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With iOS 26, Apple has expanded its native call recording feature with transcripts, Live Translation, summaries and tighter integration with Notes. It’s a more polished and useful tool than before, especially if you rely on your iPhone for interviews, meetings or important conversations.

Call recording itself first arrived with iOS 18.1 in October 2024. The feature has always been region- and language-dependent, and that hasn’t changed. If it’s available where you live, you can capture calls directly from the Phone app without third-party apps or hardware. If it’s not, there are still alternative methods worth knowing about. Here’s how it works, plus what to do if the option isn’t available in your country.

How to check if call recording is available

First, confirm that the feature is supported in your region. Apple maintains a feature availability page that lists countries where call recording isn’t offered, including the European Union, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. If your country is on that list, you won’t see the option in the Phone app.

Before recording your phone call, you’ll need the consent of the person on the other end of the line. When you start recording, both parties hear an audio notice stating that the call is being recorded.

How to record a call on iPhone

Recording a call is straightforward:

Open the Phone app.

Start or answer a call.

During the call, tap the More button.

Select Call Recording.

The call continues as normal, but the iPhone automatically saves the audio once you hang up or tap Stop. You’ll find all recordings in iOS’ native Notes app, inside a folder called Call Recordings.

How to play back, manage and delete recordings

To listen back, open Notes, go to the Call Recordings folder, and tap the file you want. Tap Play to hear it.

From here, you can:

Search: Tap the More button and select Find in Transcript.

Copy: Tap the More button and select Add Transcript to Note or Copy Transcript.

Save: Tap the More button and select Save Audio Files, then select where you want to save recording (another folder or app).

Share: Tap the More button and select Share Audio, then select how you want to share the recording

Delete: Tap the More button and select Delete. This deletes the recording and any related transcript.

How to transcribe your calls

If your region and language are supported, iOS 26 also transcribes calls. Open a recording in Notes, then tap Show Transcript and Summary. Processing might take a few moments, but once it’s ready, you’ll see the conversation broken down by speaker. From there, you can search the text, copy it into another note or tap a line to jump to that part of the audio. Apple warns transcripts may not be flawless, so double check to make sure important details are correct.

Apple Intelligence summaries

With Apple Intelligence switched on, you’ll also get a generated summary of the call. This is handy if you only need the highlights — for example, the action items from a meeting or the main points of an interview. Summaries appear alongside the transcript in Notes.

How to turn off call recording

By default, call recording is enabled on supported devices. If you don’t want the option at all, navigate to Settings, select Apps, then Phone, tap Call Recording and toggle it off.

Alternatives if call recording isn’t available

If you’re in a region where the built-in feature doesn’t appear, or you’re running a previous version of iOS, there are still other ways to record calls.

In the US, federal law dictates one-party consent. This means you can record a phone call as long as you are actively participating in the conversation. However, it is important that you check state laws (in the US) or relevant laws in your country before recording a phone call. Note that these options don’t integrate with Apple Notes or Apple Intelligence, but they give you a backup if the official method isn’t supported where you live.

Rev Call Recorder (US only) is free to use on your iPhone. There are no in-app ads or time constraints, allowing you to record high-quality audio via the app.

Google Voice (US only) lets you record incoming calls via the app by pressing “4” on the keypad. The audio file appears in your Google Voice inbox afterward. The function is restricted to incoming calls, and features will depend on the account you have.

External recorders: You can connect a small recorder to your iPhone through USB-C or Lightning, or place a digital recorder next to your phone on speaker mode. This keeps everything offline, but audio quality can vary.

Speakerphone: If you have access to multiple devices, you can place your call on speakerphone and simultaneously use a separate device with the Voice Memos app open to record your call. While the sound quality is unlikely to be on par with other alternatives, it is a feasible option.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-record-a-phone-call-on-an-iphone-120058707.html?src=rss 

These are some recently released titles we think are worth adding to your reading list. Get lost in Bitter Karella’s splatterpunk, cosmic fever dream, Moonflow, and the new zombie apocalypse comic, Everything Dead & Dying.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-moonflow-and-everything-dead–dying-191722871.html?src=rss 

Escape from Tarkov players may finally get the chance to escape from the fictional war-torn city in northwest Russia, but it won’t be easy. During a live Q&A at Tokyo Game Show, Nikita Buyanov, the game’s director, told the audience that there will be four endings that players can achieve, which will be determined by the playthrough’s completion and progression. Buyanov added that the “best ending” will be “really hard” and “not everyone will escape from Tarkov.”

“I think it will be something around two percent of all of the player base,” Buyanov said of how many players the team expects to reach the toughest ending. “It will be really challenging, and you can treat it as an achievement of your life to finally escape from Tarkov.”

After being in beta for more than eight years, Escape from Tarkov is scheduled for a 1.0 release, along with its debut on Steam. Even after the November release, Buyanov said that the team still has a ton of content planned for the game’s future over the next five years. Much of the new content is still being kept under wraps, as is whether or not the developer plans to do another wipe before the official release that would reset player progression.

