Is there a way to record WhatsApp video call with audio?
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. In recent years, WhatsApp has added the ability to make voice and video calls through the app. WhatsApp video calling has become extremely popular, with over 100 million calls made daily.
There are many reasons why users may want to record their WhatsApp video calls. Recording important conversations can be useful for documenting discussions, agreements, interviews, and more. Some users may want to save special moments captured during video calls with friends and family. Others may need to record calls for work purposes or as evidence. As WhatsApp video calling continues to gain popularity, the ability to record these calls has become an increasingly sought-after feature.
Why Record WhatsApp Video Calls?
There are several reasons why someone may want to record a WhatsApp video call:
Review video call discussions – Recording a video call allows you to revisit the conversation later. This can be useful for remembering important details that were discussed or clarifying anything you may have missed the first time.
Save important memories – For many, WhatsApp video calls are used to stay in touch with loved ones far away. Recording these calls can help preserve precious memories with family and friends.
Create content for social media – Recording footage from a WhatsApp video call can allow you to easily create engaging social media content. You can share fun or memorable call moments with followers.
According to this Quora post, other reasons may include having a record for legal purposes or improving engagement and focus during calls.
Built-in Recording Options
WhatsApp does not have any built-in options for recording video calls directly within the app. This is an intentional design decision by WhatsApp to protect user privacy and prevent unauthorized recording without consent.
While some alternative video calling apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet do offer built-in call recording features, these require all participants to explicitly consent to being recorded. WhatsApp has opted not to include any call recording capabilities natively.
Some popular alternative calling apps that do have built-in recording options include:
- Zoom – Offers cloud or local recording options with consent.
- Microsoft Teams – Can record meetings to Microsoft Stream with permission.
- Google Meet – Allows meeting hosts to record and save calls.
However, using these alternatives means you and the other caller would need accounts and have to use these apps instead of WhatsApp for video calls. For recording WhatsApp specifically, third party solutions are required.
Using Third-Party Apps
One option for recording WhatsApp video calls is to use third-party apps designed for screen recording. There are many high-quality screen recorder apps available for both Android and iOS devices that can capture your device’s screen, including any WhatsApp video calls.
Some popular and highly-rated third-party screen recorder apps include AZ Screen Recorder and DU Recorder for Android devices. These apps allow you to record your screen, including the audio, while using any apps on your device.
To use a third-party recorder, first download and install the app on your device. Make sure to give the app the required permissions to access your microphone and screen. Once installed, open the recorder app and start your WhatsApp video call as normal. When you want to start recording, open the recorder app and hit the record button. This will capture your device’s screen, including the WhatsApp video and audio.
Most recorder apps have options to enable the front or rear camera, so you can overlay your video onto the screen recording. You can stop and start recordings as needed during the call. When finished, stop the recording and the app will save the video file to your device storage or cloud services.
Using trusted third-party recording apps is a straightforward way to record your WhatsApp video calls on mobile devices. Be sure to only use apps from reputable developers and pay close attention to privacy policies.
Using Call Recording Apps
Using call recording apps is one of the most popular methods of recording WhatsApp video calls with audio. Dedicated apps like the Cube Call Recorder [1] provide features specifically designed for recording calls on mobile devices.
To get started recording WhatsApp video calls with a call recording app, you first need to download and install the app on your device. Many call recording apps are available for both Android and iOS. Once installed, open the app and ensure you grant it the required permissions to record calls.
Most call recording apps will automatically begin recording any calls you make or receive on your device. However, you should check the app settings to configure options like recording quality, storage location, etc. Some apps may require enabling WhatsApp call recording specifically in the settings.
When on a WhatsApp video call you want to record, verify the app is actively recording in the background. You don’t need to do anything else. Once the call ends, you can find the recording in the app and either save it to your device storage or share it.
Call recording apps provide a seamless way to capture your WhatsApp video conversations. Just be sure to only use them in accordance with local laws and with the consent of the other call participants.
Using Screen Mirroring
One way to record WhatsApp video calls with audio is by using screen mirroring to display your phone’s screen on a desktop or laptop. You can then use screen recording software on the computer to record the WhatsApp call.
