Truecaller Call Recording Ending on iPhones

Truecaller to End Call Recording on iOS

Truecaller is phasing out its call-recording capability for iOS devices. This decision arrives a little over two years following the initial release of the function. The Swedish firm is prioritizing its primary service: combating unwanted spam calls.

Feature Discontinuation Details

The company officially confirmed to TechCrunch on Friday that call recording will no longer function on iPhones beginning September 30th. Users who have previously saved call recordings have several options. They can download the files to their devices, share them through email or messaging platforms, or adjust their storage settings to utilize iCloud for continued access after the feature's removal.

Strategic Shift in Focus

Nakul Kabra, Truecaller’s head of iOS development, explained to TechCrunch that the decision stems from a desire to concentrate resources on enhancing its Live Caller ID and automated spam-blocking functionalities.

Recent History of the Feature

In June 2023, Truecaller extended call recording to iOS subscribers who had paid for the service. Simultaneously, the feature was reintroduced for Android users. The application also gained native call transcription support. Both call recording and transcription were initially launched in India the previous year.

Technical Challenges on iOS

While call recording operates efficiently on Android, it presents greater complexities on iOS. Apple’s operating system doesn't natively allow third-party applications to record phone calls. Truecaller circumvented this limitation by employing a recording line that merged calls for recording purposes.

According to Kabra, this workaround increased both the operational costs and the technical complexity. Ultimately, these challenges contributed to the decision to discontinue the feature.

User Support Resources

The company has established a dedicated support page to assist users encountering any difficulties during this transition period.

Apple's Native Call Recording

Truecaller’s announcement follows Apple’s introduction of native call recording and transcription capabilities for iPhone users with the iOS 18.1 update last year. The native functionality doesn't require a recording line connection, unlike Truecaller, and incorporates transcriptions powered by Apple Intelligence.

Incentivizing Premium Subscriptions

Initially, Truecaller introduced call recording to encourage iPhone users to upgrade to a paid subscription. The caller ID function is restricted on the free version. Paid subscribers benefit from real-time caller ID, advanced spam blocking, Siri shortcuts, incognito mode, and other premium features.

Subscriber and Revenue Data

Truecaller currently boasts approximately 3 million subscribers globally. According to its second-quarter financial report (PDF), iOS accounts for 44% of its total premium revenue.