Forget carrying something to take notes! iOS 18 call recording feature will handle it all

iOS 18 call recording is set to be a game-changer, offering users the ability to record and transcribe their phone conversations directly within the Phone app. This long-awaited feature, a part of the new Apple Intelligence system, announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, brings a new level of convenience and functionality to iPhone users while prioritizing user privacy and consent.

How does iOS 18 call recording work?

With iOS 18 call recording, initiating a recording is as simple as tapping a button within the Phone app during an active call. A clear visual indicator, displaying a soundwave and the recording duration, ensures that users are aware of the ongoing recording. To further protect user privacy, all call participants will receive an automatic notification when the recording starts, ensuring full transparency and informed consent.

The recorded audio is not just stored; it’s also transcribed into text within the Notes app. This powerful feature leverages Apple Intelligence’s, just like Genmoji,  advanced AI capabilities to convert spoken words into searchable text, making it easier to review, analyze, and reference past conversations. Users can even generate summaries of key points within the transcribed text, further enhancing the utility of this feature.

With iOS 18 call recording, users can record conversations by tapping a button, with a visual indicator showing the recording is active (Image credit)

Note: iOS 18 call recording’s audio transcription will only be available in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• German
• French
• Japanese
• Mandarin Chinese
• Cantonese
• Portuguese

Protecting privacy through transparency

iOS 18 call recording prioritizes user privacy and consent by automatically notifying all call participants when a recording is initiated. This transparent approach ensures that everyone involved in the conversation is aware of the recording, eliminating any potential for misuse or surprise. Apple’s commitment to user privacy is further demonstrated by the availability of audio transcription in multiple languages, catering to a diverse user base.

Enhanced recording capabilities beyond phone calls

The functionality of iOS 18 call recording extends beyond phone calls. Users can also record and transcribe audio directly within the Notes app, offering additional flexibility and convenience for capturing and documenting important information. Whether it’s a lecture, a meeting, or a personal note, the ability to record and transcribe audio adds a new dimension to note-taking and information management.

By integrating the iOS 18 call recording feature directly into the Phone and Notes apps, Apple is making call recording more accessible and user-friendly than ever before. The focus on transparency and informed consent further solidifies Apple’s commitment to user privacy, ensuring that this powerful new feature is used ethically and responsibly.

As iOS 18 rolls out, it will be interesting to see how users embrace this new capability and the impact it has on communication, documentation, and information management, together with the iOS 18 RCS support.

The recorded audio with the iOS 18 call recording feature is transcribed into text within the Notes app using Apple Intelligence (Image credit) What devices will get iOS 18?

iOS 18 will be available on a wide range of iPhone models, including:

• iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12,iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max

These devices are expected to be compatible with iOS 18 and will benefit from the new features and improvements it brings. However, older models may not receive the update due to hardware limitations.

When is the iOS 18 release date?

The official release date for iOS 18 is expected to be in mid-September 2024, likely coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 16 line and the Apple Watch 10. However, a developer beta is already available, and an iOS 18 public beta is expected to be released in July 2024.

For most users, the best option is to wait for the official release in September to ensure a stable and bug-free experience. However, if you’re interested in trying out the new features early and are comfortable with potential bugs, you can consider joining the public beta program when it becomes available in July.

Featured image credit: Recha Oktaviani/Unsplash