Recording a Discord call lets you save a voice conversation for later reference, a podcast, or a meeting log. This guide covers the built-in options and the most reliable third-party tools for both desktop and mobile, with clear steps for each.
What You’ll Need
- A Discord account (free or paid) and the app installed on your device.
- Permission from everyone in the call before recording—it’s both polite and legally required in many places.
- For desktop: a recording tool like OBS Studio (free) or a dedicated Discord bot like Craig (free).
- For mobile: a screen recorder built into your phone or a third-party app.
Step-by-Step
Method 1: Using a Bot (Best for Server Calls)
- Invite a recording bot like Craig to your server. Go to the bot’s website, click “Invite to Discord,” and select your server.
- Authorize the bot with the permissions it requests (usually “Send Messages” and “Connect” to voice channels).
- Join the voice channel where the call will happen.
- Type
!joinin any text channel the bot can see. The bot will join the same voice channel. - When the call starts, type
!recordto begin recording. - When the call ends, type
!stop(or!leave). The bot will stop and upload the audio file to the text channel. - Download the file from the channel. It’s typically in .opus or .wav format.
Method 2: Using OBS Studio (Desktop, Records Your Audio + Screen)
- Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Open OBS. In the “Sources” box, click the + button and choose “Audio Output Capture” (to record system audio) and “Audio Input Capture” (to record your microphone).
- If you want to record video of the call, add a “Display Capture” or “Window Capture” source for the Discord window.
- In OBS Settings > Output, choose a recording format (MP4 or MKV) and a quality preset (e.g., “High”).
- Click “Start Recording” before the call begins.
- After the call, click “Stop Recording.” The file is saved to your default video folder.
Method 3: Using a Screen Recorder on Mobile
- On iPhone: Open Control Center, tap the screen recording button (a circle inside a ring). If it’s not there, add it in Settings > Control Center.
- On Android: Swipe down to open Quick Settings and tap “Screen recorder” (the icon varies by phone). If missing, find it in Settings > Advanced features > Screen recorder.
- Before starting the recording, make sure your microphone is enabled in the recorder’s settings (usually a toggle for “Mic” or “Audio”).
- Start the screen recording, then open Discord and join the call. The recorder will capture both your voice and the voices of others.
- Stop the recording when the call ends. The video file will be in your gallery or files app.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to enable microphone audio on mobile screen recorders—you’ll get a silent video.
- Using a bot without the right permissions, so it can’t join the voice channel.
- Not testing the recording setup before an important call.
- Recording without consent, which can violate laws or Discord’s terms.
Tips
- Always test your setup with a friend before recording something important.
- Use a separate audio track in OBS for your mic and system audio to edit later.
- For high-quality audio, use a dedicated microphone and encourage others to do the same.
- Keep recordings organized—name files with the date and topic.
- If using a bot, check its retention policy; some delete files after a few days.
Troubleshooting
- No audio in the recording: Check that the correct audio devices are selected in OBS or that the screen recorder has mic access. On mobile, ensure the mic is not muted in the recorder settings.
- Bot doesn’t join the voice channel: Make sure the bot has the “Connect” permission and that you typed
!joinin a channel the bot can read. Try kicking and re-inviting the bot. - Recording is choppy or laggy: Close other apps, reduce the recording quality in OBS, or use a wired internet connection.
- File is too large: Use a compressed format like MP3 (via a converter) or lower the bitrate in OBS settings.
- Can’t hear others but can hear yourself: In OBS, ensure “Audio Output Capture” is set to the correct device (speakers/headphones). On mobile, check that the screen recorder is capturing internal audio (some Android phones require a separate setting).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to record Discord calls?
It depends on your location. Many places require consent from all parties. Always inform participants and get permission before recording.
Does Discord have a built-in recording feature?
No, Discord does not have a native call recording feature as of now. You need to use a bot or third-party software.
Can I record a Discord call without a bot?
Yes, you can use OBS Studio on PC or a screen recorder on mobile to capture the call’s audio and video.
How do I record only audio, not video?
In OBS, you can disable the video capture source and only keep audio sources. On mobile, some screen recorders allow you to turn off video, but most record video; you can convert the file to audio later.
What is the best free option?
OBS Studio is the most reliable free desktop option. For server calls, Craig is a free bot that records high-quality audio.
Can I record a DM call?
Yes, you can use OBS or a screen recorder, but bots like Craig only work in servers. For DM calls, OBS is the simplest method.
Related
General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.
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