How to Record Meetings While Using AirPods?

We take meetings and calls everywhere now—on walks, in cafés, at airport gates. AirPods have made it easy to talk hands-free, but recording those conversations? Still weirdly hard.

If you've ever tried to record a call or voice note while using AirPods, you've probably run into a frustrating truth: most tools just don't work the way you'd expect.

So, why is it so difficult—and what actually works? Let's break it down.

The Problem: Recording While Using AirPods Isn't Simple

Here's a typical scenario:

• You're in a café, taking a Zoom meeting.
• Your AirPods are in, the conversation is flowing.
• You want to record the call—just in case you miss something important.

Naturally, you open the Voice Memos app.

And then… nothing. It stops recording.

That's because iPhones don't allow recording during calls through native apps. And even if you're not on a call, the recording might default to your iPhone's mic instead of your AirPods—especially if you're switching between apps or multitasking.

It's a limitation you don't realize until it's too late.

And you really don't want to embarrass the team by asking the host to authorize recording for you. "Hmm... Social pressure..."

Common Workarounds (and Why They Fall Short)

Here's what most people try:

• Voice Memos (iOS): Great for solo notes—but doesn't support call recording at all.
• Otter.ai or Notta: These offer transcription, but Bluetooth mic support is inconsistent, especially on iPhone.
• Recording apps from the App Store: Often either too complex or not reliable with AirPods.

Most of these tools work in theory—but not in the messy, mobile reality of real-world work.

Real-Life Moments When This Matters

This isn't just about tech. It's about focus.

When you're in the middle of a conversation—on a walk, during travel, or in a noisy public space—you want to:

• Stay present, not scramble to take notes.
• Record discreetly, without holding your phone up or typing mid-sentence.
• Know it's working, without fiddling with settings.

The ideal solution would let you talk naturally with your AirPods in, and capture everything clearly—even in motion.

A Better Option: AI Voice Recorders

Recently, a few new tools have started to tackle this problem more directly. One of them is a pair of compact, AI-powered voice recorders called HiDock P1 & P1 mini.

These aren't apps—they're dedicated voice recorders that are designed to work seamlessly with Bluetooth earphones like AirPods.

What makes them different?

 

What HiDock Devices Do Well

HiDock P1 & P1 mini are portable devices built for people who take calls and meetings on the go. Here's how they handle the AirPods recording issue:

✅ BlueCatch™️ Support: They connect directly to your AirPods and actually use the earbud microphone for recording.

✅ Multiple Modes:

• Call Mode: For phone calls and Zoom conversations.
• Room Mode: For in-person meetings or group discussions.
• Whisper Mode: Let you speak quietly into your AirPods in public spaces.

✅ Automatic Transcription + Summaries: Paired with the HiNotes app, you get transcription, speaker identification, and meeting summaries without extra work.

✅ Privacy-Friendly: You don't have to upload anything to the cloud unless you choose to.

The setup is simple: pair your AirPods, press record, talk, and everything gets saved, and transcribed automatically or manually. And here is a setup demo:

So, Is It Worth It?

If you often:

• Take meetings while walking or traveling,
• Hate typing notes mid-call,
• Or just want a simpler, more personal way to capture conversations—

Then yeah, having a tool like this can make a real difference.

It won't replace all your voice apps. But it solves a very specific (and very annoying) gap that standard apps and phones don't handle well — recording while using Bluetooth earbuds.

And in that space, HiDock's approach is refreshingly practical.

Final Thoughts

We live in a world where work happens anywhere. Whether you're commuting, traveling, or working from a coffee shop, being able to record clearly—without pulling out your phone or breaking your flow—should be easy.

Until now, it hasn't been.

But with tools like the HiDock P1 and P1 mini, it finally feels like someone is solving for the way we actually work and move.

Thanks for reading.

If you've run into this issue yourself, or have other tools you use to record on the go, I'd love to hear about them and welcome to share to support@hidock.com.