Apple‘s latest iOS update, iOS 18, brings a surprising but welcome feature for iPhone users: built-in call recording with real-time transcription. Announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week, the new functionality promises to streamline call capture for journalists, business professionals, or anyone who needs to reference a conversation later.

There’s a key twist, however – transparency is built right in. Unlike some third-party recording apps, iOS 18 will automatically notify everyone on the call that it’s being recorded. This ensures everyone is aware of the situation and protects privacy.

So how will it work? Apple showcased a new recording option within the familiar Phone app. A simple tap activates recording, displaying a soundwave icon and elapsed recording time. Once the call ends, the recording seamlessly transfers to the Notes app, complete with a transcript generated by Apple’s new AI system, “Apple Intelligence.” This same AI can then be used to create summaries of the conversation within Notes.

It’s important to note that, for now, real-time transcription is limited to a select few languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, and Portuguese. Still, the ability to record calls directly within the iPhone, with clear notification to all participants, fills a gap for many users.

Call recording isn’t the only star of the iOS 18 show. Apple Intelligence itself was a major focus at WWDC, hinting at its broader integration within the iPhone ecosystem. Other exciting features on the horizon include customization options for the home screen, revamped Control Center functions, and even more nuanced ways to react to messages through the Tapback feature.