> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cloudtalk.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Exclude a Phone Number From Call Recording

> How to stop a specific contact's calls from being recorded, using Call Flow Designer for inbound calls or Workflow Automation for outbound calls.

> [!NOTE]
>
> This article explains how to prevent calls to or from one specific phone number from being recorded. CloudTalk doesn't have a single live setting that blocks recording for just one number — use one of the two methods below depending on call direction.

**User level:** Admin

***

## Before you start

There's no account setting that disables recording for a single contact or number in real time for both directions. Instead, choose the method that matches how you communicate with that contact:

* **Inbound calls** (they call you): skip recording at the time of the call using Call Flow Designer.
* **Outbound or mixed-direction calls** (you call them, or both directions): delete the recording automatically right after the call using Workflow Automation.

***

## Option 1: Skip recording for inbound calls

If the number you want to exclude only calls *you*, you can prevent the recording from ever being created:

1. Go to **Call Flow Designer** and open the call flow for the number this contact reaches.
2. Add a **Condition Splitter** step that matches the caller's number.
3. On the branch that matches, add a **Call Recording** step and set it to turn recording off for that branch.

Calls from that number will no longer be recorded, while the rest of your inbound calls keep your company's default recording settings.

***

## Option 2: Delete the recording after outbound or mixed-direction calls

If you call this contact (outbound), or want to cover both directions, there's no way to stop the recording from being made — but you can have it deleted automatically right after it's uploaded:

1. Go to **Workflow Automations** and create a new automation.
2. Set the trigger to **Recording uploaded**.
3. Add a condition on the external number, matching the contact's number.
4. Add an action to send an **API request** that deletes the recording via the [Recordings endpoint](https://help.cloudtalk.io/api-reference/overview.md).

This requires Workflow Automation to be enabled on your account and an admin to configure it.

> [!WARNING]
>
> If the call is also exported to a connected CRM (for example HubSpot), the export can finish before the automation deletes the recording in CloudTalk. In that case, the recording file can remain attached to the CRM engagement even after it's deleted from CloudTalk. If this matters for your use case, check your CRM integration's export timing or disable the export for this contact as well.

***

*Need help or have a question?* Just reach out through our [Support portal](https://support.cloudtalk.io/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=26305535257884) — we're here for you.


## Related topics

- [Call Recordings](https://help.cloudtalk.io/en/articles/2144945-call-recordings.md)
- [Start / Stop Recordings](https://help.cloudtalk.io/en/articles/9813235-start-stop-recordings.md)
- [Remove a phone number from CloudTalk](https://help.cloudtalk.io/en/articles/12867043-remove-a-phone-number-from-cloudtalk.md)


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