Not legal advice. This site is an editorial reference. Laws change — always confirm with a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before recording, and check each page’s last reviewed date.

How to Record a WhatsApp Call

WhatsApp has no native recording. End-to-end encryption protects the call against carrier interception but does not stop a participant from recording with a second device or via the OS’s screen-recording feature.

Native option

WhatsApp does not have a built-in call recorder. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the call endpoints have access to the audio; this prevents server-side recording but does not prevent recording at either endpoint.

Workarounds

1. iOS screen recording (audio call)

  1. Add the Screen Recording control to Control Center if it’s not already there (Settings → Control Center).
  2. Start a WhatsApp call.
  3. Swipe down from the top-right; long-press Screen Recording; toggle Microphone on; tap Start Recording.
  4. The recording captures both the WhatsApp call audio (via the OS audio path) and your microphone.

Note: this method depends on the iOS audio routing, which has changed across versions. Test before relying on it.

2. Android screen recording

Most Android OEMs include a screen recorder in the quick-settings panel. Configure it to capture “media + microphone” or “internal audio” if available.

3. Speakerphone plus a second device

The simplest method. Both sides recorded acoustically. Lower quality, no platform dependency.

4. PC client

WhatsApp’s desktop client supports calls. Use OBS or system audio capture on the desktop side to record.

Where the recording lives and how to export it

  • iOS screen recording: Photos app.
  • Android screen recording: Gallery, typically under Movies or Screen Recordings.
  • Desktop OBS: wherever OBS is configured to save.

Common failure modes

  • iOS screen recording captures no call audio. Apple has tightened the audio path; behavior changes between iOS versions. The microphone-only capture will record the room.
  • Other side’s audio missing on Android. Some OEM screen recorders can capture only system audio (not call audio).
  • Echo or feedback. Speakerphone-plus-second-device should keep some distance to avoid feedback.

Legal reminder

Whether you may record a call — with this platform or any other — depends on the law in every jurisdiction whose participants are on the call. See our jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction directory, the one-party vs. all-party explainer, and our consent script templates. Federal US law and most US states permit a participant to record, but thirteen US states and many countries require all-party consent.

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