Is It Legal To Record Calls On Your Smartphone?

There are many good reasons to record a telephone conversation. For example, if you're talking to a business or government agency, write down what was said if there was a dispute. It's also a convenient way to write down important information without a pen.

However, if you want to record a phone call, it's important to note that you often need some form of consent. Also, you may need an additional device due to the design of Android and iOS.

So, is it legal to record phone conversations on a smartphone and how is it done?

Is it legal to record phone conversations on a smartphone?

If you live in the United States, the answer depends on your state. Most states have unilateral consent laws and 12 states require consent from both parties.

In the country, with the consent of one party, you can record a telephone conversation without informing the other person. You are participating in a telephone conversation and only your consent is required. Although etiquette may require you to tell the other party, the law does not require you to.
If both parties agree, it is legal to start recording only when all participants in the telephone conversation are aware of the action. Recording a conversation without it means you are breaking the law.

12 bipartisan states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.

If you are trying to record a phone conversation with someone from another state, it is best to check the laws of both states and apply the stricter law. Although applicable law is generally determined by the state in which the recording device will be used, there are exceptions.

It is important to note that it is still illegal to record a telephone conversation in which you are not involved. If you're going to install an app on someone else's phone to record their calls, you're breaking the law for whatever purpose.

If you live outside the United States, the laws vary greatly depending on where you live. For example, in some countries, such as Australia, it is illegal to record phone conversations without consent. Therefore, before doing this, it is important to get advice on a specific country.

Why is it forbidden to record a telephone conversation?

Recording phone calls is potentially illegal due to federal wiretapping laws. This law prohibits the recording of a personal or telephone conversation when the other parties have a reasonable expectation of confidentiality.

However, this stat includes the notable exception that it is legal if at least one side of the conversation agrees. This law makes recording telephone conversations with consent legal, but illegal without consent.

How Google and Apple block users from recording phone calls

Apple and Google have made it harder for smartphone users to record phone conversations.

Android 9 and 10 include updates to prevent apps from recording voice calls. App developers then started using Android's Accessibility Service as a workaround until 2022, when Google updated its developer policies to prevent the practice.

On iOS, Apple blocks apps from accessing the Microphone and Phone apps.

Why Phone Call Recording Software Doesn't Always Work

There are apps and services you can use to record phone conversations on your smartphone, but due to Apple and Google procedures, they tend to be unreliable or inconvenient.

Many apps only work on older versions of Android or require you to root your smartphone. It is not recommended to root your smartphone as it is a security risk.

Phone call recording services are available, but they usually require you to route the phone call through their servers, and the recording takes place on their end, not on your smartphone. This isn't ideal from a privacy perspective, as you need to be sure that this service doesn't store its own chat history.

How to Record Phone Calls with Google Voice

Google Voice is a free service that provides a unique phone number. Anyone who calls this number will be redirected to your mobile number. Google Voice can record phone calls, but it's important to note that it only lets you record incoming calls.

First, you need to create and configure a Google Voice account. Once done, you can enable the call recording feature by visiting the settings page and enabling the incoming call options.

When enabled, you can record incoming calls by pressing four on the keypad. A message appears indicating that the call is being recorded. You can then stop recording by pressing four times for the second time.

All recorded calls are sent to your Gmail account.

How to record phone calls from an additional device

If you want to record outgoing calls or don't want to use Google Voice, it's easier to use a separate device, such as a voice recorder or a second smartphone.

Although call recording apps are often unreliable, any smartphone capable of recording video can record your call hands-free. Make a phone call using your phone speaker and use a second device to record everything.

If you are in a situation of mutual agreement, it is important to let the other party know that you intend to register before you do so.

Recording phone conversations is easy if you understand the laws

Recording a phone call on your smartphone isn't necessarily illegal, but it's important to understand the consent laws in your state before attempting this.

It's not difficult to get one-way consent, but if your state requires two-way consent, all parties should know what you're doing before you apply.

Google and Apple have made it harder for smartphones, but it's still possible. A Google Voice account is probably the easiest option. But you can also record calls with an optional device configured to record standard audio.