According to reports, Google is clamping down on third-party call recording apps for Android devices. As of May 11, third-party apps will no longer be able to offer the call recording ability. One such change has been made to the Google Play Store, one of which aims to eliminate call recording apps on Android. Due to the new policy, apps on the Play Store are no longer allowed to use the Accessibility API for call recording.
It further indicates that Android smartphone users who don’t have a built-in call recorder will be unable to record calls from May 11, 2022. Nevertheless, the new policy changes, first discovered by Reddit user NLL Apps, only apply to third-party call recording apps.
The native call recording function will continue to function normally. So, if a user’s smartphone has a built-in call recording feature, he or she can keep using it. This means they can record phone calls, but not with a third-party app. Call recording is supported by Mi, some Samsung, and Google Pixel phones. Since system apps are pre-installed on the device, they can procure any permission.
For quite some time, Google has been working to prevent call recording on Android devices. It limited access to real-time call recording on Android 6 and then further severely limited call recording over the microphone on Android 10. Nevertheless, call recording apps began using the Accessibility Facility to record calls on Android 10 or later versions. In its developer seminar, Google furthermore made clear the policy changes.
Speaking on the update, The presenter explained in the developer webinar discussing the Google Play Policy Updates, that,
If the app is the default dialer on the phone and also pre-loaded, accessibility capability is is not required to get access to the incoming audio stream, and hence, will not be in violation.