How to Record Calls on iPhone: Built In Feature, Other Methods and UAE Rules

October 2, 2026

You can record phone calls natively on a supported iPhone running iOS 18.1 or later using the built-in feature in the Phone app.

How to Record a Call

Open the Phone App Support and make or answer a call.
Tap the More button (three dots) or the recording icon in the upper-left corner during the call.
Tap Call Recording.
Both participants will hear an audio notice stating that the call is being recorded.
Tap the Stop button or hang up to end the recording.

Accessing Your Recordings

Open the Notes app on your iPhone.
Look for the Call Recordings folder to find the audio file and a generated transcript of the conversation.

Apple provides a built-in call recording feature starting with iOS 18.1, but the native feature is restricted and unavailable in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

1. Built-In Feature (Unavailable in the UAE)

For supported regions, Apple’s native tool allows direct recording during cellular or audio calls:

How it works: During an active call, tap the More button (three dots) or the waveform/recording icon in the corner, then select Call Recording.
Mandatory Alert: Both participants hear an automated audio notice stating “This call will be recorded.” This cannot be disabled.
Storage: Recordings and auto-generated transcripts are saved automatically in a Call Recordings folder inside the Notes app.
UAE Restriction: Apple officially disables this native tool in the UAE and several other countries due to local regulatory and privacy compliance.

2. Alternative Methods to Record Calls

Because the native feature is blocked locally, UAE users rely on external hardware or secondary workarounds:

External Magnetic AI Recorders: Dedicated hardware accessories (such as specialized MagSafe Bluetooth recorders) attach to the back of an iPhone and record both sides of a conversation clearly when switched to phone mode.
Third-Party Conference Apps: Apps like TapeACall route calls through a merged 3-way conference line to record audio, though they require a subscription.
Speaker and Secondary Device: Placing the iPhone on speaker and capturing the audio using a separate voice recorder or a secondary device.

3. UAE Rules and Legal Context

Consent and Privacy Laws: Recording phone conversations without explicit consent from all participating parties is illegal under UAE cybercrime and privacy laws.
Legal Risk: Secretly recording calls can lead to severe criminal penalties, fines, or imprisonment, even if the recording is for personal documentation. Always inform the other party and obtain clear consent before capturing any conversation.

Pro Tip

Say the date and the purpose out loud at the start of every recorded call, for example “Today is the first of the month, this call is about my tenancy renewal, and you have agreed to the recording.” This gives you a clear record of consent and makes the recording easy to find later.

What Your iPhone Needs for Call Recording

The built-in feature does not work on every iPhone. It depends on your model, your software and your region.

Software: you need a recent version of iOS that includes the feature. Update to the latest iOS first.
Model: the feature is tied to Apple Intelligence, which runs on newer iPhone models only. Check Apple’s current list of supported models for your device.
Language and region: Apple adds languages and countries in stages, so the feature may not appear on a phone set to an unsupported region or language.
Apple Intelligence turned on: open Settings and check that it is switched on if your model supports it.

Menu names and availability change between iOS versions, so if you do not see the record button, check the Apple support page for your iPhone model and iOS version. You can also read how to change region in iPhone settings, because the region setting can affect which features appear.

How to Delete a Call Recording

Open the Call Recordings folder in Notes.
Swipe left on the recording, or tap Edit and select it.
Tap Delete.
Open Recently Deleted and delete it there too if you want it gone for good.

Delete recordings you no longer need. They often contain names, phone numbers and account details.

Method 2: Record a Call With Voice Memos and Speakerphone

If your iPhone does not have the built in feature, you can use a second device.

Put the call on speakerphone.
Open Voice Memos on a second phone, a tablet or a laptop.
Tap record and place the recording device close to the iPhone.
Stop the recording when the call ends.

The sound quality depends on the room. Use a quiet place and keep the devices still. Remember that the other person may not know they are being recorded, so the consent rules in the UAE section below apply in full.

Method 3: Record Calls With a Third Party App or Service

Apple does not allow normal apps to record the audio of a standard phone call directly, so third party services use other ways to get the sound:

Three way calling: the service adds a recording line to your call as a third caller. Both people on the call may be able to hear it join.
Call forwarding or a recording number: you dial a special number, and the call goes through it.
VoIP calling apps: apps that make internet calls and record them inside the app.

Before you use any of these, check the price, where the recordings are stored, whether they work in the UAE and who can listen to them. Do not give a stranger’s app access to calls that contain bank or identity details. Read the privacy policy and avoid unknown apps.

Why Screen Recording Does Not Capture the Call

Many people try the Screen Recording button and find the other person is silent in the video. The iPhone blocks the other side of a phone call from screen recording, and during a normal call the microphone is used by the call. Screen recording is useful for showing steps on screen, but it is not a call recorder.

What About Voice Mail and Live Voicemail?

