6 Ways to Record a Phone Conversation: with Pictures

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Record all incoming, outgoing, or conference calls on a phone to play back later
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In a legal tangle, it can sometimes be very useful to be able to prove that something was or wasn't said. Read the steps below to learn how to record a phone conversation.

How to Record a Phone Conversation

Before recording a call, check the laws in your region to see if you need the other party’s consent. If you have an Android or iPhone, you can use the built-in call record feature. Use an inline recorder or induction coil microphone to record calls over a landline.

Section 1 of 7:

Avoiding Legal Problems

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  1. The United States federal government places no restrictions on private citizens recording their phone conversations, but many states require consent from all involved parties. Without such consent, your records will be legally useless in those states, and could even get you in trouble.
    • Some states require consent from all parties before you can record a conversation: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. However, many of these states have their own language and ways to define phone conversations and recording, so check out your local laws to make sure you're not doing anything wrong before continuing. [1]
    • If you're planning to tap a phone line instead, there are federal laws you must abide by in addition to state laws. Tapping a phone is the act of recording a conversation without the knowledge of either party. It is generally illegal except in certain law enforcement situations. [2]
  2. Recording your phone calls can be very useful, but it can also have unexpected consequences. Arm yourself with knowledge and play it safe.
    • You may get into a state jurisdiction snafu if you record a conversation without two-party consent, and it turns out that the other conversant lived in a state where two-party consent is mandatory. Even though you aren't breaking the law in this case, your phone records might be thrown out of evidence.
    • Your friends and family may be upset with you if you begin to record all your calls, and they find out. It's better to speak to those close to you before you start and respect whatever boundaries they set with you.
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Section 2 of 7:

Recording on Android and iPhone

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  1. 1
    Open the Phone app and make or answer a call. The phone app is a green app icon near the bottom of your screen on Android and iPhone. Note that there are a few provisions on this method:
    • The recording feature isn't available in all countries or regions.
    • Your phone will alert everyone on the call when the call is being recorded and when recording ends.
  2. 2
    Tap Record (Android) or the record icon (iPhone). On iPhone, this icon looks like a set of sound waves with a record icon. [3]
    • On Android, you can't begin recording a call:
      • Until it's answered
      • If you're on hold
      • When you create a conference call
  3. 3
    Stop recording by hanging up or pressing the record icon. You can find the call recording in Notes on iPhone or in the Recents tab of your Phone app on Android. [4]
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Section 3 of 7:

Record From a Land-Line Phone Using an Induction Coil Microphone

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  1. Get an induction coil microphone . These microphones are available at electronic and phone stores and typically come mounted in suction cups to allow easy attachment to the handset. [5]
  2. Plug the microphone's audio output jack into a computer, tape recorder, or other such device. A tape recorder or digital portable recorder has the advantage of being relatively small and portable, but a computer has advantages when it comes to cataloging and organizing your conversations.
    • A good basic audio editing program for your computer is Audacity. Audacity is free, simple, and useful for things like clipping dead space off the ends of conversations. It can also export the conversation files in a variety of formats for easy storage. Audacity can be downloaded here .
  3. Secure the microphone to the handset near the mouthpiece (the end you speak into). Test the microphone by speaking into the mouthpiece and playing back the audio record on your input device.
    • If you're worried the microphone's suction cup won't hold, secure the microphone with tape to ensure that your recording won't be interrupted.
  4. Turn on the induction coil microphone when you pick up the handset. Turn it off and stop recording when you're finished.
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Section 4 of 7:

Record From a Land-Line Phone Using an Inline Recording Device

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  1. Capture your conversation with an inline recording device . Inline devices attach to your phone's cable and record your calls without requiring placement on the actual phone.
  2. Plug your telephone line into the appropriate jack on your inline recorder, then plug the recorder's outgoing phone line into your wall jack as though it were a normal phone line.
    • Find the recorder's audio output cable, and plug it into your audio recording device of choice. Some inline recorders come with a recording device integrated into the unit. If you'd prefer to save a step, buy one of these models. More basic models let you decide what type of audio recorder to use, which may make them more useful for some people.
  3. Do it just as the conversation begins, and don't forget to start recording if using a separate audio recorder.
    • Some devices come with a “remote input” feature. These devices will begin to record automatically when there's a call, saving you the trouble. [6]
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Section 5 of 7:

