Recording an iPhone call: What works in Germany – and what doesn't Apfelpatient

With iOS 18, Apple introduced a native call recording function. The problem: This feature is not available throughout the European Union. Anyone using an iPhone in Germany who wants to record calls needs alternatives. This article explains the background, outlines the legal situation, and presents the best ways to record calls anyway.

Native call recording on the iPhone has been one of the most requested features for years. Apple finally delivered it with iOS 18 – but not for everyone. In Germany, Austria, and the rest of the EU, the function is completely absent. No button, no setting, no way to activate it. The reason is a combination of EU regulations and German criminal law. Nevertheless, there are legal ways to record phone calls on the iPhone. However, they require a bit more effort than simply tapping a button.

The native recording function: How it works – outside the EU

In countries where the feature is available (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, Japan), call recording works directly in the phone app:

Tap the record icon during a phone call
An automated message informs both callers that the call is being recorded
The recording will be saved in the Notes app in the "Call Recordings" folder
In supported languages, Apple Intelligence automatically creates a transcript of the conversation.

This feature requires an iPhone 16 or later (or iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max) with Apple Intelligence. Transcription only works in selected languages.

Why is this function missing in the EU?

Apple lists call recording as unavailable throughout the European Union on its availability page. This also applies to numerous other regions, including Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Apple hasn't officially stated the exact reasons, but there are two key factors:

German criminal law (§ 201 StGB): In Germany, recording a conversation without the consent of all parties involved is a criminal offense. The "violation of the confidentiality of spoken words" can be punished with a fine or imprisonment of up to three years. Apple's native feature circumvents this problem with an automatic announcement that informs both parties about the recording. Nevertheless, Apple has not enabled this feature in the EU.

EU regulation: The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the EU AI Act may also play a role. Apple's call recording uses Apple Intelligence for transcription, which could be classified as AI-powered processing of personal data under EU regulation. Apple has already delayed or withheld several Apple Intelligence features in the EU.

Legal situation in Germany: What is allowed

Recording a telephone call is not generally prohibited in Germany – it is subject to conditions.

Recording is permitted if:

All participants in the conversation must explicitly agree before the recording begins.
Consent is given voluntarily.
Mere silence or failure to object is not sufficient as consent.

The following are prohibited and punishable by law:

Secretly recording without the knowledge of the other person involved
Passing on a recording to third parties without consent
Even the attempt to make an unauthorized recording (§ 201 para. 4 StGB)

Consequences for violations:

Fine or imprisonment for up to three years
For public officials up to five years
Civil law claims for injunctive relief and damages
Not admissible in court (prohibition on the use of evidence)

The clear message: Anyone who wants to record a phone call in Germany must ask the other party beforehand and obtain their explicit consent.

Alternatives: Here's how to record calls anyway

Since the native iOS function is missing in the EU, three options remain.

1. Third-party apps with conference system

The most common method uses the iPhone's conference call feature. An app joins the conversation as a third line and records it.

TapeACall (from approx. €8.99/month) The most popular app for recording iPhone calls. It works via a three-way conference: The app selects a recording line that is merged with the ongoing call. Incoming and outgoing calls are supported. Recordings can be managed within the app, shared via email, or exported to cloud services like Dropbox. TapeACall also offers a transcription function.

Prerequisite: The mobile provider must support three-way calls (conference calls). Not all prepaid plans offer this feature.

2. External recording device or second device

The simplest and technically easiest method: Put the iPhone on speakerphone and record the conversation with a second device – such as another smartphone, a dictation device, or the Mac with the Voice Memos app.

Advantages: No app required, no dependence on the mobile network provider, always works.

Disadvantages: Audio quality depends on the environment and the recording device. Speakerphone calls are also audible to others.

3. Voice memos during a call

The Voice Memos app pre-installed on the iPhone cannot record during a phone call – iOS blocks the microphone during active calls. Therefore, this method doesn't work directly, but only in combination with an external speaker and a second device.

Summary: What works – and what doesn't

Method	Does it work in Germany?	Do you need consent?
Native iOS recording	No (not available in the EU)	–
Third-party app (TapeACall etc.)	Yes (conference call required)	Yes
External recording device / second device	Yes	Yes
Voice memos during call	No (microphone blocked)	–

Regardless of the method chosen, the following applies: In Germany, the consent of the conversation partner is mandatory before the recording begins.

Recording an iPhone call – the most important things at a glance

Apple introduced a native call recording feature with iOS 18, which is not available in the EU. In Germany, Section 201 of the Criminal Code prohibits recording conversations without the explicit consent of all parties involved. Third-party apps like TapeACall allow recording via the iPhone's conference call feature – provided the other party agrees and the mobile network provider supports three-way calls. The simplest alternative remains an external recording device with the speakerphone activated.

Anyone recording a phone call should ideally obtain and document consent at the beginning of the conversation. Our iPhone buying guide shows which iPhone is best suited for different uses. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / FellowNeko)

Frequently Asked Questions: Recording an iPhone call

Can I record calls with my iPhone?

Apple introduced a native recording function with iOS 18, but this is not available in the EU. In Germany, recording only works via third-party apps like TapeACall or via an external recording device.

Why is call recording not available in Germany?

Apple has blocked the feature across the European Union. The reasons are EU regulations and national laws such as Section 201 of the German Criminal Code, which criminalizes the unauthorized recording of conversations.

Is it legal to record a telephone call in Germany?

Yes, but only with the explicit consent of all participants before recording begins. Secret recording is a criminal offense under Section 201 of the German Criminal Code and can be punished with a fine or imprisonment of up to three years.

Which app is suitable for recording calls on the iPhone?

TapeACall is the best-known app. It uses the iPhone's conference calling feature to record the conversation. This requires that the mobile provider supports three-way calling. The app costs approximately €8.99 per month.

Can I record voice memos during a call?

No. iOS blocks the microphone for other apps during an active phone call. Therefore, voice memos cannot be recorded simultaneously with a call.

Will recording work if I put the iPhone on speakerphone?

Yes – with a second device. Put your iPhone on speakerphone and record the conversation with another smartphone, a voice recorder, or the Voice Memos app on a Mac. Audio quality depends on the environment.

Will the native recording eventually be available in the EU?

Apple has not commented on this. As long as EU regulations and national laws protecting the confidentiality of spoken words remain in effect, it is unclear whether and when Apple will activate the feature in the EU.