Recording telephone conversations on Samsung Galaxy A50 may be needed to save important information, confirm agreements or conduct business negotiations. However, out-of-the-box Android features are often limited, especially after privacy policy updates. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to activate recording, including built-in functions, third-party applications and workarounds for Android 10/11/12that it works. It is important to understand that the legislation of many countries (including Russia, the EU and the USA) requires Galaxy A50.

It is important to understand that the legislation of many countries (including Russia, the EU and the USA) requires notifications to your interlocutor to keep a record. Failure to comply with this rule may result in legal liability. We will not only show you how to technically implement recording, but also remind you of the legal nuances so that you can use the function safely.

If your Samsung A50 does not support built-in recording due to regional restrictions or firmware version, do not despair. The article provides alternative methods, including proven applications from Google Play and manual settings through ADB for experienced users.

📊 Why do you need call recording?
For work/business
Personal notes
Legal purposes
Technical support
Other

1. Checking the built-in recording function on Samsung A50

Some firmware versions Samsung Galaxy A50 (especially those with One UI 2.0–2.5) retain the built-in call recording function. To check its availability:

  1. Open the application Phone (handset icon).
  2. Dial a number or select a contact to call.
  3. During a call, pay attention to the screen: if the function is active, you will see button "Record" (microphone or circle icon).
  4. Click on it - recording will start with a characteristic sound signal (if not disabled in the settings).

If there is no button, then the function is blocked. This may be due to:

  • 📱 Regional restrictions (In the EU and some US states, recording is disabled by default).
  • 🔄 Firmware update (After Android 10, Samsung removed the feature on many models).
  • 🛠️ By rooting or modifying the system (may upset standard settings).

☑️ Diagnostics of built-in recording

Done: 0 / 4

If there is no built-in recording, go to the next section with alternative methods. But first, make sure that the problem is not in the settings:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Samsung A50 the recording function is hidden in the developer menu. To activate it, you need to turn on Developer mode (click on Build number v Settings → About phone), then find the option Automatic call recording in Settings → System → Settings developer. However, this method does not work on all versions.

2. Using third-party recording applications

If the built-in feature is not available, the best option is to install a specialized application. We tested several solutions and chose the most reliable ones for Samsung Galaxy A50:

Application Features Cons Link
Cube ACR Recording in high quality, cloud storage, automatic saving by contacts. Advertising in the free version, requires access to contacts. Google Play
Call Recorder – ACR Support for Android 10+, flexible settings (excluding contacts, cloud). Paid functions (for example, WhatsApp recording). Google Play
Truecaller Built-in recording + spam blocking, free. Requires registration, limited storage of recordings. Google Play
Boldbeast Recorder Works on rooted devices, recording on both sides. Complicated setup, paid version for full functionality. Official website

For installation and configuration, take as an example Cube ACR is one of the most popular solutions:

  1. Download the application from Google Play and install it.
  2. When you first start, provide all requested permissions:
    • 📞 Access to telephone calls
    • 📁 Storage (for saving files)
    • 👥 Contacts (optional, for automatic sorting)
  • In the application settings, select:
    • 🎤 Audio source: “Microphone + call” (to record both sides).
    • 💾 File format: MP3 or WAV (MP3 takes up less space).
    • ☁️ Cloud storage: link Google Drive or Dropbox for backups.
    • Enable the option "Auto recording" for all calls or selected contacts.

      • Important: Apps like Cube ACR use the Android API for recording, but after security updates (starting with Android 10) they can only record your voice, not the interlocutor. To fully record both sides, you will need a rooted device or special workarounds (see section 5).

      💡

      Before installing the application, check reviews for the last 2-3 months - some recording apps stop working after Android updates.

      3. Setting up automatic recording for selected contacts

      If you do not need to record all conversations, but only important ones (for example, with clients or colleagues), set up a filter by contacts. This will save space on your phone and make it easier to find records.

