How Do You Record a Phone Conversation?

To record a phone conversation you need two things: a way to capture the audio, and consent where the law requires it. Most people reach for a built-in call recorder, a second device, or — if they want the content rather than an audio file — a transcription tool that captures the call on speaker. Here's how each works and when to use it.

The legal part comes first

Recording a conversation is governed by consent law where the participants are. One-party-consent regions let you record a call you're part of; all-party-consent regions require everyone to agree. Crossing regions? Assume the stricter rule and ask. This is general guidance, not legal advice — details in sales call recording laws.

Three ways to capture the audio

1. Built-in call recorder

Newer iPhones (Phone app → Call Recording) and many Android phones can record directly, with an announcement to the other party. Simplest where available — see how to record a phone call for the device-by-device steps.

2. Second device

Put the call on speaker and record with another phone or a voice recorder. Low-tech, always works, but you end up with a raw audio file you still have to listen back to.

3. Capture and transcribe on a Mac

If what you actually want is what was said — the decisions, the numbers, the follow-ups — recording audio is the long way round. A transcription app captures the call on speaker and turns it into searchable text directly.

Record the conversation as text, not a file

Nod captures your Mac's audio while a call plays on speaker and produces a transcript plus a structured summary — topics, decisions, and action items with owners and due dates — so you can act on the conversation in minutes instead of re-listening to a recording.

It also keeps far less data than a recorder: capture is local on your Mac, transcription runs in the EU cloud with Zero Data Retention, and no audio is stored — only the transcript and summary, encrypted in the EU with no model training. You get the content of the conversation without a recording of someone's voice sitting on a drive. Read the specifics on the security page.

So, how do you record a phone conversation?

• Just need a record of what was agreed? Capture on speaker and transcribe — fastest to act on, nothing stored.
• Need the literal audio? Use a built-in recorder or a second device.
• Either way: get consent where the law requires it. The method doesn't change that obligation.