Can You Record Calls on iPhone? 2026 Guide

iPhone call screen with a recording symbol illustrating call recording, consent and privacy.
Apple’s built-in iPhone call recorder announces the recording to both participants and saves the audio in Notes.

An iPhone can record a one-to-one phone call in supported countries and regions. Apple’s built-in feature plays an audio notice to both participants, saves the recording in the Notes app and may provide a transcript in supported languages. It is not designed for secret recording.

Quick answer: If Call Recording is available on your iPhone, tap More during a call and select Call Recording. Both people hear that recording has started, and Apple’s notice may repeat during the call. There is no supported way to silence this announcement.1
Consent and legal notice: Recording laws vary by country, state and situation. Apple tells users to make sure the other participant is willing to be recorded, and its Personal Safety guide recommends explicit consent.2 This guide is general information, not legal advice. For professional, workplace or disputed recordings, obtain local legal guidance.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes.

Does iPhone Have Built-In Call Recording?

Yes. Apple added phone-call recording with iOS 18.1. Its release notes describe live call recording and transcription in Notes with an automatic announcement that the call is being recorded.3 The feature continues in current iOS versions where regional availability permits it.

Apple documents the feature for an audio call between two people. When recording starts:

  • Both participants hear an audio notice.
  • The notice may replay periodically.
  • The audio is saved automatically to a Call Recordings folder in Notes.
  • A transcript may be available for supported languages and regions.
  • Either person can end the call if they do not want to continue.

The announcement is a privacy safeguard, not a setting you can disable.

Is iPhone Call Recording Available Everywhere?

No. Availability depends on the device’s software, language and region. As of this guide’s July 28, 2026 fact-check, Apple says Call Recording is not available in several markets, including the European Union, Pakistan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others.1

This list can change. Check Apple’s current iOS feature-availability page and the iPhone User Guide for your region before relying on the feature.

Important distinction: Call recording and transcription are separate availability questions. Your iPhone may support recording while a transcript or Apple Intelligence summary is unavailable for the spoken language, region or device.

How to Record a Phone Call on iPhone

When the feature is available, Apple’s official process is straightforward:1

  1. Ask for consent. Tell the other participant why you want to record and get a clear agreement.
  2. Open the Phone app and make or answer the one-to-one call.
  3. Tap More while the call is active.
  4. Tap Call Recording. Both participants will hear Apple’s recording announcement.
  5. Continue the conversation only if the other person agrees.
  6. Stop recording with the Stop control, or end the call.
  7. Tap View Saved Call or open Notes and find the Call Recordings folder.

If you hear an announcement on a call you did not initiate, clearly say if you do not consent. Ask the other person to stop, or end the call.

Where Are iPhone Call Recordings Saved?

The iPhone automatically stores recordings you initiate in the Call Recordings folder inside the Notes app.1 From there you can:

Use the recording

  • Play the audio
  • Save the audio file
  • Share it through supported apps
  • Search or copy an available transcript

Manage it carefully

  • Review before sharing
  • Restrict access to sensitive conversations
  • Delete recordings no longer needed
  • Remember that deleting audio also deletes its transcript

Apple warns that a transcript may not perfectly represent the conversation.1 Listen to the original audio before relying on a name, number, price, deadline or legally important statement.

Why Is the Call Recording Button Missing?

Possible reason What to check
Unsupported region Check Apple’s current regional availability list. The feature is unavailable in a number of countries and regions.
Older iOS version Update to a current supported iOS release. Call Recording was introduced with iOS 18.1.3
Feature turned off Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Recording and confirm it is enabled.1
Managed work device An employer or school can disable call recording through device-management restrictions.4
Unsupported call situation Apple documents the built-in feature for an audio call with one other person. Other call types or apps may behave differently.
Another useful iPhone feature Learn how to temporarily restrict your iPhone to one app with our iPhone Guided Access guide.

Can You Record an iPhone Call Without the Other Person Knowing?

Not with Apple’s built-in Call Recording feature. Both participants hear an audio notice when recording starts, and Apple says the notice replays periodically during the call.2

Apple’s Personal Safety guide warns that some third-party apps may record without providing an Apple-style notice.2 That does not make secret recording lawful, ethical or safe. An app’s technical capability is not permission to record someone.

