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How to record audio on an Android using a built-in app on your device

Written by Steven John
2020-04-02T19:45:00Z
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Samsung Galaxy Note 10
You can use a built-in app on most Androids to record audio on your phone. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

  • You can record audio on Android using an easy-to-use built-in audio recording app on most devices, though the exact app tends to differ device to device.
  • You can download any number of third-party audio recording apps from the Google Play Store, and many offer more advanced features than the native app that came with your phone.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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In my adult years, my handwriting has gotten steadily worse, so I almost exclusively always turn to my computer and phone for all my writing beyond grocery lists and quick notes for my wife or kids.

With my ever sloppier, weaker writing has come a dependence on my phone's voice recorder app, which I use to conduct interviews, make notes for upcoming stories, record calls and meetings, and so on. 

If you have an Android phone, there's an audio recorder app built-in to your phone that's easy to use and will capture decent quality sound. 

Your app may differ slightly from the one found on my Samsung Galaxy J8, but chances are these simple steps to finding and using it will still work fine.

Here's how to record audio using the built-in Recorder app on your Android phone.

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How to record audio on your Android

1. Open the App Drawer by swiping up from the bottom of your screen.

2. If you don't immediately see the Voice Recorder app, you may need to open a folder that will likely have the phone's name as its label (Samsung, e.g.). Do so, then tap the Voice Recorder app.

How to record audio on Android
Open the Voice Recorder app. Steven John/Business Insider

3. Tap the red circle to start recording and the pause icon that replaces it to pause.

How to record audio on Android
Start recording. Steven John/Business Insider

4. Hit the gray square to stop the recording session, name and save the recording, and move to a list of saved recordings, which can also be accessed by tapping the word "LIST" at the top-right corner.

If you are not happy with the built-in audio recorder app, launch the Google Play Store to install one of the many recording apps available. 

A great choice is Smart Recorder, which is simple to use and has an option to automatically pause recording during silent moments.

 

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<span><span>Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at <a href="http://www.stevenjohnbooks.com/">www.stevenjohnbooks.com</a>.</span></span>
Steven John
Freelance Writer
Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.

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