Recording telephone conversations on Android - a task that users face for various reasons: from conducting business negotiations to recording important personal agreements. The application ACR (Another Call Recorder) has been one of the most reliable tools for this purpose for many years, but its configuration often raises questions. Unlike built-in recording functions (available only on some firmwares like MIUI or ColorOS), ACR offers flexibility, automatic sorting and cloud backup.

However, after Android updates (especially since Android 9 Pie), many users encounter problems: recording is interrupted, files are not saved or the application does not see incoming calls. In this article, we'll take a look at the latest OS limitations, talk about hidden features (for example, scheduling recordings or contact filtering), and also provide solutions for common errors. We will pay special attention to privacy issues - after all, improper use of call recording may violate the laws of some countries. step-by-step setup of ACR Taking into account the latest OS limitations, we will tell you about hidden functions (for example, scheduled recording or contact filtering), and also provide solutions for common errors. We will pay special attention to privacy issues - after all, improper use of call recordings may violate the laws of some countries.

If you have previously tried to record calls through standard means and encountered limitations (for example, Samsung One UI or stock Android), ACR will be a universal solution. But for it to work correctly, you will need not only to correctly set the parameters in the application itself, but also to configure system permissions, and in some cases, even change the developer settings. Are you ready to understand all the nuances?

Why ACR and not built-in call recording?

Many modern smartphones (for example, Xiaomi, Realme or Oppo) have a built-in call recording function, but it works with serious limitations:

  • 📵 Absent on pure Android: On devices with stock Android (for example, Google Pixel or Motorola) there is no built-in recording at all.
  • 🔒 Restrictions by country: On some firmware (like Samsung One UI) the function records are blocked depending on the region.
  • ⏱️ No automatic sorting: Built-in solutions are rarely able to separate records by contacts or tags, as ACR does.
  • ☁️ No cloud backup: ACR can automatically load records into Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive.

In addition, ACR offers unique features that are not available in standard solutions:

  • 🎯 Filtering by contacts: you can record only calls from certain numbers or, conversely, exclude them.
  • 📅 Scheduled recording: for example, only during business hours.
  • 🔍 Search by recordings: not only by contact name, but also by keywords in the conversation (if speech analysis is enabled).
  • 📊 Call statistics: duration, frequency of calls from specific contacts.

Another key plus - cross-platform. If you use multiple devices (such as a smartphone and a tablet), ACR syncs recordings between them via the cloud. And for business users, a version is available ACR Pro with advanced reports and integration with CRM systems.

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Preparing the smartphone before installing ACR

Before installing ACR, you need to prepare the device. Without this, the recording may not work or may malfunction. This is especially true for Android 10+where Google has tightened its policy on access to the microphone and telephone functions.

First check Android version and firmware:

  1. Open Settings → About phone.
  2. Find items Android version and MIUI/One UI/ColorOS version (depending on the manufacturer).
  3. If you have Android 9 or older, additional settings will be required (see below).

Next, make sure that on the device installation from unknown sources is allowed (if you download ACR not from Google Play):

  1. Go to Settings → Security.
  2. Find the item Installation from unknown sources and allow it for your browser or file manager.

Find out the Android and firmware version

Allow installation from unknown sources (if necessary)

Check free space (minimum 500 MB for entries)

Disable battery optimization for ACR (in application settings)

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One ​​of the most important steps is disabling battery optimization for ACR. Otherwise, the system may pause the application in the background and the recording will be interrupted. You can do this like this:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find ACR in the list and select Battery.
  3. Set mode No restrictions or Do not optimize.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) you additionally need to manually allow ACR autorun and block its clearing from memory. These settings are usually located in the section Permissions → Autorun i Application protection.

Step-by-step setup of ACR for call recording

After installing ACR, launch the application and follow the initial setup wizard. However, many users miss key points, which is why the recording does not work correctly. Let's look at the process in detail.

1. Granting permissions

ACR will ask for several critical permissions:

  • 📞 Access to phone calls: needed to detect incoming/outgoing calls.
  • 🎤 Access to microphone: to save recordings. data-i="139">2. Selecting a sound source: to record voice.
  • 📁 Storage access: To save recordings.
  • 👥 Access to contacts (optional): to link records to subscriber names.
Important: On Android 10+ permission to access calls and microphone must be granted manually in the system settings, and not through the ACR interface.

2. Selecting a sound source

ACR supports several recording modes:

  • 🔊 Speakerphone: records sound through a microphone (quality depends on the surrounding noise).
  • 📞 VOIP: for recording calls through WhatsApp, Skype and other instant messengers.
  • 🎧 Bluetooth: if you use headset.
  • 📶 Network audio (only on some firmware): recording directly from the communication line (better quality).

For most users, the optimal mode is Speakerphone + Microphone. However, on Samsung or Google Pixel you may need to enable Developer mode and activate the option USB debugging (yes, this affects the recording!). More details about this in the next section.

3. Setting the recording format and quality

In the section Settings → Recording format select:

  • 📄 File format: MP3 (universal) or WAV (better quality, but larger size).
  • 🔊 Bitrate: 64–128 kbit/s is enough for intelligible speech.
  • 📁 Save folder: default CallRecordings, but you can specify your path (for example, on SD card).

