Truecaller Ends Call Recording Feature for iPhones on September 30

Truecaller, a popular app for identifying unknown callers and blocking spam, is discontinuing its call-recording function on iOS devices. The feature, which was launched just over two years ago, will cease to be available for iPhones starting September 30, according to a confirmation from the Swedish company to TechCrunch. Truecaller has stated that this decision stems from a strategic refocusing on its core offerings, primarily combating spam calls.

Users who have utilized the call-recording feature and wish to retain their recordings have a few options. They can download their saved call recordings directly to their devices, share them via email or other messaging applications, or switch their storage preference to iCloud. This will ensure their recordings remain accessible even after the feature is officially discontinued.

Nakul Kabra, Truecaller’s head of iOS, explained that the company’s decision was driven by a desire to concentrate on enhancing its Live Caller ID and automatic spam-blocking capabilities. These core features are central to Truecaller’s mission of providing a safer and more efficient communication experience for its users.

The call-recording feature was initially rolled out for iOS in June 2023, coinciding with its reintroduction on Android. At the time, the app also gained native call transcription support. Both the recording and transcription functionalities were later launched in India in February 2024.

The technical implementation of call recording on iOS has always presented greater complexity compared to Android. Apple’s operating system does not natively permit third-party applications to record calls. To circumvent this limitation, Truecaller employed a workaround involving a recording line that merges calls, a method that inevitably increased both operational costs and technical complexity for the company. These challenges ultimately contributed to the decision to discontinue the feature on the platform.

To assist users during this transition, Truecaller has established a dedicated support page, providing guidance and solutions for any issues users might encounter. For detailed instructions on saving call recordings, users can visit Truecaller’s official support portal.

This move by Truecaller comes in the wake of Apple’s own advancements in call recording. With the introduction of iOS 18.1 last year, Apple provided native call recording and transcription support for iPhone users. Unlike Truecaller’s previous method, Apple’s native feature operates more seamlessly without requiring a separate recording line and integrates Apple Intelligence for enhanced transcriptions. This new native capability on iPhones offers a more straightforward solution for users seeking to record calls.

Truecaller historically introduced call recording on iOS as a premium feature to attract more iPhone users, as the caller ID function has limitations on the free tier. Premium subscribers benefit from additional features such as real-time caller ID, advanced spam blocking, Siri shortcuts, and incognito mode. Users interested in these enhanced features can learn more about Truecaller’s premium offerings, including real-time caller ID for iPhone users, here.

The company currently boasts approximately 3 million subscribers globally. Notably, the iOS platform accounts for a significant 44% of Truecaller’s total premium revenue, as detailed in its second-quarter financial results. This underscores the importance of its iOS user base for the company’s business model.