If you miss a call, you can still keep the message. Voicemail messages can be played, saved and shared from the Phone app. On supported iPhones, Live Voicemail shows a live text of the message while the caller speaks. This is not a recording of a live conversation, but it is a useful way to keep what a caller said when you cannot answer.

Recording Calls in the UAE: Consent, Privacy and Safe Use

The UAE takes privacy seriously. This is general guidance, not legal advice, and you should check current rules or ask a lawyer for your own case.

Get consent first. In general, recording a private conversation without the knowledge and consent of the people on it can be a privacy offence in the UAE. Ask clearly at the start of the call, for example: “Is it all right if I record this call for my notes?”
Do not share recordings publicly. Posting a recording of someone on social media, or sending it to a group, can lead to legal problems even if you recorded it for your own use.
Keep business recordings in order. If you record customer calls at work, tell the customer, say why you record and who can listen, and store the files securely.
Banks and government calls. Many banks and government centres already say at the start of a call that it may be recorded. You do not need your own copy in most cases, and you can ask for a reference number or a written confirmation.
Keep it for the purpose. Record only what you need, keep it for as long as you need it and delete it after.
Protect the file. A call recording can contain an Emirates ID number, a bank detail or a home address. Keep it in a locked note or a protected folder.

If a call is for an official dispute, a legal matter or a police report, talk to a legal adviser before you use a recording, because rules on what can be used as evidence vary.

Fixes When Call Recording Does Not Work on iPhone

The Record Button Is Missing

Update iOS and check that your iPhone model supports the feature. Check that Apple Intelligence is on and that your language and region are supported.

The Recording Does Not Start

Make sure the call is a normal phone call. The feature is for calls in the Phone app, and it may not work on calls made through other apps. Restart the iPhone and try again.

The Other Person Cannot Hear the Announcement

Check your signal. Move to a place with better reception. If the announcement does not play, stop the recording and do not record the call without the person’s agreement.

You Cannot Find the Recording

Open Notes and look in the Call Recordings folder. Check that Notes is turned on in iCloud settings, and use the search box to find it by name or by a word in the transcript.

The Transcript Is Wrong or Missing

Transcripts are not perfect. Play the audio and check important details. A noisy line, a strong accent or a call in a mix of languages can reduce accuracy.

The Recording Is Quiet

Use the handset normally. If you used speakerphone with a second device, move it closer, reduce background noise and test before a long call.

More iPhone Guides for Everyday Use

After you set up recording, you may want to scan documents in iPhone to keep a signed copy of what was agreed on the call, activate eSIM on iPhone when you need a local line, connect iPhone to TV to show a recorded meeting on a bigger screen, and change region in iPhone settings if a feature is not showing up for your country.

Renting iPhones and iPads for Call Handling Teams and Events

Short term sales campaigns, customer support drives, event helplines and survey teams in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often need several phones for a few weeks, not a permanent set. Renting iPhones or iPads lets you give each team member a clean, managed device for the campaign, use the Phone and Notes apps for calls and call notes, and return the devices when the work ends, so customer details do not stay on a phone you do not own.

You choose the models and dates, and you can add more devices if the campaign grows. To check which iPhones and iPads are available for your dates and team size, contact our rental team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recording Calls on iPhone

Can you record a phone call on an iPhone?

Yes, on supported iPhones. Open a call in the Phone app and tap the record button at the top left of the call screen. Everyone on the call hears an announcement, and the recording and transcript are saved in Notes.

Where are call recordings saved on iPhone?

They are saved in the Notes app, in the Call Recordings folder. You can play the audio, read the transcript, search it and share it from there.

Does the other person know when I record a call on iPhone?

Yes. The built in feature plays an announcement to everyone on the call when recording starts, so no one is recorded without knowing.

Why is there no record button on my iPhone?

The feature needs a supported iPhone model, a recent iOS version, Apple Intelligence turned on, and a supported language and region. Update iOS and check Apple’s support page for your model.

Is it legal to record calls in the UAE?

In general, you should get the consent of everyone on a private call before recording, and you should not share the recording publicly. Rules can be complex, so check current guidance or ask a lawyer. This post is general information, not legal advice.

Can I record a call on an older iPhone?

Not with the built in feature. You can use Voice Memos on a second device with the call on speakerphone, or a trusted third party service, but you must still get consent from the other person.

Can I record WhatsApp or other app calls on iPhone?

The built in feature is for calls in the Phone app. Calls in other apps follow the rules of each app, and many do not allow recording. Screen recording does not capture the other person’s voice during a call.

How do I stop an iPhone call recording?

Tap the record button again, or end the call. The recording stops and is saved in the Call Recordings folder in Notes.

Can I rent iPhones for a customer calling or survey campaign?

Yes. You can rent iPhones or iPads for the dates of your campaign so each team member has a device. Contact the rental team with your dates and team size to confirm availability.