Truecaller Expands Real-Time Caller ID and Spam Blocking to iPhones with iOS 18.2 Update

Truecaller expands real-time caller ID to iOS amid privacy concerns

Truecaller has expanded features like real-time caller ID and automated blocking of spam calls to Apple iOS users. Previously, this feature was available only to Android users. Initially, Apple's 'closed-source' tech system prevented third-party apps from integrating within its calling system, unless they used anh an application programming interface (API). However, the addition of the Live Caller ID Lookup framework on iOS 18 enabled the implementation of these features in a privacy-compliant manner, the company stated. For context, the framework allows privacy protection in three steps: concealing the client's IP address, using anonymous authentication, and hiding the incoming number. Before this update, the application relied on a database available on the user's local device for iOS users. This update is significant as iOS users account for 28.8% of Truecaller's 2.6 million paying subscribers and generate 40% of the company's premium revenue. Truecaller also launched an AI Voice scanner last year to alert users in real-time when it detects an AI-generated voice. However, it's unclear how the company trained the scanner. Earlier this month, India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed the telecom providers to promptly implement the caller ID service, Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service to curb the spam call menace, The Economic Times reported. As per the report, telcos conveyed difficulties in implementing the service for 2G users owing to technological limitations. While the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued the recommendation in February 2024, as per a recent RTI filed by MediaNama, the body had yet to finalise its recommendations. This system has received flak from multiple fronts owing to privacy violations and other concerns. Speaking at TRAI's open house discussion in 2022, Nikhil Pahwa, founder and editor of MediaNama, highlighted how this system negates the Puttuswamy judgement on the right to privacy. Speaking on whether it was proportionate to collect the data of all citizens to curb the harms of spam menace, Pahwa questioned, "Is it proportionate to the prevention of the harm or not? This is typically determined by courts but you can't assume that everyone is a criminal, and, therefore, everyone must give their data to meet that end." Previously, MediaNama has also explained how this system could arm spammers with more information regarding callers leading to potential impersonation. For instance, when the user's phone rings just once before the system disconnects, identifying callers could promote call-back spam, causing victims to call the spammer back. Besides this, individuals have also raised concerns like robocalls bypassing the caller ID and spammers using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to subvert the system.

iOS 18.2 enables real-time spam and scam blocking in Truecaller app

The Truecaller app has long been able to flag some incoming spam and scam phone calls, enabling you to reject them, but Apple privacy rules prevented the iOS version from working as effectively as the Android one. This means the iPhone would fail to identify many callers that would be flagged on Android phones. A new Apple API in iOS 18.2 solves the privacy problem, and additionally now allows Truecaller to automatically block known spammers ... On Android, Truecaller would check the phone number displayed by caller ID and send it to a database of known junk callers. If identified, it would add a spam or scam warning to the incoming call screen. It also had the ability to completely block known junk callers so that you wouldn't even see the call. Apple's privacy rules didn't allow the app to work in the same way on iPhone, because the phone number of an incoming call was considered personal data, so Truecaller couldn't send it to its servers. Instead, the iOS version periodically downloaded offline databases, and the app checked numbers against that - which is less comprehensive. To solve the problem in a privacy-respecting way, Apple has added a Live Caller ID Lookup API to iOS 18.2. This encrypts the phone number on your phone, sends that encrypted data to Truecaller's server, and gets back an encrypted response. That response is then decrypted on your iPhone. The framework is specifically intended for apps like Truecaller, and means that the latest version of the iOS app can now check the live database. This API uses state-of-the-art homomorphic encryption and Truecaller is the first in the world to deploy this at scale for Caller ID [...] This update can leverage Truecaller's latest AI capabilities and global database to identify as many calls as possible. It can ensure that no call goes unidentified on iOS as long as Truecaller has any information about it. In addition, the latest update includes something that Truecaller iOS users have been requesting for a long time: automatic blocking of spam calls. Other improvements include the ability to search for previously identified calls, going as far back as 2,000 previous numbers in the Recents list in the Phone app. The free version of the app identifies verified businesses, but a paid subscription is needed for full functionality. This costs a fairly steep $9.99/month or $74.99/year, but there's also now a family plan for $14.99/month or $99/year for up to five people. The new version is rolling out globally over the next few days. Here's how to enable the new functionality: Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala said: "We are excited to bring the full power of Truecaller to iPhone. We see tremendous potential and growth in our iPhone user base and parity with Truecaller's Android experience has been top of their wish list. This update does that and more while preserving privacy for all calling activity." TechCrunch got early access and reports that it currently works with most calls, but does miss some.

