Truecaller’s Game-Changing Update for iOS Users
For quite some time, iPhone users have been missing out on a key feature that Android users of Truecaller have long enjoyed—real-time caller ID. This has left many wondering when the popular caller identification app would bridge this gap. Well, the wait is finally over. Truecaller is rolling out an update that brings this much-desired feature to its iOS users, thanks to Apple’s introduction of Live Caller ID Lookup in iOS 18.
Understanding Apple’s Role in the Update
Apple’s recent system update has opened the doors for third-party apps like Truecaller to securely connect with their servers to fetch caller information. This is a significant development, allowing Truecaller to offer its iOS subscribers the same real-time caller ID experience that Android users have enjoyed.
A New Era for Truecaller Post-Leadership Change
This update marks the first major release from Truecaller since co-founders Alan Mamedi and Nami Zarringhalam stepped back from daily operations in November 2024. Currently, Truecaller boasts over 2.6 million paying subscribers, with around 750,000 using iOS. Interestingly, despite fewer users on iOS, these subscribers account for a substantial 40% of Truecaller’s revenue.
“We saw a 5X conversion rate to our premium tier on iOS compared to Android,” remarked Nakul Kabra, Product Director at Truecaller.
{TechCrunch Interview}
The Strategic Importance of iOS for Truecaller
The importance of the iPhone market for Truecaller’s financial health cannot be overstated. In 2022, the company relaunched its iOS app focusing on enhanced spam detection capabilities. This was made possible by Apple’s decision to allow more numbers to be stored locally on devices.
“It improved overall call identification but wasn’t enough in countries like India,” said Kabra. The challenge lies in handling high call volumes and maintaining an updated offline database.
Overcoming Challenges with Homomorphic Encryption
Truecaller’s latest update involves an advanced server architecture and encrypted databases tailored for iOS. This new setup allows Apple’s Phone app to send encrypted requests and receive encrypted responses that are decrypted locally on the device—a process known as homomorphic encryption.
“There might be some delay due to queuing and encryption processes,” Kabra noted. “But it shouldn’t exceed a few hours.”
{TechCrunch Interview}
Testing and Future Enhancements
TechCrunch’s testing under Truecaller’s beta program revealed that real-time caller information is generally accurate, although occasional misses occur. The premium service offers various plans starting at $9.99 per month and provides additional features such as family plans and gold subscriptions.
- Individual Plan: $9.99/month or $74.99/year
- Family Plan: Starting at $14.99/month or $99.99/year
- Gold Subscription: $249/year
Enabling the New Feature
To activate Live Caller ID Lookup on your iPhone, navigate through: Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification. With iOS 18, Truecaller has also refreshed its interface, prominently displaying caller names in bold above the number.
The Road Ahead for Truecaller
Looking forward, Truecaller plans to introduce image support for caller IDs on its iOS platform—a move that promises to enhance user experience further.
