How to Record Calls on iPhone in iOS 26: Built-In Call Recording

Quick answer: In supported countries and regions, iOS 26 can record a one-to-one phone call directly in Apple’s Phone app. During the call, tap More → Call Recording. Both participants hear an audio notice that recording has started, and the recording is automatically saved in the Call Recordings folder in Notes.

You do not need an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone just to use Apple’s call-recording feature where it is available. Apple Intelligence is used for features such as generating a summary of a recorded call, and its availability depends on device, language, and region.

Updated August 29, 2026

How to Record a Phone Call on iPhone in iOS 26

Apple’s current iPhone User Guide describes the following process:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Make or answer a one-to-one phone call.
  3. During the call, tap the More button.
  4. Tap Call Recording.
  5. Listen for the audible notice. Both people on the call hear that the call is being recorded.
  6. To stop, tap the Stop control or end the call.

The recording is saved automatically in the Notes app.

Apple’s current instructions are available in How to record and transcribe a call on iPhone and the iOS 26 iPhone User Guide.

Where Are iPhone Call Recordings Saved?

Apple saves native call recordings in the Notes app, inside a Call Recordings folder.

To play a saved recording:

  1. Open Notes.
  2. Open the Call Recordings folder.
  3. Select the note containing the recorded call.
  4. Tap the playback control.

Deleting the audio recording also deletes its associated transcript.

Call Recording vs Transcript vs Apple Intelligence Summary

These are related features, but they are not the same thing.

Feature What it does Availability
Call Recording Records the audio of a supported one-to-one phone or FaceTime audio call. Available only in supported countries and regions.
Transcript Shows a text transcript of a recorded call in Notes. Available only for supported languages and regions.
Apple Intelligence Summary Generates a summary of the recorded call. Requires Apple Intelligence and a supported model, language, and region.

This distinction corrects a common misconception: Apple did not make basic call recording dependent on Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence is specifically involved in features such as call summaries.

How to View a Transcript

Where transcription is supported:

  1. Open Notes.
  2. Open the saved recording in Call Recordings.
  3. Open the transcript and summary view.

Apple warns that transcripts may not perfectly represent the conversation, so verify important details before relying on them.

How to Get an Apple Intelligence Summary

If Apple Intelligence is available and enabled on your iPhone:

  1. Record the call normally in the Phone app.
  2. Open the saved call recording in Notes.
  3. Open the recording.
  4. Tap Summary.

Apple states that generative-model output can vary, so check important information for accuracy.

See Apple’s guide to using Apple Intelligence in Phone.

Can You Record FaceTime Audio Calls?

In supported countries and regions, Apple also allows recording of a one-to-one FaceTime audio call.

During the FaceTime audio call, tap More → Call Recording. Both participants hear the recording notice, and the recording is saved to Notes.

Why Is the Call Recording Option Missing?

If you do not see Call Recording, check these items before assuming something is wrong with the iPhone:

  1. Update iOS. Apple introduced native iPhone call recording starting in iOS 18, and current instructions apply to iOS 26.
  2. Check country or region availability. Apple explicitly says Call Recording is not available everywhere.
  3. Check the type of call. Apple’s documented recording flow is for a call where you are talking to one other person.
  4. Check whether Call Recording was disabled. The setting can be turned off in Phone settings.

How to Turn Call Recording Off

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Phone.
  4. Tap Call Recording.
  5. Turn Call Recording off.

Apple says Call Recording is on by default where the feature is available, but you can disable it using this setting.

Recording Consent and Privacy

Apple plays an audible notice to both call participants when its built-in recorder starts. You should still make sure the other participant is willing to be recorded and follow the laws that apply where the participants are located.

Recording-consent laws vary, so do not assume that the iPhone’s built-in announcement replaces your legal obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to record calls?

Not simply because of Apple Intelligence. Apple’s current documentation describes call recording as an iPhone feature available from iOS 18 in supported regions. Apple Intelligence is required for AI-generated summaries, not for the basic act of recording a supported call.

Where does iPhone save call recordings?

In the Notes app, inside the Call Recordings folder.

Does the other person know the call is being recorded?

Yes. Apple says both participants hear an audio notice when Call Recording starts.

Can iPhone transcribe every recorded call?

No. Transcription depends on supported languages and regions.

Can Apple Intelligence summarize the recording?

Yes, on supported Apple Intelligence devices and in supported languages and regions. Verify important details because generated summaries can contain errors.

Bottom Line

In iOS 26, recording a supported iPhone call is built into the Phone app: More → Call Recording. The recording is saved to Notes, both participants hear a recording notice, and transcripts are available only in supported languages and regions. Apple Intelligence adds call summaries where supported, but it is not the requirement for basic call recording itself.

Official Apple Sources

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