Call recording apps will be closed from May 11, Google issues new policy for Android

Google recently updated its Play Store policy to ban third-party applications that record calls on recent versions of Android. The Android maker had previously blocked apps from recording calls through the microphone with the launch of Android 10 in September 2019. Google is also now removing the Accessibility API used by developers for call recording on Android. However, first-party dialer apps and Google Dialer pre-installed on the phone will still be able to record phone calls depending on the region and manufacturer.

In a post on the Google Play Console support website, the company recently announced that it is updating various policies, including the use of Accessibility API, or Application Programming Interface. The Accessibility API, used by apps designed to help users with disabilities on Android, is also used by many popular apps on the Play Store, including ACR Phone and Trurecaller, to provide call recording functionality. “The Accessibility API is not designed (for call recording) and remote call audio recording cannot be requested,” the company said in the post, adding that the new policy will come into effect from May 11.

The developer of ACR Phone, one of the apps that uses the Accessibility API for call recording on Android phones, took to Reddit to reveal this. explain Tried to see how the changes will affect third-party call recording apps. With the release of Android 10, Google restricted all applications (including call recording apps) from accessing the device’s microphone to record audio during calls, in order to protect user privacy and comply with call recording laws around the world. Was banned. Developers began requesting the Accessibility API to retain call recording functionality on phones running Android 10 or later.

According to Google’s new policy, apps that request the Accessibility API to record calls will have to stop doing so by May 11. This means that users running Android 10 or newer versions of Google’s operating system will no longer be able to record calls using third-party applications. However, users with specific tools and in select regions may be able to record calls using the built-in dialer app. ACR phone developer Comment According to, this is because system apps or Google apps can access the VOICE_CALL audio source on Android phones.