Over the past decade, I’ve seen Apple introduce countless features and updates to the iPhone, but the latest announcement at WWDC 2024 really caught my attention.
Apple is finally integrating a built-in call recording feature in iOS 18, and it’s set to roll out this fall.
This move is a significant leap forward, especially considering how cumbersome and limited third-party call-recording apps have been.
If you want to record a phone call on your iPhone, you have to rely on third-party apps, which often come with restrictions or required payments for full functionality.
With iOS 18, Apple is simplifying the process by offering a native call recording feature enhanced by advanced AI capabilities.
Apple gave us a sneak peek at this new feature during WWDC 2024, and it looks pretty straightforward.
Here’s how it works:
During a Live Call, you’ll see a Record button on your screen. Tap it, and the recording begins, notifying both participants that the call is being recorded.
At the top, You’ll see a soundwave graphic displaying the audio levels and a timer showing how long the recording has been running.
If you wish to end the recording before the call ends, you can do so by tapping the record button again.
Alternatively, you can allow it to run until the end of the call, which will also end the recording and automatically save it to the Notes app. You can also start recordings directly from within a note.
Also: This New iPhone App Coming to iOS 18 Will Be a Pivotal Moment for Online Privacy and Security
Apple’s AI-powered technology doesn’t just stop at recording. The recorded audio is transcribed automatically, giving you a text version of your conversation.
You can even ask the AI to summarize the call, highlighting key topics and comments, making it easier to review important points.
The recording and its transcription are stored together in the Notes app, providing a centralized location for all related data.
This integration allows you to search through transcriptions for specific text and merge parts of conversations with other notes, enhancing organization and reference.
Upon launch, Apple announces that transcriptions will initially only support English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, and Portuguese. However, additional languages may be introduced with future updates.
As of now, iOS 18 is available as a developer’s beta. However, the call recording and transcription features will be accessible in a future beta release slated for the fall.
This gives Apple time to refine and perfect the feature based on user feedback before a wider public release.
