Check Your Local Laws First
Call recording laws vary by location. In the US, some states require only one party’s consent (yours), while others require all parties to consent. In the EU, most countries require consent from everyone on the call. Recording someone without their knowledge may be illegal depending on where you and the other person are located. When in doubt, let the other person know you’re recording.
Record Calls on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung phones have built-in call recording on many models, depending on your region and carrier.
- During a phone call, look for the “Record” button on the call screen (three dots menu, then “Record call” on some models).
- Tap “Record.” A notification or beep may alert the other party that recording has started (this depends on your region).
- Tap “Stop” to end the recording.
- The recording saves to Phone app, then the Recents tab. Tap the call entry and look for the playback button.
Recordings are saved in the Phone app’s call log and also stored as audio files in the “Call” folder in your internal storage (access via Files or My Files app).
Auto-record all calls: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, then “Record calls.” Enable “Auto record” to record every call automatically. You can set it to record all calls or only calls from unknown numbers.
Samsung disables call recording in some countries and on some carrier-locked phones. If you don’t see the Record option, your carrier or region may have it blocked.
Record Calls on Google Pixel
Google Pixel phones running the Google Phone app support call recording in supported regions.
- During a call, tap “Record” on the call screen.
- Both parties hear an announcement: “This call is now being recorded.”
- Tap “Stop recording” when done.
- The recording appears in your call history. Tap the call to play it back.
Google’s implementation always announces the recording to both parties – you can’t disable this announcement. Recordings are saved in the Phone app and as audio files in the “CallRecordings” folder.
If you want to go deeper, we have a separate guide on how to check WiFi router history on Android.
Record Calls With Third-Party Apps
Since Android 9, Google restricted apps from accessing the phone call audio stream, making most third-party call recording apps unreliable. However, a few approaches still work.
| App | How It Works | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Cube ACR | Uses accessibility services to capture audio | May not work on all phones; requires accessibility permission |
| Google Voice | Records incoming calls through Google’s servers | Only records incoming calls; only available in US and some countries |
| Rev Call Recorder | Uses a conference call system | Requires internet connection; free with transcription options |
Google Voice method:
- Open the Google Voice app. Tap Settings (three lines, then Settings).
- Under Calls, enable “Incoming call options.”
- During an incoming call made through Google Voice, press 4 on the dial pad to start recording.
- Press 4 again to stop. The recording saves to your Google Voice inbox.
Google Voice only records incoming calls, not outgoing ones. The other party hears an announcement when recording starts.
Record Calls Using Speaker + Voice Recorder
The simplest workaround that works on every phone: put the call on speaker and record with a separate device or app.
- During the call, tap the Speaker button to put the call on speaker.
- Open a voice recorder app on another device (another phone, tablet, or computer), or use your phone’s built-in voice recorder app on a split screen.
- Position the recording device near the speaker.
- Stop the recording when the call ends.
Audio quality depends on your environment and speaker volume. A quiet room with the phone speaker at moderate volume produces decent recordings. This method isn’t ideal for professional use but works in a pinch.
Find Your Recorded Calls
Samsung: Open the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the call entry, and look for a play button. Files are also stored in Internal Storage, then Call folder (accessible via My Files app).
Google Pixel: Open the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the call entry, and tap the play button. Files are in the CallRecordings folder in internal storage.
For related tips, check out our full guide on how to block a number on Android.
Third-party apps: Each app has its own recording library. Cube ACR stores recordings in its app and optionally in a folder on internal storage. Google Voice saves recordings to your Voice inbox.
Troubleshooting
No Record button during calls. Your phone model, Android version, carrier, or region may not support call recording. Samsung and Pixel phones in the US and many other countries have it, but some carriers disable the feature. Try updating your Phone app and Android version. If still missing, a third-party app or the speaker method are your alternatives.
Recording is silent or only captures your voice. This is the most common issue with third-party recording apps on Android 9 and later. Google’s restrictions prevent apps from accessing the other party’s audio. The built-in recorder (Samsung or Pixel) doesn’t have this limitation. If using a third-party app, check its settings for “audio source” options and try different ones.
Recording quality is poor. Move to a quiet location. If using the built-in recorder, quality is generally good. If using the speaker method, reduce background noise and position the recording device close to the phone’s speaker. Avoid maximum speaker volume – moderate volume usually sounds cleaner.
Can I record calls without the other person knowing?
Technically possible on Samsung phones (the built-in recorder doesn’t always announce recording, depending on your region). Google Pixel always announces recordings to both parties. However, recording without consent may be illegal in your jurisdiction regardless of whether the phone announces it. Check your local laws before recording any call without telling the other person.
How long can I record a call?
There’s no time limit on the built-in call recorder – it records until the call ends or you stop it. Storage space is the only constraint. A one-hour call recording typically uses 10 to 30 MB of storage, so even phones with limited space can handle hours of recordings.
Can I transcribe recorded calls?
Yes. Google’s Recorder app (on Pixel phones) can transcribe audio files. Upload the recording to Otter.ai or Rev.com for automatic transcription. Google Voice recordings can be transcribed through Google’s built-in transcription. Samsung’s built-in voice recorder also has transcription on newer Galaxy models.
Sources
Samsung – Record Calls | Google – Record Calls on Pixel
