iPadOS 26, audio capture, video capture, podcasting, Apple, WWDC25″>
CITY, June 22, 2025
iPadOS 26 Simplifies Audio, Video Recording
Local capture during calls arrives.
- iPadOS 26 enables built-in local audio and video capture during calls.
- The feature aims to streamline content creation on iPads.
- Early tests show impressive stability.
- Some refinements, like real-time audio level monitoring, are expected.
- Apple prioritizes user privacy with system-level capture guardrails.
At WWDC25, Apple unveiled iPadOS 26, which now allows users to capture local audio and video during calls, and how does this impact content creators? This feature addresses a major limitation for podcasters and content creators using iPads.
currently, on iOS and iPadOS, running a second app in the background to capture local audio during a call isn’t possible, which essentially rules out iPhones and iPads for remote podcasting.
Did you know?-Prior to iPadOS 26, users often relied on complex workarounds, such as using external audio interfaces and multiple devices, to achieve similar results.
Seamless iPad Podcasting
Jason Snell recorded an entire podcast episode with Dan moren using only iPads running the iPadOS 26 developer beta. The result was seamless; you wouldn’t know the entire thing was recorded on the iPad.
Did you know? Jason Snell has edited podcasts on Ferrite on his iPad for years.
Reader question:-How do you think this new feature will change your content creation workflow on iPadOS?
System-Level Capture with Guardrails
Apple is taking a measured, privacy-centered approach to avoid abuse, rather than fully unlocking simultaneous mic access for multiple apps like on the Mac.
According to Snell:
Instead, Apple has just built in a system feature, found in Control Center, that will capture local audio and video when you’re on a call. It doesn’t work when another app is not currently using the microphone and camera, so it can’t be set to surreptitiously record stuff, and it displays a recording symbol at the top of the screen when it’s running.
Early Impressions
The implementation is already impressively stable for a first-developer-beta feature. Snell noted a couple of missing features, such as real-time audio level monitoring and gain adjustment controls for different mics, but Apple could still refine these before the public release.
The impact of iPadOS 26’s new audio and video capture feature extends beyond podcasting. It promises to dramatically reshape how users create various types of content on their iPads. While Jason Snell’s successful podcast recording with Dan Moren highlights the potential for professional audio capture, the implications are far broader-touching everything from remote interviews to educational content creation.
Unlocking New Content Creation Workflows
Consider these scenarios. Educators can now effortlessly record lectures with high-quality audio and video directly from their iPads. Journalists can conduct interviews remotely, capturing both sides of the conversation without needing separate recording devices. Business professionals can record team meetings for later review, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
The integrated nature of the system-level capture is key. Users won’t need to juggle multiple apps or external hardware, which simplifies the entire process. The feature is designed to work seamlessly with apps like FaceTime, Zoom, and other interaction platforms.
Here’s what this means for different use cases:
- Podcasting: Enables truly mobile recording setups, reducing reliance on laptops.
- Remote interviews: Simplifies capturing both sides of interviews for reporters.
- Education: Powers easy lecture recording.
- Business meetings: Offers a streamlined way to record virtual meetings.
- Content creation: broadens the tools accessible to multimedia creators.
What’s especially appealing is the ease of use. The recording process is initiated from control Center, much like screen recording.A clear visual indicator at the top of the screen always alerts users when recording is active. This design prioritizes both functionality and user privacy.
Tip:-Ensure the latest version of iPadOS 26 is installed to benefit from the most stable and feature-rich experience. Keep your iPad’s software updated for the best performance.
Looking Ahead: Potential Refinements and Future Possibilities
As mentioned, Apple could refine this feature.While the developer beta is stable, real-time audio level monitoring and gain adjustment controls are expected. Incorporating noise cancellation and other audio enhancements could further elevate the quality of recordings.
will iPadOS 26 change how I record calls? Yes. The built-in system feature will allow you to capture local audio and video during calls, streamlining content creation across mediums.
Are there any privacy concerns? no. The feature can’t record unless another app is using the microphone/camera, and there is always a visual recording indicator.
Further down the line, apple might explore integrating this capture feature into other system-level functionalities. As an example, the ability to directly transcribe audio recordings or automatically generate captions within an iPadOS app could be next.
the focus on system-level integration and privacy-focused design suggests Apple’s commitment to providing a user-kind and secure content creation experience.
Table of Contents
