RECAP S2 sits between your phone and your recording device. Before you buy, make sure you have the right connections — this is the #1 source of setup issues.
How RECAP Connects
RECAP has three connection points. Each one needs to be right for recording to work:
- CALL plug → goes into your phone’s headphone jack (or an adapter if your phone doesn’t have one)
- HEADSET port → your wired headset plugs in here (you talk and listen through this)
- OUTPUT plug → goes into your recording device (computer mic input, voice recorder, or mixer)
If any of these three connections has a problem, recording won’t work. Let’s check each one.
1. Your Phone Connection
RECAP’s CALL plug is a standard 3.5mm connector. If your phone has a headphone jack, plug it straight in — no adapter needed.
No headphone jack? You need an adapter. Here’s what works:
iPhone 15, 16, or newer (USB-C)
- Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter — Apple Store | Amazon
- Has a built-in DAC and supports microphone passthrough. Works with RECAP.
iPhone 7 through iPhone 14 (Lightning)
- Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter — Amazon | Best Buy
- Apple no longer sells this directly, but it’s widely available from retailers.
- Use Apple’s adapter only. Third-party Lightning adapters often skip the microphone channel, which means RECAP can’t capture your voice.
Android phones (USB-C, no headphone jack)
- Best option: Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (same one listed above) — has a built-in DAC, supports mic passthrough, and works on every Android phone we’ve tested.
- Also works: Samsung USB-C adapter (built-in DAC) or Google USB-C adapter (built-in DAC).
Why “with DAC” matters
There are two types of USB-C to 3.5mm adapters:
- Active (with DAC) — contains a small digital-to-analog converter chip. Works on all phones. Apple, Samsung, and Google adapters are all active.
- Passive (no DAC) — a bare wire remap with no electronics. Only works on phones that output analog audio over USB-C (some OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Vivo models). Will not work on Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, iPhones, most Motorola, or Sony phones.
How to tell: If the adapter costs under $5 and weighs almost nothing, it’s passive. Active adapters have a small inline housing for the chip. When in doubt, get the Apple USB-C adapter — it’s active and works universally.
2. Your Headset
RECAP requires a wired headset with a microphone. The headset plugs into RECAP’s HEADSET port — this is how you talk and listen during the call.
- Any standard wired headset with a 3.5mm plug and inline microphone works.
- The headset that came with your phone works (if it has a 3.5mm plug).
- Bluetooth headphones and AirPods do not work. RECAP captures audio from the physical cable — Bluetooth bypasses it entirely.
3. Your Recording Device
RECAP’s OUTPUT plug sends the call audio to whatever records it. This is where most compatibility issues happen with computers.
Recording to a computer
RECAP sends each voice to a separate stereo channel (yours on the left, theirs on the right). This requires a stereo microphone input. Most laptops made after 2015 only have mono inputs and can’t capture both channels.
Check your input before you buy: Run our Audio Device Scanner — it takes 10 seconds, runs in your browser, and tells you whether your input is stereo or mono. No data leaves your computer.
If your input is mono (or your computer has no mic input at all), you need:
- Andrea USB-MA External USB Microphone Adapter — Amazon | Andrea Communications
- Adds a stereo 3.5mm mic input via USB. No drivers needed on Windows or Mac.
- Also works: Plugable USB Audio Adapter — works with RECAP, but the default mic gain is very low. You’ll need to increase the input gain significantly in your OS audio settings or recording software.
For full setup instructions: Record phone calls on your computer
Recording to a voice recorder
Most digital voice recorders accept an external stereo microphone — check your recorder’s manual. RECAP’s output looks like a standard stereo mic signal. Make sure your recorder is set to stereo recording mode (not mono).
For recommended models and settings: Record phone calls with a voice recorder
What Won’t Work
| Setup | Why It Fails |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth headphones or AirPods | RECAP captures audio from the physical cable. Bluetooth bypasses it. |
| Passive USB-C adapter on Samsung or Pixel | These phones don’t output analog audio over USB-C. You need an active adapter with a DAC. |
| USB-C hub with a 3.5mm jack | Most hubs only pass audio out (headphones), not audio in (microphone). RECAP needs both directions. |
| Computer with mono mic input | You’ll only hear one side of the call. Run the Audio Device Scanner to check. |
| Cheap unbranded USB-C adapters | May work, but output volume is often very low — you’ll need to crank the gain significantly. They may also be passive (no DAC) or missing mic passthrough. The Apple adapter avoids these issues. |
| Landline phones | RECAP is designed for cell phones with 3.5mm headset jacks. Landlines need a different type of recorder. |
Quick Reference
| Your Situation | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Phone has a headphone jack | No phone adapter needed — plug RECAP straight in |
| iPhone 7–14 (Lightning) | Apple Lightning to 3.5mm adapter |
| iPhone 15+ or any USB-C phone | Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter |
| Computer with mono or no mic input | Andrea USB-MA (USB stereo mic adapter) |
| Any headset | Wired 3.5mm with microphone (no Bluetooth) |
Test Before Your First Important Call
- Connect everything: Phone → adapter (if needed) → RECAP → headset + recording device
- Call a friend or your voicemail
- Verify you can hear the caller through your headset
- Verify the caller can hear you
- Check your recording — both voices should be captured
Only hear one side? Your adapter may not support microphone passthrough (common with third-party Lightning adapters and cheap USB-C adapters). Switch to one of the recommended adapters above.
Recording to a computer and only getting one channel? Your mic input is probably mono. Run the Audio Device Scanner to confirm, and get the Andrea USB-MA adapter.
For more setup help and troubleshooting, visit our support page.
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