SpiikDoes iPhone keep recording when the screen is locked?
Yes, for audio. An audio recording app like Voice Memos or Spiik keeps recording after you lock the iPhone, and keeps going until you stop it. Video is different: the Camera app stops recording when the screen locks.
Start recording without unlocking
Spiik has a Start Recording control. On iOS 18 or later you can add it to Control Center or to the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, or assign it to the Action Button on iPhones that have one. Press it and Spiik opens straight into a new recording.
Know your recording is still running
While Spiik records, its Live Activity stays on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, with the elapsed time and a live waveform. If recording stops without you pausing it, for example because a phone call took over the microphone, the Live Activity says Recording stopped and shows when audio last came in, with a button to resume. A silent gap in a long lecture is easy to miss otherwise.
Tips for long recordings
- Charge first. Recording with the screen off uses little power, but hours of recording still drain the battery. Plug in for anything over a few hours.
- Check your free space. Long recordings need room. Settings > General > iPhone Storage shows how much you have.
- Mind phone calls. An incoming call takes over the microphone. Turn on Do Not Disturb or a Focus if you can't afford a gap, or watch for the Recording stopped alert.
- Point the bottom of the phone at the speakers. The main microphone is at the bottom edge. In a pocket, cloth muffles the sound, so a table usually sounds better.
Frequently asked questions
Does Voice Memos record with the screen locked?
Yes. Voice Memos keeps recording after you lock your iPhone. Spiik does too, and adds pause and stop buttons on the Lock Screen, a transcript with speaker labels, and AI notes.
Can I record video with the screen off on iPhone?
No. The Camera app stops recording video when the screen locks. Audio recording apps keep going.
How long can I record with my iPhone locked?
Spiik records with no time limit, including with the phone locked. In practice, battery and free storage set the limit. Spiik Pro transcribes up to 2.5 hours per recording.
How do I stop a recording without unlocking my iPhone?
In Spiik, tap stop in the Live Activity on the Lock Screen or in the Dynamic Island. You don't need to unlock or open the app.
What happens if I get a call while recording?
The call takes over the microphone, so recording stops. Spiik's Live Activity tells you it stopped and when audio last came in, and lets you resume from the Lock Screen.