WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family. One of the app’s key features is video calling, which allows you to have face-to-face conversations over the internet.
By default, WhatsApp does not record your video calls. However, there are times when you may want to record a video call for future reference or to share with someone who couldn’t join the call. While WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in call recording feature, there are some workarounds and third-party apps you can use to record calls.
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about recording video calls on WhatsApp, including how to turn off call recording if enabled.
Does WhatsApp automatically record video calls?
No, WhatsApp does not automatically record or save any of your video calls by default. All WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted, meaning the calls are secured and cannot be accessed by anyone outside of the call, including WhatsApp itself.
Some key things to note about WhatsApp call recordings:
- WhatsApp does not have any built-in feature to record calls.
- Calls made within the app cannot be recorded by default.
- WhatsApp does not store or backup any call recordings on its servers.
- Call recordings can only be enabled through third-party apps or manual mobile screen recording.
- Users must consent to recording a call prior to recording.
So if you have not intentionally enabled call recording through other means, your WhatsApp video calls are not being recorded automatically.
How to record a WhatsApp video call
While WhatsApp does not have its own call recording feature, there are some manual workarounds you can use to record call audio and video:
Using third-party apps
There are many third-party apps available for iOS and Android devices that can record both incoming and outgoing video calls on WhatsApp automatically. Some popular options include:
- AZ Screen Recorder (Android)
- ScreenRecorder App (iOS)
- Cube Call Recorder ACR (Android)
To use these apps to record WhatsApp calls:
- Download and install the recording app on your device.
- Grant the app the required permissions to access and record call audio/video.
- Open the app and select WhatsApp as the source app to record.
- Start a WhatsApp video call with a contact.
- The app will automatically start recording the call in the background.
- Once the call ends, you can find and play the recording within the app.
Using built-in screen recording
You can also use your device’s built-in screen recording feature to capture a WhatsApp video call:
- iPhone – Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and add Screen Recording. Then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center and tap the Screen Recording icon to start capturing your call.
- Android – Open your Quick Settings panel and tap Screen Recorder. Allow the feature access to media and device audio. Start your WhatsApp call and tap Record to capture the call.
One thing to keep in mind is that the other person on the call will be able to see that you are screen recording. Let them know in advance before recording a call this way.
How to turn off WhatsApp call recording
If you have enabled WhatsApp call recording through one of the above methods but now want to disable recordings, follow these steps:
Turn off permissions for third-party apps
If you have been using a third-party recording app, go into your phone’s settings and disable microphone/media permissions for that app. This will prevent the app from being able to record WhatsApp calls automatically in the future.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions.
- Select the recording app and toggle off permissions for Microphone, Phone, and Storage as needed.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
- Find the recording app and toggle off microphone access.
Delete the call recording apps
Alternatively, you can uninstall the third-party recording apps from your device completely if you no longer need them:
- On Android – Open the Apps menu in Settings, select the recording app, and tap Uninstall.
- On iPhone – Long press the recording app icon until it starts jiggling, then tap the X icon to delete the app.
Stop using built-in screen recording
If you’ve been using your device’s native screen recording option to capture WhatsApp calls, simply stop turning on the feature during calls. On iPhone, remove Screen Recording from your Control Center to prevent accidentally triggering it. This will prevent any calls from being recorded going forward.
Inform contacts you’ve stopped recording
If you had previously informed any of your WhatsApp contacts that you were recording calls, it’s courteous to let them know that you’ve stopped recording going forward.
You can send them a message on WhatsApp let them know that call recordings have been disabled and future conversations will not be captured without their consent.
Delete existing WhatsApp call recordings
If you still have access to any existing WhatsApp call recordings, consider deleting them to protect the privacy of your contacts:
- Open the third-party call recording app and find the folder with your WhatsApp call recordings. Select and permanently delete these files.
- If you saved WhatsApp call recordings directly to your phone’s storage, open your device’s Files or Gallery app. Browse to the folder where recordings are saved, select them and delete.
- Empty the Recycle Bin or Trash folder on your device to completely remove deleted recordings.
Are WhatsApp call recordings legal?
The legality of recording WhatsApp calls depends on local laws and regulations where you reside. In many countries, it is considered illegal to record phone conversations without the consent of both parties on the call.
Some key legal considerations around WhatsApp call recordings include:
- In the United States, call recording laws vary by state. Some states require two-party consent, while others only need one party to consent.
- In Canada, recording calls is legal as long as one party consents to the recording.
- In the UK, EU, and Australia, call recording is generally prohibited without consent from both parties on the call.
- WhatsApp’s terms of service explicitly prohibit recording, sharing or storing call recordings without notification and consent of the other user.
To stay on the right side of the law, always notify your contacts and get their explicit consent before recording a WhatsApp call. Only record when you have permission from everyone on the call.
What happens if you get caught recording a WhatsApp call?
There can be legal consequences for recording WhatsApp calls without proper consent, depending on local laws:
- You may face civil lawsuits and hefty financial penalties or damages if unauthorized recording causes harm.
- Some countries may impose criminal penalties like prison sentences if call recording laws are violated.
- WhatsApp can ban your account and prevent access to the service for violating their Terms of Service.
- You may permanently damage relationships with your WhatsApp contacts by violating their privacy and trust.
In addition to legal punishments, unauthorized call recordings can lead to loss of reputation, embarrassment, and backlash on social media or within your social circles if recordings are leaked or shared without consent.
Best practices for WhatsApp call recordings
If you want to record your WhatsApp calls appropriately and ethically, keep these best practices in mind:
- Always get explicit consent from all participants on the call before recording.
- Clearly notify your contacts when recording starts and stops.
- Only record calls for legitimate reasons, not to violate someone’s privacy.
- Understand your local laws and only record if it is permitted in your region.
- Store recordings securely and never share them without permission.
- Delete recordings that are no longer needed to protect people’s privacy.
- If in doubt, don’t record a WhatsApp call without consent from the other party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to record WhatsApp calls?
In many countries, yes, it is illegal to record WhatsApp or other phone calls without the knowledge and consent of all parties on the call. WhatsApp’s terms prohibit unauthorized call recording. Check your local laws to determine if call recording is permitted in your region.
Can WhatsApp tell if you are recording a call?
No, WhatsApp cannot detect or tell if you are recording a call through third-party apps or device recording features. However, your contacts may notice if you are visibly screen recording on a smartphone during a video call.
Do both parties have to consent for WhatsApp call recording?
In most regions with call recording laws, you need consent from all participating parties on a call before legally recording it. However, a few places only require one party to consent. Check regulations for your specific country or state.
What happens if you record a WhatsApp call without consent?
There can be legal penalties for unauthorized WhatsApp call recording depending on local laws. You may also face civil lawsuits, damage to relationships and reputation, or get banned from WhatsApp if caught violating their terms.
Can you record WhatsApp calls on iPhone or Android?
Yes, it is possible to record WhatsApp calls on both iPhones and Android phones using built-in screen recording features or third-party apps. However, all parties on the call must provide consent as per local call recording regulations.
Conclusion
WhatsApp call recording without proper consent raises major privacy concerns and can get you in legal trouble. While it is technically possible to record WhatsApp calls either through apps or device screen recording, it is best to avoid doing so without notification and permission from all parties on the call.
Always check local laws in your region to ensure call recording is permitted. If you do record WhatsApp calls for legitimate purposes, let your contacts know, get their explicit approval, store recordings securely, and delete them when no longer needed. Following best practices helps maintain relationships and protects everyone’s privacy.
We hope this guide gave you all the insight you need into recording WhatsApp video calls safely and responsibly! Let us know if you have any other questions.