How do I start audio recording on Android?
Recording audio on an Android device has several benefits over using a dedicated audio recorder. Android devices have become sophisticated enough that their built-in microphones can capture high quality audio. Additionally, Android includes a voice recorder app by default, and there are many third party recording apps available as well.
This guide will cover how to start audio recording using the default voice recorder app on Android. It will outline the basics of recording, editing, storing, and sharing audio files. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the best third party recording app if the default app doesn’t meet your needs.
Recording directly on your Android device eliminates the need to carry around a separate audio recorder. It also enables you to easily edit and share the audio using the apps and tools already available on your phone or tablet (Cite: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-benefits-of-using-a-recorder-over-voice-recording-on-an-Android-device).
Prerequisites
To record audio on an Android device, you need:
- An Android device running Android 5.0 or later (https://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/AudioRecord)
- The RECORD_AUDIO permission enabled for the app you want to use for recording (https://developer.android.com/media/platform/av-capture)
Make sure your Android device and the app meet these requirements before trying to record audio. Older Android versions or apps without the RECORD_AUDIO permission will not support audio recording features.
Default Recording App
Most Android devices have a pre-installed Voice Recorder app that provides basic audio recording functionality. However, the location varies by device model and Android version.
On modern Android devices running Android 9.0 or above, you can find the recorder in the app drawer. Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen to open the app drawer, then search for ‘Voice Recorder’. Tap the app icon to open it.
On Samsung Galaxy devices, the default recorder app is called ‘Voice Recorder’. It may be found in the Samsung folder in the app drawer. If not seen there, you can also search for it in the app drawer.
For other device models, the default recorder app may be named ‘Sound Recorder’ or simply ‘Recorder’. Use the app search to locate it if it’s not visible.
To start recording, open the default voice recorder app and tap the red ‘record’ button. You can pause/resume anytime by tapping the button again. To stop recording, tap ‘Stop’. The audio will be automatically saved to your phone storage (source: How to Record Audio on Android Using a Built-in App).
Third Party Apps
Besides the default recording app that comes with Android, there are several good third party apps that can be used for audio recording.
An excellent option is Otter. Otter’s recorder features one-tap recording, transcription capabilities, and built-in editing tools. To use Otter, simply download the app from the Google Play Store, open it, enable permissions, and tap the big red button to start recording. Otter can even continue recording while running in the background.
Another well reviewed app is Easy Voice Recorder. This free recorder has a clean and intuitive interface, numerous recording formats, and can record continuously for up to 74 hours. Download Easy Voice Recorder, launch it, grant permissions, and tap “start” to begin audio capturing. An optional paid Pro version offers additional features like auto-sync.
For even more options, check out our list of top picks for Android voice recorder apps.
Recording Settings
There are several important recording settings to consider when audio recording on an Android device. These settings determine the quality and file size of the recording.
Audio Format
Android supports common audio formats like AAC, AMR, FLAC, MP3, PCM, and WAV (source). AAC and MP3 are compressed formats that provide smaller file sizes, while WAV and FLAC are uncompressed formats that offer higher audio quality.
Sample Rate
The sample rate determines how many times per second your audio is sampled. Higher sample rates like 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz capture more detail and frequencies, resulting in better quality. However, they also produce larger file sizes. Common rates are 8 kHz, 16 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz.
Channels
Stereo recording captures two channels (left and right), while mono only records one channel. Stereo audio sounds more natural, but takes up more space. Mono may be preferable for voiceovers or podcasts.
Adjust these settings in your Android device’s default Voice Recorder app or third party recording apps to find the right balance of quality and file size for your needs (source).
Storage
Recordings from the default recording app are usually saved in an internal storage folder or app data that isn’t easily accessible to users. For example, on Pixel phones they are saved in the Recorder app folder (source).
To change the default storage location, you’ll need to use a third party recording app that allows you to choose where to save files. Many apps let you save recordings to external SD card storage or cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. This makes it easier to access, edit and share the files from other devices.
Some apps like Cube Call Recorder have advanced settings to customize the storage location. You can choose to save on internal or external storage, including removable SD cards. There’s also often an option to auto delete old recordings after a set number of days to save space.
Editing Audio Recordings
After recording audio on your Android device, you may want to edit the files to cut unwanted sections, join multiple recordings, change volume levels, or apply other edits. There are both built-in editing options using Android’s default apps as well as third party editing apps to choose from.
If you recorded audio using the Voice Recorder app or other default recording apps on your device, there may be basic editing capabilities built-in. For example, in the Voice Recorder app you can trim the start and end points of a recording after tapping the three dot menu icon next to a file. Refer to your device or app’s help documentation for instructions on using any built-in editing features.
For more advanced editing, dedicated third party Android apps provide additional capabilities. The article “Best 11 Android Apps for Audio Editing” on Wondershare’s Filmora website reviews top options, with the Music Audio Editor app offering features like cut, copy, paste, delete, insert, and more with an easy to use interface.
Specific editing app capabilities may include trimming, cutting and joining files, adjusting playback speed, reversing audio, normalizing volume levels across multiple files, reducing background noise, and applying audio effects and filters. Consider what editing tasks you need to complete to choose the best app for your needs.
Sharing
Android provides multiple ways to share audio recordings with others via email, messaging, the cloud, and more. You can share recordings created by the default recording app or third party apps:
- To share a recording made with the built-in recorder app, open the app and tap the recording in your list of recordings. Then tap the Share icon (a box with an arrow pointing up) and select the app you want to share with like Gmail, Google Drive or Messages.
- In third party recording apps like Smart Voice Recorder, open the recording you want to share, tap the options menu (three vertical dots) and select Share. Then choose the app to share with.
- You can also share recordings through cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox by saving or exporting recordings there first. Then generate a shareable link to give access.
- For file transfers to nearby Android devices, use the Nearby Share feature. First back up the audio file, then activate Nearby Share via Quick Settings. Select the contact then confirm file transfer.
Before sharing sensitive recordings, it’s important enable encryption or access passwords as appropriate. Also check the sharing app’s settings to limit visibility and permissions if needed.
Troubleshooting Audio Recording Issues
If you encounter problems with audio recording on your Android device, there are some steps you can try to resolve them:
Low Volume or Distorted Recordings
Common issues like low volume, static, or distortion on recordings may be caused by a blocked microphone. Check if your phone case is obstructing the mic opening and remove any debris. It’s also a good idea to restart your phone as this will reset any software issues, install any pending updates, and clear out temporary storage.
You can also check that other apps aren’t still accessing the mic in the background. Go to your phone’s Settings and privacy to view and disable any apps with microphone access.
App Crashes or Doesn’t Record Calls
If your recording app isn’t functioning properly, first try clearing the cache and data for the app in your phone’s Settings. This will reset the app and often resolves instability or crashing issues. Updating the app to the latest version can also help.
For call recording specifically not working, check if your Android OS version and phone model support call recording. On Android 10 and higher you may need to enable an additional permission in Settings. If issues persist, you can try switching to another app specifically optimized for your device model.
Conclusion
Recording audio on Android devices is easy and straightforward if you utilize the built-in tools and apps. The key things covered in this article include:
- Using the default Voice Recorder app and adjusting the settings for optimal quality
- Considering third party recording apps like Easy Voice Recorder or Smart Voice Recorder for advanced features
- Storing recordings properly so they are not lost, such as on external SD cards
- Basic editing options like trimming unwanted parts
- Sharing recordings through messaging apps, cloud storage, and more
- Troubleshooting steps if recordings are unclear or too soft
Following the best practices outlined here will ensure your Android audio recordings sound great. For even more details, see these additional resources: