App for journalists: Yallo, for recorded phone calls

What is it: An app that enables users to record calls and email the recordings, as well as make calls over w-ifi in areas with poor cellular reception

Devices: Android, with an iOS version coming soon

Cost: Free to download, and comes with $3 call credit and free Yallo-to-Yallo calls and recordings. However, call credit is needed for calls to non-Yallo numbers

How is it of use to journalists?

Recording phone interviews from a mobile device can be a headache, especially on Android, where the large number of devices that use the operating system makes it difficult to find an app that will work no matter what.

Yallo functions in a similar way to Skype, but with an option for recording calls built into the app. This addition means you can easily record interviews from your Android device.

Before recording a call, make sure you ask for permission from the person you are speaking to, and check the law in your country or state, as regulations around call recordings vary internationally.

With Yallo, you have the choice of enabling the automatic recording of all outgoing calls or only recording select calls by tapping the record button on the call screen.

To use Yallo, you need to set up an account with a connected email address, mobile number and of course, a password. Recordings you make in the app can then be emailed to the address you have linked to your account.

Tap on the play button next to each recorded call in your call history to play, email or delete the recording. Recordings you share via email aren't shared as attachment however, but as a URL, and Yallo explains its legal position on the website.

Yallo-to-Yallo calls are free to make, but calls to contacts who don't use Yallo require credits. You can claim a free allowance of $3 when you register, and that should cover about an hour's worth of calls to a national number, according to our tests.

You can access your recordings inside the Yallo app on the call history page and in your email inbox. To record incoming calls, you need to activate an option called Go-Yallo, which will forward your calls to the app.


Left: calling from Yallo, right: Go-Yallo features. Screenshot from Yallo app.

Go-Yallo can also be used abroad to receive calls over a data connection or wi-fi, which can enable you to switch devices if your usual smartphone has run out of battery.

Logging in to Yallo from any other phone means your contacts can still reach you at your usual number, a handy addition for journalists travelling abroad to cover stories.

Unfortunately, Go-Yallo is only available in the US, UK and Israel at the moment, but the team is working on making this feature an option in more countries.

To activate or deactivate Go-Yallo or buy additional call credits, use the "more" tab – the option on the right-hand upper corner of your screen.

That's where most Yallo settings can be found, including a Yallo help centre to chat to the team if you have any questions or concerns about costs and features.

There are additional options for recording calls on Android, such as Automatic Call Recorder which we have covered previously, and it's always worthwhile to look around the Google Play store to find the best solution that works for you.

Don't forget to test each app extensively before relying on it to record an important call.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).