Apple’s recent update on Wednesday has introduced a significant enhancement for iPhone users by integrating Truecaller‘s real-time caller ID and advanced spam-blocking features.
This long-awaited functionality allows iPhone users to access features that Android users have enjoyed for years finally.
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Enhanced caller identification
With the introduction of the Live Caller ID Lookup framework in iOS 18.2, Truecaller can now provide real-time caller identification while maintaining user privacy.
According to Apple, “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”.
This framework employs homomorphic encryption, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure during identification.
Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller, expressed excitement about the update: “We see tremendous potential and growth in our iPhone user base… This update does that and more while preserving privacy for all calling activity”. This integration marks a notable shift in how caller ID services operate on iOS devices.
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Spam call blocking
The update adds automated spam call blocking, a popular iOS feature, and caller identification.
This functionality intercepts unwanted calls before they reach the user’s phone, enhancing the overall calling experience. Truecaller has utilised its extensive global database of over 433 million active users to identify incoming calls accurately.
The update is initially available for Truecaller Premium users, with select features accessible to free users. Truecaller also introduced a Premium Family Plan, allowing users to share benefits with family members at a reduced cost. This move aims to expand its user base on iOS, where it currently has around 750,000 subscribers out of 2.6 million total.
To take advantage of the new features, users must ensure they have Truecaller for iPhone version 14.0 or later. Then, they can enable all Truecaller switches by navigating to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.