      In the application Cube ACR or ACR:

      1. Open the section Contact or Black list.
      2. Add numbers for which recording should be turned on automatically.
      3. Set exceptions (for example, do not record calls from banks or support services).

      For the built-in recording function (if available):

      1. Go to Phone → ⋮ (Menu) → Settings → Call recording.
      2. Select "Automatic recording" and specify contacts.
      3. Activate the option "Notification of an entry"to comply with the requirements.

    Example of a table for organizing contacts:

    Contact type Need an entry? Reason
    Clients/partners Yes Confirmation of agreements
    Family/friends No Personal conversations
    Technical support Yes Fixing instructions
    Spam/fraudsters Yes (auto-delete) Evidence for blocking
    💡

    Automatic entry by contacts saves space on the phone and simplifies the search for important conversations, but requires regular cleaning of unnecessary files.

    4. Where are the recordings stored and how to export them

    By default, call recordings are saved in the phone’s internal memory or on an SD card (if installed). The path to the files depends on the recording method:

    • 📁 Samsung built-in function: /Internal Storage/Call or /SD Card/Call. The files have the format .amr or .mp3.
    • 📱 Application side (Cube ACR, ACR): usually /Internal Storage/CubeBackups or /ACR. Format - .mp3 or .wav.
    • ☁️ Cloud services: if you have set up synchronization, the records are duplicated in Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex.Disk.

      • To export recordings to a computer:

      1. Connect Samsung A50 to your PC via a USB cable (select mode File transfer).
      2. Go to the folder with the recordings (see paths above).
      3. Copy the necessary files to your hard drive.
      4. For convenience, rename the files using the template: Date_ContactName_Subject.mp3.

      If records are not displayed:

      • 🔍 Check if files are hidden (turn on the display of hidden folders in the file manager).
      • 🗑️ Make sure that the entries were not automatically deleted (some applications clean up old files).
      • 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes the file system does not update right away.
      How to recover deleted entries?

      If entries were deleted, Try data recovery software (such as DiskDigger or Recuva for PC). Success depends on whether the files have been overwritten with new data. On Android without root access the chances are lower, but it won't hurt to try.

      5. Advanced methods: ADB recording and rooting

      If neither the built-in feature nor third-party apps work (for example, due to Android 12 limitations), you can try activating recording via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or rooting. These methods are suitable for experienced users.

      Method 1: Enabling a hidden function via ADB

      Some firmware Samsung A50 have a hidden recording option that can be activated with the command:

      adb shell settings put global call_recording_support 1

      Instructions:

      1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
      2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About phone → Build number - 7 times, then Settings → System → Developer options).
      3. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command above in the terminal.
      4. Reboot your device.

      Method 2: Rooting and modification of system files

      To fully record both interlocutors (including the interlocutor's voice) you will need:

      1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
      2. Install a modified application Boldbeast Recorder.
      3. Select mode in the application settings Root Call Recording.
      ⚠️ Attention: Rooting will void the warranty Samsung A50 and can lead to unstable operation of the phone. In addition, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank or Tinkoff) stop working on rooted devices. Before the procedure, make a backup copy of your data via Smart Switch or TWRP.

      Before using call recording, check the laws of your country. In most jurisdictions, the following rules apply:

      • 📜 Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is permitted if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation). However, use of the recording in court or public broadcast requires consent.
      • 🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR): It is obligatory to notify the interlocutor about the recording. Failure to comply may result in fines.
      • 🇺🇸 USA: Laws vary by state. In some (for example, California), the consent of everyone participants in the conversation is required.
      • 🌍 Other countries: In Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus, the rules are similar to Russian ones, but check local standards.

      Recommendations for compliance with the law:

      • 🎤 Always notify interlocutor about recording at the beginning of a conversation (for example: “The conversation is being recorded to record information. Do you mind?”).
      • 📝 Keep consent log (for example, in phone notes) with dates and names of persons who gave permission.
      • 🚫 Do not distribute records unnecessarily, especially on social networks or messengers.

