Truecaller has addressed a long-standing demand from its iPhone user base by rolling out real-time caller ID functionality.
This highly sought-after feature, previously exclusive to Android, is now available for iOS users, marking a significant upgrade.
Along with real-time caller ID, the app now also offers automatic spam call blocking, making it an indispensable tool for a more secure and seamless calling experience
What’s New in Truecaller for iPhone?
Powered by Apple’s latest iOS 18 update, Truecaller leverages the new Live Caller ID Lookup feature, which allows third-party apps to securely fetch real-time caller information directly from their servers.
This eliminates reliance on pre-saved databases, ensuring more accurate identification of unknown callers.
The update also introduces automatic spam call blocking, addressing the growing concerns of unsolicited calls. This feature flags and blocks known spam numbers without user intervention, reducing disruptions in daily life.
Truecaller’s Strategic Focus on iOS
Despite making up only 750,000 of Truecaller’s 2.6 million paying subscribers, iOS users contribute a remarkable 40% of Premium revenue, generating 80% more revenue per user than Android counterparts.
Truecaller’s renewed focus on Apple’s ecosystem is evident in its consistent efforts to enhance the iOS experience.
In 2022, the app introduced improved spam detection for iOS with an expanded offline database. In high-call-volume markets like India, offline databases proved inadequate.
The shift to real-time caller ID aims to overcome these limitations, aligning with Truecaller’s strategy to strengthen its foothold in the iOS market.
Technological Innovations Driving Real-Time Caller ID
Truecaller has implemented advanced technologies to enable this breakthrough:
- Dedicated Server Architecture: A separate encrypted database was developed for iOS, synchronized with the Android database for consistency.
- Homomorphic Encryption: Calls to the database and responses remain encrypted, ensuring that user privacy is never compromised. Caller information is decrypted only on the user’s device.
- Data Synchronization: Seamless integration ensures accurate real-time results across platforms.
While encryption demands significant computational power, Truecaller assures users that delays in processing requests will not exceed a few hours.
How to Enable Truecaller’s New Features on iPhone
Activating the new features is straightforward:
- Update the Truecaller app to version 14.0 or later via the App Store.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.
- Enable all Truecaller toggles and restart the app.
Premium users running iOS 18.2 or later can immediately access these features. Initial testing has shown promising results, with accurate real-time caller identification and effective spam blocking.
Competing Technologies in the Market
India, Truecaller’s largest market with 291 million users, presents unique challenges. The rollout of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) by local telecom operators offers native spam call identification, potentially reducing reliance on third-party apps like Truecaller.
To maintain its edge, Truecaller continues to emphasize advanced AI-based features and privacy-focused technology, setting itself apart in the competitive caller ID landscape.
Premium Plans and Benefits
Truecaller offers several subscription plans tailored to iOS users:
- Individual Plan: $9.99/month or $74.99/year.
- Family Plan: $14.99/month or $99.99/year (up to five members).
- Gold Plan: $249/year for exclusive features.
Premium subscriptions unlock an ad-free experience, enhanced spam blocking, priority support, and features like real-time caller ID. Free-tier users are limited to manual searches and basic spam detection.
Upcoming Enhancements
Truecaller plans to introduce caller images for iOS users, building on its newly designed interface that already highlights caller names in bold. These updates aim to make caller identification even more intuitive and visually appealing.
Truecaller’s Evolution Under New Leadership
This update marks a pivotal moment for Truecaller under its new leadership. Following the transition of co-founders Alan Mamedi and Nami Zarringhalam from daily operations in November 2024, the company has continued to prioritize innovation, ensuring its relevance in the dynamic spam identification market.
Bridging the Gap for iPhone Users
Truecaller’s real-time caller ID and automatic spam blocking represent a significant step forward for iPhone users, closing the feature gap with Android.
By leveraging iOS 18’s new capabilities and deploying cutting-edge encryption, Truecaller has set a new benchmark for caller identification apps.
For users in high-call-volume markets like India, this update promises a safer and more streamlined calling experience, reinforcing Truecaller’s role as a leader in the field.