On Android, you can enable screen mirroring in the Quick Settings or Settings app. For iOS, use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to a Mac or PC. You may need to install additional software like ApowerMirror on the computer to receive the mirrored screen.
Once your phone is mirrored to the computer, open the screen recording utility and start recording. Launch the WhatsApp call on your phone and it will show up on the mirrored display. The screen recording will capture the video, audio and all activity on your phone. After ending the call, stop the screen recording.
This method provides high quality recordings without any app limitations. Just be sure to get consent from the other call participants before recording them.
Recording WhatsApp Video on Computer
You can record WhatsApp video calls directly on your computer using WhatsApp’s desktop or web applications. This allows you to capture both video and audio of the call without any third-party software.
On Windows, open the WhatsApp desktop application and start a video call. Then open the Windows Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G, and click the record button to start recording. You can find the recorded video in Videos > Captures. https://www.bandicam.com/blog/how-to-record-whatsapp-calls-on-pc/
On Mac, initiate a WhatsApp video call in the desktop app. Then open QuickTime Player and select File > New Screen Recording to record the call. You can stop the recording when done. The video will be saved to your Desktop by default.
Alternatively, use WhatsApp Web in your browser to record calls. Open the call in Chrome/Firefox and use their built-in screen recording feature or a browser extension to record. On Safari, you can use QuickTime Player’s screen recording as mentioned above.
The advantage of recording directly on desktop is convenience and avoiding any loss in video quality. However, you need to have an active WhatsApp session on the computer to receive the call.
Using Screen Recording Software
One of the most common ways to record a WhatsApp video call on desktop is by using dedicated screen recording software like OBS Studio or Bandicam. These programs allow you to capture high quality footage of everything happening on your computer screen, including video chats.
To get started, simply download and install the screen recording software of your choice. Both OBS and Bandicam offer free versions that come with all the necessary features for recording video calls. Once installed, open the program and configure the video and audio sources – for recording WhatsApp calls, you’ll want to select the full screen or a specific window.
When you initiate a video call on WhatsApp, start recording in your chosen software. Make sure to enable both video and audio capturing. You can tweak the settings as needed to adjust resolution, frame rates, and formats. Many programs also allow you to customize mouse pointers, watermarks, overlays and more.
After finishing the call, stop the recording and save the video file. Screen recording software makes the process quick and seamless. With just a few clicks, you’ll have a local file of your WhatsApp video call that can be shared or edited as needed.
Video Quality and Storage Considerations
When recording WhatsApp video calls, there are a few key factors that determine video quality:
Resolution – Higher resolution videos (1080p or 4K) will have more detail but take up significantly more storage space. Lower resolutions like 720p or 480p have less detail but smaller file sizes. Most phones today can record smoothly at 1080p.
Aspect ratio – Most phones use widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. Older phones may be limited to 4:3. For consistency, 16:9 is recommended.
Codecs – Recording codec impacts compression and quality. H.264 or H.265 are common high quality choices. Avoid outdated codecs like MPEG-2.
Managing large video files can be challenging. Here are some tips:
– Record in lower resolution if storage space is limited.
– Compress or downsample files after recording to save space.
– Offload files regularly to a computer or cloud storage.
– Invest in a phone with more onboard storage or SD card support.
– Clear space before long recording sessions.
Striking a balance between quality and file size is key for smooth recording and easy transfers.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
When recording WhatsApp or any other video calls, it’s important to consider the legal and ethical implications. In some locations, recording a call without the consent of the other participants may be illegal.
For example, according to an analysis by Gary Guttenberg on LinkedIn, 11 U.S. states require consent from all parties being recorded in a video call: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington and Oregon (source). This is also known as “two-party consent”.
Regardless of local laws, secretly recording video calls without informing the other participants raises ethical concerns related to transparency and trust. As noted in a TLDV blog post, unexpected call recording can make people feel their privacy has been violated (source).
Before recording any WhatsApp or video call, it’s best to let all participants know upfront that the call is being recorded and obtain their consent. This shows respect for the preferences and rights of others.
