iOS 18.1: How to Record and Transcribe Phone Calls

[MacRumors]

From business meetings to family memories, there are countless reasons to record a phone call, but until now, iPhone users have had to rely on third-party apps or complex workarounds. That changes on October 28 with the release of iOS 18.1, which introduces native call recording and transcription powered by Apple Intelligence.

Apple's new Phone app feature not only records conversations but automatically creates searchable transcripts and AI-generated summaries, all while maintaining Apple's commitment to privacy and transparency. When you start recording, all participants automatically hear an announcement, ensuring everyone knows they're being recorded. A visible indicator also remains on screen throughout the call for as long as the recording continues.

To further protect user privacy, all recordings are stored locally in the Notes app with end-to-end encryption, and the new Apple Intelligence-powered transcription happens entirely on your device, meaning conversations never leave your iPhone. Here's how to make your first phone call recording in iOS 18.1.

Recording a Phone Call

1. Start or answer a phone call.
2. Tap the record button (the waveform icon) in the top-left corner of the call screen.
3. An automated voice will notify all participants that recording has begun.
4. The recording will automatically save to the Notes app when the call ends or when you stop the recording.

Finding and Managing Phone Call Recordings

Once saved, recordings appear in the Notes app as audio files with attached transcripts. Tap any recording to access a range of options: You can play back the audio, read the full transcript, view an AI-generated summary of the conversation, or share and delete recordings as needed.

Legal Considerations

While iOS 18.1 makes recording calls easier than ever, it's important to understand your legal obligations. Although Apple's automated announcement helps ensure transparency, you should familiarize yourself with local recording laws. Regardless, it's always best to get explicit verbal consent before the start of any recorded conversation.

Phone call recording and transcription features will be available on compatible iPhone models when iOS 18.1 is released on Monday, October 28.

Article Link: iOS 18.1: How to Record and Transcribe Phone Calls

 

[NightFox]

I know a lot of people complain that you can't disable the announcement even where there's no legal requirement for one, but if (for example) you're making a call to a business where you spend time on hold (often being told they'll be recording the call!) then there's nothing to stop you activating this then so the message has been said and the call's started recording before you even get to speak to a real person.

The downside is that your recording and transcript will probably start with lots of "Your call is important to us..."

 

[jlc1978]

I know a lot of people complain that you can't disable the announcement even where there's no legal requirement for one,

That would be a good option, but I doubt Apple would make it available.

I wonder how soon it starts the message after answering or calling.

 

[mansplains]

I know a lot of people complain that you can't disable the announcement even where there's no legal requirement for one, but if (for example) you're making a call to a business where you spend time on hold (often being told they'll be recording the call!) then there's nothing to stop you activating this then so the message has been said and the call's started recording before you even get to speak to a real person.

The downside is that your recording and transcription will probably start with lots of "Your call is important to us..."

This is typically what I do

 

[hegedusa]

I can get mine to record, but it doesn't give me the transcript. Is this because I'm in the UK and it's another "restriction"? My Voice memos app does transcripts fine.

 

[NightFox]

That would be a good option, but I doubt Apple would make it available.

I wonder how soon it starts the message after answering or calling.

It makes the announcement when you press the 'record' button.

 

[Sandstorm]

Yet another creepy feature I will probably never use. Next please.

After all, why record someone if government has all the recordings?🙂

I will definitely use it (if/when becomes available in the EU) - for incoming suspicios (spam/scam) calls. I want them to hear that announcement.

 

[CalMin]

Yet another creepy feature I will probably never use. Next please.

After all, why record someone if government has all the recordings?🙂

why creepy? Have you never needed to capture information quickly during a phone call?

Eg when my dad was in hospital last year I spoke to the doc and asked if I could record so that I could share it with a friend who is a doctor in case I didn’t understand something. Or when I speak with my CPA, he actually records it and sends me the transcript- now I can do the same. Or at work, I record some meetings and calls to prepare summaries.

sure it can be misused, but it’s not inherently creepy.

As for government having recordings, I’ve long assumed they are listening to everything. However, since I’m not plotting world destruction I figure I’m ok with it.

 

[cicalinarrot]

"Could you please threaten me again after I start recording the call?"
The message is truly an anti-safety feature. People with bad intentions are obviously able to find other ways to record the call. If you just happen to need it for protection, that's probably unexpected.

 

[con2apple]

Yet another creepy feature I will probably never use. Next please.

After all, why record someone if government has all the recordings?🙂

Because it is difficult to get hold of these tapes. The secret services even deny their existence and I don't have the money to sue my way through the courts.

In any case, I've never managed to do so when a company like Apple or Vodafone has tried to cheat me on the phone again. Next time, I can simply record the call. They always give their consent.

 

[con2apple]

"Could you please threaten me again after I start recording the call?"
The message is truly an anti-safety feature. People with bad intentions are obviously able to find other ways to record the call. If you just happen to need it for protection, that's probably unexpected.

I don't know the laws in your country, but in mine the use of such a recording would be legal.
This is because the legitimate interest of the person under threat prevails.

It's like with dashcams in cars. Yes, it's actually illegal to continuously film traffic. But to document the course of events in case of doubt, installing and saving the last three minutes is legal.

 

[samlikesmac]

I can get mine to record, but it doesn't give me the transcript. Is this because I'm in the UK and it's another "restriction"? My Voice memos app does transcripts fine.

I’ve never gotten a transcript from any of the recordings and I’m in the USA. I’m so confused as to how the transcripts work since I thought it was done automatically but instead it says no transcript.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

That would be a good option, but I doubt Apple would make it available.

I wonder how soon it starts the message after answering or calling.

It's not as handy, but any of those in-line voice recorders on Amazon work fine for recording calls; you need to run a headphone cable from the usb-c/lightning port into it, and then a headphone/mic cable for yourself plugged into the voice recorder. It's completely external, so no notification that you're recording.

I've been using one for years for various things. No transcribing, though.

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[turbineseaplane]

Could be handy, despite the announcement

It's a feature I'm happy to see they've finally implemented

 

[Tymbo]

As someone who is hearing impaired, I was looking forward to this feature as a means of having live captioning. The announcement deters me from being wanting to invoke an awkward moment when the reason is purely for conversation assistance

 

[GrayFlannel]

Will it work on FaceTime too?

 

[dohspc]

I love it on spam calls. Just click it and as soon as they hear this call is being recorded they immediately hang up lol.

 

[ELman]

Awesome feature.

 

[jclardy]

It makes the announcement when you press the 'record' button.

But can you tap record before the receiver has answered (still ringing?)

 

[mozumder]

I'd use this with my toddler niece if it could record FaceTime video calls. Can it do that?

 

[Corefile]

Recording a phone call without consent of all parties is generally a felony in most states.

 

[NightFox]

But can you tap record before the receiver has answered (still ringing?)

IIRC, no. The call has to be answered before the record button even becomes visible, although it makes no difference whether it's a machine or human that answers.

 

[southerndoc]

Second the ability to disable the announcement, but I'm sure Apple would have to find a way to implement this with GPS. Georgia is a one-party consent state, but if I travel to another state, that state's laws apply recording need for two-party consent.

It's doable to use GPS to do this, but probably would take a lot of effort that Apple probably doesn't even want to dive into.

 

[Rayansb]

oh it announces, kind of a let down really.

 

[0134168]

Also in UE? Lastly, this web is is getting more and more useless por people in UE. Really, I doubt we get this feature here.