Truecaller call recording feature to stop working on iPhones from September 30: Here’s why

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Truecaller will stop offering its call recording feature on iPhones starting September 30, the company confirmed. The move comes just over two years after the feature was introduced for iOS users and is part of the company’s decision to refocus on its core strengths such as spam detection and caller identification.

The popular caller ID app had launched call recording on iOS in June 2023, but unlike Android where recording is simpler, Apple's strict privacy rules made it much harder. Since iOS does not allow third-party apps to record calls directly, Truecaller had to use a workaround involving a recording line that merges calls, making the process costly and complicated.

Truecaller’s Head of iOS, Nakul Kabra, told TechCrunch that the decision was driven by the company’s desire to focus on more effective tools like Live Caller ID and automatic spam blocking, which are at the heart of its service.

The end of the call recording feature doesn’t mean users will lose their saved recordings. Truecaller has given users the option to download them, share them through apps like email or WhatsApp, or switch to iCloud storage to keep the files accessible even after the feature goes offline. A support page has also been set up to help users through the transition.

The change follows Apple’s own move to introduce native call recording and transcription as part of its iOS 18.1 update last year. Apple’s built-in system works more smoothly, without needing to merge calls, and comes with AI-powered transcription support features that make third-party solutions like Truecaller’s less necessary.

While Truecaller has about 3 million paying users globally, iPhone users represent a major chunk  about 44% of its premium revenue. Still, the company seems confident that focusing on real-time caller ID, spam blocking, and privacy-first features will continue to attract and retain iOS subscribers.