Record and transcribe a phone call with Otter.ai: record it on the phone, then import it

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Otter cannot listen to or record a phone call directly. Its help center says Apple and Google restrict third-party apps from recording calls, so the call has to be recorded another way and then imported. On an iPhone, record with Apple's built-in call recording, open the recording in Notes, and share the audio to Otter. Otter then transcribes it, names the speakers and writes a summary.

I built YapToText, a dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about Otter with that in mind. Every fact about Otter here comes from its own help center, read on October 11, 2026.

Download YapToText on the Mac App StoreThis app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.

On an iPhone

  1. Use Apple's built-in recording feature during the call.
  2. When the call ends, open the Notes app and select the recording.
  3. Open the three-dot menu and choose Share Audio.
  4. Select Otter in the share sheet.
  5. Rename the file if you like, then choose Import.

Otter points to Apple's documentation for the recording feature itself, since Apple controls it.

On an Android phone

  1. Record the call with the built-in feature, following Google's or your phone maker's instructions. They differ between devices.
  2. Find the recording and share it.
  3. Select Otter in the share menu, then Import.

Before you record

Recording a call is subject to local law, and in many places you need the other person's permission. Otter's article says you are responsible for complying, including getting any permission required.

What it costs you in Otter

A call recording is an import, so it counts toward your minutes, and on the free Basic plan toward the 3 imports allowed per account. The Otter import page has the formats and limits, and the minutes page has the allowances.

The same recording on a Mac

A call recording saved from an iPhone is an audio file like any other. If you move it to your Mac, YapToText can turn it into plain text there, free, with no upload and no import count. It gives the words only, with no speaker names and no summary, which Otter provides. Transcribing Voice Memos on a Mac and transcribing an audio file for free cover the steps.

Download YapToText on the Mac App StoreThis app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.

The short version

  • Directly. No. Apple and Google do not let other apps record calls.
  • iPhone. Record with Apple's feature, then Notes, Share Audio, Otter.
  • Android. Record with the phone's feature, then share to Otter.
  • The law. Yours to follow. Ask first.
  • Counts as. An import.

If Otter adds direct call recording, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.

Download YapToText on the Mac App StoreThis app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.

About the author. Ryleigh Newman is a developer whose hands make typing difficult and who dictates every day with YapToText, the app this site describes. Facts about other apps come from their own sites, with the date they were read. More about the project.

Sources

Questions

Can Otter.ai record phone calls?

Not directly. Otter says Apple and Google restrict third-party apps from recording calls, so you record the call separately and import the audio.

Can Otter listen to phone calls?

No. It transcribes a call only after you record it with the phone's own feature and share the file to Otter.

How do I transcribe an iPhone call with Otter?

Record with Apple's built-in call recording, open the recording in Notes, choose Share Audio, pick Otter and select Import.

Does a phone call recording use an Otter import?

Yes. It is an imported file, which counts toward your minutes and toward the free plan's import limit.