We would like to inform our users about call recording issues on Android 9 and above. No call recording app can record calls properly. This is due to limitations introduced with new versions of Android.

 

Android 11 and above

ACR Call Recorder is no longer developed due to limitations introduced by Google.
Please consider our phone app with call recording functionality called ACR Phone

Android 10

ACR Unchained version 32.9 or above is required. Google Play version of ACR will only record silence. This is because Google Play Store's terms prevents us from using a special service needed to record calls on Android 10.

Call recording is only possible from the earpiece or loudspeaker on Android 10.
Call recording is good on loud speaker mode and acceptable over earpiece on some phones. Especially, when you are in a quiet place.
Try recording a call before giving up.

Android 9

All versions of ACR should work fine.

Call recording is only possible from the earpiece or loudspeaker on Android 9.
Call recording is good on loud speaker mode and acceptable over earpiece on some phones. Especially, when you are in a quiet place.
Try recording a call before giving up.

 

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More info

 

A quick history

Official call recording API was discontinued on Android 6 by Google on the grounds of user privacy. *(Google encourages users to lower their security by getting root access which they need to unlock this feature. Rooting also voids device warranty.)* Luckily, few developers found a workaround and it worked up until Android 8.1. Sadly, we have learnt that Google has closed that workaround on Android 9.

 

Many are affected

A quick search on the Google Play Store shows more than 200 million total installs for over 200 call recording apps. It is clear that there is a legitimate need for call recording support. We alone received many thank you emails from our customers telling us how call recording helped them to win legitimate court cases, recover financial losses, listen to voice of loved ones who are have passed away or even save their lives!

 

What can be done?

We believe removing call recording support on privacy grounds does not make sense. It would be trivial for Google to create a special permission where call recording apps would request and access call recording API is user grants the permission.

 

A glimpse of hope?

In fact, there seems to be some work being done related to call recording by Google (see https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/110433612 ). Unfortunately, there is no detailed information about this nor it is available to developers yet. Even if there is any update, it would take another Android version to roll such support. However, we think, call recording support could be part of Google Play Services and rolled out quickly if wanted.

 

Are you affected?

We believe not having access to call recording will affect millions of people. Unfortunately, we developers can no longer help you with call recording fixes. You might want to contact Google if you are affected by this . Many people already have at Google's official issue tracker. See https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/112602629

 

Paid user?

Since we have no control over this issue and it affects free and pro versions of ACR as well as any other call recording app that is avalible on the market, our refund policy does not change. Please read our terms and contidions here

 

Best possible solutions in the meantime?

• You might not upgrade to Android 9. However, please note that this would prevent your phone from receiving important updates such as security updates.
• Try setting Audio Source to MIC and Recording format to MP3, M4A (not mp4), OGG or FLAC and set Gain to 10-14. This may help capturing other party's voice on some phones such as Huawei and Pixel where echo cancellation algorithm is not aggressive.
• Turning loud speaker on while in a call would work on most phones.
• We do not advice or recommend rooting your phone. ACR does not support root methods at the moment. Rooting might void your warranty and prevent usage of some apps such as online banking or payment apps.
• Some manufacturers provide built-in record buttons on phone dialer. You might want to ask your manufacturer if they do so.