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How to Record Phone Calls on Android (2026)

Jul 6, 2026

Android has limited native call recording in most markets. In the US, Google’s Phone app does not offer call recording — but Samsung Galaxy owners and users in select countries can record calls without installing anything. Google’s Play Store policy update in May 2022 blocked apps from using the Accessibility API for call recording, removing most third-party recorders. This guide covers every method that works in 2026.

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Quick Answer

  • Samsung Galaxy phones have a native call recording toggle in the Phone app — the most reliable built-in option available regardless of region.
  • Google Phone app supports call recording only in select countries (e.g., Australia, Mexico); the US and UK are not included as of 2026.
  • Third-party apps like Cube ACR still exist but have inconsistent results after Google’s 2022 Accessibility API ban on Play Store.
  • For Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet calls, Owll records and transcribes automatically — no manual tap required during the call.

In This Article

Does Android Have Built-In Call Recording?

Android does not include a universal built-in call recorder at the OS level. Whether you can record calls depends on two things: your device manufacturer and your country. Google’s stock Android ships call recording in the Google Phone app only for specific countries — and the list is short.

Samsung, Xiaomi, and some other OEMs add their own call recording features that operate independently of Google’s restrictions. If you own a non-Samsung Android phone in the US, UK, or Canada, your built-in options are effectively zero for cellular calls.

How to Record Calls on Samsung Galaxy Phones

Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI include a built-in call recorder. Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Open the Phone app on your Samsung Galaxy.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  3. Tap Recording calls.
  4. Toggle on Auto record calls to capture every call, or leave it off and tap the Record button manually during a specific call.
  5. Find saved recordings in the Voice Recorder app under the Call recordings tab.

This works on Galaxy S series, A series, and most other Samsung Galaxy models running One UI 2.0 or later. In some countries, Samsung plays an audible notification to both parties when recording starts — this is required for local compliance and cannot be disabled.

How to Use the Google Phone App Recorder

The Google Phone app includes call recording for a limited set of countries. Google’s own support page lists the supported regions — confirmed examples include Australia and Mexico. The US, UK, Canada, and most of Europe are not on the list as of 2026.

If you are in a supported country:

  1. Open the Google Phone app during an active call.
  2. Tap the Record button on the call screen.
  3. Both parties hear an automated announcement that recording has started — this is mandatory and cannot be silenced.
  4. Tap Stop recording to save. The file appears in Recents inside the Phone app.

The mandatory announcement makes this option legally straightforward, but it means the other party always knows they’re being recorded.

Third-Party Call Recording Apps in 2026

Google’s May 2022 policy update removed the Accessibility API as a path for call recording apps. Most major recorders — including ACR Phone and Call Recorder – ACR — lost functionality or were pulled from the Play Store. A few options remain:

Cube ACR

Cube ACR captures audio through the device microphone rather than the system API. It still works on some devices, but quality varies — you’ll typically need speakerphone for the other caller’s voice to be audible in the recording. Results are inconsistent across Android versions and manufacturers.

Google Voice (US Only — Incoming Calls)

Google Voice users in the US can record incoming calls for free. In the Google Voice app, go to Settings → Calls and enable Incoming call options. During any incoming call to your Google Voice number, press 4 to start recording. The other party hears a notification. This does not work for outgoing calls.

Rev Call Recorder

Rev Call Recorder merges a three-way call through Rev’s servers to capture audio at the server level, bypassing the OS restriction. Recording is free; transcription is charged per minute. It requires a data connection and works for both incoming and outgoing calls. The audio quality is generally clean.

Recording Meeting Calls on Android (Zoom, Teams, Meet)

For Zoom calls, Microsoft Teams meetings, and Google Meet sessions, the cellular call restrictions above don’t apply. These are app-based calls, and Owll connects directly to these platforms to handle recording automatically.

Owll joins your meetings as a participant, captures audio, and returns a full transcript with a summary and action items — without you touching anything during the call. To set it up, download Owll and connect your Zoom or Teams account. For a step-by-step guide to Zoom specifically, see how to transcribe a Zoom meeting.

If you also need to convert Android voice memos or audio files to text, see our guide on converting voice messages to text on Android.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a phone call on Android without the other person knowing?

Recording without the other party’s knowledge may be illegal depending on your location. Most US states require at least one-party consent (you can record your own calls), but 11 states — including California, Florida, and Pennsylvania — require all-party consent. The Samsung built-in recorder and Google Phone app both play an audible notification, which is the legally safest default. Always check local laws before recording any call.

Why did my call recording app stop working on Android?

Call recording apps stopped working because Google updated its Play Store developer policy in May 2022 to block apps from using the Accessibility API for capturing call audio. Most apps that relied on this API were removed from the store or stopped functioning on updated Android versions. OEM built-in recorders — like Samsung’s — were not affected because they operate at the system level.

Does Android 14 or Android 15 have a built-in call recorder?

Android 14 and 15 do not add a universal built-in call recorder. The Google Phone app’s call recording feature covers the same limited set of countries it covered before these updates. Samsung and other OEMs continue to ship their own call recording independently of the Android version.

What is the best free call recording app for Android in 2026?

The best free option depends on your phone and use case. Samsung Galaxy owners have the most reliable free option built in. US users with a Google Voice number can record incoming calls for free through the Google Voice app. For recording Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet calls, Owll offers a free plan with automatic recording and transcription included.

Is it legal to record phone calls on Android?

Legality depends entirely on your jurisdiction. US federal law (ECPA) requires one-party consent, meaning you can legally record calls you participate in without notifying the other side — unless you are in one of the 11 all-party consent states. Outside the US, rules vary significantly: some countries require all parties to consent, others require none. When uncertain, the safest course is to inform the other party before recording.

Need to record and transcribe your online meetings without the manual setup? Try Owll free — automatic recording, transcription, and summaries for Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.

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How to Record Phone Calls on Android (2026)