This guide does not provide instructions for bypassing notification or secretly capturing a private call. The safe approach is to disclose the recording, explain its purpose and obtain express consent.

What About Third-Party Apps or Another Recording Device?

Methods differ in quality, privacy and reliability:

Method How it generally works Main concern
Apple Call Recording Built into the Phone app in supported regions; saves to Notes. Not available everywhere; both participants are notified.
Third-party service May merge calls through a recording service or use a provider’s infrastructure. Subscription cost, call routing, data handling and local-law compliance.
Separate recorder Captures a speakerphone conversation with another device. Audio quality, consent, physical privacy and secure storage.
Meeting or business platform Uses the platform’s disclosed recording controls instead of a normal phone call. Participant permissions, account policy and retention settings.

Before using a third-party recorder, read its privacy policy, pricing, retention period and deletion controls. Avoid uploading confidential calls to an unknown service. For an interview or formal meeting, a platform with visible participant notification and access controls is usually clearer than trying to record an ordinary call.

Call-Recording Consent and Privacy Checklist

Explain the purpose. Say why the call is being recorded and how it will be used.
Get explicit agreement. Do this before discussing sensitive details.
Respect refusal. Stop recording or end the call if a participant does not agree.
Store it securely. Protect access to Notes, backups and exported audio files.
Limit sharing. Do not forward a recording beyond the agreed purpose.
Delete when finished. Keep recordings only as long as genuinely necessary.
Protect private information See our guide to stopping people from snooping on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iPhone announce that a call is being recorded?

Yes. Apple’s built-in feature plays an audio notice to both participants, and its Personal Safety guide says the notice may replay periodically.2

Can I turn off the recording announcement?

No supported setting turns off Apple’s announcement. It is part of the built-in recording process.

Is iPhone Call Recording available in Pakistan?

Not currently. Apple’s iPhone User Guide lists Pakistan among the regions where Call Recording is unavailable as of this article’s July 28, 2026 fact-check.1

Is it available in South Africa or the European Union?

Apple currently lists South Africa and the European Union among the locations where Call Recording is unavailable. Check the latest Apple availability information because regional support can change.1

Where does the iPhone save recorded calls?

Recordings you initiate are saved automatically in the Call Recordings folder in the Notes app.

Can iPhone transcribe the call?

In supported regions and languages, Notes can display a transcript. Apple warns that transcripts may contain errors, so verify important details against the audio.1

Can I stop someone else from recording me?

You cannot control the other person’s device. If you hear Apple’s recording notice and do not agree, ask them to stop or end the call. Apple also warns that third-party tools may behave differently.2

Why does my work iPhone not show Call Recording?

Besides regional and software limitations, an organization can disable call recording on a managed device.4

Final Verdict

iPhone now has a useful built-in way to record one-to-one phone calls, but only in supported regions. It is deliberately transparent: both participants hear that recording has started, and the audio is stored in Notes for review, sharing or deletion.

If the feature is unavailable where you live, do not treat a third-party workaround as permission to record secretly. The responsible approach is always the same: explain the purpose, obtain explicit consent, secure the recording and follow the rules that apply to the people and location involved.

Official Sources and References

  1. Apple iPhone User Guide — Record and transcribe a call
  2. Apple Personal Safety User Guide — Call recording, consent and notifications
  3. Apple Support — About iOS 18 updates
  4. Apple Support — Enterprise restrictions in iOS 18
  5. Apple — iOS and iPadOS feature availability

About the Author

Shahroze Azmat is the founder and author of Meem Gadgets. He researches smartphones, mobile connectivity, charging technologies, artificial intelligence and consumer technology, with a focus on turning complicated technical subjects into clear, practical guidance.

About Meem Gadgets

Meem Gadgets publishes practical, independently researched guides about smartphones, mobile accessories, charging standards, connectivity, AI technology and everyday device problems. Important technical claims are checked against manufacturer and primary-source information whenever possible.

Last fact-checked: July 28, 2026. Call-recording features, regional availability, transcription languages and laws can change. Confirm current Apple support and obtain appropriate local legal advice before recording sensitive or professional calls.

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