
Truecaller is a popular app that helps you identify unknown callers and block spam numbers. With over 250 million users worldwide, it's a go-to solution for many.
It offers a robust caller ID feature that provides accurate name and number identification, even for numbers not in your contact list.
Truecaller's database of over 3 billion phone numbers makes it an effective tool for blocking unwanted calls.
What Is Truecaller?
Truecaller is a popular mobile application designed to help users identify unknown callers and block unwanted communications. Launched in 2009 by True Software Scandinavia AB, it has grown to become one of the most widely used caller identification and spam-blocking apps globally.
Truecaller leverages a vast lookup database of phone numbers collected from various sources, including its user community, to provide real-time identification of incoming calls. This database is a key feature that sets Truecaller apart from other similar apps.
The app displays the caller's name and other relevant information when an unknown number calls a Truecaller user, allowing users to decide whether to answer the call. This feature is especially useful for users who receive calls from unknown numbers.
A different take: Truecaller Has Added Real-time Caller Id Support for Ios Users.
Truecaller offers a robust spam-blocking system that automatically filters out unwanted calls and messages based on user reports and a global spam database. This feature helps users avoid unwanted communications and stay focused on important calls.
Users can also search for phone numbers within the app for finding phone number owners. This feature is convenient for users who need to find someone's contact information.
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Key Features
Truecaller's key features are designed to make your life easier and more secure. The app allows you to identify unknown calls and messages with its powerful search engine.
Truecaller has a massive database of phone numbers and user reviews, making it easy to identify spam calls and block unwanted numbers. With over 3 billion phone numbers in its database, you're likely to find the information you need.
The app also offers a feature to automatically block spam calls and messages, giving you peace of mind and a clutter-free phone experience.
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Features Offered

The features offered by this system are truly impressive. One of the standout features is real-time data processing, which allows for instant results and seamless integration with other tools.
This feature is made possible by the system's advanced algorithms, which can process large amounts of data in a matter of seconds. The result is a more efficient and accurate output.
Another key feature is its ability to learn and adapt to user behavior, allowing it to provide more personalized results over time. This feature is especially useful for users who need to perform complex tasks or analysis.
The system's user-friendly interface is also worth mentioning, making it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need.
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Pay
Truecaller has some great features that make it a convenient tool for managing your finances. Truecaller Pay is one of them.
This feature allows users to create their own Virtual Payment Address, making it easy to send or receive money using UPI. Users can also get prepaid or postpaid recharge done through this feature.
Truecaller has partnered with several banks, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Axis Bank, to make this feature possible.
With Truecaller Pay, users can easily manage their finances and make transactions on the go.
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Check if Your Number Is Spam
If your number has been flagged as spam by other users, it will be indicated in the search results when you look up your own phone number on Truecaller.
You can use the Truecaller phone number search function to check if your number is marked as spam. This is a quick and easy way to see if your number has been mistakenly marked as spam.
If you find that your number has been marked as spam, you can request its removal by selecting the option to report it as "not spam" or contacting Truecaller support for assistance.
Truecaller will show you a red-colored contact card when you receive a call from a number that has been blocked by too many people, notifying you about spammers.
Using Truecaller
Truecaller is a powerful tool for managing your messages. Setting it as your default messaging app allows you to identify spam messages and block unwanted senders.
To enable this feature, open the app and click on the 'Message' icon on the bottom left. You'll then need to enable Spam protection, which will prompt a message asking if you're sure you want Truecaller to become your default messaging app.
This change will help you stay on top of unwanted messages and keep your inbox clean.
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Available on iPhone
Truecaller is finally usable on the iPhone, seven years after it first launched its app.
The app has been updated to include real-time spam protection features, similar to its Android app. This means you'll get warned about spam calls as they come in.
To enable this feature, go to Settings -> Phone -> Call Blocking and Identification, and turn it on.
Truecaller has also added a feature called 'My Block List', which lets you control who can contact you.
Spam calls are a major problem worldwide, with an estimated 20 million US consumers losing over $7.4 billion every year.
Make Video Calls
Truecaller offers a convenient way to make video calls. You can do this by selecting the information icon next to the person you wish to call.
To initiate a video call, you need to have Google's video calling app Duo installed on your device. Truecaller will automatically call the person via Duo.
Just go to Truecaller, and select the option of Video Call from the available choices. This will start the call process.
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Search Numbers/Contacts
Using Truecaller to search for numbers and contacts is a breeze. With a vast database of numbers, you can type in the name of the person you're looking for and Truecaller will show you the results.
Truecaller's directory feature allows you to search for numbers by name, and you can even search for numbers using email IDs. The 'Search' option in Truecaller is incredibly useful for finding numbers of various services such as airlines, railways, healthcare, banks, hotels, and more.
To get the most out of Truecaller's search feature, you'll need to upgrade to the paid version of the app. However, the free version still offers a lot of functionality, including blocking numbers and protecting yourself from spammers.
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Set as Default Messaging App
Truecaller will prompt you a number of times to enable setting it as your default messaging app. This lets you identify spam messages, block spam and telemarketing messages, and more.
To enable this, open the app and click on the 'Message' icon on the bottom left.
Enabling Spam protection will prompt a message alerting that Truecaller will become your default message app. Press Continue on the card to proceed.
Finally, Truecaller will show you another card to notify of changing the messaging app. Click 'Ok' to confirm the change.
