How to Record Calls on Android Even If Google Doesn’t Want It
Sometimes—and for reasons unrelated to future blackmail plans—you need to record your phone calls. Maybe you’re interviewing someone on the phone and want to refer to the call later, or you’re talking to a shady company that will deny the details of your call without proof. Be that as it may, Android users have previously been able to use call recording apps to get the job done. Unfortunately, Google decided to remove your favorite third-party options, which made the process much more difficult.
Google confirmed in a developer webinar on Wednesday, April 20, that the company will essentially prevent third-party apps from recording phone calls on Android by revoking accessibility API permissions. The news was flagged by Reddit user NLL-APPS , who explained that this is not the first time Google has been against allowing call recording on Android.
In the era of Android 6, the company blocked access to the real recording of conversations. Then, in Android 10, the company prevented apps from recording calls using the device’s microphone. After this step, call recording apps started using the Android Accessibility API to make it possible to record phone conversations. Even without direct access to your phone calls or your Android’s microphone, apps using this method can create recordings of your calls that you can use as you wish. Or it could – once Google blocks access to the Accessibility API on Android, this workaround will no longer work.
The changes will go into effect on May 11, which means you’ll be able to use third-party options until then. If you want to plan ahead for May 11th and beyond, let’s look at ways to record calls on your Android without using third-party apps.
How to Record Calls on Android Without a Third Party App
First, check if the default calling app on your phone has a call recording feature. Google is allowing pre-loaded dialer apps to record calls, and that won’t change as of May 11. These apps have access to the phone call audio source (called VOICE_CALL) which all other apps don’t. You will find access to VOICE_CALL on Android devices such as Google Pixel devices as well as Xiaomi phones: if you have one of these, or another Android phone with this capability, you are on your way.
The second thing you should do if you have a Pixel is to check if you live in one of the countries that support this feature . Unfortunately, Google blocks call recording for Pixel in the US.
If the dialer app on your phone doesn’t have this feature, or if you live in a country where this feature isn’t available, you’ll have to work a little. The easiest solution is to put calls on speakerphone and then set up another device to record from there. It’s a bit obvious and not that convenient, but you’ll end up with a recording of your call.
A more difficult option, if you must have call recording right on your phone, is to root your Android . Rooting allows you to access systems that you normally couldn’t, which means you can allow apps like call recorders to bypass the restrictions Google normally enforces. This process is complex and probably overkill for most users. Some applications won’t even work if they detect root. However, it is worth mentioning as this may be the only possible way to record phone calls right on your Android at the moment. For starters , NLL-APPS recommends “Call Recorder” by skvalex .