Android has built-in call recording on most phones, but the steps and legal rules vary by location

Whether your Android phone can record calls depends on which manufacturer made it and which country or state you're in. Samsung, Google Pixel, and most other Android phones include a call recording feature, but it's often hidden in the phone app settings rather than obvious. Some carriers and phone models disable it entirely. Before you record anything, you need to know the legal rules where you live — in some places you must tell the other person you're recording, and in others you can record without asking.

This guide walks you through finding the feature on your phone, understanding when you're legally allowed to use it, and what to do if your phone doesn't have it built in.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Android phones have call recording in the phone app settings, usually under "Call recording" or "Recording options," but the exact location varies by manufacturer.
  • Some U.S. states and many countries require you to tell the other person before recording, while others allow one-party consent where only you need to know.
  • If your phone doesn't have built-in recording, third-party apps like Cube Call Recorder or Automatic Call Recorder can record calls, but they may not work on all carriers.
  • Recorded calls are saved as audio files in your phone's storage or cloud backup, and you can listen to them later or share them if needed.

Check your phone's built-in call recording feature

Open the Phone app on your Android device. Look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) in the top right or bottom of the screen, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Call recording, Recording options, or Advanced settings — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer. On Samsung phones, it's usually under Settings > Call recording. On Google Pixel phones, tap the three dots in the Phone app and look for Settings > Call recording.

Once you find the setting, toggle it on. Some phones let you choose whether to record all calls automatically or only specific ones. If you see a toggle but it's grayed out, your carrier may have disabled the feature. If you don't see a call recording option at all, your phone model or carrier doesn't include it, and you'll need to use a third-party app instead.

Understand the legal rules in your location

Call recording laws differ significantly by state and country. In the United States, some states follow two-party consent rules, meaning you must tell the other person before recording. These states include California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington. If you record someone without their knowledge in these states, you can face criminal charges or civil lawsuits.

Most other U.S. states follow one-party consent, meaning only you need to know you're recording — the other person doesn't have to be told. Outside the U.S., rules vary widely. Canada, the UK, Australia, and many European countries require two-party consent. Before you record any call, look up the specific law in your state or country, or ask the other person directly if you're unsure.

Record a call using your phone's built-in feature

Once you've turned on call recording in your phone's settings, the feature usually works automatically. When you make or receive a call, look for a Record button on the call screen — it typically appears as a red circle or microphone icon. Tap it to start recording. The other person may hear a tone or announcement that the call is being recorded, depending on your phone and carrier. When the call ends, the recording is saved automatically.

On some phones, you can choose to record only certain calls instead of all of them. If you see a prompt asking whether to record each time you call, you can select Always record to turn on automatic recording, or Ask each time to decide for each call. Recorded calls are usually stored in your phone's Recordings folder or in the Phone app itself, and they sync to your cloud backup if you have one enabled.

Use a third-party app if your phone doesn't have built-in recording

If your phone doesn't have a built-in call recording feature, you can download an app from the Google Play Store. Cube Call Recorder and Automatic Call Recorder are two widely used options that work on most Android phones. Open the Google Play Store, search for "call recorder," and read the reviews and permissions before installing — some apps require access to your contacts, storage, and microphone.

Third-party apps have limitations. Some carriers block them from recording, so the app may not work even if you install it. Others record only your side of the conversation, not the other person's voice. Before relying on a third-party app, test it with a practice call to make sure it actually records both sides. Remember that the same legal rules about consent still apply — using an app doesn't change whether you need to tell the other person.

Find and listen to your recorded calls

Recorded calls are saved as audio files on your phone. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the menu icon, and look for Recordings or Call recordings. You'll see a list of all recorded calls with the date, time, and contact name. Tap any recording to play it back. If you don't see a Recordings folder in the Phone app, check your Files app or Google Drive — some phones automatically back up recordings to cloud storage.

You can share a recorded call by tapping it and selecting Share, then choosing an app like Gmail, Messages, or Google Drive. The audio file is usually in MP3 or WAV format, so it works with any device that plays audio. If you want to delete a recording, tap it and select Delete — it will be removed from your phone and cloud backup.

Troubleshoot if recording isn't working

If you turned on call recording but nothing is being saved, first check that your phone has enough storage space. Go to Settings > Storage and see how much space is available. If your phone is nearly full, delete old files or photos to free up space, then try recording again. Some phones also require you to give the Phone app permission to access your microphone and storage — go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions and make sure Microphone and Storage are turned on.

If the Record button doesn't appear during calls, your carrier may have disabled the feature. Contact your carrier's customer service to ask if call recording is supported on your account. If you're using a third-party app and it's not recording, check whether your carrier blocks it — some carriers disable third-party recording entirely. In that case, you may not be able to record calls on your phone without switching carriers or using a different method like a separate recording device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell the other person I'm recording?

It depends on where you live. In two-party consent states like California and Florida, yes — you must tell them before recording. In one-party consent states, no — only you need to know. Check your state or country's laws before recording. When in doubt, ask the person directly.

Where are my recorded calls stored?

Recorded calls are usually in the Phone app's Recordings folder, or in your Files app under a Recordings or Call Recordings directory. Many phones also back them up to Google Drive or your carrier's cloud storage automatically. You can listen to them anytime and share them like any other audio file.

Can I record calls on Wi-Fi or VoIP apps like WhatsApp?

Built-in Android call recording typically works only on regular phone calls through your carrier. For apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet, you usually need a separate recording app or the app's own recording feature. Check each app's settings to see if it has a built-in record option.

What if my phone doesn't have call recording at all?

Download a third-party app like Cube Call Recorder from the Google Play Store. Test it first to make sure it works on your carrier — some carriers block third-party recording. If the app doesn't work, your carrier may not support call recording at all, and you may need to use an external recording device instead.

Can I record calls without the other person hearing a notification?

Some phones play a tone or announcement when recording starts, but not all. The notification depends on your phone model and carrier. Even if there's no notification, remember that in two-party consent states, you're legally required to tell the person anyway, regardless of whether they hear a tone.