Considering how much more sophisticated the iPhone becomes with each iOS update, it’s somewhat surprising that the device still doesn’t natively support the recording of phone calls. The iPhone’s voice memo feature allows users to easily record face-to-face conversation, and with two devices, speaker phone, and a little bit of MacGyver’ing, you could probably rig up some kind of system to record your conversation. But that’s way too involved. In times like these, we can rely on the ever-vigilant iOS app developers to fill in this hole for us. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the best available call recording apps for iPhone and iPad in 2018.
1. REKK — Free Trial
While a lot of call recorder apps cost money, REKK is one of the best apps out there to use for call recording and it comes with a free trial on Apple’s App Store. There are in-app purchases you can make if you want to join the subscription plan. You can get REKK for $8.99 per month or $39.99 per year. If you only need the app for one purpose, you also can purchase the one-week plan for $3.99.
REKK is really easy to use and has more features than other call recording apps. There are detailed instructions that tell you how to go about call recording. You also have the ability to record both incoming and outgoing calls, which sets REKK apart from other call recording apps. Another huge benefit of REKK is that it has the highest quality audio recording available, meaning there are no gaps or freezes in the recordings.
REKK is probably the most simple call recording solution out there right now. The app will automatically convert the audio recordings into text for easy transcription and reading at a later date. You’re allowed to make as many recordings as you want, and for as long as you want if you pay for the subscription version of REKK.
2. Call Recorder – IntCall — “Free”
Call Recorder – IntCall is an ideal app if you’re someone who just needs to record a couple of phone calls. Maybe you just need to record an interview with someone for a school project, and you’d feel stupid shelling out $10 for an app that you’d use once. If that’s the case, then this app is perfect for you.
To call Call Recorder – IntCall “free” is a little misleading. Although the app itself is free, you need to pay for your minutes via in-app purchase. This is due to the fact that you don’t actually use your own cellular service when you’re making phone calls. You’re accessing Call Recorder’s own VoIP, and thus you have to pay for it. The price is reasonable enough when making domesticated calls, (approximately $0.10 per minute) but it can get a little expensive with international calls.
With that being said, the fact that you don’t actually require a phone to use this app is a pretty big bonus. This means that the app could be used with an iPod or iPad, as well. As long as you have a microphone, you can use the app. Also, you can easily export your recorded audio files via email, or via iTunes. Call Recorder – Int Call’s simple user interface makes this process easy enough.
3. Google Voice — Free
Google Voice is quite the amazing application. It allows you to send and receive SMS for free. It also allows you to make domestic calls for free, so long as the call length does not exceed 3 hours in length. Did you know that it’s very easy to record these calls?
It should be noted that you cannot record an outbound phone call, meaning a phone call that you have made. In order to record your call from Google Voice, the person you are speaking with has to call you. This is presumably for legal purposes, as there are numerous restrictions and requirements involved in phone call recording.
Before you start making phone calls, you need to activate call recording from Google Voice’s settings. From your computer, log on to your Google Voice account and click the gear in the top right corner of the screen. Navigate to settings, and open the ‘Calls’ tab. Check the box next to ‘Call Options’.
That’s pretty much the most complicated step involved in recording Google Voice calls. Now, whenever you’re speaking someone on the phone via Google Voice, you can press 4 on the dialer to initiate the recording, and press 4 again to end it. You can then access your recorded file from the computer. Simply navigate to your recorded call list, click the ‘more’ menu next to the call you would like to download, and click ‘download’.
Google Voice is already a really helpful application, and their call recording function only makes them even more helpful. Google Voice is also one of the few call recorders out there that is entirely free, so long as you are not making international calls!
4. Hola! — “Free”
Hola! is an app that is very similar to Call Recorder – Int Call in premise. With Hola you pay for credits in-app, which are used as minutes during a phone call. However, Hola offers a couple of different features that separates itself from its competition. For instance, Hola offers the ability to use your own phone number while you make calls. Despite all calls being sent via VoIP, with Hola, you are able to input your own personal mobile number. A verification code is sent to that number, and the number can be used from the VoIP.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks to the service. In Hola, you are only able to export your recorded audio files via email, iMessage, or Air Drop. This is adequate for someone who may record phone calls every once in a while, but if you’re going to use this app regularly, that lack of functionality may become a bit of a bother over time.
And again, since Hola sends and receives calls via VoIP, you don’t need a cellular plan to use this app. You do, however, need data. This just requires a 3G/4G or Wi-Fi connection.
5. Call Recording by NoNotes.com — “Free”
Out of all of the available “freemium” call recording apps out there, this one is probably my favorite. NoNotes offers a pretty solid call recording payment model that I think is really ideal for someone who just needs to record a call every once in a while. When you download the Call Recording app, you’re prompted to sign up for a NoNotes.com account. When you sign up, you’re given a monthly allowance of 20 free minutes. This is a really convenient solution for someone who may need to record a quick phone call or two.
Obviously, if you surpass this monthly limit, you have to pay for your additional minutes. And NoNotes is pretty pricey in comparison to other apps, at $0.25 per minute. NoNotes also has a unique transcription service, where you can send in your audio files for transcription, at an additional cost to you. This can be a very helpful feature for someone who records something with the intention of publishing it online.
Although on the surface NoNotes may seem like a conventional call recording application, it actually offers some unique features and functionality that I personally think make it the ideal call recording app for any student or businessperson who needs to make phone calls that they can easily reference back to.
If you don’t like any of these…
There are a few other solutions for individuals who want to record their iOS device’s phone calls. However, most of them involve purchasing hardware for your computer — recorders that you plug into your headphone jack, and the like. However, if you’re like me, and if you prefer to use software when recording phone calls, these applications are pretty much the best that you’re going to get.
