To record a FaceTime call on an iPhone, open Control Center, press and hold Screen Recording, turn the Microphone on and tap Start Recording, then switch back to the call. On a Mac, press Shift, Command and 5 and choose a recording option. Always tell the other person first.
FaceTime has no record button, so recording a call means recording your screen while the call runs. On iPhone and Mac that's built in. Two things matter more than the buttons, though: whether the other person's voice ends up on the recording, which depends on settings, and whether you've asked their permission. Here's how to do it, and how to make sure you don't end up with a silent video.
Before you record: ask
Tell everyone on the call you'd like to record, and wait for a yes. In some places recording a conversation without consent is against the law, and even where it isn't, it's a fast way to lose trust. A simple "Do you mind if I record this so I don't miss anything?" is enough. FaceTime doesn't warn the other person that you're recording, so the asking is on you.
Record FaceTime on iPhone or iPad
- Open Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner.
- Touch and hold the Screen Recording button, a circle inside a ring.
- Tap Microphone so it turns on.
- Tap Start Recording and wait for the countdown.
- Go back to FaceTime and start or carry on with the call.
- To stop, tap the red indicator at the top of the screen, then Stop.
No Screen Recording button? Apple says you can add it from Control Center's customisation options. On iPhones with the Dynamic Island, you stop by tapping the red circle and then Stop Screen Recording; on other models, tap the red timer at the top left.
Why recordings sometimes have no sound
Apple's own help warns that some apps might not allow you to record audio or video. FaceTime is one where results vary: on many setups the video records fine but the other person's voice is missing or faint. Turning the microphone on, as above, captures your side and, through the speaker, usually the other side as well. So:
- Turn the microphone on in the Screen Recording options.
- Use the speaker rather than headphones, so the microphone can pick up the other voice.
- Do a ten-second test call first and play it back.
- Keep the room quiet, because the microphone hears everything around you.
Find your recording
Screen recordings save to the Photos app. Apple's route is Photos, then Collections, and under Media Types choose Screen Recordings. From there you can trim the start and end, where you'll see yourself opening Control Center, and share or save the file.
Record FaceTime on a Mac
- Start the FaceTime call.
- Press Shift, Command and 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
- Choose to record the entire screen, a window, or a part of the screen.
- Click Options and, under Microphone, pick your Mac's microphone.
- Click Record, and stop from the button in the menu bar when you're done.
Recording just the FaceTime window keeps everything else on your screen out of the video. As on the iPhone, audio from the other side can be patchy, so test first.
Things that stop a recording
| Problem | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Black video | Some content is protected | Record a normal call, not shared streaming |
| No other voice | System audio not captured | Microphone on, speaker on, test first |
| Recording won't start | Screen mirroring is on | Stop mirroring; Apple says you can't do both |
| Button missing | Not in Control Center | Add Screen Recording to Control Center |
Just want a still from the call?
FaceTime lets you take a Live Photo of the person you're talking to, using the shutter button in the call, if both of you have FaceTime Live Photos switched on in Settings. The other person is notified when you take one, which makes it a more open way to capture a moment than a screen recording.
Edit the recording before you share it
Open the recording in Photos and tap Edit. Drag the yellow handles at each end of the timeline to cut off the moment you opened Control Center and the bit where you stopped recording. Tap Done, and choose whether to save it as a new clip or replace the original. If the file is large, share it through iCloud Drive or a link rather than as a message attachment, and remember the people on the call agreed to a recording, not necessarily to it being passed on.
Alternatives for work calls
If you need reliable recordings, a transcript or notes from calls with clients, FaceTime isn't the right tool. Video apps built for meetings, such as Zoom or Teams, record with sound for everyone and show a recording notice to all participants, which takes care of consent too.
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If you share clips from the recording later, my explainer on whether Instagram tells people about screen recordings covers how other apps handle it, and my guide to turning off the iPhone camera shutter sound helps when you're capturing stills quietly in a meeting room.
My verdict
Ask first, then use Screen Recording from Control Center with the microphone switched on, and put the call on speaker so both voices are picked up. Test with a short call before anything important, because FaceTime audio capture varies between devices. For work calls you'll need to keep, use a meeting app with built-in recording instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can you record a FaceTime call?
Yes, by recording your screen with Screen Recording while the call runs.
Does FaceTime notify the other person if I record?
No. Screen recording doesn't alert them, so ask permission first.
Why is there no sound on my FaceTime recording?
Turn the microphone on in Screen Recording and use the speaker, then test.
Where do screen recordings go on iPhone?
In Photos, under Collections, Media Types, Screen Recordings.
How do I record FaceTime on a Mac?
Press Shift, Command and 5, choose a recording option and select a microphone in Options.
Is it legal to record a FaceTime call?
Rules vary by place. Always get consent from everyone on the call.