If you plan to listen to recordings often, set MP3 with bitrate 96 kbit/s - this is a balance between quality and file size. For archival recordings (for example, business negotiations), it is better to choose WAVas it preserves more voice details.

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If the recordings are too quiet, enable the ACR option in the ACR settings Sound amplification and set the value +6 dB. This compensates for the weak microphone signal on some smartphones.

4. Automatic recording rules

ACR allows you to flexibly configure which calls to record:

  • 📱 All calls: recording incoming and outgoing.
  • 👤 Only from contacts: ignores unknown numbers.
  • 🚫 Black list: excludes certain numbers.
  • ⏰ Scheduled: for example, only during business hours.

To configure black/white list:

  1. Go to Settings → Recording rules.
  2. Select Black list or White list.
  3. Add numbers or contacts via the button +.

How to record calls only from VIP contacts?

Create a group VIP in your contacts, then set up a rule in ACR Record only contacts from the group and specify this group. Thus, only conversations with important subscribers will be recorded, and the rest will be ignored.

5. Cloud backup

To avoid losing records when your phone is reset or broken, set up automatic upload to the cloud:

  1. Go to Settings → Cloud.
  2. Select a service: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or WebDAV.
  3. Log in and specify the download folder.
  4. Set up a schedule (for example, Daily at 2:00).

For Google Drive it is recommended to create a separate folder (for example, Call Recordings) and do not store other files there - this will simplify the search. You can also enable the Delete local copies after downloadingso as not to take up space on the phone.

Solving problems with recording calls in ACR

Even after proper configuration, ACR may not work properly. Let's look at typical problems and their solutions.

1. ACR does not see incoming/outgoing calls

If the application does not respond to calls, check:

  • 🔄 Restart ACR: sometimes simply closing and restarting helps.
  • 📱 Permissions: make sure that access to calls and microphone is given (see Settings → Applications → ACR → Permissions).
  • 🛠️ Developer mode: on some devices (for example, Xiaomi) you need to enable USB debugging and select Do not process audio in the developer settings.
  • 🔋 Battery optimization: disable it for ACR (instructions were above).

If the problem persists, try reset ACR settings to factory settings:

  1. Open Settings → Advanced → Reset settings.
  2. Confirm the action and restart the application.
  3. Go through the initial setup again.

2. The recording is interrupted or not saved

Causes and solutions:

  • 📵 Weak signal: if the connection is interrupted, the recording may not be saved. Check the quality of the network.
  • 📁 Insufficient. space: ACR requires a minimum 100–200 MB clear the cache or transfer the recordings to the SD card.
  • 🔕 Conflict with other applications: some call managers (for example, Truecaller) can block ACR. Try disabling them.
  • 🔊 Firmware limitations: on Android 12+ some manufacturers block recording through the microphone during a call. The solution is to use Network audio (if available) or root access.

If recordings are saved, but breaks off after 1-2 minutescheck the battery saving settings. Some firmwares (for example, EMUI na Huawei) aggressively close background processes. Add ACR to the list Protected applications.

3. Poor sound quality

To improve recording intelligibility:

  • 🎤 Use a headset: Recording through wired headphones with a microphone provides better quality than the built-in microphone of a smartphone.
  • 🔊 Adjust the gain: ACR has option Sound gain (recommended value: +3 dB).
  • 📶 Check the sound source: if selected Speakerphone, but the conversation is going through handset, the recording will be quiet. Switch to Microphone.
  • 🚫 Disable noise reduction: some firmware (for example, on Samsung) automatically suppress background noise, which degrades the recording. Disable this option in the call settings.

If you use Bluetooth headset, in the ACR settings, select the audio source Bluetooth and make sure that the headset supports the profile HFP (Hands-Free Profile). Otherwise, the recording may be distorted.

4. The recordings are not displayed in the application.

If calls are recorded but do not appear in the ACR list:

  • 🔍 Check the save folder: open the file manager and go to Internal Storage/CallRecordings (or other specified path). If the files are there but are not displayed in ACR, update the library manually via Settings → Advanced → Update record list.
  • 📁 Permissions: make sure ACR has permission to read the storage.
  • 🔄 Restart the application: sometimes it helps to simply close and reopen ACR.

If there are recording files, but they are empty or damaged, the problem may be in the codec. Try changing the format from MP3 to WAV or vice versa in the ACR settings.

Hidden functions of ACR: what the application can do besides recording

Many users use ACR only for basic call recording, unaware of its advanced capabilities. Let's look at the most useful ones.

1. Transcription of recordings (conversion of speech into text)

ACR can automatically recognize speech and save the text version of the conversation. This is convenient for quickly searching through records or creating meeting minutes. To enable the function:

  1. Go to Settings → Transcription.
  2. Select a language (Russian, English, Spanish, etc. are supported).
  3. Indicate whether you want to save the text in a separate file or in metadata recordings.

Transcription works offline, but for recognition accuracy it is recommended to use High quality (in the settings). Please note that this increases the recording processing time.

