Record Phone Calls and Get a Transcript

How do I record a phone call with Wave?

Open the Phone tab in the Wave mobile app, verify your number once, then dial from Wave. The call runs through Wave's Phone Bridge, so both sides are recorded without speakerphone, and the call lands in your library with a transcript and summary.

1. Open the Phone tab and verify your number. Wave confirms it with a one-time automated call, then shows it as your caller ID.
2. Dial from the keypad or pick a contact. Wave shows a recording notice and asks you to tell the other person.
3. Talk as normal. Both sides are recorded.
4. Hang up. The call appears in your library with a speaker-labeled transcript and an AI summary.

Already on a call, or someone called you?

Tap Record a call you're already on in the Phone tab. Wave calls you, you merge that call into the one you're on, and everything from the merge onward is recorded. This needs three-way calling on your carrier plan.

Wave vs the iPhone's built-in call recorder

Since iOS 18.1, the iPhone Phone app can record a call with one other person in many countries (not the EU and some others). Both people hear an audio notice that the call is being recorded, and the audio and transcript save to a Call Recordings folder in Notes.

• Apple's recorder is built into the Phone app on iOS 18.1 or later, in supported countries only; Wave works on iPhone and Android.
• Apple's recorder saves audio and a transcript; Wave adds a speaker-labeled transcript, an AI summary and action items.
• Wave records calls on every plan: 30 free minutes a month, then Pro for unlimited.
• Apple plays an announcement to both people; Wave shows you a notice and leaves telling the other person to you.
• Apple saves to Notes on that iPhone; Wave keeps calls in one searchable library on iPhone, Android, the web and the Wave desktop app, next to your meetings and voice memos.
• Wave works on Android too; Apple's recorder is iPhone only.

Not just phone calls

The same app records in-person meetings, video meetings and lectures, so all your conversations end up in one place as searchable text: Wave on iPhone and Android, Wave for Mac and Windows, the Chrome extension, a meeting bot, and Wave for Apple Watch and Wear OS.

Your calls stay private

Recorded calls are some of the most sensitive things you keep. Here is how Wave handles them.

• Your recordings are never used to train AI models, on any plan.
• Wave is SOC 2 Type 1 compliant.
• Data is encrypted with TLS 1.2+ in transit and AES-256 at rest.

What does it cost to record calls with Wave?

Call recording is on every plan. Calls count toward your recording time like any other recording.

• Free: 30 minutes of recording a month, no credit card required.
• Pro: $15 a month, or $80 a year on the web ($100 a year in the app stores). Unlimited recording and transcription.
• Teams: from $7.50 per user a month, 5-user minimum, with centralized billing and an admin dashboard.

Is it legal to record a phone call?

In the US, federal law and most states let you record a call you're part of with only your own consent, but twelve states require everyone on the call to agree. When people are in different states or countries, follow the stricter rule and tell everyone at the start of the call.