Skip to main content

How to record phone calls on your Android phone

There might be times you need to record a call, like when you’re on an important work call with someone, and recording it is easier than trying to remember all the details later. Although Android devices don’t have the native ability to do so, you can use Google Voice or even turn to an external recording device to get the job done.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

Unfortunately, you can no longer use third-party apps to record calls, as a recent Google Play policy update saw Google ban call recording apps from the Play Store from May 11, 2022. Instead, you'll have to follow the following steps.

Legal considerations before recording Android calls

It’s vital to remember that both the federal and state government have laws in place for recording phone calls, so always ensure you have consent before proceeding. Once you have the other party’s authorization to record your call, our handy guide will show you how to record a phone call in Android. Are you an iPhone user? Check out our guide on how to record phone calls with an iPhone. Some states require that only one party consent; however, check your state or local laws if you need further clarification.

Record incoming calls with Google Voice

Many Android users have the Google Voice app installed on their phone, which makes it easy to record phone calls using a Google Voice account. Not only that, but the app allows you to record your calls for free. Well, at least some of the calls. If you opt for Google Voice, you can only record incoming calls.

First, you need a Google Voice account. If you don’t have one, head to the Google Voice website and follow the on-screen instructions. Then, once your account is set up, you need to enable recording on your account, which is relatively easy to do.

Step 1: Open the Android app or navigate to the Google Voice home page.

Step 2: Click the three vertical dots more menu located on the left and select Settings from the menu.

how to record a phone call in android google voice 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Scroll to the Calls section and toggle Incoming call options.

how to record a phone call in android google voice 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Once done, you will be able to record incoming calls by simply hitting the 4 button on your keypad.

Note: When you press 4, you and the person you’re talking with will hear a message saying that the recording is underway. Press “4 again, and the recording will stop and automatically save to your inbox. To access your recordings in the Voice app, head to the Menu and tap the Voicemail tab.

how to record a phone call in android recordergear pr200 thumb
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recording calls with an external recorder

There's another method you can use to record a phone conversation, but it can be overcomplicated and expensive. Rather than using Google Voice, you can buy a separate phone recorder — some plug it into your phone’s 3.5mm headphone jack, but most use Bluetooth to connect to your phone.

There are also call-recording headsets that connect via Bluetooth, like the Waytronic Mobile Call Recording Headset, which will set you back $49 on Amazon. We’d also recommend the RecorderGear PR200. This recorder is easy to use, connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and has a built-in speaker, so you can listen to recorded calls directly from the device. It’s available for $119 from Amazon.

At the end of the day, whether you use Google Voice or opt for an external recorder will depend on the quality level you’re seeking from your phone recordings and the amount of money you’re OK with spending to acquire those results.

Editors' Recommendations

Paula Beaton
Freelance tech and travel writer living in (somewhat) sunny Scotland. Gamer, tea addict, never without a good book.
How to transfer your SIM from an Android phone to an iPhone 15
Transferring an eSIM from an old iPhone to an iPhone 14.

Apple made a big change with the iPhone 14, moving to an eSIM-only configuration that makes it impossible to use your current phone's SIM card. That continues with the iPhone 15, with no physical SIM card slot available on the new lineup. However, all is not lost, as there are a few simple ways to transfer your SIM from an Android phone to an iPhone 15.

The easiest way to get your SIM from Android to iPhone 15 is by going through one of the major carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon. This works in a few different ways, but rest assured that your Android SIM can be brought over to the wonderful world of iPhone eSIM.

Read more
How to see your frame rate on Steam Deck
Two players using Steam Decks to play Stardew Valley.

The Steam Deck might have a fancy OS that makes it easy to browse and play Steam games, but it's essentially just a standard handheld PC. That means anyone with enough tech-savvy can modify the device to their heart's content, loading different operating systems and playing games outside the Steam library without many restrictions.

One of the most requested features is the ability to see your frame rate, as this ensures your games are running properly and your handheld PC is performing as expected.

Read more
How to sync your iPhone with your iPad for seamless use
iPhone 11 Pro and iPad 2020

Long gone are the days when you had to pull out a USB to Lightning cable to load up your favorite music, photos, or even your calendar from your Mac or PC onto your iPhone or iPad. Now, you can keep everything in the cloud, and it will seamlessly sync between all your devices whenever you have a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.

Read more