To record a call on iPhone, update to iOS 18.1 or later (iOS 26 also has it), start or answer a call in the Phone app, tap More and then Call Recording (on iOS 18 it is the round record button at the top left of the call screen). Both people hear an announcement that the call is being recorded, and the audio and transcript are saved in a Call Recordings folder in the Notes app. If the button is missing, the usual reason is region: Apple only offers iPhone call recording in select countries and languages, and Pakistan has appeared on the list of places where it is not available.
Last checked: 20 October 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
How to record a call on iPhone with the built-in feature
Apple added call recording to the Phone app in iOS 18.1, and its support page says it works for a phone call or a FaceTime audio call (Apple Support: How to record and transcribe a call on iPhone). The same feature is also in the Phone app on iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.
- Update your iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update. You need iOS 18.1 or later.
- Open the Phone app and make a call, or answer one. Wait until the call is connected.
- On iOS 26, tap More, then Call Recording. On iOS 18, tap the record button (a small waveform icon) at the top left of the call screen.
- A short countdown appears, then an audio notice plays to everyone on the call saying the call is being recorded.
- To finish, tap Stop Recording or simply hang up. A message plays telling the other person that recording has ended.
Apple’s Personal Safety guide adds that only the person starting the recording needs the feature, that the notice repeats periodically during the call, and that either side can stop the recording by ending the call (Apple Personal Safety User Guide). The recording is audio only.
Where iPhone call recordings are saved
Recordings you start go automatically into a Call Recordings folder in the Notes app on your iPhone. Each call becomes its own note. Open it to play the audio, read the transcript, or use the More button to save or delete the audio and transcript.
If you use iCloud for Notes, the recording follows your Notes sync settings. Delete calls you no longer need, because a long call recording takes real storage space.
Transcripts and Apple Intelligence summaries
In supported languages, iOS writes a transcript of the call. It can take a little time to appear, and Apple warns that you should check a transcript’s accuracy before relying on it. At launch, transcription covered English (US and Australia), Spanish (US and Mexico), Mandarin Chinese (mainland China), Cantonese (Hong Kong) and Korean, as reported by Tom’s Guide.
If your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence and it is turned on, the note can also show an AI summary of the call. Apple’s iOS Feature Availability page lists “Call Transcription Summaries” for these languages: English (US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore), Spanish (US and Mexico), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese and Korean. Urdu is not on the list.
| Feature | What you need | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| Call recording | iOS 18.1 or later, a supported region and language | Notes > Call Recordings |
| Transcript | Recording plus a supported transcription language | Inside the same note |
| AI summary | Apple Intelligence iPhone, feature on, supported language | Top of the note |
| Recording on iPad or Mac | iPadOS 26 or macOS Tahoe, Phone app | Notes on that device |
iPhone call recording not showing? Check these first
This is the most common complaint, and it usually has a simple cause.
- iOS version. Anything older than iOS 18.1 has no recording button.
- Region. Apple says call recording is “available in select regions and languages”. Apple’s user guide has listed regions where it is not offered, including the European Union and countries such as Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, as reported by iPhoneIslam and still listed in a July 2026 roundup. If you live in one of these countries, the button is hidden by design.
- Language. Users on the Apple Community forum report that the button disappeared when the iPhone language was set to an unsupported language and came back after switching to English.
- The call is not connected yet. The option only appears once the call is live.
- You turned it off. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone and check Audio Call Recording. Apple notes that turning this off only stops you from recording; it does not stop others recording calls with you.
- Third-party calling apps. The built-in button records Phone app calls and FaceTime audio. WhatsApp, Signal and similar apps do not get it.
Some forum users say changing Settings > General > Language & Region to the United States made the button appear. This is not an official method, it changes date, currency and other formats, and it does not change the legal position on consent where you live.
Alternatives if the record button is missing
If you cannot get the built-in feature, these are the realistic options. Each has a catch.
- Speakerphone plus a second device. Put the call on speaker and record with Voice Memos on another phone, an iPad or a laptop. It is free and works anywhere, but sound quality drops and the other person is not automatically told.
- Three-way merge recorder apps. Apps on the App Store such as TapeACall add a recording line to your call using a conference merge. Most are subscriptions, and they fail if your network does not support call merging or charges for conference calls.
- Google Voice (US numbers). With a personal Google Voice account you can record incoming calls only: turn it on in Settings > Calls, then press 4 during the call. Voice announces the recording to everyone (Google Voice Help).
- Record your side only. For an interview, you can record your own voice locally and ask the other person to do the same, then combine the files. It needs cooperation but gives the cleanest audio.
Is it legal to record a phone call?
Rules differ by country, and in some places by state. Some require only one party’s consent, others require everyone’s. Apple’s guidance is simple: “make sure the other call participant is willing and gives explicit consent to be recorded” before you begin. The automatic announcement helps, but it is not a substitute for asking.
Pakistan note: we could not find a Pakistani law or official guidance that specifically covers private individuals recording their own calls, so we will not tell you it is clearly allowed or banned. What is clear is that sharing a recording to embarrass, threaten or blackmail someone can lead to a cybercrime complaint, and Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency handles those (see our guide to reporting a hacked WhatsApp account in Pakistan for the NCCIA channels). Ask permission, keep the file private, and speak to a lawyer if you plan to use a recording in court.
Tips for clearer recordings
- Use the earpiece or wired earphones instead of speaker when recording with the built-in feature.
- Rename the note straight after the call with the date and topic so you can find it later.
- Lock sensitive notes in Notes and delete what you no longer need.
- Check the transcript against the audio for numbers, names and amounts.
Buying an iPhone from abroad to get this feature? Recording follows region and language settings, not where the phone was sold, so a US iPhone used in Pakistan behaves the same as a local one. Before you buy, check the PTA tax on your model, read about the downsides of JV iPhones, and if you are visiting, see how to register an iPhone on your passport.
Frequently asked questions
Does the other person know when I record a call on iPhone?
Yes. With the built-in feature, everyone on the call hears an audio notice when recording starts, and it repeats during the call. There is no setting to turn the announcement off.
Which iOS version has call recording?
iOS 18.1 and later, including iOS 26. On iOS 26 the option is under More > Call Recording during a call.
Why is iPhone call recording not showing in Pakistan?
Apple does not offer the feature in every country, and Pakistan has been listed among regions where it is not available. An unsupported phone language can also hide the button.
Where are call recordings saved on iPhone?
In the Notes app, in a folder called Call Recordings. Each call is a separate note with the audio and, in supported languages, a transcript.
Can I record WhatsApp calls on iPhone?
Not with the built-in feature, which works for Phone app calls and FaceTime audio. You would need a separate recording device on speaker.
Is there a time limit on iPhone call recording?
Apple does not state a time limit. Long calls use more storage, so keep free space on the phone.
Can I record a call on an older iPhone?
Recording needs iOS 18.1 or later, so it works on any iPhone that can run that version. Summaries need an Apple Intelligence model.
Sources
- Apple Support: How to record and transcribe a call on iPhone
- Apple Personal Safety User Guide: Record and transcribe a call
- Apple iOS Feature Availability
- Google Voice Help: Record calls
- Tom’s Guide: iOS 18.1 call recording
- iPhoneIslam: supported and unsupported countries
- Apple Community: Call recording not available
