Not on the same phone. iOS and Android keep call audio away from other apps, and during a regular call the system gives the call priority over the microphone, so an app running alongside it generally hears silence. That applies to every app, including ours. A phone beside a laptop or a speakerphone can hear through the air, with the accuracy you would expect from a microphone in a room. If you want reliable captions, the call needs to play through a computer running a desktop app such as CoPilot Interview, which we make. Here is what actually happens, the setups that work, and how to judge claims in store listings. See our comparison for 2027 for desktop tools.
What happens on each phone
| Situation | iPhone | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Regular phone call on the same phone | The system takes over the microphone; other apps do not get the call | The call takes the microphone; other apps usually get silence |
| Zoom or Teams call on the same phone | Other apps cannot read its audio | Other apps generally cannot read its audio |
| Call on a laptop, phone beside it | Hears the room through its microphone | Hears the room through its microphone |
| Call on speaker on a second device | Hears the speaker, less accurately | Hears the speaker, less accurately |
| Practice with no call | Works normally | Works normally |
The setups that do work
- Call on the computer. Take the call through a softphone, web dialer or meeting link, and run the desktop app. This is the most accurate setup. The phone interview guide walks through it.
- Speaker fallback. Put the call on speaker on one device and our Android beta on another phone beside it. Expect errors, and do not depend on it.
- No assistant. Keep your notes in front of you and rely on rehearsal. For most short screens this is enough.
- Ask the recruiter for a Zoom or Teams link rather than a phone call if you would like the option. It is a normal request.
How to judge an app's claims
- Look for what the listing says about calls specifically, not just live or real-time.
- Test with a friend: have them call you and ask three questions, on the same phone, then on a second device.
- Check whether the captions match what your friend said.
- Read recent reviews that mention calls, not just general praise.
- Read our mobile app guide for the technical background.
- If it needs you to install a profile, a call-recording service or special permissions, look much harder before going further.
Why the limit exists
This is a privacy protection, not a gap someone forgot to fill. If any app could quietly read your calls, every app could. iOS isolates each app's audio, and Android's documentation on sharing audio input describes how a call takes priority. Rules may change in future operating system versions, and apps can use features such as a user-approved call recording service on some phones in some countries. That does not change the practical advice: plan on the phone not being able to hear the call, and you will not get a nasty surprise at the worst moment.
Where CoPilot Interview fits
CoPilot Interview is an AI interview assistant whose desktop app reads the audio your computer plays, on Windows and macOS. Its phone apps are built for practice, with an Android beta and an iPhone app in TestFlight. The free plan gives 15 minutes a day of live help in sessions of up to 15 minutes, with AI mock interviews included. Whatever the setup, follow your employer's rules, and be honest with the caller if they ask.
Disclosure: CoPilot Interview is our product, so weigh what we say about it accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Does an AI interview app work during a phone call?
Not reliably on the same phone. iOS and Android keep call audio away from other apps. Take the call through a computer running a desktop app, or use a second device on speaker as a less accurate fallback.
Can I use my iPhone to listen to a laptop call?
It can hear the room through its microphone, including your own voice. That is much less accurate than a desktop app reading the computer's audio.
What if an app says it works during calls?
Test it with a friend on the same phone, then check that the captions match. Read recent reviews that mention calls specifically.
Can I ask for a video link instead?
Yes. Asking a recruiter for a Zoom or Teams audio link is a normal request, and it lets the call play through your computer.
Is this limit on all phones?
It is the general rule on iOS and Android. Some phones in some countries have call recording services, but plan on the phone not hearing the call.
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