How To Record a Skype Call on Windows and Mac

Skype is a popular software that allows you to make video calls, voice calls, and send instant messages anywhere in the world. People use Skype for personal and business purposes, and you can access it on your desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

One of the useful features that Skype offers is the ability to record your calls. This can be handy for keeping track of meeting minutes, ensuring accurate interviews, or simply saving conversations with loved ones. In this article, I will show you how to record Skype calls on both Windows and Mac.

The Official Method

Skype has made it easy to record calls directly within the program itself, eliminating the need for third-party services. This method is convenient and transparent since Skype will notify the other person on the call that the recording is in progress. Let’s explore the key features of in-app Skype recording before diving into the process.

Key Features

Before we get into the steps, let’s go over the key features of Skype’s in-app call recording:

• Call recording is available for Skype to Skype calls only.
• All participants in the call will be notified when the recording starts.
• If you share your desktop screen during the call, it will be included in the recording.
• The maximum call duration for recording is 24 hours.
• Once the recording is stopped, or if you end the call or leave the conversation, the recording will be automatically saved.
• The recording will be available in your chat for 30 days.

How to Record a Skype Call on your Desktop

Follow these steps to record a Skype call on your desktop:

1. During a video or voice call, click the three-dot button.
2. Select Start Recording.
3. A message will appear in your call indicating that the call is being recorded.
4. At the end of the call, the recording will be saved in your chat and can be downloaded within 30 days.

How to Save a Skype Call Recording on your Desktop

Here’s how you can save a Skype call recording on your desktop:

1. Open the chat where the recording is posted and click More Options.
2. Download and save the file by selecting Save to Downloads. Save it as an MP4 file.

If you prefer to use the official method, it’s there for you. However, if you’re interested in exploring other programs available for Windows and Mac, continue reading our guide below.

Recording a Skype call in Windows

To record a Skype call in Windows, you can use an app called Pamela. It’s a powerful tool with a free and premium version that can record calls, chats, videos, schedule calls, provide an answerphone service, forward emails and messages, and more. It’s a neat program that works well.

The user interface is similar to Skype, so you’ll quickly find your way around the options and settings. Pamela can manage recordings, store chat history, and add media to podcast files. It also offers convenient features like email forwarding, auto chat reply, Skype call scheduler, birthday reminders, and more.

The only requirement for using Pamela is having the desktop version of Skype for Windows, which you can download if you don’t already have it.

Here’s how you can record Skype calls on your desktop:

1. First, download and install Skype for desktop.
2. Next, install Pamela. The premium version is available for download, but you can also get the free version by clicking on the text link below. The free version gives you 15 minutes of recording time, which should suffice for now.
3. Before opening Skype, open Pamela. Once you open Skype, you should see a window in Skype confirming that it is compatible with third-party apps. This means that Pamela and Skype are now connected.
4. When you make a video or audio call, Pamela will automatically ask if you want to record it.
5. Use the buttons in the menu bar to start recording your call.

Pamela offers more than just basic call recording. You can add notes to your recorded calls and even incorporate sound effects if desired. It also functions as a Dictaphone, which is great for those who like taking notes compulsively. By clicking on the microphone icon in Pamela, a recording window will appear where you can record your own thoughts or capture video from your webcam to your liking.

Although there are other apps available for recording Skype calls on Windows, Pamela outperforms them. While the initial free 15 minutes may not be enough, it will give you a good idea of whether you like the app or not. If you find it worthwhile, you can unlock its full potential by purchasing the premium version for $25. Alternatively, you can try the premium version free for 30 days to see if it suits your needs better.

Now, let’s move on to recording Skype calls on a Mac using macOS:

Recording a Skype call in Mac OS X

If you’re using a Mac, similar to Windows, you have a few options for recording Skype calls using third-party apps. My personal recommendation is Ecamm Call Recorder. It is a paid app, but you can take advantage of its 7-day free trial to record as much as you like before deciding whether to purchase it for $29.95.

While Quicktime allows you to record your side of the conversation through screen recording, it does not have the capability to record the other side. For that, you will need a third-party tool like Ecamm Call Recorder. It is easy to use, has a user-friendly interface, and even offers an extension (for a fee) that allows you to record FaceTime conversations as well.

I’m going to walk you through the process of downloading and installing Ecamm Call Recorder. Don’t worry, you can start with the free trial and decide later if you want to buy it.

First, download and install Ecamm Call Recorder. You can try it out for free at first. If you like it, you can always purchase it later on.

Next, open Skype as usual, and you’ll notice an extra window that opens alongside the main app. This window is the call recorder.

To start recording your call, simply press the red button in the app. You’ll be able to see the audio levels in a small window, which will show you how clear the recording is.

After you’ve finished the call, open the recording file using the Ecamm Movie Tools app that comes with it.

The Ecamm Movie Tools app offers various features. You can balance the audio, display both sides of a video conversation (or not), and export the file in different formats. If you prefer, you can also share the recording on YouTube or export it to iMovie. During the free trial, your file will have a watermark. However, if you decide to purchase the app, future files won’t have that watermark.

Additionally, within Skype, you’ll find a new menu option called Recording. In this menu, you can adjust the audio and video quality, format, image size, and other settings for each recording. It provides everything you’ll need while using the app.

There are also other Skype recording tools available for Mac, such as IMcapture, WireTap Studio, Call Recorder for Skype for Mac, and CallNote for Mac OS X. If you don’t like the look and feel of Ecamm, you might want to give these alternatives a try.

Now, let’s talk about the legal aspects of recording calls. It’s important to consider the legal implications before recording any conversation or video. I won’t be discussing those details here, but make sure to research and understand the legalities. Keep in mind that the other party involved in the call won’t be able to see the actual recording in either of these apps. Therefore, it’s crucial to notify them or seek expert legal advice if you have any doubts.