What is Truecaller?
Truecaller is a popular spam call and text blocking app available for iOS and Android. As of 2024, it boasts over 350 million active users worldwide. Its key features include:
- Caller ID to identify unknown numbers
- Spam call & text blocking
- Crowd-sourced global spam number database
- Reverse number lookup
Truecaller was founded in 2009 in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most widely used apps globally to combat the increasing problem of spam calls and texts. However, it’s not without alternatives and competitors in the call blocking space.
How Does Truecaller Work?
Truecaller uses two primary methods to identify and block potential spam calls and texts:
- Phone directory: If you grant permission, Truecaller will use data from your device’s contacts to help identify incoming calls and texts.
- Crowdsourcing: When a large number of Truecaller users report a number as spam, that number gets flagged as potential spam for all users.
When an incoming call matches a number in Truecaller’s spam database, you’ll see a color-coded warning identifying it as spam, along with a brief description like “telemarketer” or “suspected scam.”
By keeping its spam database constantly updated through crowdsourcing, Truecaller stays on top of the latest schemes and robocall trends. This allows it to quickly identify and block new spam numbers as they emerge.
Is Truecaller Safe? A Look at Privacy & Security
One common concern is whether an app like Truecaller, which requires access to your contacts and call information, is safe to use from a privacy and security standpoint. Here’s what I found based on my research:
Truecaller is generally considered a safe and legitimate app. It is transparent about the data it collects and how that information is used. Key points regarding Truecaller’s data handling:
- Personal data collected includes your name, phone number, device information, and any info you add to your Truecaller profile
- With permission, it will also access your contacts to help identify callers
- No one can use Truecaller to look up your full name and get your phone number
- Looking up a number will only show any name and profile info that a user has made public
- You can manage your data and deactivate your account anytime via the app’s Privacy Center
While Truecaller did face allegations of a data breach in 2019, the company asserted that no sensitive user information was compromised. I found no indication of any major privacy issues since then.
So in summary, while you do have to share some personal info for Truecaller to work, the company seems to handle data responsibly and securely overall. Just be mindful about any sensitive details you choose to add to your public Truecaller profile.
How to Use Truecaller
Getting started with Truecaller is fairly straightforward:
- Download the Truecaller app from the App Store or Google Play
- Grant the necessary permissions for Truecaller to work (contacts, phone, SMS)
- Verify your phone number
- Create your profile with your name and any details you want public
- Enable the spam blocking features you want to use
- Let Truecaller work its magic in the background!
During my hands-on test, I found the app intuitive and easy to navigate. The caller ID and spam warnings showed up consistently without having to open the app.
Within the app itself, you can manually look up numbers, check your spam statistics, and report numbers as spam to improve Truecaller’s database. Some advanced spam blocking features require a Premium subscription.
Truecaller Premium
While Truecaller’s core spam identification and blocking functionality is free, it does offer some enhanced features for paying subscribers:
- No ads
- Enhanced caller ID
- Who viewed your profile
- Incognito mode
- 30 contact requests per month
As of 2024, Truecaller Premium starts at $4.99/month or $29.99/year. Gold subscriptions with bonus features go up to $249.99/year. For most users, the free version covers all the essentials.
Truecaller Pros and Cons
So is Truecaller the best spam call blocker out there? Here’s a summary of the key strengths and limitations I found:
Pros
- Consistently identifies and blocks spam calls/texts
- Massive crowdsourced database of spam numbers
- Intuitive app interface
- Useful extra features like reverse number lookup
- Free core version covers the necessities
Cons
- Can’t block area codes or number prefixes
- Requires sharing contacts and call history
- No call log or blocked text content (Android only)
- Premium features like ad-blocking require subscription
Truecaller vs. Alternatives
How does Truecaller compare to other popular call blocking apps? Here’s a quick look:
| App | Spam Blocking | Caller ID | Spam Texts | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truecaller | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | Free / Premium |
| ShowCaller | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | Free |
| Eyecon | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | Free / Premium |
| YouMail | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | Free / Premium |
| RoboKiller | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | $4.99/mo |
| Whoscall | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | Free / Premium |
While each app has its own unique features, Truecaller stands out for its huge database of known spam numbers and reliable spam blocking for both calls and texts. Its free version also covers the core functionality, making it accessible to all. For more options, check out this roundup of the best Truecaller alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- Truecaller is a legitimate, widely-used app that effectively identifies and blocks spam calls and texts
- It uses a combination of your contacts and crowdsourced spam reports to screen calls
- While you do share personal info, Truecaller seems to handle data securely and responsibly
- The free core features will likely suffice for most users, with Premium plans unlocking extras
- It outperforms many competing apps thanks to its massive spam number database
Truecaller Review FAQs
- Is Truecaller free? Yes, Truecaller offers a free version with all the core spam-blocking features. Premium subscriptions unlock extras like no ads, enhanced caller ID and more.
- Will Truecaller work without an internet connection? No, Truecaller requires an internet connection to access its database and stay updated with the latest spam numbers.
- Does Truecaller work on both iPhone and Android? Yes, Truecaller has both an iOS and Android version you can download from the App Store or Google Play.
- Can I stop using Truecaller anytime? Yes, if you decide to stop using Truecaller you can deactivate and delete your profile info anytime via the “Privacy Center” in the app.
- Is Truecaller available worldwide? Yes, Truecaller can be downloaded and used in all countries. However, the size of its spam database may vary from region to region.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to keeping your phone free of annoying and dangerous spam calls and texts, Truecaller is one of the most effective and user-friendly solutions available today. In my experience, it consistently flagged potential spam and let me automatically block them.
While you do have to grant Truecaller access to your contacts and call logs, my research found no major red flags around how it handles this data. For me, the benefits of having a reliable spam blocker outweighed the data sharing tradeoff.
The free version covers all the key features most users need. But for those willing to pay, the Premium plans unlock some handy extras like an ad-free experience.
So if you’re looking for a simple way to fight back against the spam call epidemic, definitely give Truecaller a try. With its robust spam database and intuitive interface, it’s a great first line of defense to protect your phone – and your sanity.