Record From a Cell Phone Using an In-Ear Microphone

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  1. Use an in-ear microphone . These microphones are available at electronics and phone stores. Their great advantage over other physical methods is their small size and low profile.
  2. Install it into your receiving ear so that it will pick up the sounds from the speaker when you answer your phone.
  3. Plug the audio jack of the microphone into a portable recording device.
    • Pocket-sized digital and optical media recorders are widely available for purchase at electronics stores and online.
  4. Switch your portable device's recording on as soon as you get a call. The microphone is always on and will send the sounds it picks up to your recording device.
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Section 6 of 7:

Record From a Cell Phone Using Software

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  1. If you are using a smartphone, some programs let you record effortlessly whenever you have a phone conversation. Although not everyone with a cell phone is using a smartphone, this is by far the easiest option for those who can do it.
    • Browse the app store for your phone's operating system. Search for call recorders. Most of them are free or very cheap. Some popular choices include Cube Call Recorder, TapeACall, and Google Voice; however, not all apps will work in every area due to legal reasons.
    • Double-check what you're getting. Read over the developer's description for the app to be sure it's what you want. Most call recorders only work with certain phones or brands; some only work with the speakerphone on. Find one that suits you.
  2. Make sure the app is working properly by doing a test phone-call with a friend.
  3. If the app seems to work, but your recording quality is low, snoop around on the Internet for solutions. There are often workarounds for such things.
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Section 7 of 7:

Record Without Using Additional Hardware or Software

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  1. Several cloud-based web portals facilitate the recording of phone conversations without the additional hassle of installing any software or purchasing hardware.
    • Most of these services utilize the 'Cloud-Bridge' technology. The service calls both the source and destination numbers, bridges them, and records the call. The service is tightly integrated into a telephony infrastructure that resides in the cloud. This allows providers to store recordings in the cloud and make them available to subscribers through personal portals. Other call recording services include Broadsoft and TalkDesk.
    • They can be used with any type of phone (fixed line or cellphone). All your call recordings are made available by the providers in your personal dashboard, and you can download them as well.
    • All such web applications follow a subscription-based model. First, you need to create your personal profile on their website and purchase calling minutes according to their pricing plans. An average call + recording pricing varies from 10-25 cents per minute, depending on which plan you choose.
    • They do not inform your caller that the call is being recorded. You need to take care of the legal angle. So if your location requires two-party consent, the onus is on you to inform your caller that the call is being recorded.

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  • Question
    How do I record a face-to-face conversation on my iPhone 7 Plus?
    Community Answer
    If you have a jailbroken device there are many tweaks on Cydia that can help you do that. If not you can use Airplayer with your PC and record it from there.
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  • Question
    Can I easily record a telephone conversation that I'm having with my iPhone 6s?
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    Yes. Simply follow the steps.
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  • Question
    Can incoming calls be recorded on iPhones?
    Community Answer
    Yes, using a special device that plugs into your headphone jack. Be aware, as recording without the other's consent may be illegal in your area.
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      Warnings

      • Follow the consent rules for your state. If you live in a state that requires consent from all parties before recording a conversation, be sure you have it before you start. For extra protection, once you're recording, ask the other party to repeat their consent so you'll have it on record.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • As previously mentioned, it's typically illegal to perform a wiretap (listen in on the conversations of others without their consent). Law enforcement efforts can include wiretapping, but even then there are steps that must be taken to prove that the tap will be useful and necessary. Only record your own conversations or conversations you've been given permission to record. [7]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • It's illegal to purchase a radio scanner device that can intercept cell phone conversations. The FCC does not allow such scanning devices to be manufactured in the United States or imported from elsewhere. Use the other methods described above to record your cell phone conversations instead.
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ https://recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/
      2. ↑ https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/recording-phone-calls-and-conversations
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph57c6590e9/ios
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/phoneapp/answer/9803950?hl=en
      5. ↑ https://www.rcfp.org/taping-constitutes-interception-call-court-finds/
      6. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/interception-and-divulgence-radio-communications
      7. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/recording-telephone-conversations

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