Truecaller, the popular Swedish app known for identifying and blocking spam calls, has announced it will be discontinuing its call-recording feature on iOS devices beginning September 30. This decision marks a strategic shift by the company to prioritize its core anti-spam and caller ID functionalities.
The call-recording feature was first introduced to iPhone users in 2022 as a paid offering. Although it provided value to many users, the company has now decided to retire the feature. iOS users who have saved recordings will still be able to access them—either by downloading them locally, sharing via messaging or email, or storing them on iCloud to retain access after the service ends.
Nakul Kabra, who leads Truecaller’s iOS efforts, explained that the change is part of a broader plan to sharpen the app’s focus on Live Caller ID and automatic spam detection—two of the company’s most widely used tools. Kabra noted that implementing call recording on iPhones has always been more complicated compared to Android due to Apple’s strict privacy and system limitations. Since iOS doesn’t allow native call recording by third-party apps, Truecaller had to rely on a workaround involving a third-party line merger, which added both technical and financial burdens.
Although the feature worked more smoothly on Android devices, the complexities on iOS made it harder to maintain. These complications were a driving factor in the decision to phase it out.
Interestingly, Apple recently introduced its own native call recording and transcription capabilities with the rollout of iOS 18.1. Unlike Truecaller’s workaround, Apple’s built-in system offers a seamless, direct experience without needing to merge lines. It also supports AI-driven transcription, making it more appealing to iPhone users looking for these features.
Truecaller initially added call recording to attract more iOS users to its premium subscription, which also includes features like real-time caller identification, spam blocking, Siri shortcuts, and incognito mode. Despite iOS making up only a fraction of the app’s global user base, it contributes significantly—about 44%—to Truecaller’s overall premium revenue.
While the removal of this feature might disappoint some users, Truecaller remains committed to refining and enhancing its key functionalities that protect users from unwanted calls and spam.
