Truecaller to Introduce Live Caller ID on iPhones, CEO Alan Mamedi Confirms

Truecaller has been a favorite app for millions of users worldwide, especially for those looking to identify spam calls and unknown numbers. However, iPhone users have always had limited functionality compared to Android users, largely due to Apple's strict privacy and security restrictions. This limited access prevented Truecaller from offering real-time caller ID services on iPhones. But that is all set to change soon with the iOS 18 update.

Truecaller co-founder and CEO Alan Mamedi recently confirmed that the app will finally offer Live Caller ID on iPhones with the new iOS update. He expressed his excitement in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote: "From the iOS 18 feature release documentation :) Soon we will hopefully hear people say 'Truecaller finally works on iPhone'. Even though it has worked fairly OK in the last 2 years, this time it will be just like you would expect Truecaller to work, end to end."

This announcement marks a significant milestone for Truecaller users on iPhones, many of whom have been waiting for this functionality for years.

Live Caller ID for iPhones: What’s New?

Truecaller co-founder and CEO Alan Mamedi also shared a screenshot of the iOS 18 release documentation. The note confirmed that iPhones will now support Live Caller ID lookup thanks to new APIs that allow developers like Truecaller to pull data from their servers. This will enable Truecaller to provide real-time caller identification for incoming calls in a way that adheres to Apple's strict privacy guidelines.

"New APIs allow developers like Truecaller to fetch information from their servers and provide live caller ID for incoming calls, in a privacy-preserving way," reads the iOS 18 documentation. This change will allow Truecaller to deliver the seamless experience that iPhone users have been craving.

Overcoming iOS Privacy Limitations

Until now, Truecaller had limited functionality on iPhones due to Apple's privacy and security protocols. iOS does not allow apps to access the phone’s call logs or interact with SMS in real-time, making it impossible for Truecaller to identify calls dynamically, as it does on Android devices.

Currently, iPhone users need to manually enable Truecaller in the "Call Blocking & Identification" section of their settings. Even then, the app can only identify spam or unknown calls based on its existing database, rather than doing so in real-time. Moreover, iOS limits the number of apps that can run in the background, which further restricted Truecaller's ability to perform its signature services.

This limitation frustrated many iPhone users who saw Truecaller's seamless real-time identification on Android but had to settle for a less robust experience on iOS.

Reactions from the Truecaller Team and iPhone Users

In addition to Mamedi’s announcement, Truecaller’s co-founder Nami Zarringhalam also expressed his joy over the update on X. He acknowledged the long journey Truecaller had to undergo to reach this point, stating: "It's been 9 years of grinding, and some amount of loss of faith in between at times. But soon everyone will be able to experience a smartphone the way we always knew they could, safe and trustworthy."

iPhone users were equally thrilled. Reactions poured in on X, with one user commenting: “Eagerly waiting for this,” and another stating: “1.5 billion iPhone users thank you.”

Truecaller’s Privacy Concerns in the Past

Despite the excitement surrounding this update, Truecaller has faced its share of privacy concerns. In 2022, an investigation conducted by The Caravan alleged that Truecaller collected user information without their consent. Truecaller firmly denied these claims, stating that the investigation was flawed and based on inaccurate data. The company has since continued to assure users that it is committed to maintaining privacy standards.

Conclusion

The long-awaited update to Truecaller’s functionality on iPhones marks a major breakthrough for both the app and its users. With the iOS 18 update, iPhone users will finally be able to experience Truecaller's real-time Live Caller ID feature, a capability that has been available on Android for years. This update not only overcomes Apple's stringent privacy restrictions but also aligns with the company's commitment to enhancing user experience while maintaining privacy. For Truecaller, this achievement is the result of nearly a decade of effort, and it promises to elevate the way iPhone users manage spam and unknown calls, providing a safer and more efficient mobile experience.