before making the call.

Given the legal murkiness of recording calls, it’s almost always the best option to call someone over Zoom or Google Meet and record the conversation using the built-in tools on those platforms. This ensures that both parties are aware they are being recorded and also results in the highest-quality recording for you.

1. Record a phone call by app

Third-party apps are the only solution for recording a call with phone-quality sound. While many options exist, the highest-recommended app online is Rev, which provides free and unlimited call recording for U.S. phone numbers.

After your call, you can opt to have it transcribed by Rev as well. They promise to deliver it in less than 12 hours.

2. Record a phone call by speakerphone

You’ll need another recording device nearby to do this, but it’s an easy solution for last-minute recordings. On Apple laptops, open the QuickTime application and choose File > New Audio Recording. Click the record button, which looks like a red square in a gray circle. Make your call and put it on speakerphone. You should see the rising and falling sound of your voice reflected as sound bars on the QuickTime display as it records.

If you don’t have an Apple laptop, Rev offers a free recording service that you can access from your browser. You can see that service here.

3. Record a phone call with a recording device

Physical recording machines are sturdy and useful in a pinch, and have been for decades. Simply set your call to speakerphone and hit record on your device. Simple recording devices are available from places like Best Buy and Amazon for affordable prices and can be delivered to you as quickly as the next day.