cordova-plugin-callrecorder

⚠️ RESTRICTED USE — APPROVAL REQUIRED

You are NOT allowed to use this plugin until you have received written approval via email from MGTECH LABS PRIVATE LIMITED.

To request approval, contact us at: [email protected]

Website: www.kalamacademy.org

Automatic call recording for Android apps built with Cordova or VoltBuilder.

Records both regular phone calls and VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Discord) — without root, without a system app.

What it supports

| Feature | Status | |---|---| | Regular phone calls | ✅ | | WhatsApp voice calls | ✅ | | Signal, Telegram calls | ✅ | | Zoom, Google Meet, Skype | ✅ | | Keep recording when screen is locked | ✅ | | Survive phone reboot | ✅ | | Android 9 to 14 (API 24–35) | ✅ | | No root required | ✅ |

How it works (simple explanation)

Normally Android blocks apps from recording calls. This plugin gets around that using two tricks:

1. AccessibilityService — Android's built-in tool for apps that need to "see" the screen (used by screen readers). We use it to detect when a call screen opens, then start recording.
2. PhoneStateListener — Listens for when a call connects/disconnects to start and stop recording automatically.

The user has to manually enable Accessibility permission once (just like enabling a screen reader). After that, everything is automatic.

Quick install (3 steps)

Step 1 — Add the plugin

From NPM (once published):

cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-callrecorder

From local folder (for testing):

cordova plugin add ./path/to/cordova-plugin-callrecorder

Step 2 — Add this to your config.xml

<preference name="android-targetSdkVersion" value="35" />
<preference name="android-minSdkVersion" value="24" />
<preference name="AndroidXEnabled" value="true" />

Step 3 — Call these 3 functions in your app on first launch

// Step 1: Ask for microphone + phone state permissions
CallRecorder.requestPermissions(
  function() { console.log('Permissions granted'); },
  function(err) { console.error('Permission denied:', err); }
);

// Step 2: Check if accessibility is on, if not, open settings
CallRecorder.isAccessibilityEnabled(
  function(enabled) {
    if (!enabled) {
      // This opens Android Settings so the user can turn it on
      CallRecorder.openAccessibilitySettings();
    }
  }
);

// Step 3 (optional but recommended): Protect app from uninstall
CallRecorder.activateDeviceAdmin(
  function() { console.log('App protected from uninstall'); },
  function(err) { console.warn('Device admin skipped:', err); }
);

That's it. After these 3 steps, call recording starts automatically. You don't need to do anything else per-call.

Full JavaScript API

All methods use callbacks: success(result) and error(message).

// ── Setup ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

// Request RECORD_AUDIO + READ_PHONE_STATE permissions
CallRecorder.requestPermissions(success, error);

// Returns 1 (enabled) or 0 (disabled)
CallRecorder.isAccessibilityEnabled(success, error);

// Opens Android Accessibility Settings page
CallRecorder.openAccessibilitySettings(success, error);

// Opens Device Admin activation dialog (prevents uninstall)
CallRecorder.activateDeviceAdmin(success, error);

// Returns 1 (active) or 0 (not active)
CallRecorder.isDeviceAdminActive(success, error);

// Returns 1 (granted) or 0 (denied)
CallRecorder.hasRecordPermission(success, error);


// ── Recordings ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

// Returns array of recording objects: [{name, path, size, date}, ...]
CallRecorder.getRecordings(success, error);

// Delete a recording by its path
CallRecorder.deleteRecording(filePath, success, error);

// Open a recording in the phone's audio player
CallRecorder.playRecording(filePath, success, error);


// ── Info ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

// Returns {manufacturer, model, sdkInt, androidVersion}
CallRecorder.getDeviceInfo(success, error);

Integrating into an existing CRM app

If you already have a Cordova CRM app that needs call recording, here is exactly what to add:

1. Add the plugin

cd your-crm-app
cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-callrecorder

