Google Recorder's Hidden 'Access Recordings in Other Apps' Toggle Could Make Sharing Easier

Google Recorder, the audio recording app on Pixel phones, is working on a new feature that allows users to access their recordings directly from file manager apps like Files by Google. This change, discovered through an APK teardown of version 4.2.2, could make the app more convenient to use, especially compared to Samsung's approach.

Google Recorder's Hidden 'Access Recordings in Other Apps' Toggle Could Make Sha

The new toggle, labeled "Access recordings in other apps," is hidden in the app's settings and promises to save new recordings to a "Recordings" folder in the phone's internal storage when enabled. This folder can then be accessed through any file manager app, not just Google's own.

However, it's important to note that this setting only applies to future recordings, not those already stored in the app. If you enable the toggle, it will carry over to new devices or if you clear the app's data.

There's no word on when this feature will roll out, as it's expected to arrive through a server-side update rather than a direct app version bump. Google has not commented on the timeline.

Currently, Google Recorder keeps recordings isolated in its own storage space, which is not accessible to other apps by default. This is in line with Android's security guidelines for sensitive data. In contrast, Samsung's Voice Recorder app saves files directly to a "Recordings" folder in the My Files app, allowing for easier sharing.

Apple's Voice Memos app also keeps recordings within the app, but users can manually export each file to the Files app. So, while this change may not be a game-changer for Galaxy S26 Ultra owners, it could make Google Recorder more user-friendly on Pixel devices.