Buyanov said during the Q&A that there will be seasonal characters subject to typical wipes, along with a permanent main character that can retain progress indefinitely. As for whether the current state of the game will see another wipe before the November release, Buyanov posted on X that a decision hasn’t been made yet but that the team is leaning towards “probably no wipe.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/only-two-percent-of-escape-from-tarkov-players-may-get-to-see-its-best-ending-174416980.html?src=rss 

Google first teased some enticing upgrades for its Pixel Buds Pro 2 during the Made by Google event in August. More than a month later, Google is finally rolling out the update that makes its wireless earbuds earn the Pro label.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 now get an Adaptive Audio feature in the Active Noise Control section of the Pixel Buds app. This ANC mode automatically adjusts the volume depending on your surrounding environment, balancing between hearing your music or podcasts and the world around you. If you want to drown out the outside world a little more, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 now also have the Loud Noise Protection feature, which can detect and reduce any sudden loud noises, like a passing ambulance siren or construction work. While these two features are already found in Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, they’re a welcome addition to the more affordable Pixel Buds Pro 2.

For anyone who frequently uses Gemini Live, you’ll notice that the AI assistant will be able to hear you better in noisy environments thanks to advanced audio processing that prioritizes your voice and eliminates background noise. For a truly hands-free experience, the update even adds gesture controls that let Pixel Buds Pro 2 users nod their head to answer a call or start dictation for a text reply and shake their head to decline a call or dismiss a text. Google is rolling out its 4.467 update to its users gradually, which takes about 10 minutes to download and another 10 minutes to install.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/pixel-buds-pro-2-get-adaptive-audio-gesture-controls-and-more-in-latest-update-155116813.html?src=rss 

The National Labor Relations Board has withdrawn “many of the claims” it made against Apple in relation to the cases brought in 2021 by former employees Ashley Gjøvik and Cher Scarlett, according to Bloomberg. In particular, it dismissed an allegation that Apple CEO Tim Cook violated workers’ rights when he sent an all-staff email that year, which said “people who leak confidential information do not belong” in the company. Cook also said in the email that Apple was “doing everything in [its] power to identify those who leaked” information from an internal meeting the previous week, wherein management answered workers’ questions about pay equity and Texas’ anti-abortion law.

Apple didn’t “tolerate disclosures of confidential information, whether it’s product IP or the details of a confidential meeting,” Cook wrote. Gjøvik and Scarlett accused Apple of prohibiting wage discussion and preventing staff from talking to reporters. After an investigation, NLRB previously came to the conclusion that Cook’s email and Apple’s overall behavior were “interfering with, restraining and coercing employees in the exercise of their rights.” 

In addition dropping its claim that Cook violated workers’ rights, the labor board is also withdrawing its allegation that the firing of activist Janneke Parrish, one of the leaders of the #AppleToo movement, broke the law. It’s dismissing its previous allegations that Apple broke the law by imposing confidentiality rules and surveilling workers or making them think they were under surveillance, as well. 

Bloomberg says this is just one instance of the NLRB being more friendly to companies under President Trump. It’s not quite clear if the labor board has withdrawn all allegations against Apple related to the complaint or just some of them, but we’ve reached out for clarification. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/us-labor-board-drops-allegation-that-apples-ceo-violated-employees-rights-143053792.html?src=rss 

Setting your PlayStation 5 as your primary console ensures other users on that system can access your digital games and PlayStation Plus benefits. This includes offline access to your library and shared access for other local profiles on the same device.

This guide explains how to enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5, along with tips to manage your account and avoid common issues. After all, sharing is caring, and this can be a great way for your squad at home to experience a stack of games at no extra cost, while claiming all the trophies (and the glory) for their own profiles.

What Console Sharing and Offline Play do

Console Sharing and Offline Play is the PS5 equivalent of designating a “primary” console. When enabled on your PlayStation 5, it provides the following perks:

Any local user on that console can play games from your library.

Any local user can access your PlayStation Plus subscription benefits, including online multiplayer and game catalog access.

Local users can also play your digital games without an internet connection.

This feature is tied to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account and can only be active on one PS5 console at a time. Therefore, if you sign into a new console and activate this setting, it will be disabled on the previous system.

Before you begin

To set your PS5 as your home console, you need:

An active PlayStation Network account

A stable internet connection is required to enable the feature initially

Physical access to the console where you want to activate Console Sharing

You should also confirm that your account is the one used to purchase digital games or subscribe to PlayStation Plus. This ensures shared access will work correctly.

Step-by-step: How to set your PS5 as your home console

Follow these instructions to enable Console Sharing and Offline Play:

Sign in with your main account

Turn on your PlayStation 5 and log in to the PSN account that owns the games and subscription.

