How to Record a Phone Call on an iPhone

There are a ton of call recording apps out there. Really, it's a matter of if you need to record calls often, making a monthly charge worth it. There is, however, one call recording app that is marketed as the "only FREE call recording app" in the App Store.

Also, there are aspects to consider with call recording apps. For example, some only record outgoing calls or require you have three-way calling capabilities with your carrier.

Call recording apps

I have chosen the most popular and best-reviewed call recording apps I could. I have also ordered the call recording apps below from least to most expensive and provided imagery that shows the general process of the app as you record. Hopefully, this helps you make an educated choice!

Rev Call Recorder

• Rev is marketed as "the only FREE call recording app" in the App Store. While I can't confirm this with total certainty, I went through most of the call recording apps in the app store, and it was indeed the only one I found that didn't cost money or come with in-app purchases to get full access. Many of the other apps only allow a short free trial or limited recording capabilities.
• Rev is by far the easiest call recording app to use, and, trust me, I tried a lot of the call recording apps.
• You can record incoming and outgoing calls.
• Rev does not have limits on call recording times.
• There are no ads during the call recording process.
• Rev is also a transcription service, so if you choose to have a call recording transcribed, you can do so easily through the company. This service does cost money, but I am familiar with Rev as a company and know they are reasonable with their prices and have a fast turnaround.
• Recorded calls are super easy to access.
• No memo or events options within the app.

To record a call in the Rev Call Recorder app follow these steps:

1. Open the app.
2. Go through the initial steps of allowing the app permission to contacts, location tracking, etc., if you chose to do so. This part is up to you and your privacy preferences!
3. Click the green phone button at the bottom of the app to start recording
4. Chose to use contacts or manually type in the number. If you want to use contacts, it will have you allow the app access to your contacts. If you don't, you will have to enter the number manually.
5. Call Rev's recorder.
6. Call will instantly start recording.

TapeACall: Recorder

• TapeACall: Recorder costs 9.99$ (USD) per month or $59.99 (USD) a year with a seven-day free trial. If you are someone who will be using call recording frequently, this can be handy to have for what I would say is a reasonable price.
• It isn't difficult to use, but it does require merging the call, which is similar to the free voicemail recording option that I show you how to do later in this guide.
• You can record incoming and outgoing calls.
• No transcription service available.
• Recorded calls are super easy to access.
• TapeACall: Recorder also has a voice memo tab, allowing you to leave memos as well. It also has an events section that you can schedule and record events with. Super handy addition. While iPhones come with the Voice Memo app, this is still a nice feature.

To record a call in the TapeACall: Recorder app follow these steps:

1. Open the app.
2. Click the red phone button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Click "call" under "start recording."
4. The app will call the TapeACall recorder. You will then click the plus sign "+."
5. You will choose from your contacts or manually enter the number.
6. Click the "merge" button once the call goes through.
7. The call is being recorded!

Call Recorder

• Call Recorder costs 29.99$ (USD) per month after a very limited three-day trial. That is a steep price in my opinion. There are other weekly pricing options from 2.99$ to 9.99$ (USD) a week depending on the functionality of the app and this comes with limits versus the monthly option, which has no limits.
• While it isn't difficult to use, it is much more burdensome in comparison to Rev. It really is no easier than the voicemail recording option that I show you how to do for free later in this guide.
• You can record incoming and outgoing calls.
• No limit on recording length.
• No transcription service available.
• Recorded calls are super easy to access.
• No memo or events options within the app.

To record a call in the Call Recorder app follow these steps:

1. Open the app.
2. Click the big pinkish-red microphone in the middle of the screen.
3. Call the call recorder.
4. Add a call by clicking the plus sign "+."
5. Merge the calls once the call goes through.
6. Your call is recording!

Recording devices have been out there forever. So, of course, this is an option if you prefer it. The downside with this option is that if you lose the device or break it, you don't have any options left. Versus, with an app, that recording is usually saved in the cloud. With the voicemail option below, that recording is saved to your voicemail.

However, this can still be a viable option depending on your call recording needs. There are devices that can plug right into your iPhone, or you can choose to put a call on speaker and record that way. If you do record a call on speaker, there may be some issues with the recording quality, but that is to be expected. I've used this method in a pinch and the quality was good enough to make out upon listening and transcribe perfectly.

Call recording devices

• Call Recording Pen- Am I the only one who really wants a call recording pen, or have I watched too much of The Office? A call recording pen could be great if used while you are on speakerphone with a client, etc. Prices range on call recording pens, but you can find one for under $40 (USD).
• Bluetooth Call Voice Recording Headset- A call recording headset could be a great option, as long as it is compatible with your iPhone model. This is probably the most convenient of the call recording devices in terms of practicality. Prices range on this kind of call recording device, but you can find one for under $50 (USD).
• Portable Voice Recorder- A regular, old-school voice recorder will work just fine if you have the person on speakerphone. Plus, they aren't costly and can be found for under $40 (USD).

There are loads of other call recording or voice recording devices out there that may be compatible with your iPhone. Do a little research and see what works for you!

If this is a one-time thing or something you're not going to be doing often, you always record a call on your iPhone via your voicemail. It's easy, though not as easy as using an app or device, and it's free (which has its own appeal)!

For most voicemails, you cannot go over an hour, and some carriers are less than an hour. You may want to reach out to your carrier before proceeding to determine how long a message sent to yourself can be. Also, if you don't save the message it may delete and expire after a period of time (usually 30 days).

Sending yourself the call recording

To record a call using your voicemail follow these steps:

1. Open your Phone app.
2. Click "voicemail" in the lower right-hand corner.
3. Click "call voicemail" (depending on your carrier, you may have a different but similar option).
4. Enter your iPhone voicemail password.
5. Press the number associated with sending yourself a message. In my case, the prompt is, "to send, press two." Yours may be different depending on your carrier.
6. Make sure to speak for just a second so that your voicemail doesn't hang up on you before adding the call in.
7. Click the plus sign "+" to add a call.
8. Find the contact or manually enter in the number.
9. Merge the call.
10. The call is recording!