Create Your Profile
Creating your profile is a straightforward process with Truecaller. You can add your picture to make it more personalized.
You can also add your name and other details like an address, email ID, or a website to your profile. This will help others identify you when they look up your number.
If you have a Google or Facebook account, you can connect it to your Truecaller profile, making it easier to set up and manage.
Reporting a Caller
Reporting a caller on Truecaller is a straightforward process. You can view the details of the number by searching for it or clicking on the icon provided.
If you receive a call from an obvious spammer, you can block and report the number directly from the interface. This will block the number for you, but it requires more people to mark it as spam for it to be flagged as “possibly spam” or “blocked by Truecaller” for others.
You can contribute further by adding information about the caller, such as the company name and an appropriate tag like 'sales.' This makes the information more relevant for the next person searching for the same number.
You can also leave a comment about the number, either anonymously or under your name. This helps to verify the number's spam status and provides valuable feedback to the community.
Reporting spam numbers benefits everyone, as a collective effort can identify and block spam calls globally. In 2020 alone, this collaborative effort resulted in the blocking of 31.3 billion spam calls.
On a similar theme: Truecaller Spam Blocker
Reviews and Ratings
Truecaller has a strong reputation for being an effective tool to make communication safe and efficient. This is backed by user reviews, which show a high level of satisfaction with the app.
One user, Jamesd7266, gave Truecaller a perfect 5/5 rating and reported being happy with the app after using it for 4 months. He specifically mentioned that blocking numbers works well and that the app recognizes contacts and displays names of new callers.
Truecaller's community-based spam list is updated by millions of users worldwide, making it a valuable resource for identifying and blocking unwanted calls.
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Security and Functionality
Truecaller's servers were allegedly hacked into by the Syrian Electronic Army in 2013, exposing sensitive databases due to an unmaintained WordPress installation.
The attack did not disclose any passwords or credit card information, but it did raise concerns about the app's security.
Truecaller uploads users' stored contacts to their servers, which may violate GDPR and similar regulations in multiple countries.
This practice has led to debates about data privacy and the extent to which Truecaller can be trusted with personal information.
In 2019, a security flaw was discovered that exposed user data, as well as system and location information, but it was immediately fixed by Truecaller.
Multiple times in 2020 and 2021, reports surfaced about a massive Truecaller database leak on the internet, exposing users' and non-users' personal information.
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Security and Privacy
Truecaller's servers were allegedly hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army in 2013, exposing 7 sensitive databases that contained user information.
This hack was attributed to an unmaintained WordPress installation on the servers, which is a common vulnerability that can be easily exploited.
Truecaller uploads users' stored contacts to their servers, which may violate GDPR and similar regulations in multiple countries.
This practice has raised concerns about data privacy and the extent to which Truecaller can be trusted with personal information.
In 2019, a security flaw was discovered that exposed user data, system information, and location information, but was promptly fixed by Truecaller.
A massive database leak was reported multiple times in 2020, 2021, and 2024, revealing information about users' and non-users' phone numbers, names, phone carriers, tags, email addresses, and more.
Truecaller's database is built by aggregating user-contributed contact information, which raises concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of information.
Truecaller's developers claim to have implemented measures to comply with data protection regulations, including the GDPR in Europe, but critics argue that these measures are not sufficient.
Users have reported issues with spam filtering and caller identification accuracy, which can affect the user experience and the app's reliability.
Truecaller's premium subscription offers additional features, such as advanced blocking options, but comes at an additional cost.
Ultimately, whether Truecaller can be trusted depends on an individual's comfort level with sharing personal data and the steps they take to manage their privacy settings within the app.
Competitive & Regulatory Environment
Truecaller gets about 75% of its revenue from India, a significant market share that could be impacted by regulatory changes. The Indian regulatory body TRAI has a competing service for Caller ID based on CNAP (Caller Name Presentation), which could substantially reduce Truecaller's usage in India.
TRAI started cracking down on tele spammers in August 2024, instructing telecom providers to terminate all telecom resources of unregistered tele marketers. This enforcement is leading to a massive termination of spamming numbers and blacklisting their companies.
The Indian data privacy act, set to come into force in 2024, will negatively impact Truecaller's ability to collect and use unconsented data, which powers their caller ID database. This change will likely impact Truecaller's revenue and functionality.
Truecaller is facing lawsuits in Nigeria, with two more cases seeking to end their unconsented data practices. They have defended their security and privacy policy, stating that users are the data controllers and Truecaller is merely a data processor.
Closing Thoughts
Truecaller is a powerful tool for identifying unknown callers and blocking unwanted communications, making it a valuable app for enhancing your communication experience.
The app's extensive database and user-contributed information offer real-time identification of incoming calls, helping users make informed decisions about answering calls.
Truecaller's commitment to security, transparency, and compliance with data protection regulations helps mitigate potential misuse of data.
Some users find the Truecaller scammer call filtering tools to be beneficial, despite occasional inaccuracies in spam filtering and the presence of ads unless a premium subscription is purchased.
By reporting and blocking spam numbers, users help build a global community that can identify scammers and protect against fraudulent activities.
Truecaller's collective effort in combating social engineering and vishing scams is a significant step towards enhancing communication security and maintaining better control over privacy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out who called me for free?
Use online reverse phone lookup tools like Who Called Me? or Truecaller to quickly and easily identify who called you for free
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