Android phones can now record phone calls

For years, recording phone conversations on Android has required separate apps and creative workarounds. Now Google is making it much more straightforward. Call Recording has started showing up on Pixel phones around the world, and the feature isn’t just for the very latest flagships.

The rollout applies to Pixel 6 and later Pixel phones. It requires Android 14 or a newer version of Google’s operating system as well as the updated Phone by Google app.

The feature was first mentioned on Google’s official support pages back in September, but users couldn’t actually see it in the app at that point. It’s only with the most recent updates that Call Recording has truly become active in practice.

On a Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro Fold, the feature has been enabled after updating the Phone app from version 195.0 to version 200.0 in the public beta, while other users have seen it appear on stable versions around 198. There are also reports that a November Pixel system update is needed before the menu item becomes visible in the app.

How to enable recording in the Phone app

Once the software is in place, Call Recording is built into the Phone app. On Pixel phones, you’ll find it under the app’s settings by going to Settings > Call Assist > Call Recording. Here, you can choose between several levels of automation.

You can manually record individual calls directly during the conversation. You can also let the phone record all calls from specific numbers or choose a broader setup where calls from unknown numbers are always recorded.

Swedish outlet M3 describes that the new menu includes options for both calls from unknown numbers and selected contacts that can now be recorded without additional apps.

The recordings are saved as audio files on the device. In the Phone app, you can set how long they should be kept. Call Recording allows for automatic deletion after 7, 14, or 30 days, or you can save all recordings permanently if you prefer to clean up manually.

Older Pixel models, AI features, and the law

Call Recording is being rolled out to Pixel 6 and newer models that don’t have the new AI-based Call Notes feature powered by Gemini Nano, according to The Verge, as a separate option alongside the more advanced solution.

On the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10, the emphasis is more on Call Notes, which can transcribe conversations and create short summaries with key points and next steps, while Call Recording on the other models is limited to creating a pure audio recording. Users are responsible for any transcription via other apps or services.

The feature is not just for the Pixel series. The Phone by Google app also allows call recording on other Android phones running Android 9 or later. However, the requirements are slightly different from those on Pixel devices, where Call Recording only becomes available on the Pixel 6 and newer models with Android 14.

Google places strong emphasis on the legal side. When you first activate Call Recording, you need to download the audio files that inform all participants in the call that it is being recorded.

During the first call after activation, the app explains how the recordings are handled and how the message is played back to the other party.

This lines up with legislation in a number of regions where at least one party, or in some cases all parties, must be informed before a call can be recorded.