ANDROID APP
Astra Recorder is an Android call recorder. It records your phone calls and voice memos, keeps them on your device, and lets you back them up to your own Google Drive if you choose to.
What Astra Recorder does
Astra Recorder runs quietly in the background and captures audio from your calls so you have a record of what was said. Recordings are saved to your phone as standard audio files. Nothing is uploaded anywhere unless you turn on cloud backup and sign in yourself.
Automatic call recording
Starts when a call connects and stops when it ends, without you having to remember to press anything.
Manual voice memos
A single button records the microphone whenever you want a note, separate from any call.
Searchable timeline
Every recording is listed with the number or contact name, date and length, and can be starred or annotated.
Your own Google Drive
Optional backup to a Drive folder that belongs to you. Off by default, and it never touches files the app did not create.
Include and exclude lists
Record only the numbers you name, or record everything except the numbers you name.
PIN protected
The recordings list can be locked behind a PIN so someone holding your phone cannot browse it.
An honest note about the other person’s voice
Android lets an ordinary app record microphone input, but direct access to a voice-call audio stream is reserved for privileged, pre-installed apps. On many phones, Astra Recorder can therefore capture the local microphone clearly while the other person’s voice is audible only when speakerphone lets the microphone hear it. Results vary by device, Android version, call type and manufacturer. The app does not claim to bypass Android’s platform controls.
Permissions and why each one is needed
| Permission | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Microphone | Capturing the call audio and voice memos. This is the core function of the app. |
| Phone state | Detecting when a call starts and ends so recording begins and stops at the right moment. |
| Call log | Attaching the correct phone number to a finished recording. Optional. |
| Contacts | Showing a contact name instead of a bare number. Optional, and matched on the device. |
| Notifications | Showing the ongoing notification Android requires while recording. |
| Nearby devices | Recording from a Bluetooth headset microphone when one is connected. Optional. |
Please check your local law
Recording a telephone call is regulated differently in different countries. Some places allow it when one participant consents, some require every participant to consent, and some restrict it further. Astra Recorder is a tool; how you use it is your responsibility. Please make sure you understand the rules that apply where you are, and tell the other person when the law requires it.
Requirements
- Android 8.0 (Oreo) or newer
- Around 30 MB of free space, plus room for your recordings
- A Google account only if you want Drive backup
Privacy
Recordings stay on your device. They are only sent anywhere if you switch on cloud backup and sign in with your own account. The full detail is set out in the Astra Recorder privacy policy.
Platform and policy references
- Android Developers: sharing audio input explains which apps can capture voice-call audio.
- Google Play: SMS and Call Log permission policy explains when sensitive call-log access is permitted.
- Google Play: prominent disclosure and consent describes disclosure requirements for personal and sensitive data.
Last technically reviewed: 12 August 2026.
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