How useful is it for users to record calls? and how many problems there are to put it into practice. Because although Spanish law makes it very clear when it is allowed and when it is not, the reality is that Android does not allow it natively. So, to record calls you have to find a good third-party application (which is not an easy task) or even resort to root.
However, this function is part of the great news of the great rival of Google and Android: Apple will add call recording in iOS 18. Good news for those who use the iPhone and in turn this will mean that other people who opting for Android will lengthen your teeth. Why is it so difficult to record calls on iOS and Android?
Call recording comes to iPhone with iOS 18
Just a few weeks ago, when, after learning the news of iOS 18, the Cupertino-based company confirmed that call recording will be standard in the system and it will also do this with Apple Intelligence, allowing the AI to transcribe the file into text and even make summaries of it. The transcriptions will also be saved and we will be able to search for them.
As can be seen on Apple’s iOS 18 page, the iPhone’s Phone app will integrate the option to record calls directly from the menu and when activated, the iPhone will inform the people in communication that the recording has started. We have already installed the beta version of iOS 18 and we have not yet found this long-awaited button. Of course, since Apple Intelligence is not yet a reality and only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be compatible with AI, we will have to wait.
One point that concerned us when we heard the news is whether the call recording function will be available in Europe (its implementation in the countries will depend on the legality of recording communications in accordance with the legislation in force). For the moment and according to the Apple website, recording and transcription will be available in Europe.
And on Android, what?
The fact that iOS 18 integrates call recording as standard is good news for those who use this operating system, because the alternative is to find a third-party application, which means that someone else has many permissions and access to sensitive information.
Recording calls on Android is currently a daunting task, but that wasn’t always the case. Without going any further, ten years ago, this could be done without problem with Android Lollipop. But version by version, things have become more complicated. The fact is that Android never had a trusted and secure mode
Because we must not deceive ourselves, the best way to record calls Good quality, acceptable operation and without root, the function is integrated into the mobile. The trick that surviving apps resorted to was to record the audio of the call using the phone’s microphone using the accessibility options (another little trick), meaning that even if they worked, the quality could clearly be improved. Google came down hard again because, ultimately, resorting to accessibility is also another ploy, so it kicked these apps out of its store.
But There are still some in the Google Play Store
Oddly enough, most Android phones have this feature. Regardless of the brands that offer it (like Google Pixel, Samsung, Huawei), most use Google’s phone app, which among the cool features includes spam blocking, caller ID and, yes, also voice recording of calls. The problem is that only works in certain countries. And no, neither Google nor Samsung have activated it in Europe, despite the fact that it is legal to record calls even without consent, that is, as long as you do not broadcast them.
In short: Google has blocked call recording methods, both from the operating system and in Google Play policies. So what happens if I want to record calls on an Android? Well, if this is standard and you live in a country where it is active, you can do it without problems. If it does not come standard, you will have to use third-party applications outside the official store with lower quality recording. If you have root, the quality will be better
Hopefully when iOS 18 call recording materializes, Google will catch up and update: first by unlocking this option in its system so that it is available as standard and there is no need to resort to other applications and another, taking inspiration from Apple and activating the option in Europe.
Cover | Alvaro Garcia
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