2. Integration with cloud services and CRM

For business users, ACR offers integration with:

  • ☁️ Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive: automatic loading of records.
  • 📊 Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM: linking records to deals or contacts.
  • 📧 Email: sending records by email after a call.

To set up integration with CRM:

  1. Go to Settings → Cloud and CRM.
  2. Select your CRM system and log in.
  3. Set up binding rules (for example, by phone number or email contact).

3. Recording calls according to a schedule

If you need to record calls only at a certain time (for example, during business hours), set up a schedule:

  1. Open Settings → Recording rules → Schedule.
  2. Specify days of the week and time intervals.
  3. Select which calls to record at this time (incoming, outgoing or all).

This feature is useful if you do not want to record personal conversations after hours or save space on your device.

4. Protecting recordings with a password

So that no one but you can listen to the recordings, set a password:

  1. Go to Settings → Security.
  2. Enable the option Protection password.
  3. Create and confirm a password (it is recommended to use at least 8 characters).

After this, each time you start ACR you will be prompted for a password. You can also enable Hide entries in the galleryso that files are not displayed in standard applications for viewing multimedia.

5. Call statistics and analytics

ACR keeps detailed statistics:

  • ⏱️ Duration of calls: average time of calls with each contact.
  • 📞 Frequency calls: who calls most often.
  • 📅 Activity schedule: peak call hours.

This data is available in the section Statistics. They can be exported to CSV for further analysis (for example, to Excel or Google Sheets).

Before using ACR, it is important understand legal nuances recording of telephone conversations. Laws differ depending on the country, and their violation may result in fines or even criminal liability.

1. Legislation in Russia

In the Russian Federation, recording of telephone conversations. regulated by:

  • 📜 Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation: guarantees the secrecy of correspondence and telephone conversations.
  • 📜 Article 138 of the Criminal Code RF: violation of the secrecy of negotiations is punishable by a fine of up to 80,000 rubles or correctional labor.
  • 📜 Article 9 of the Federal Law “On Communications”: operators are obliged to ensure the secrecy of communications.

However, there are exceptions:

  • ✅ Consent of the interlocutor: if you notified him about the recording (for example, you said at the beginning of the conversation: “The conversation is being recorded”), this legal.
  • ✅ Personal needs: a recording for personal use (not for distribution) is usually not prosecuted, but can be challenged in court.
  • ❌ Distribution without consent: publication of a recording on the Internet or transfer to third parties without permission is a violation law.

2. Rules in other countries

In some countries the laws are more lenient, in others - stricter. For example:

  • 🇺🇸 USA: in most states consent of one party (that is, yours But). in California, Washington and other states, the consent of all participants conversation is required.
  • 🇪🇺 European Union: valid GDPR, which requires explicit consent to the processing of personal data (including voice recordings).
  • 🇺🇦 Ukraine: recording is permitted if it is conducted for personal purposes and does not violate the rights of other persons.

Before use ACR in another country, check local laws. For example, in Germany or France illegal recording can lead to serious fines.

3. How to legally use recordings

To avoid problems:

  • 🎤 Notify the interlocutor: at the beginning of the conversation, say that you are recording. This will protect you legally.
  • 📝 Keep records confidential: do not transfer them to third parties without the consent of the participants in the conversation.
  • 🗑️ Delete unnecessary recordings: do not store old files for no reason - this may be regarded as collecting personal information data.
  • 🚨 Do not use recordings for blackmail: even if you recorded a conversation legally, publishing it for the purpose of pressure is a criminal offense.

If you use ACR for business purposes (for example, recording conversations with clients), be sure to:

  • Add a clause about recording calls to agreement or offer.
  • Use autoinformer at the beginning conversation (for example: “The conversation is being recorded to improve the quality of service”).
  • Keep recordings no longer than necessary (for example, 3-6 months).
⚠️ Attention: If you are recording for legal purposes, check with your lawyer to see if it will be accepted as evidence. In some cases, notarization of the recording is required.

Comparison of ACR with analogues: which is better for recording calls?

ACR is not the only application for recording calls. Let's look at its main competitors and their features.

Application Free version Recording quality Cloud backup Transcription Support for Android 12+
ACR Yes (with advertising) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yes (Google Drive, Dropbox) Yes (offline) Partially (depending on the firmware)
Cube Call Recorder Yes (time limit) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No No Yes (works better on Samsung)
Call Recorder by Lovekesh Yes ⭐⭐⭐ No No No (problems on Android 11+)
Truecaller Yes (only for Premium) ⭐⭐⭐ No No Yes
Otter.ai Yes (minute limit) ⭐⭐⭐ Yes (own cloud) Yes (best quality) Yes

ACR wins from competitors thanks to:

  • 🔧 Flexible settings: filtering by contacts, schedule, recording rules.
  • ☁️ Cloud synchronization: automatic upload to Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • 📝 Transcriptions: offline speech recognition (unlike Otter.ai, which requires the Internet).
  • 📊 Statistics: call analytics, which no analogue offers.

However, ACR also has disadvantages:

  • 📵 On some firmware (for example, Android 12+ on Pixel)