Does Android have a built-in call recorder?

Some Android phones do. The Google Phone app records calls on Android 9 and later (Pixel 6 or newer on Android 14 for Pixels) in countries where Google offers it, and Samsung's Phone app has its own recorder. If neither shows a Record button, your country or carrier doesn't allow it on that phone.

How do I activate call recording on Android?

In the Google Phone app, open Settings, then Call recording, to set up automatic recording. On a Samsung phone, open Phone, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, then Record calls. If neither menu exists, use a second device on speakerphone or place the call through Wave.

Will the other person know I'm recording?

With the Google Phone app, yes: both people hear a disclosure when recording starts and stops. Wave shows you a recording notice before each call and asks you to tell the other person. Whatever the tool, say you're recording at the start of the call.

Why can't I record calls on my Android phone anymore?

Android 9 cut call audio off from third-party apps, Android 10 closed the remaining workaround, and Google Play has barred apps from using the Accessibility API to record calls since 2022. The built-in dialer recorder, a second device, or a service that carries the call itself, like Wave, are the options left.

Where are call recordings saved on Android?

Google Phone app recordings stay on the device, in the call's entry in Recents. Samsung saves them in the Phone app under Record calls, then Recorded calls, and in My Files. Calls recorded through Wave are in your Wave library on every device you sign in to.

Is it legal to record a phone call?

It depends on where you and the other person are. In the US, federal law and most states require only one party's consent, but about a dozen states require everyone's. Many countries have their own rules. Getting the other person's agreement at the start of the call is the safe habit.

How to Record a Phone Call on Android

Whether your Android phone can record a call depends on its dialer, your country, and sometimes your carrier. Here are the built-in options, the workaround that always works, and how Wave AI records both sides of a call and turns it into a transcript and summary.

Four ways to record a call on Android

1. The Google Phone app (Pixel and many other phones)

Phone by Google has a built-in recorder, but only where Google supports it. Non-Pixel phones need Android 9 or later; Pixels need a Pixel 6 or newer on Android 14 or later; and you must be in a country or region where call recording is offered. Both people hear a disclosure when recording starts and stops.

Update the Phone app, then make or answer a call.
On most phones, tap Record on the call screen. On a Pixel, tap Call Assist, then Call Recording.
Tap Stop recording (on a Pixel: Call Assist, then Stop) or hang up.
Find the recording in the call's entry in Recents. Recordings stay on the device and aren't backed up.

Google: record calls with the Phone app

Turn on automatic recording

Where the Google recorder is available, it can record calls for you. Open Phone, then Settings, then Call recording.

Numbers not in your contacts: under Always record, turn it on.
Selected numbers: turn on Always record selected numbers and add the contacts.
One contact: open the contact, tap Edit contact, then turn on Always record calls.

2. Samsung Galaxy's own Phone app

Samsung phones ship their own dialer with a Record call button and an auto-record setting (Phone, then the three-dot menu, then Settings, then Record calls). Like Google's, it is hidden in some countries and on some carrier models.

Step-by-step: how to record a call on Samsung

3. Speakerphone and a second device

If your phone has no record button, this works on any phone and any call. Put the call on speaker and record it with another phone, a laptop, or a smart watch. Quality depends on the room, so find a quiet spot and keep the recorder close. You still need the other person's consent.

4. Record the call with Wave

Wave records phone calls on your Android phone, at app.wave.co, and in the Wave desktop app. Dial out from Wave, or bring Wave into a call you're already on. Your Wave plan's minutes cover phone calls the same way they cover any recording.

Open the Phone tab in Wave and verify your number once. Wave confirms it with an automated call, then uses it as your caller ID.
Dial from the Keypad or pick a contact. Wave reminds you the call will be recorded; tell the other person, then tap Call.
Talk as normal. The call runs inside Wave, so both sides are recorded without speakerphone.
After you hang up, the call lands in your library as a Phone Call session with a speaker-labeled transcript and an AI summary.

Wave help: recording phone calls

Already on a call, or someone called you?

Tap Record a call you're already on in Wave's Phone tab. Wave calls you; answer it, put the first call on hold, and tap Merge or Conference. Everything from the merge onward is recorded. This needs three-way calling on your carrier plan; if your call screen has no merge option, dial from Wave instead.

Why recorder apps stopped working

Most Play Store call recorders broke over three changes. They now mostly capture only your side of the call, if anything.

Android 9 (2018) cut off call audio to third-party apps.
Android 10 closed the microphone workaround many apps had moved to.
In 2022 Google Play stopped allowing apps to use the Accessibility API to record calls.

The problems you know too well

The Record Button Comes and Goes

Two Android phones of the same model can behave differently depending on the country and carrier. If your dialer has no Record button, a settings change won't add it.

Recorder Apps Only Catch Your Side

Since Android 9 and 10, third-party apps can't reach call audio, so many 'call recorder' apps capture only your microphone, if anything.

A Recording Still Isn't Notes

Even when the built-in recorder works, you get an audio file in Recents. Finding the moment someone gave you a date or a price means listening again.

Features

Everything you need to capture every conversation

Both Sides, No Speakerphone

Calls placed from Wave run inside the app, so both voices are recorded cleanly. No second device, no speaker in a quiet room.

Your Own Caller ID

Wave dials from the number you verify, so the person you call sees a number they recognize.

Record a Call in Progress

Already talking? Merge Wave into the call to record the rest, on carriers that support three-way calling.

Transcript With Speaker Labels

Every call becomes a searchable transcript that shows who said what, with timestamps.

AI Summary and Action Items

Get the key points, commitments, and next steps after each call. Check names and numbers against the recording before you share.

One Library for Everything

Phone calls sit next to your meetings, voice memos, and Wear OS recordings, and you can ask Wave questions across all of them.

Perfect for

Calls with doctors, insurers, and banksPhone interviews and reference checksClient and contractor callsCustomer support calls you may need to cite laterCalls where someone reads out numbers or addressesFamily calls you want to keep

FAQs

Common questions

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