Best Android Call Recorder Apps in 2026

For most people in 2026, the best Android call recorder is the one already built into their Phone app. Pixel 6 and newer phones and many Samsung Galaxy models support native call recording in eligible regions. If your phone doesn’t offer it, or you need features such as WhatsApp call recording or cloud backup, a third-party app may help, but compatibility varies considerably.

This guide compares the apps that still work, explains why many older recorders stopped working, and shows how to set up and test whichever option you choose.

How we chose: Picks are based on each developer’s current documentation, store listings and official support pages as of October 2026. Results vary by phone model, Android version, carrier and region, so test any recorder on your own device before relying on it.

Quick comparison

The built-in recorders are free and generally more reliable on supported devices, but none of them record WhatsApp or other internet calls. Cube ACR and ACR Phone cover that gap on some phones.

Option	Best for	Price	Records VoIP apps	Backup	Requirements	Get it from
Phone by Google	Pixel owners	Free	No	On device only	Pixel 6+ on Android 14+; other phones Android 9+; supported region	Preinstalled or Google Play
Samsung Phone	Galaxy owners	Free	No	On device	Supported country and One UI version	Preinstalled
Cube ACR	WhatsApp and other VoIP calls	Free with ads; Premium subscription	Yes, on supported devices	Cloud (Premium)	Uses Accessibility services; results vary by phone	Google Play
ACR Phone	A full replacement dialer with notes	Free with ads; in-app purchases	Yes, for apps using ConnectionService; may be one-sided	Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and more	Android 10+: ACR Phone Helper (APH), Shizuku method recommended; Magisk module on rooted phones	Google Play + acr.app
Truecaller	Truecaller Premium users	Premium subscription	No	On device; optional Google Drive	Recording line merged into the call; limited countries and carriers	Google Play
BCR	Rooted phones and custom ROMs	Free, open source	No	On device	Root or custom firmware; Android 9+	GitHub
ShizuCallRecorder	Advanced users without root	Free, open source	No	On device	Shizuku; Android 12+ (limited on Android 11)	GitHub or F-Droid

Availability checked October 2026. Prices change often, so confirm in the store before you buy.

Best Android call recorder apps for different needs

Pick by the job you need done. If your phone already records calls, start there and add an app only for the gap.

Cube ACR: best for WhatsApp and other VoIP calls

Cube ACR is one of the most widely used third-party recorders still on Google Play, with more than 50 million downloads. It records regular calls automatically and can record calls in WhatsApp, Google Meet, LINE, IMO, Viber, Facebook and WeChat. You can switch between automatic recording and manual VoIP recording.

• Extras: star favorite recordings, voice memos, cloud backup. The developer lists PIN lock, cloud backup and text notes among its Premium features.
• Limits: it relies on Android’s Accessibility services. On some phones you only hear your own voice on playback; the developer suggests changing the recording source or using auto speaker mode.
• Watch for: some 2026 Play Store reviews report one-sided or silent recordings on certain calls, and rising subscription prices. Test it before relying on it.

ACR Phone: best all-in-one dialer

ACR Phone by NLL Apps replaces your phone app entirely, with recording built in on supported devices. It adds call notes, spam blocking, a built-in SIP client and uploads to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and other services, and the developer says contacts and call logs stay on your phone.

• Setup: on Android 10 and newer, ACR Phone needs the free ACR Phone Helper (APH) from acr.app, not Google Play; without it, recordings are silent. On its APH download page, the developer recommends APH’s built-in Shizuku method for most users. It records both sides, including over Bluetooth and wired headphones, without root, but you must turn on Developer Options and wireless debugging. The older Accessibility version records through the microphone or speaker, and rooted phones can use the APH Magisk module.
• VoIP limits: WhatsApp and other VoIP recording works only with apps that use Android’s ConnectionService API, such as WhatsApp, Snapchat and Google Voice. On phones without a Qualcomm chipset, it may record only one side, per NLL Apps.
• Best for: people who want recording, notes and call management in one app and don’t mind changing their default dialer.

