Truecaller today announced that it would be removing its call recording functionality for iPhone users from September 30. This is a big strategic move for the company. As it works to improve its core staples of Live Caller ID and automatic spam blocking, there are already plenty of other features. Truecaller introduced a call recording and transcription feature in India last year. This decision was intended to lure in new iPhone users by offering them a real-time caller-identification feature alongside increased spam-blocking functionality.
The in-use call recording feature used a third party recording line that bridged calls together, a process which introduced significant expense as well as complication. This move stands in stark opposition to Apple’s recent introduction of native call recording and transcription support. Unlike the old approach, users no longer have to dial into a different recording line. The iOS 18.1 update, rolled out by Apple, offers users the ability to record calls with Apple Intelligence-powered transcriptions, making it easier and more efficient than Truecaller’s previous method.
Nakul Kabra, Truecaller’s head of iOS, stated that the company made this decision to streamline its operations and prioritize its core functionalities. That’s the point, he stressed — improving the user experience for spam identification and unwanted call prevention. Rather than adopt a complicated new feature just to do so, we’re trying to prioritize that which really resonates with users.
Truecaller first brought the controversial call recording feature in June 2023 for paid subscribers, around the same time it reintroduced it on Android. Despite this effort to entice iPhone users to upgrade, the company has decided that focusing on its primary functions will ultimately benefit its subscriber base. Truecaller now has over 3 million paying subscribers globally, with iOS representing about 44% of its overall premium revenue.
If you’ve experimented with our new call recording function, it’s never been more simple to download your call recordings directly to your devices. You can send them directly via email or messaging apps, or you can change your storage option to iCloud. As of September 30th, that will no longer be the case on iPhones.
Truecaller’s decision to discontinue the call recording feature signals a shift in strategy as it aims to streamline its offerings and improve user engagement through its existing features. As the landscape of call management evolves, Truecaller is positioning itself to better compete in a market where effective spam blocking and caller identification remain crucial for users.