Using phones for audio recording

how to record audio on your phone

Recording sound with your phone is simple, and for many everyday situations, it’s the most convenient option available. 

using your phone’s built-in microphone

Most phones use small MEMS or electret condenser microphones. These are efficient, reliable, and designed to capture clear speech at close range. For quick recordings, the default voice-memos app on your device is usually enough. Just open the recording app, tap record, and save your audio when finished.

phone recording

using an EXTERNAL microphone

For higher-quality phone sounds recording — podcasts, interviews, music, or professional content — an external microphone is a better choice. You can connect a microphone in several ways:

  • Bluetooth mics offer wireless convenience.
  • Wired lavalier or shotgun mics connect via your phone’s 3.5mm headphone jack (if available).
  • Digital USB-C or Lightning mics plug directly into the charging port and usually provide higher quality than analog mics.

When using an external mic, test your setup beforehand, monitor recording levels, and ensure you have enough storage space for large audio files.

Built-In Recorder vs. Dedicated Recorder

While phones are convenient, they can’t always match the quality or consistency of dedicated audio recorders. Use your

  • One-on-one interviews
  • Short clips
  • Casual or on-the-go recordings
  • High-fidelity audio
  • Long, uninterrupted sessions
  • Reliable quality in noisy environments
  • Professional results

recording Internal Audio on Android

Many Android phones now include a Screen Recorder tool that can capture internal sound from apps, videos, or games. To use it:

  1. Open Screen Recorder from your quick settings.
  2. Choose Media (internal audio only) or Media + Mic.
  3. Start recording.

The recording saves as a video, which you can convert to an audio-only file if needed.

recording phone calls

Phone call recording is more restricted than regular audio recording. Support varies by phone model, carrier, and region.

  • Some Android phones include built-in call recording in the phone app.
  • Many third-party apps no longer reliably record both sides of a call due to privacy and system restrictions.
  • iPhones generally do not allow built-in call recording.