Apple’s iOS 18 brings a long-awaited Call Recording feature to iPhones that lets you record calls directly in the phone call. Yes, you no longer need a paid third-party app or switch to other workarounds to record phone calls. While Call Recording is an iOS 18 feature, it isn’t working for everyone. So, if there’s no call recording on your iPhone running iOS 18, you shouldn’t worry about it a lot as you aren’t alone. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 ways to fix call recording not working problems. Without any ado, let’s begin!
Assessing Your iOS 18 Version
If call recording isn’t working on your iPhone, the first thing you should do is check your iOS version. While this feature is available on all iOS 18 compatible devices, call recording is currently not available in the stable version of iOS 18. Rather, it’s only accessible in iOS 18.1, which is currently in beta. Previously, this feature was only available on Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones, but the new iOS 18.1 Beta 4 expands the call recording and transcription feature to older iPhones.
So, if you’re using an iPhone XR, XS, or later model with iOS 18.1 Beta, you can record calls. Also, iPhone 12 and later can record calls and generate transcriptions, which are then saved in the Notes app. However, the AI-generated transcript summaries are only available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and every iPhone 16 model.
Apple will add the call recording feature to stable iOS 18 in an update later this year. Right now, if you wish to try call recording on your iPhone, you have to install iOS 18 developer beta or iOS 18 public beta.
Enabling Call Recording in Settings
If you’re struggling with the iOS 18 call recording not working problem, you must check if that feature is turned on in the Settings app. By default, the Call Recording option should be enabled when you update to iOS 18.1. However, there can be instances when you or your naughty kid has mistakenly turned it off. To be on the safer side, you must follow the below steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Here, scroll down to the bottom and tap on Apps.
- Now, browse through the list or use the top search bar to find the Phone app.
Finally, tap on Call Recording and make sure the Call Recording toggle is turned on.
Activating Call Recording during Calls
The iOS 18 call recording feature works for both incoming and outgoing calls on your iPhone. However, it won’t trigger automatically. Yes, you’ve heard it right. Even if you’ve enabled the Call recording option in the iPhone Settings, you have to manually enable it during an active call. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Phone app and make a call. When the call connects, tap on the small Record button from the top left corner of the call screen.
- You will see a prompt saying “This call will be recorded”. The other party will also be notified that you’re recording the call. If you hit the cross button, the call won’t record.
- You can tap on the Stop button whenever you wish to stop recording the call.
You can access the transcript of the call recording by visiting Notes → Call Recordings.
Verifying Language and Region Settings
If you can record calls on your iPhone but can’t see the call transcripts, you must check if this feature is available in your language and region. It’s noteworthy that iOS 18 transcribe call recording functionality is only available in English (US, UK, Australia, India, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore), Spanish (U.S., Mexico), Japanese (Japan), Cantonese (China mainland, Hong Kong), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland, Taiwan), and Portuguese (Brazil).
Apart from these regions and languages, the transcription service isn’t available to users in any other region. Also, when Apple launches call recording and transcription functionality in the stable iOS 18.1, it will be available to selected regions only.
Anticipating the Stable iOS 18.1 Release
At the moment, the only way to use the built-in call recording option on your iPhone is to download and install an iOS 18.1 Beta version. If you don’t wish to go for the beta, you should wait until Apple releases the stable version of iOS 18.1, sometime in October. For the time being, you can switch to other methods to record calls on an iPhone like using the voice memo app, or opt for a third-party call recorder for iOS.
That’s how you can fix call recording not working in iOS 18. We hope this article helped you clear the basics and you can now record calls on your iPhone without any hassle. Have you updated to iOS 18? What’s your experience so far? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Addressing Common Call Recording Issues
As the new call recording feature rolls out, you may encounter several common issues. Understanding these can help you troubleshoot effectively. One of the primary concerns is ensuring that your device is compatible with iOS 18.1 Beta. If not, unfortunately, you won’t have access to this new feature.
Another common issue is related to user settings. If the call recording feature isn't working, double-check that it is enabled in your settings. Sometimes, users accidentally disable it, leading to frustration.
Lastly, if you are facing issues with transcripts not appearing, consider checking your language and region settings. The call recording transcription feature is limited to specific languages and regions, which could affect availability.