      If the recording is made in business area (for example, to record agreements with clients), add a notification about this in:

      • 📄 Agreement or offer (“All telephone conversations are recorded and stored in the archive company").
      • 📞 Answering machine or welcome message (“Your call may be recorded to improve quality of service”)

      7. Alternative ways to record conversations

      If recording via phone is not possible, consider alternative options:

      • 🎧 External voice recorder: Connect the recorder to the phone via Bluetooth or 3.5 mm jack (there is a connector on Galaxy A50 ). Examples of devices: Sony ICD-UX570, Olympus WS-853.
      • 💻 Recording via PC: Use apps like Audacity with a phone connected in speakerphone mode.
      • ☎️ Conference call: Create a conference with your other number (for example, via Google Voice) and record on the second phone.
      • 📝 Manual notes: If the conversation is short, record key points in a notepad or Google Keep.

      For recording via PC:

      1. Connect Samsung A50 to the computer and turn on Modem mode (in Settings → Connections).
      2. Use the app Voicemeeter to capture sound from the phone's microphone.
      3. In Audacity select as source Voicemeeter Output.
      4. Start recording before call.

      Advantages of alternative methods:

      • ✅ No restrictions from Android.
      • ✅ High sound quality (especially when using an external voice recorder).
      • ✅ No risk of conflict with the law (if recording is made to a separate device).

      8. Solving problems with recording

      If recording does not work or files are not saved, check the following points:

      Problem Possible cause Solution
      The recording button is not active The function is disabled in the firmware Use the ADB command or a third-party application
      Only mine is recorded voice Limitations of Android 10+ Root your phone or use an external voice recorder
      Files are not saved Insufficient memory or application crash Clear the application cache or change the save path
      The application crashes Incompatibility with the Android version Update the application or try another (for example, ACR instead of Cube)
      Low sound quality Audio compression or noise In the application settings, select the WAV format instead of MP3

      If the problem is not resolved:

      • 🔄 Reinstall the recording application.
      • 📱 Check if recording is blocked antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast).
      • 🔧 Reset your phone to factory settings (make a backup first!).
      ⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Samsung A50 after updating to Android 12, recording through third-party applications may completely stop working. This is due to the tightening of Google's privacy policy. In this case, only alternative methods remain (external voice recorder or PC).

      Frequently asked questions

      Is it possible to record calls on a Samsung A50 without installation? applications?

      Yes, if your phone has the built-in recording function (see section 1). However, on most firmware after updating to Android 11+, it is disabled. Check for a recording button during a call. If it is not there, you will have to use third-party solutions.

      Why does the recording application ask for access to contacts and SMS?

      Applications need these permissions to:

      • 📇 Contact —to automatically name recording files.
      • 📩 SMS —to record messages (in some applications, for example, Truecaller).
      • 🔊 Microphone —to capture audio.

      If you do not trust the application, deny access to SMS - this will not affect call recording.

      How to reduce the size of recording files?

      To save space:

      • In the application settings, select format MP3 instead WAV.
      • Set the bitrate at 64–128 kbit/s (this is enough for speech).
      • Enable automatic deletion of old recordings (for example, older than 30 days).
      • Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) for the archive.
      Is it possible to record calls in WhatsApp or Telegram?

      Standard applications for recording calls do not work with instant messengers:

      • 🎧 Use external voice recorderconnected to the phone.
      • 💻 Record sound via a PC (for example, using OBS Studio when mirroring the screen).
      • 📱 In some firmware, recording via Google Assistant (command “Ok Google, record your screen”) works.

      Please note: recording calls in instant messengers may violate their terms of use (for example, WhatsApp prohibits this in their terms).

      How to protect recordings from outsiders?

      To prevent recordings from falling into the wrong hands:

      • 🔒 Set a password for the folder with recordings (for example, via File Hide Expert).
      • 📁 Store files in an encrypted archive (format ZIP with password or 7z).
      • ☁️ Upload records to a secure cloud (for example, Proton Drive with encryption).
      • 📱 Set up an application lock for recording with a PIN code.