How to record a conversation on iPhone, with a transcript
Every conversation worth keeping, kept.
There are two good answers to how to record a conversation on iPhone. The first is already on your phone: Voice Memos. The second is Recordd, which keeps recording with the phone locked, then gives you a transcript that shows who said what, a summary, and search across every word.
This guide covers both, plus recording from an Apple Watch, and the one thing to do before you press record: ask.
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How to record a conversation on iPhone, with a transcript, step by step
6 steps.
- 01
Ask first
In many places you need everyone’s consent to record a conversation, and the rules differ from country to country and state to state. Check what applies where you are. In practice, a plain sentence works: “Mind if I record this so I don’t have to take notes?” Most people say yes.
- 02
The built-in way: Voice Memos
Open Voice Memos (it lives in the Utilities folder), tap the red button, and talk. You can pause and resume, and Voice Isolation filters out background noise. Tap stop and the memo is saved. On iPhone 12 or later, Voice Memos also transcribes speech in ten languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese, though not in every region. For a quick note to yourself, this is enough.
- 03
The Recordd way: lock the phone and forget about it
Open Recordd and tap record. Now lock the phone or switch to another app. Recording continues in the background, so the phone can sit face down on the table instead of glowing between you. Pause and resume any time. If a cellular call comes in, Recordd pauses and picks up again when the call ends.
- 04
Stop, then tap Process
Recordd does not transcribe automatically. When you stop, you choose: tap Process to get a transcript, or Save without transcribing and decide later. Before your first Process, a one-time notice explains that the audio is sent to cloud services for transcription. Pick the language, or let auto-detect handle it, from 26 supported languages.
- 05
Read who said what
The transcript separates speakers. Name a speaker once and Recordd recognizes that voice in later recordings. If you gave Recordd calendar access, it suggests who was in the meeting from the event. Each processed recording also gets a title, a summary, and action items.
- 06
Or record from your wrist
The Apple Watch app ships inside the iPhone app. One tap starts a recording on the Watch; it transfers to your iPhone and goes through the same Process step. Useful when pulling out a phone would change the mood of the conversation.
Voice recorder on iPhone: Voice Memos or Recordd
Use the tool that fits the conversation.
Voice Memos is the right choice for a reminder, a melody idea, or a short note when only you are talking. It is free, already installed, and on recent iPhones it gives you a transcript.
Recordd is built for conversations with other people: interviews, meetings, a talk with a contractor, a doctor’s appointment. It separates speakers, summarizes, and lets you search every word later, or ask the recording a question and jump to the moment it was said. It also protects the recording itself: audio is written to disk in short segments as you go, so a crash or a dead battery does not cost you the whole hour, and it works fully offline, transcribing when you are back online.
The free plan is the whole app with a 40-minute lifetime recording cap, which is enough to try it on a real conversation. Pro removes the cap and covers iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Watch with one subscription.
How to record a conversation on iPhone: questions
Before you press record.
Does the iPhone keep recording when the screen is locked?+
With Recordd, yes. Recording continues with the phone locked or with another app in the foreground. Voice Memos also keeps recording in the background.
Can I get a transcript that shows who said what?+
Yes. After you tap Process, Recordd separates speakers in the transcript. Name a speaker once and their voice is recognized in other recordings.
Is it legal to record a conversation on my iPhone?+
It depends on where you are. In many places you need everyone’s consent. Recordd is the tool; using it lawfully is on you. Check your local rules, and when in doubt, ask before you record.
What happens if someone calls me while I’m recording?+
The recording pauses for the call and resumes afterwards. iPhone apps cannot record cellular calls, so the call itself is not captured.
Does Recordd work without an internet connection?+
Recording works fully offline, including in airplane mode. Transcription happens when you are back online and tap Process.
Facts checked 2026-09-23. Apple changes things; tell us if something here is out of date.
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