Recording phone calls on an Android device can be a challenge. While Google’s own Phone app offers a recording feature, whether or not it works depends on your carrier, region, and other conditions. You can always use an external recording device, but I’ve found several on-device options that work quite well, including Google’s Phone app, Google Voice, and some third-party apps.

Does Google Allow Call Recording?

Google has never been particularly fond of call-recording apps for Android, at least not those from third parties. With Android 9, the company added limitations that prevented many apps from recording your phone conversations. I found that the apps continued to work, but when I played the recording, I could only hear my end of the conversation—or complete silence. Android 10 cracked down even further on these types of apps by blocking call recording via the microphone.

In response, developers began tapping into Android’s Accessibility Service to record phone calls. But Google updated its developer policy in 2022 to outlaw apps in the Play Store from using accessibility services for call recording. It has since labeled call recording as a type of spyware in its developer policy. I’ve heard of people finding workarounds by changing the audio source, turning the speaker volume as loud as possible, rooting their phones, and even sideloading call-recording apps.

So if you want to know whether or not Google allows call recording, the real answer is: It’s complicated. Apps on devices with Android 9 and earlier should be able to record phone calls without bumping into Google’s restrictions. But phones running Android 10 or higher that try to use the accessibility service may run afoul of Google’s policy. Plus, I’ve found that certain apps are incompatible with more recent versions of Android, such as Android 15.

Can You Legally Record a Phone Call?

Assuming you’re even able to find a working call-recording app, I think there’s still one important question that needs to be answered: Can you legally record a phone call, especially if you don’t ask the other person for permission? The answer depends on where you live. United States federal and (most) state laws allow phone recording if just one party (yes, that can be you) gives it the okay.

However, keep in mind that there are 11 states that require both parties to agree: California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Transcription app Rev offers a blog post that I recommend reading, where it discusses this issue in greater detail. Other countries have their own laws. To fully cover yourself legally, I advise asking the other person for permission before recording the call.

How to Record a Phone Call in Android

With all of those limitations, restrictions, and obstacles out of the way, here are some apps that I’ve tested and can confirm are able to record your Android phone conversations (as long as you meet several requirements).

Phone by Google

Google’s Phone app offers built-in call recording, but it’s contingent on a number of conditions. Your phone must come with the Phone by Google app preinstalled with the latest update—not Samsung’s Phone app. You’ll need to be running Android 9 or higher, and—most stringently—your region, carrier, and device must all support it, which leaves a lot of people out of the running.

If your device is compatible, open the app, tap the three-dot icon in the upper right, and select Settings > Record Calls to set up what calls you want to record. If the Call Recording option isn’t visible, then your phone can’t record calls through the app. When I set this up, I just had to tap the Record icon during a call to start recording.

During the call, I have the option to pause the recording. When done, I can tap the icon again or just hang up. The recording can be accessed under the Recents section of the Phone app. I just need to tap the name of the caller I recorded, select the recording from the list of calls, and then tap Play to hear it.

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(Credit: PCMag / Google)

Google Voice

With Google Voice, you choose a dedicated phone number through which incoming calls are routed to your mobile phone. After I set up my new phone number and Google Voice account, I opened Settings and turned on the switch next to Incoming call options to enable call recording. The major limitation here is that you can only record incoming calls.

Now, when I answer my phone, I can press the number 4 on the keypad to record the conversation. A message announces that the call is being recorded, so be sure to get the other person’s permission beforehand. When I press 4 again, the recording stops and is saved to my email inbox, where I can listen to the conversation or download it to my computer.

(Credit: PCMag / Google)

Automatic Call Recorder Pro

One third-party app that I tested is Automatic Call Recorder Pro. It took me through the necessary setup steps, such as enabling accessibility settings. I then headed to the Settings screen, where there are options to automatically or manually record calls, change the audio source and format, alter the audio quality, increase the volume, or turn on an option to start recording when you shake your phone.

(Credit: PCMag / Automatic Call Recorder Pro)

I chose to set the app to automatic, so now it will record incoming and outgoing calls from start to finish. I just have to tap the recording when it appears onscreen to listen to it in the app. From the recording screen, I can play the file, save it to my phone, share it via email or other services, and delete the recording.

The app is free and ad-supported, but paying $3.49 will remove the ads. In my testing, Automatic Call Recorder Pro successfully recorded phone calls on an Android 14 device and an Android 15 device.

(Credit: PCMag / Automatic Call Recorder Pro)

Cube ACR

Cube ACR is another option, though it offers more premium features than other apps. The basic version is free but displays ads, though I found it does the job adequately. If you need extra features, like cloud-based backups for your recordings, a subscription will run you $6.99 for six months or $9.99 for a full year after a free one-week trial.

In the app’s settings, you can turn automatic recording on or off, exclude calls from unknown numbers, modify the clarity and volume of calls, and enable recording from VoIP apps (if supported on your phone). There’s even an option to geotag your recordings so you can identify the caller’s location.

(Credit: PCMag / Cube ACR)

To record an outgoing call, I only had to call the other party as I normally would. I also choose to enable autostart recording, so incoming calls are automatically recorded in the background. After the call is finished, I can open the app to view and play the recordings. Recordings can also be tagged as important, deleted, view on a map, and shared via email or social media.

During my testing, Cube ACR was unable to record calls on any Android device out of the box due to a known issue. Fortunately, the developer provides a workaround. A notification that appears at the initial setup advised me to install and set up the Cube ACR Helper app. After installing and configuring this app, I was able to record phone calls on Android 14 and 15 devices.

(Credit: PCMag / Cube ACR)

About Lance Whitney

Contributor

I’ve been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I’ve written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I’ve also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

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