{"article":{"id":37814850589975,"url":"https://otterai.zendesk.com/api/v2/help_center/en-us/articles/37814850589975.json","html_url":"https://help.otter.ai/hc/en-us/articles/37814850589975-Record-and-transcribe-a-phone-call","author_id":1902597107005,"comments_disabled":true,"draft":false,"promoted":false,"position":0,"vote_sum":8,"vote_count":22,"upvote_count":15,"downvote_count":7,"section_id":360008279213,"created_at":"2026-01-20T21:38:10Z","updated_at":"2026-10-20T13:54:55Z","name":"Record and transcribe a phone call","title":"Record and transcribe a phone call","source_locale":"en-us","locale":"en-us","outdated":false,"outdated_locales":[],"edited_at":"2026-01-23T01:56:56Z","user_segment_id":null,"permission_group_id":3069674,"content_tag_ids":["01GQGPAW8AXVCZWQT53BQJTKRM"],"label_names":["samsung galaxy","record on iphone","record on android","transcribe phone call","import phone call recording","record a phone call","pixel"],"body":"

Import your phone call recordings into Otter to transcribe conversations, generate smart summaries, apply speaker tagging, and unlock additional insights. Apple and Google currently restrict third-party apps from recording phone calls directly, so calls must be recorded separately and imported into Otter. We hope to offer direct phone call recording and transcription in the future if platform policies allow.

\nDisclaimer: Recording phone calls is subject to local laws and regulations. You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, including obtaining any required permissions from participants before recording.

\n Record a phone call on an iOS device

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Apple offers a built-in phone call recording feature that lets you record calls. Once recorded, the audio file can be shared and imported into Otter for transcription and speaker tagging.

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\nNote: Refer to Apple’s documentation for the most up-to-date instructions and screenshots for its phone call recording feature and for sharing with 3rd-party apps.
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  1. Use Apple's built-in phone recording feature during a call.
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    2. \n
  2. Ensure the phone call is being recorded.
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    3. \n
  3. Once the phone call recording has ended, open the Notes app to view it. Click on the recording. 
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    4. \n
  4. Click the 3-dot menu in the upper left corner.
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    5. \n
  5. Select Share Audio.
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    6. \n
  6. \n

    Select Otter from the sharing menu.

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    \nTip: Refer to Apple's documentation to add Otter as a quick sharing menu item. 
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    7. \n
  7. Rename the file if needed. Click Import when to proceed.  
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    8. \n
  8. The file will be imported into Otter and transcribed momentarily. Open the Otter mobile app. Click on the imported recording to view the conversation.
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    9. \n
  9. The file will be transcribed, speaker-tagged, and summarized by AI, allowing you to interact with the conversation using Otter’s full set of features, insights, and tools.
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    10. \n
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\n Record a phone call on an Android device

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Google offers a built-in phone call recording feature on supported Android devices. Once a call is recorded, the audio file can be shared and imported into Otter for transcription and speaker tagging. 

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\nNote: Refer to Google's documentation for the most up-to-date instructions and screenshots for its phone call recording feature and for sharing with 3rd-party apps. Refer to your device's own documentation for steps on recording a phone call, as instructions may vary.
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  1. Follow Google's documentation or your device's documentation to record a phone call. Instructions may vary depending on whether you have a pixel or non-pixel device.
    2. \n
  2. Once the phone call recording has ended, navigate to the file. Share the file. Select Otter from the share menu.
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    3. \n
  3. Rename the file if needed. Click Import when to proceed.
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    4. \n
  4. The file will be imported into Otter and transcribed momentarily. Click on the imported recording to view the conversation.
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    5. \n
  5. The file will be transcribed, speaker-tagged, and summarized by AI, allowing you to interact with the conversation using Otter’s full set of features, insights, and tools.
    \n
    6. \n
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FAQs

Why can't I record a phone call directly in Otter? 

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  • Apple and Google currently restrict third-party apps from recording phone calls directly, so calls must be recorded separately and imported into Otter. 
    • \n
  • A live recording in Otter will pause during a phone call. 
    • \n
  • We hope to offer direct phone call recording and transcription in the future if platform policies allow.
    • \n
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Do I need to obtain permissions before recording a phone call?

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    \n
  • Recording phone calls is subject to local laws and regulations. You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, including obtaining any required permissions from participants before recording.
    • \n
  • Refer to our Terms of Service for more information. 
    • \n
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Why does Otter keep pausing during my phone recording? 

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    \n
  • Apple and Google currently restrict third-party apps from recording phone calls directly, so calls must be recorded separately and imported into Otter. 
    • \n
  • A live recording in Otter will pause during a phone call. 
    • \n
  • We hope to offer direct phone call recording and transcription in the future if platform policies allow.
    • \n

 

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