Go to Settings

From the Home screen, select the gear icon in the top-right corner to open the Settings menu.

Select Users and Accounts

Scroll down and open the “Users and Accounts” section.

Navigate to Other

In the left sidebar, scroll to and select “Other.”

Open Console Sharing and Offline Play

Choose the option labeled “Console Sharing and Offline Play.” This section controls access to your games and services.

Enable the feature

If the feature is currently disabled, select “Enable.” You will see a confirmation message that this PS5 is now your active console for sharing and offline access.

Once enabled, other user profiles on the console will be able to launch your digital games and use PlayStation Plus features. You will also retain access to your library even when disconnected from the internet.

How to check or disable Console Sharing

You can return to the same settings page to check if Console Sharing is active. If you see “Disable” as the available option, the feature is currently turned on for that console.

If you want to remove access or switch primary status to another console, select “Disable” to turn off Console Sharing on your current system. Then, repeat the setup steps on your new console.

Important limitations and rules

There are a few restrictions you should keep in mind:

Only one active console: You can only enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on one PS5 per account. Activating it on a second system will automatically deactivate it on the first. For example, if you enable it on your console at home and then go to a friend’s place and activate it on their PS5, it will deactivate the feature on your home console.

No remote deactivation option: Unlike previous console generations, you cannot deactivate this feature from a web browser. You must do it manually from the console or activate a new one.

Game sharing applies locally only: Console Sharing only applies to users on the same PS5. It does not let others on different consoles access your content, even if they are signed into your account elsewhere.

Network issues may affect access: While offline play is supported, some Digital Rights Management-protected (DRM) content may occasionally require a revalidation online. DRM is a form of access control technology that limits the copying, distribution and use of digital media to authorized users. So with this in mind, it’s a good idea to launch games at least once while connected to the internet after downloading.

Common scenarios

Sharing games with family

If multiple people use the same PS5, enabling Console Sharing allows each user to access the same game library without needing to purchase extra copies. Each person can have their own profile and saves while still playing the same titles, nipping any gaming-related arguments in the bud before they happen.

Playing offline

If your internet connection is unreliable or you plan to use your PS5 in a location without internet access, enabling this feature ensures your downloaded games and PS Plus benefits remain accessible.

Upgrading or replacing your console

If you purchase a new PS5 or switch devices, you will need to re-enable Console Sharing on the new console. However, make sure to disable this feature on the old system before selling or giving it away. If you forget to do this, it will remain active on your old console until you enable it on the new one.

What happens if you don’t enable Console Sharing

If Console Sharing is turned off:

Only the account that purchased the games will be able to launch them.

Other users on the same console will be blocked from opening digital games tied to your account.

PlayStation Plus features like online play and game catalog access will not be shared.

You may lose access to your games when offline.

Enabling Console Sharing ensures uninterrupted access for all users and prevents unexpected restrictions, especially during outages or while gaming away from home. It only takes a few minutes to set up, but it can save you plenty of headaches.

Setting your PS5 as your home console by enabling Console Sharing and Offline Play ensures that you and other users on the same system can access your digital library and PlayStation Plus features. It’s a one-time process that helps avoid re-downloads, account switching, or unnecessary duplicate purchases. While only one PS5 can be linked at a time, switching is easy through the system settings.

As long as you remember it only applies to one console at a time, Console Sharing and Offline Play can make your PS5 experience smoother for both you and anyone else using it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/how-to-set-your-ps5-as-your-home-console-120059735.html?src=rss 

Electronic Arts is close to reaching a $50 billion deal that will turn it into a privately held company, according to The Wall Street Journal. The video game company filed for an IPO way back in 1990 and has been public ever since, but now a group of investors are in talks with the company to take it private. Those investors reportedly include private equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, whose largest source of funding is also Saudi’s PIF. 

It’s worth noting that EA’s shares are already tied to major financial organizations, even though it’s publicly traded, with Saudi’s PIF owning almost 10 percent of the company. As Reuters notes, analysts believe Saudi is interested in buying out EA due to its annual release of popular sports titles, including Madden and NHL, which makes for predictable earnings. 

Saudi has made several major investments in the video gaming industry overall as part of its efforts to prepare for a post-oil economy. In addition to its investment in EA, it also purchased stakes in Take-Two Interactive, Activision Blizzard, Nintendo and the Embracer Group. In March, Pokémon Go maker Niantic sold its gaming division to a Saudi-owned company, as well. Unlike PIF and Kushner’s Affinity Partners, Silver Lake doesn’t have a huge stake in EA at the moment and doesn’t have notable gaming investments other than its stake in Unity. 

Bloomberg and The Financial Times report that the company could announce the buyout as soon as next week, but details could change since nothing has been finalized yet. If the $50 billion deal does push through, it’ll become the biggest leveraged buyout of all time. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ea-reportedly-plans-to-go-private-with-help-from-silver-lake-and-saudi-arabia-123011751.html?src=rss