Truecaller: best for Truecaller Premium users

Truecaller works around Android’s restrictions by merging a dedicated recording line into your call. It records both sides, and the other person hears a beep. Recordings are stored on your device, with optional Google Drive backup on Android, according to Truecaller’s launch details.

• Limits: it’s a paid Premium feature, it’s available only in certain countries, and it needs carrier support for merged calls. Check availability in your country before subscribing, because it isn’t a universal fix for phones without native recording.

BCR: best for rooted phones

BCR (Basic Call Recorder) is a free, open-source recorder for rooted phones or custom firmware on Android 9 and newer. It captures the call audio stream directly instead of the microphone, though results still depend on the device.

• Limits: it requires root, which most people shouldn’t do. BCR also does not announce the recording to the other party, so you are fully responsible for getting consent.

No root? ShizuCallRecorder is a free, open-source alternative for Android 12 and newer, with limited Android 11 support (the screen must stay unlocked). It uses Shizuku, which grants elevated permissions through wireless debugging, to record both sides of carrier calls. Results vary by phone: the developer’s troubleshooting guide warns that some devices produce silent or one-sided recordings, that Wi-Fi calling can interfere, and that aggressive manufacturer restrictions (mostly on Xiaomi, Vivo and other Chinese brands) can block it.

Shizuku grants elevated permissions that may introduce security risks if left active unnecessarily. Some banking and security-sensitive apps may also detect debugging access and refuse to work. Use ShizuCallRecorder’s Manage Shizuku settings to control when elevated access is active and disable it when not needed. Recording compatibility still varies by device. Setup is technical, and like BCR it doesn’t announce recordings.

Apps we no longer recommend

• Call Recorder by LoveKara is still listed on Google Play, but it needs a helper app installed from an APK outside the store, as Lifewire noted. That adds sideloading risk for basic features.
• Super Call Recorder targets Android 5 to 9 and isn’t a good fit for current phones.

Built-in recording on Google Pixel and Samsung

Native recording is usually the safest choice: no extra permissions or sideloading, and on supported phones it records both sides of the call. Features still vary by phone model, carrier and software version.

Google Pixel and other phones with Phone by Google

According to Google’s Phone app help page, you need:

• A Pixel 6 or newer on Android 14 or later, or a non-Pixel phone on Android 9 or later
• The latest version of the Phone app
• A country or region where call recording is supported

To set it up:

1. Open the Phone app and tap More options > Settings > Call recording.
2. Under Always record, turn on Numbers not in your contacts, Selected numbers, or both.
3. Under Recordings, set how long to keep recordings before they’re deleted automatically.
4. To record a single call on a Pixel, tap Call Assist > Call Recording during the call. Tap Call Assist > Stop to end it.

Google notes that automatic recording and automatic deletion aren’t available in all markets. Both parties hear a notice when recording starts and stops. Google stores call recordings locally and does not automatically back them up, although you can manually share or export recordings. Deleting a call log entry also deletes its recording. You can’t record before a call is answered, while it’s on hold, or during a conference call.

Pixel 9 and newer also offer Call Notes, which adds AI transcripts and summaries.

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s support page lists these steps:

1. Open the Phone app and tap More options (three dots) > Settings > Record calls.
2. Tap Auto record calls, turn on the toggle, and accept the terms.
3. Choose All calls, Unsaved numbers, or Specific numbers.
4. To record one call manually, tap More options > Record call during the call.
5. Find recordings under Settings > Record calls > Recorded calls.

Samsung notes the feature may be unavailable in some countries and that steps vary by model and One UI version. If Record calls is missing, Samsung has most likely disabled it in your region.

Other brands

Xiaomi phones on HyperOS or MIUI generally include recording in the Phone app. On other brands, check Phone app > Settings for a recording option before installing anything.

Why some call recorder apps don’t work on Android

Google has closed the routes third-party apps used to capture call audio, one Android release and Play Store policy at a time. That’s why a recorder that worked for years can suddenly record only your voice, or nothing at all.

