Why iPhone Can’t Record Phone Calls

Call recording can be more useful than it may seem at first glance

Jakub Jirak
TechLife

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Photo by Magnet.me on Unsplash

Apple’s iPhones boast a pretty solid software suite. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have several limitations that can be a problem for some users. If you’ve ever tried recording your phone calls, you probably already know that something like this isn’t possible within iOS.

Apple blocks their recording. But if we look at competitor Android, on the other hand, we find one interesting thing. While recording phone calls is a problem on iOS, it’s a very common thing on Android that you can solve with the help of various tools.

You might have thought to use the native screen recording feature to record calls. But unfortunately, you can’t do much with that either.

When you try this, the screen recording stops and a popup window informs you of the failure due to an active phone call. So let’s shed some light on why Apple doesn’t allow you to record phone calls.

Recording phone calls

But first of all, let’s explain what recording phone calls can be good for. Probably all of you have encountered a phone call that started with a warning that it could be monitored. This practically informs you that this particular call is being recorded.

Mostly, mobile operators and other companies are betting on the recording, which can then, for example, easily return to the findings or suggestions. But it works the same way for the average person. If you have a call in which important information is communicated to you, then there is certainly no harm in having a recording of it.

That way, you wouldn’t have to miss anything. Unfortunately, as apple pickers, we do not have that option. But why? First, it should be pointed out that in Apple’s home country, the United States of America, call recording may not be legal everywhere. This varies from state to state.

For example, in the Czech Republic, anyone involved in a given conversation can record it without informing anyone else.

So there is no major limitation in this respect. But what is key is how you can deal with the recording. In most cases, it can be used for personal use, but any sharing or transcription of it may already be illegal.

Emphasis on privacy

Apple often presents itself as a company that cares about the security and privacy of its users. This is why Apple’s systems are somewhat closed. Moreover, recording phone calls can be seen as a certain invasion of user privacy.

For this reason, Apple blocks apps from accessing the microphone and the native Phone app. It is, therefore, easier for the Cupertino giant to block this option completely, thus protecting itself at a legislative level while at the same time being able to claim that it is doing so in the interest of preserving the privacy of its users.

For some, the absence of this option is a major obstacle that makes them stay loyal to Android instead. Would you welcome call recording on iPhones, or can you do without it altogether?

Final thoughts

I think the recording option should be present, with the user choosing whether or not they are interested in recording. Why do I think this? It’s not a big deal I suppose every single one of you has had an important call at some point from which you subsequently took notes.

The moment you had that call recorded, you could easily play back the recording and take notes. This could also be an advantage for people who are deaf or elderly, for example, who could use the benefits of recordings to communicate with doctors.

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Jakub Jirak
TechLife

Principal Software Engineer & Content creator | Writing about Technology, Apple, and Innovations. | Proud editor of Mac O'Clock.