Told Together

How do I record a conversation?

You can record a phone call or an in-person conversation.

Recording a phone call

1. Set up a video call (recommended)

We record the call for you. There is nothing to save or upload.

  1. Navigate to the Set up a call page.
  2. Enter both email addresses and send the link.
  3. At the time you agreed, you both open the link and talk. It works in the browser on a phone or computer. Your family member does not need an account or an app.
  4. When you hang up, we write the story and email you when it is ready.

2. Speakerphone + a second device

Call the way you always do, and let a second device listen.

  1. Call your family member and put the phone on speaker.
  2. On a second device, do one of these:
    • Open the Record page on Told Together and press record. Nothing to upload afterwards.
    • Or open Voice Memos (or any recording app) and press record.
  3. Keep both devices close, in a quiet room.
  4. If you used Voice Memos: when the call ends, tap the recording, tap ···, then Save to Files. Upload the file to Told Together.

Voice Memos cannot record on the same iPhone that is on the call. It has to be a second device.

3. Your phone’s built-in call recording

Many phones can record a call for you. Both of you will hear a message that the call is being recorded.

On an iPhone

  1. During the call, tap the record button on the call screen.
  2. After the call, open the Notes app and find the recording in the Call Recordings folder.
  3. Tap ··· on the recording, then Save Audio to Files.
  4. Upload the file to Told Together.

Works for phone calls and FaceTime audio calls. Not available on FaceTime video calls, group calls, or in some countries.

On an Android phone

  1. During the call, tap Record on the call screen. On a Google Pixel, tap Call Assist, then Call Recording.
  2. After the call, open the Phone app and find the call in your recent calls.
  3. Play the recording, tap the share button, and save the file to your phone.
  4. Upload the file to Told Together.

Not every Android phone has call recording. It may not work on Wi-Fi calling, and it is not available in some countries.

Please run a backup alongside it. Some phones save an empty or incomplete file, and a recording can be lost if the call is deleted from your call history. For a conversation you cannot repeat, also record with a second device as described in option 2.

Recording in person

1. Your phone’s recorder app (recommended)

Best for long conversations, or when you have no signal. Record now and upload later.

On an iPhone

  1. Open Voice Memos and press record.
  2. When you are done, tap the recording, tap ···, then Save to Files.
  3. Upload the file to Told Together.

On an Android phone

  1. Open your phone’s recorder app and press record. It is called Recorder on a Google Pixel and Voice Recorder on a Samsung.
  2. When you are done, open the recording, tap the share button, and save the file to your phone.
  3. Upload the file to Told Together.

2. Record in Told Together

When you have a strong internet connection, you can record right in your browser. There is nothing to save or upload.

  1. Open the Record page on Told Together.
  2. Put your computer or phone between you and press record.
  3. Keep Told Together open on the screen while you talk.
  4. Press stop when you are done. We write the story and email you when it is ready.

For the best recording, sit in a quiet room and keep the phone close to the person telling the story. Let them know you are recording before you start.

More questions in the FAQ