BCR: A Basic Call Recorder for Rooted Android Devices

Introduction

BCR, or Basic Call Recorder, is an open-source application designed for Android devices that are rooted or running custom firmware. It provides a simple, reliable solution for automatically recording incoming and outgoing phone calls in the background. Developed in Kotlin and licensed under GPL-3.0, BCR focuses on core functionality, ensuring a lightweight and efficient experience without unnecessary features. It supports various audio formats, offers direct boot awareness, and prioritizes user privacy by not requiring network access.

Installation

Installing BCR typically involves flashing a module or installing the APK as a system app.

1. Download: Obtain the latest release from the official releases page.
2. Magisk/KernelSU: For rooted devices, flash the downloaded zip file as a module within the respective application.
   • Note for OnePlus/Realme: Extract the .apk from the zip and install it manually before rebooting to avoid a blank screen issue.
3. Unrooted Custom Firmware: Flash the zip while booted into recovery.
   • Note: Android 10+ may require additional ADB commands to remove READ_CALL_LOG restrictions.
4. Reboot and Configure: After rebooting, open BCR, enable call recording, and select an output directory. Ensure other call recorders are disabled to prevent conflicts.

For detailed instructions and troubleshooting, please refer to the official README.

Examples

BCR operates discreetly in the background, automatically capturing calls once enabled. Users can customize their recording experience through several features:

• Output Formats: Choose from OGG/Opus (smallest), M4A/AAC, FLAC (lossless), or WAV/PCM (lossless, least CPU).
• Stereo Recording: Supports separate uplink and downlink channels, primarily on newer Pixel devices.
• Storage Flexibility: Utilizes Android's Storage Access Framework, allowing recordings to be saved to SD cards, USB devices, and other locations.
• Direct Boot Awareness: Records calls even before the device is initially unlocked after a reboot.
• Auto-Record Rules: Configure rules to automatically manage recordings based on specific criteria.
• Customizable Filenames: Use a flexible template system to define output filenames, incorporating variables like date, direction, phone number, and contact name.
• Metadata Files: Optionally generate a JSON file alongside each audio recording, containing detailed call information and recording specifics.

Why use BCR

BCR stands out for its commitment to simplicity, privacy, and reliability. It avoids common pitfalls of other call recorders by:

• Privacy-Focused: It does not announce to the other party that the call is being recorded and explicitly states it has no network access permission, ensuring recordings remain private to your device.
• Rooted Device Optimization: Designed specifically for rooted Android devices, it leverages system app permissions (CONTROL_INCALL_EXPERIENCE, CAPTURE_AUDIO_OUTPUT) for robust and reliable call detection and audio stream capture, avoiding common limitations.
• Minimalist Approach: The project's philosophy is to be "as basic as possible," focusing on stability and compatibility with new Android versions rather than feature bloat. This results in a lean and efficient application.
• Open Source: Being open source, it allows for community inspection and contributions, fostering transparency and trust.

Links

• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/BCR
• Latest Releases: https://github.com/chenxiaolong/BCR/releases