iPhone does not let apps record other apps in the background, so there is no App Store tool that quietly captures a Tango live for you. Your two real options are the built-in iOS screen recorder or automatic recording with Recfolder.
Method 1: iOS Screen Recording
Apple bundles a screen recorder into Control Center. You have to add it once, then it is one tap.
Add the control
- Open Settings → Control Center.
- Tap the + next to Screen Recording.
Record a Tango live
- Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner).
- Long-press the Screen Recording button and make sure the microphone matches what you want.
- Tap to start, then open the Tango live.
- Tap the red status bar and Stop when the live ends. The video saves to Photos.
Where it falls short
The recording captures everything on screen, including banners and notifications, so turn on Do Not Disturb first. You also have to be watching the entire live with the screen on - if the creator goes live while you are away, you miss it, and a phone call will interrupt the capture.
Method 2: Record Tango lives automatically with Recfolder
Because iOS blocks background app recording, the only way to capture a live you are not actively watching is to record it somewhere other than your phone. Recfolder records automatically:
- Open @tangorecordlive_bot
- Send
/watch usernamefor the creators you follow - Recfolder attempts to record a detected public live within plan limits and delivers the processed MP4 to Telegram
Your iPhone can be locked or off. Recording starts after periodic live detection and can miss the beginning. The selected source and your plan determine duration and quality; source overlays can remain in the MP4.
iPhone screen recording vs Recfolder
| | iOS Screen Recording | Recfolder | | --- | --- | --- | | Cost | Free | Free tier | | Must watch live | Yes | No | | Records when iPhone is locked | No | Yes | | Start time | Only if you are quick | After detection; beginning may be missed | | Your phone notifications in video | Possible | Not captured from your phone | | Output | Photos app | Telegram |
Which should you use?
Use iOS Screen Recording for a live you are already watching and want to keep right now. Use Recfolder when you want to follow specific creators and request automatic monitoring of future public lives, accepting that a broadcast may be missed or only partly captured.
Start on iPhone
- Open @tangorecordlive_bot in Telegram
- Send
/watchand the creator's Tango username - Get their next live as an MP4
See also: recording Tango on Android and the full how to record a Tango live guide.