Truecaller Now Supports Real-Time Caller ID, Spam Call Blocking on iPhone

Users can now subscribe to a Premium Family plan within the app For a long time, Truecaller had been peripherally equipped for the iPhone due to Apple's stringent walled garden, but not anymore. The company on Wednesday announced it was rolling out API support for iPhone that would enable features such as real-time caller identification and automatic blocking of spam telephone calls on Apple devices. This move is said to bring the iOS version of the app at par with its Android counterpart, which has offered the aforementioned features and more, for years. Truecaller says that its latest app update for iPhone ensures the device can leverage its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to identify calls. It brings support for Apple's Live Caller ID Lookup framework, which is claimed to provide live caller ID. Introduced last year with iOS 18, this API allows third-party apps to check incoming calls against the server for known spam numbers. The API uses homomorphic encryption which, the company claims, protects user privacy. It hides the client's IP address, uses anonymous authentication, and hides the incoming phone number. With its arrival, the iPhone can now also take advantage of automatic spam call blocking capability. Automatic spam calls blocking is available globally while the live caller ID feature is being rolled out. It is available to Truecaller Premium subscribers with an iPhone running iOS 18.2. Free users will still be restricted to the existing ad-supported manual number search and caller ID of Verified Businesses features. Gadgets 360 can confirm that the features are now available on iPhone. While these features are new, the company has been teasing the arrival of native iOS support over the last few months. Following the introduction of the iOS 18 update and a live caller ID API in September, Truecaller Co-founder Alan Mamedi shared his positive thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Truecaller finally works on iPhone". The last notable addition is the ability to subscribe to the Premium Family plan within the app. The company says users can now enjoy and share features such as Truecaller AI Assistant, with up to four additional people at a low monthly or annual price. For users in India, the Truecaller Premium subscription also includes fraud insurance.

The iPhone now has an app to automatically block spam calls

Spammers continuously look for ways to invade our smartphones. Luckily, there are tools available to eliminate their success. One of the most popular tools for identifying unknown callers and blocking spam calls and SMS messages, Truecaller, has recently improved its functionality on iPhone. With the release of iOS 18.2 and newer versions, Truecaller offers real-time caller ID and improved spam blocking on iPhones. Recommended Videos The latest update for Truecaller introduces the automatic blocking of spam calls, a key tool for this type of software. Additionally, users can now search for previously identified calls, with access to records going back as far as 2,000 numbers in the Recents list within the iPhone app. The app update also introduces Truecaller's newest AI features and global database, ensuring it identifies as many calls as possible. As long as Truecaller has information about a call, no call will remain unidentified on iOS. Please enable Javascript to view this content Truecaller's new features are largely enabled by Apple's Live Caller ID Lookup framework. The API uses advanced encryption explicitly designed for apps like Truecaller to provide real-time caller identification while ensuring user privacy. According to Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala, "We are excited to bring the full power of Truecaller to iPhone. We see tremendous potential and growth in our iPhone user base and parity with Truecaller's Android experience has been top of their wishlist. This update does that and more while preserving privacy for all calling activity." Truecaller provides two subscription options: a free version that includes ads and a premium version priced at $80 per year or $10 per month through in-app purchases. Additionally, there is a family plan available for up to four members, which costs $100 per year or $15 per month. New users can enjoy a 30-day free trial of the premium version. Truecaller's auto-blocking of spam is now available globally, and the new Caller ID feature will begin rolling out today, January 22. It will be accessible to all users worldwide in the coming days.