Nothing Adds One-Tap Call Recording to Its Phones

Nothing is giving its Essential Space feature a long-awaited upgrade, letting users record phone calls with just a press or long-press of a button. The new update allows owners of the Nothing Phone (3), Nothing Phone (3a), and Nothing Phone (3a) Pro to start recording directly during a call – either by holding down the Essential Key or tapping the recording option in the call notification. After the call ends, the recording is stored safely in Essential Space, and the company notes that no manual update is needed since it’s being pushed out automatically via server-side rollout.

For now, this update is only available in eight regions: India, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the UK, and South Korea.

Nothing says more countries will join soon, which will likely be good news for users frustrated by limited call recording options in stock Android or Google Dialer apps. This new approach gives a native recording tool without needing third-party apps or rooting the device – something Android enthusiasts have long requested.

However, opinions are split. Many early adopters complain that Nothing keeps locking the Essential Key into one purpose, instead of letting users customize it. They argue the button could easily be used for the camera, flashlight, or even as a quick power toggle. Others have privacy concerns, worried that these recordings could sync to remote servers or be tied to Nothing’s growing AI ecosystem, rather than staying on the device. Some tech-savvy users note that Nothing’s early software felt refreshingly clean, but Essential Space changed that by adding unwanted integrations and less transparency about data flow.

Legal discussions are also heating up. UK users point out that recording calls without informing the other party can breach local privacy laws. In other regions, though, casual or personal recordings are generally tolerated. Others simply see it as a practical tool – helpful for journalists, professionals, or anyone who needs to keep records of important conversations.

Despite the controversy, the update proves that Nothing continues to refine its unique identity, blending minimal design with experimental features. Whether the Essential Key becomes a flexible control hub or remains a divisive gimmick will depend on how much the company listens to its growing and vocal user base.