• 2019: Google Play stopped allowing call recorders to read call logs and phone numbers, so recordings lost caller details, according to NLL Apps.
• Android 9 onward: Android restricted apps’ access to the call audio stream. Many apps switched to recording through the microphone, which works well on some phones and badly on others. Root, helper apps and Shizuku-based tools can still capture both sides on some devices.
• May 2022: a Play Store policy change on the Accessibility API pushed most remaining recorders off the store or forced them to use separate helper apps.

Today, apps that still work rely on Accessibility services, helper apps, a merged recording line (Truecaller), root access (BCR), or Shizuku (ShizuCallRecorder). Each approach depends on your phone model and Android version, so any major update can break recording without warning.

How to choose a safe and reliable call recorder

A call recorder can hear everything you say on the phone, including card numbers and passwords. Treat installing one like handing over a key.

1. Check your Phone app first. If it records calls, you may not need anything else.
2. Install from Google Play or the developer’s own site. Never use random APK download portals or modified versions. If an app needs a helper APK, get it only from the developer’s official page.
3. Read the Data safety section on Google Play. Note what the app collects and shares. Cube ACR’s listing, for example, says it may share app activity and device IDs with third parties.
4. Grant only what’s needed. Phone, microphone and storage are normal. Be wary of an app that wants Accessibility access without explaining why in plain words.
5. Lock and limit storage. Use a PIN lock if the app has one, keep recordings on the device when you can, and protect any cloud account with two-factor authentication.
6. Set a deletion schedule. Phone by Google and most apps can delete old recordings automatically. Keep only what you need.

How to test recording quality

Never trust a recorder until you’ve heard a test call. Call a friend who agrees to help and check each item:

• Both voices are clear, not just yours
• Incoming and outgoing calls both record
• Automatic rules trigger for the right numbers
• Calls over Bluetooth or wired headphones still record
• The recording appears where you expect, with the right name and date
• You can play, share and delete it
• If you use VoIP recording, a WhatsApp or other app call records both sides

Repeat the test after every major Android update or app update. Recorders often fail silently, and you won’t find out until you need the recording.

Call recording laws and privacy

Check the law where you and the other person are before you record. When the rules differ, follow the stricter one.

• One-party consent: you can record a call you’re part of without telling the other person. US federal law follows this rule.
• All-party consent: everyone on the call must agree. Several US states, including California and Florida, require this.
• Data protection: in the UK and EU, GDPR applies when recordings are stored, shared or used for business, adding duties around purpose, security and retention.

The simplest habit is to tell people at the start of the call that you’re recording. Phone by Google and Truecaller announce it for you; tools like BCR do not.

A recording is also not a substitute for a written agreement. Rules on whether recordings count as evidence vary widely. This guide is general information, not legal advice; for business use or anything that may end up in a dispute, check official government guidance or ask a lawyer.

Which call recorder should you choose?

• Pixel: use the built-in recorder in Phone by Google.
• Samsung Galaxy: use Record calls in the Samsung Phone app.
• WhatsApp and other VoIP calls: try Cube ACR, and test it on your phone before relying on it.
• A full dialer with notes and cloud uploads: ACR Phone.
• Advanced users: BCR on rooted phones, or ShizuCallRecorder without root.

Frequently asked questions

Why don’t I see call recording on my phone?

It depends on your phone model, Android version, carrier and country. Google and Samsung both disable recording in some regions, and the option disappears entirely there.

Can I record WhatsApp calls on Android?

Not with built-in recorders. Cube ACR and ACR Phone support it on some devices, but results vary, so test before relying on it.

Will the other person know I’m recording?

With Phone by Google and Truecaller, yes: both play a notice. Samsung and most third-party apps don’t announce it, so telling the other person is up to you.

Why does my recorder only capture my voice?

Your phone is blocking the call audio stream, so the app falls back to the microphone. Try changing the recording source or using speaker mode in the app settings, or switch to your phone’s built-in recorder.

Where are my recordings stored?

Phone by Google and Samsung keep them on the device, inside the Phone app. Third-party apps use their own folders and may offer cloud backup.

Are free call recorders safe?

A free call recorder isn’t automatically safe just because it’s available on Google Play. Check the developer’s reputation, requested permissions, privacy policy, and recent reviews before installing. Avoid modified APKs and apps that request unnecessary access.