How to Record Audio From a Phone on a Mac With Bluetooth
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Connecting a Bluetooth cell phone to your Mac computer not only gives you the ability to make calls from your Mac, it also offers you a way to record those calls if needed. As of February 2014, there is no single app that can do both, so you need two apps. One app, like Dialogue or Connect, is used to make calls on your Mac while connected to any Bluetooth cell phone. A second app, Audio Hijack Pro, can then record those calls. These apps work whether you are using a headset or your Mac's built-in speakers and microphone.
1 Connecting a Bluetooth Phone
2 Download and install an app
Download and install an app like Dialogue or Connect (see Resources) that can connect your Mac computer to a Bluetooth-enabled phone. Download and install Audio Hijack Pro Test Drive, which can record Bluetooth voice calls from your cell phone on Mac OS X.
3 Activate your phone's Bluetooth
Activate your phone's Bluetooth. This varies depending on what phone you have. On an Apple iPhone, for example, launch "Settings" and select "Bluetooth."
4 Turn on your Mac's Bluetooth
Turn on your Mac's Bluetooth by clicking the "Bluetooth" icon on the right side of the top of the screen. If the icon isn't there, select "System Preferences" from the Apple menu, click "View" and then click "Bluetooth." Select “Set Up New Device” if you haven't paired the phone with your Mac before and follow the onscreen instructions. If you have paired the phone with your Mac, simply select the phone from the list of available devices.
5 Launch either Connect or Dialogue
Launch either Connect or Dialogue as well as Audio Hijack Pro Test Drive. Wait a few moments for the software to recognize your phone.
6 Call someone
Call someone you know well to test the software. To call someone with either Dialogue or Connect, type a name in the "Search" field to access your Mac's Contacts app, or use the keypad on the screen to dial the number directly. If someone calls you on your phone, a dialog box appears on the Mac's screen with an answer button.
7 Click the Record button on Dialog or your calling app
Click the "Record" button on Dialog or your calling app after the call has connected. Click "End Call" to disconnect the call.
- The Dialogue app had a recording option, however developers removed this due to technical glitches with OS X Mavericks. It may be restored in future updates.
- Information in this article applies to OS X Mavericks. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
- Calling apps on a Mac computer can't access your cell phone's contact list. You may be able to sync the phone's contacts with your Mac using a service like iCloud.
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