How to record cell phone conversations for work or family

Learn how to record cell phone conversations for reasons like work and business, or for family and friends.

How do I actually record cell phone conversations?

Despite it being commonly requested feature, recording cell phone conversations on your smartphone is not as simple as you would think. It may be to your surprise that this feature is not currently offered on Apple devices nor Android devices today (even at this point of writing in October 2018).

As a result, people who have the need to record cell phone conversations have resorted to trying out different methods.

Top methods people use to record cell phone conversations

From what we learnt here in the iRec team, these are some of the top methods people currently use to record cell phone conversations:

Put the call on speaker mode, and place a separate voice recorder device beside the cell phone
Insist on using Skype instead of regular phone call, to make use of Skype's native call recording feature
If still unable to record cell phone conversation, then use pen and paper to scribble as much information as they can

Method 1. Place call on loud speaker, and place a separate voice recorder device beside the cell phone to record cell phone conversation.

In our opinion, this is really troublesome and you may have to fork out an additional $100-$200 on a separate voice recorder, which does not make sense if you are planning to record just one or two important calls.

Furthermore, recording quality could be of an issue here. Even if you manage to secure a recording device, it might be placed some way away from the cell phone, which then affect the overall fidelity and volume level of the call. Also you might need to experiment with the position of the device, it might need to be adjusted or sitting in a particular position or angle to get the most optimal recording. Also, the source of the recording will by your cell phone speakers which might not work well if you are in a loud open environment.

Method 2. Insist on using Skype instead of a regular phone call, to make use of Skype's native call recording feature, instead of recording cell phone conversation

For many people who record calls for work and business, resorting to using Skype is the best option. This is to leverage on its built in call recording option that you can tap to turn on. Call recording here is also much clearer as it directly records the actual conversation, and create sound files that are a 1-to-1 replication of what was said and heard.

However, there are some major downside to using Skype. Using Skype means that the other party must also agree to use Skype there is no way to use a telephone line with Skype.

Next, the other party WILL BE be notified whenever you turn on the recording feature, whether or not you start the recording at the beginning or mid-way through the call. This is extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable to some people knowing they are on a recorded call.

Method 3. If still unable to record cell phone conversation, then use pen and paper to scribble as much information as they can, instead of recording cell phone conversation

People who give up trying to record the call and just fall back to using pen and paper to scribble as much information as they can, for situations like work calls to record important details. That way, you are tend to lose out on a lot of important details. In situations like recording calls for family and friends, this would not work as you cant retain person's voice and emotion in the actual conversation.

Better method— Call Recording apps

Luckily, there are call recording mobiles apps today to record cell phone conversation that perform far better than any of the above methods.

How do Call Recording apps work?

Call recording apps usually work in a way to add a recording service behind your phone calls to record cell phone conversations. We do this by establishing a connection to a 'recording line' or a recording service running in the background that is neither intrusive or detectable since it does not make a single sound or how indication that recording is present.

Why should I use an app to record cell phone conversations?

Call recording apps offer a number of benefits over Skype recordings

Works with actual phone numbers
Get the best recording quality, 1-to-1 replication of cell phone conversation
Save time
Switch on recording any time you receive an incoming call

iRec Call Recorder for iOS is one such app to record cell phone conversations- it is currently one of the top rated and most downloaded app on the Apple App Store.

What is iRec?

Here at the iRec team, we have worked tirelessly to create the best phone recording app that we will feel will best serve any one who wants to record cell phone conversations easily.

With iRec, you can have these recording features:

Record calls on your smartphone easily with ultimate clarity
Record both incoming and outgoing calls
Make recordings that are as long as you want
Make as many recordings as you want
Make recordings from any country code
Download and save recordings as .mp3 files and share via email.

How to record with iRec

In iRec, adding the recording line to your cell phone conversation is easy. Just tap on 'Record' and follow the guided process and recording will start even before your call is connected.

Recording is as simple as 4 easy steps:

Tap on big red button
Tap 'Call' to call our recording line when prompted
Tap on 'Call' again to call your contact's phone number when prompted
Wait for your contact to pick up. Once he picks up, merge calls into a three way conversation and recording is now started

Help! Will the person know I am recording?

iRec's recording line will remain completely silent and undetectable in the background. The person will have no knowledge of being recorded unless you let them know.

However, in some jurisdiction you are required to disclose to the other party if you wish to record cell phone conversations. Recording without the other person's knowledge may be illegal.

Where to Download iRec?

iRec Call Recorder for iOS is top rated on the iOS App Store, with 1 million+ downloads, 4.0 stars and 1,200++ ratings.

You can download iRec Call recorder via the Apple App Store.