Record a FaceTime Call, Get the Transcript and Notes
FaceTime does not let another app tap into the call, so ScreenApp does not connect to FaceTime directly. What works instead: on a Mac, record the FaceTime window with system audio, using the screen, window, browser tab, microphone and camera, with system audio; on an iPhone or iPad, put the call on speaker and record it with the mobile app’s microphone. Either way you end up with a recording you can upload if you made it with another tool.
FaceTime is a trademark of Apple Inc. ScreenApp is not affiliated with Apple.
13,333 calls were recorded and summarized on ScreenApp in the last 90 days, across sales, support, and client conversations. Reading the transcript and the notes instead of the recording turns a long FaceTime conversation into a short read.
What you get with every recording:
- A transcript with speaker identification and timestamps, in 100+ languages
- AI notes: a summary plus action items with an owner and deadline, and decisions listed separately
- search across recordings by name or transcript
- AI chat with any recording, so you can ask a follow-up question about what was said
- Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT
- Free plan: 2 transcriptions of recordings up to 45 minutes each, with AI chat
Recordings are stored in your account and open on any device where you sign in.
How to Record a FaceTime Call
- Pick your device: on a Mac, open the ScreenApp desktop app or the Chrome extension and choose the FaceTime window as the recording source, with system audio on. On an iPhone or iPad, open the ScreenApp mobile app, put the FaceTime call on speaker, and start recording.
- Record: let it run for the length of the call. If you already recorded a FaceTime call another way, such as with your Mac’s own screen recorder, upload that file instead.
- Read the transcript: transcription and AI notes are ready a few minutes after you stop. Search the transcript, jump to a timestamp, or ask a question about the call.
Accuracy depends on the audio. A Mac recording with system audio enabled gives a cleaner transcript than a phone on speaker in a noisy room. See how we measure accuracy.
FaceTime Call Recorder vs Other Apps
| Feature | ScreenApp | Otter.ai | Rev Voice Recorder | TapeACall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 2 transcriptions, up to 45 min each | 300 min/month, 30 min per conversation | Recording free, transcription billed per minute | Not stated |
| AI transcription | Included | Included, within the minute cap | $25.49/mo (AI, billed annually), $1.99/min (human) | Not stated |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android apps | Mobile app | Not stated | iOS app |
| Paid plan | $19/month annual | $8.33/month billed annually, or $16.99 monthly annual | $25.49/month annual | Not stated |
Sources, checked 2026-10-01: ScreenApp pricing, otter.ai/pricing, rev.com/pricing, ScreenApp mobile apps
- vs Otter.ai: Otter does not connect to FaceTime either. Its free plan caps you at 300 minutes a month and 30 minutes per conversation, and Pro is $8.33 a month billed annually, or $16.99 monthly.
- vs Rev Voice Recorder: Rev’s recorder is free but AI transcription is billed by subscription starting at $25.49 a month (billed annually), so a run of FaceTime calls adds up. ScreenApp’s plans include transcription and AI notes.
- vs TapeACall: TapeACall records an actual phone call by merging it into a conference line; it does not record FaceTime. TapeACall does not publish pricing or a free tier on its own site. ScreenApp records a Mac’s FaceTime window with system audio, or a call on speaker through the mobile app, with transcription included from the free plan.
Who Records FaceTime Calls
Families record calls with grandparents, relatives, and loved ones who live far away, then keep the transcript as a record of what was said.
Freelancers and consultants record a client call taken on FaceTime, then read the transcript to check what was agreed instead of relying on memory.
Remote workers use FaceTime for a quick one-to-one and record it the same way they would a Zoom call, so the notes end up in the same library as their other meetings.
Researchers and journalists record an interview taken on FaceTime by putting the call on speaker or recording the Mac’s screen, then work from the transcript instead of relistening for a quote.
Tutors and educators record a one-on-one FaceTime session and share the transcript with a student who wants to review what was covered.
