We'll show you how to create a shortcut for each of the options above. You could also opt for Dropbox or another storage service, and you can even connect them to Files so to keep all of your online storage accounts in one place. This option is good because it provides an easier way to stop the recording (by setting a timer or tapping anywhere on the screen ), and it saves the captured audio to a pre-chosen folder on iCloud in the Files app. The shortcut will produce a full-screen recording window to let you know that it's recording.
This is a good option because it saves the address of where the audio is captured, allows you to enhance the audio, and continues capturing sounds while you use other apps on your iPhone.
Second, you opt to record audio straight to the Files app. First, you can record directly to Voice Memos. Step 2: Choose Between Voice Memo & Audio Recordingīefore you start building the shortcut, there are two options for you to choose from.
Launch Shortcuts, go to "My Shortcuts," and then tap on the plus (+) icon in the top right. There is no default action for Back Tap that uses Voice Memos, so you'll have to build a shortcut that can be linked to a Back Tap gesture. The more you know, right? ( More detailed info about these laws.) Step 1: Create a New Custom Shortcut Many states, 35 to be exact (plus Washington, D.C.), have similar laws, but 15 states require consent from all parties involved. If you're not, you need just one person from the group to permit you. (See Step 2 below to choose which is best for you.)įederal law says that it's OK for you to record someone or a group of people without their knowledge as long as you're a part of the conversation. If you no longer have one or the other, you can re-install Voice Memos or Files from the App Store. Voice Memos or Files app: These two apps are both pre-installed on iOS, but they are removable.Shortcuts app: It's pre-installed on iOS 13 and later, but if you removed it for some reason, you can re-install it from the App Store.iOS 14: Back Tap is only available in iOS 14 and later.iPhone 8 or newer: Back Tap is only available on iPhone 8 and later, so an iPhone 7 or older won't do.To top it off, you can add an action to lower your screen brightness so that no one but you can see what you're doing on your device. Instead, you can use the Shortcuts app, which is already installed on your iPhone by default, to create a shortcut to secretly start an audio recording faster.īy unlocking and utilizing Back Tap, the accessibility feature in iOS 14 and later, you can make it so that you can start recording audio simply by tapping on the back of your iPhone. There are third-party voice recording apps with features that make secret recordings easier, but they require you to add another app to your iPhone, which takes up both real estate on your home screen (and App Library) and storage space. Don't Miss: Use Your iPhone to Hear the World Around You Better, Spy on Conversations, Troubleshoot Weird Sounds & More.
But that's not enough to remain unnoticed. When you finally get a recording started, you can turn off the display, and it'll still record, so at least there's that. No matter which of those methods you try to use, you'll likely be spotted trying to secretly record a conversation since you have to fumble around with your iPhone. There's also Siri, which will only open the app and not create a new recording for you. You could also add the control to Control Center so that you could open Control Center, long-press the control, and start a new recording, which opens Voice Memos. Typically, to make an audio recording in Voice Memos, you'd have to open the app, hit record, then hit stop. Apple's Voice Memos app is great for taking audio notes and recording meetings, lectures, and other talks to reference later, but doing it without being noticed is tough unless you know the hidden shortcut. Your iPhone is a fantastic, easy-to-use tool for recording audio, but it's not as simple to secretly record conversations.