Truecaller Introduces Real-Time Caller ID

In a long-awaited update, Truecaller, the popular caller identification app, has finally rolled out real-time caller ID support for iPhone users. This move addresses the growing frustration of iOS users who have been at a disadvantage compared to their Android counterparts, benefiting from this feature for some time.

A Major Update with iOS 18

The breakthrough comes with Apple's introduction of Live Caller ID Lookup in iOS 18, enabling third-party apps like Truecaller to access caller information securely from their servers. This change marks a significant milestone for Truecaller, especially as it comes right after co-founders Alan Mamedi and Nami Zarringhalam stepped back from daily operations in November 2024.

The Financial Significance of iOS Users

Despite having over 2.6 million paying users globally, only about 750,000 subscribers are on iOS. However, it's interesting to note that iOS accounts for 40% of Truecaller’s premium revenue, and the conversation rate to its premium offerings on iOS is five times higher compared to Android. This statistic highlights the financial significance of iPhone users for Truecaller, prompting the company to continuously enhance its iOS app experience.

Enhancements to Spam Detection

Back in 2022, Truecaller revamped its iOS application to upgrade spam detection capabilities, facilitated by Apple allowing expanded local storage of phone numbers. Truecaller Product Director Nakul Kabra mentioned the high volume of calling activity in countries like India, stressing the need for more comprehensive offline databases.

Challenges from Competing Services

India also poses unique challenges due to the emergence of a competing service called Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), aimed at reducing spam calls and potentially threatening Truecaller’s market position. Additionally, real-time caller ID features were tested in 2023; however, they required user interaction with Siri, which wasn't entirely effective.

Technical Innovations in iOS 18

Before the arrival of iOS 18, Truecaller was limited to a pre-saved dictionary of phone numbers, affecting the speed and accuracy of caller identification. Now, they have built a new server architecture and a separate encrypted database for iOS. This innovative process uses 'homomorphic encryption,' allowing the Phone app to send and receive encrypted requests and responses, with decryption occurring on the iPhone itself.

Future Developments and Subscription Plans

Kabra explains that while there might be slight delays in receiving caller information due to encryption processing, data syncing between Android and iOS databases is on the horizon, promising a more seamless experience. Truecaller’s iOS premium subscriptions start at $9.99 a month or $74.99 annually, with a family plan option also available. The app can easily be customized to enable the live caller ID feature through the iPhone's settings.

User Experience Improvements

Moreover, Truecaller has updated its application interface, now featuring caller names prominently displayed in bold over the number. Excitingly, Truecaller is also working on adding images to caller IDs, taking user experience to the next level.

Conclusion

In a world where spam calls are increasingly common, Truecaller’s real-time caller ID for iPhone users not only improves call identification but also raises the stakes in the battle against unwanted calls. How this will impact the competitive landscape with the rise of CNAP remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Truecaller is positioning itself at the forefront of caller identification technology.