2. In your app's config.xml, make sure these exist:

<preference name="android-minSdkVersion" value="24" />
<preference name="android-targetSdkVersion" value="35" />
<preference name="AndroidXEnabled" value="true" />

3. In your main index.html or app startup code, add inside deviceready:

document.addEventListener('deviceready', function () {

  // --- One-time setup check ---
  CallRecorder.hasRecordPermission(function(granted) {
    if (!granted) {
      CallRecorder.requestPermissions(null, null);
    }
  });

  CallRecorder.isAccessibilityEnabled(function(enabled) {
    if (!enabled) {
      alert('Please enable "Call Recorder" in Accessibility Settings to start recording calls.');
      CallRecorder.openAccessibilitySettings();
    }
  });

}, false);

4. To show recordings in your CRM's call history:

CallRecorder.getRecordings(function(result) {
  // result is either an array or a JSON string
  var recordings = Array.isArray(result) ? result : JSON.parse(result);

  recordings.forEach(function(rec) {
    console.log('Recording:', rec.name);
    console.log('Size:', rec.size, 'bytes');
    console.log('Date:', rec.date);
    console.log('Path:', rec.path);
  });
}, function(err) {
  console.error('Could not get recordings:', err);
});

File structure of the plugin

cordova-plugin-callrecorder/
│
├── plugin.xml                          ← Tells Cordova what to install
├── package.json                        ← NPM metadata
├── README.md                           ← This file
│
├── www/
│   └── callrecorder.js                 ← JavaScript API (what you call in your app)
│
└── src/android/                        ← Android Java code (hidden from developer)
    ├── CallRecorderPlugin.java         ← Bridge between JS and Android
    ├── AccessibilityRecorderService.java ← Detects call screens, records audio
    ├── MonitorService.java             ← Heartbeat: keeps recording running
    ├── BootReceiver.java               ← Restarts services after phone reboot
    ├── AppDeviceAdminReceiver.java     ← Prevents accidental uninstall
    └── RecordingFileProvider.java      ← Handles secure file sharing

As a developer using this plugin, you only need to know about callrecorder.js. Everything in src/android/ runs automatically.

Where recordings are saved

Recordings are saved inside the app's private storage:

/data/user/0/YOUR_APP_PACKAGE/files/CallRecordings/Call_YYYYMMDD_HHmmss.m4a

They are not visible in the phone's file manager (this is intentional for privacy).

To access them, use CallRecorder.getRecordings() and CallRecorder.playRecording().

Permissions explained

The plugin adds these Android permissions automatically — you do not need to add them manually:

| Permission | Why needed | |---|---| | RECORD_AUDIO | To record the call audio | | READ_PHONE_STATE | To detect when a call starts/ends | | FOREGROUND_SERVICE | To keep recording running in background | | WAKE_LOCK | To prevent screen turning off mid-call | | RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED | To restart services after phone reboot | | BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE | To detect VoIP call screens |

VoIP apps supported

These apps are hard-coded to trigger recording when their call screen opens:

• WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business
• Signal
• Telegram and Telegram X
• Google Meet
• Zoom
• Skype
• Discord

Troubleshooting

Recording is silent / file is 0 bytes: Make sure RECORD_AUDIO is granted AND Accessibility is enabled.

"tile memory exceeded" warning in logs: Harmless WebView warning. Does not affect recording.

App crashes on first open: This was a known bug (FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE required before permissions granted). Fixed in v1.0.0 by using dataSync type for MonitorService.

Call is not recorded:

1. Check Accessibility is enabled (green in app UI)
2. Check microphone permission is granted
3. Some Android 14 devices restrict VOICE_RECOGNITION audio source — try on a different device

License

Proprietary — All Rights Reserved

This plugin is the intellectual property of MGTECH LABS PRIVATE LIMITED.

• You may NOT use, copy, modify, or distribute this plugin without prior written approval.
• To request a usage license, email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kalamacademy.org

© 2026 MGTECH LABS PRIVATE LIMITED. All rights reserved.