Image: ninefotostudio (Shutterstock)
Sometimes — and for reasons that aren’t involved in future extortion schemes — you need to record your phone calls. Maybe you’re interviewing someone over the phone and want to refer to the call later, or maybe you’re talking to a shady company that will deny your phone details without proof. In any case, Android users have previously turned to call recording apps to get the job done. Unfortunately, Google’s decision to remove your favorite third-party option has made the process even more difficult.
Google will essentially prevent third-party apps from recording phone calls on Android by revoking permissions for the Accessibility API, Google confirmed during a developer webinar on Wednesday, April 20. The news was highlighted by Reddit user NLL-APPS, who went on to explain that this isn’t the first time Google has objected to allowing call recording on Android.
In the Android 6 era, the company blocked access to real call recordings. Then, in Android 10, the company prohibited apps from recording calls using the device’s microphone. After this, the call recording app started using Android’s Accessibility API to record phone conversations. Even without direct access to your phone or Android’s microphone, apps using this method can generate a recording of your call that you can use as you see fit. Or yes – once Google blocks access to the Accessibility API on Android, this workaround will no longer work.
These changes will go into effect on May 11, which means you will still have third-party options available until then. If you want to plan ahead for May 11 and beyond, let’s take a look at how to record calls on your Android without using a third-party app.
How to Record Calls on Android without Third-Party Apps
First, check to see if your phone’s default calling app has a call recording feature. Google is allowing first-party preloaded dialer apps to record calls, and that won’t change on May 11. These apps have access to phone audio sources (called VOICE_CALL) that all other apps cannot. You can find access to VOICE_CALL on Android devices like Google Pixel devices and Xiaomi phones: if you own one of these or other Android phones with this feature, you’re on your way.
G/O Media may receive a commission
this second If you have a Pixel, the thing you should do is check if you live in one of the countries that support the feature.Unfortunately, Google blocks Pixels call recording in the US
If your phone’s dialer app doesn’t have this feature, or you live in a country where the feature isn’t available, you’ll need to get a little crafty. The easiest solution is to put your call on the speakerphone and set up another device to record from there. It’s a bit obvious and almost inconvenient, but you’ll end up with a recording of the call.
If you must do call recording directly on your phone, a more complicated option is to root your Android. Rooting allows you to access systems that are normally inaccessible, which means you can allow apps like call recorders to bypass restrictions that Google typically enforces. This process is involved, and is probably overkill for most users. Some apps don’t even work if root is detected. It’s worth mentioning, though, because at the moment, it’s probably the only possible way to record phone calls directly on Android. First, NLL-APPS recommends skvalex’s “Call Recorder”.
[Android Authority]
