Truecaller has announced that its popular call-recording feature will no longer be supported on iPhones after September 30, 2025. This alteration has an impact on users worldwide and is a result of Apple’s strict regulations on third-party access to call-related APIs.
While Android users can access the feature, iPhone users will have to find other options, and that’s a bigger issue than it may seem.
Why Is Truecaller Dropping iPhone Call Recording?
The answer lies in Apple’s long-standing privacy policies. Unlike Android, iOS does not allow third-party apps to access the phone app or call audio directly. Over time, Truecaller and other apps have utilized innovative techniques like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to capture both parties’ conversations. However, Apple has been pushing back against such solutions.
According to Truecaller’s official statement, the main reason for the discontinuation was “platform limitations.”. This is not an abrupt change, but the company is now officially at the boundary.
What Does This Mean for iPhone Users?
From September 30, iPhone users will be unable to use the feature that has assisted millions of people in countries like India and Nigeria in documenting verbal agreements, protecting themselves from harassment, or retaining evidence of conversations.
The act of recording calls is not solely about spying or eavesdropping, despite its occasional framing. Self-protection and accountability are common functions of this tool in both professional and personal settings.
Apple’s Privacy Wins — But at What Cost?
Among its many strengths lies Apple’s commitment to protecting user privacy. That’s commendable. However, the strictness of its policies may be having a negative impact on things.
The fact that Truecaller offers an opt-in call-recording feature. Individuals are aware of its existence and use it with intentionality, not in a covert mode. When this functionality is eliminated, individuals are left to choose how they interact with their own data or protect their interests.
Apple’s app offerings, including FaceTime, can record audio in specific scenarios, but third-party apps are not accessible. This is a frustrating double standard. If privacy is truly the goal, shouldn’t all apps be treated the same?
Alternatives? Not Really
Call recording on iOS is available through paid apps that use external lines or cloud storage, but they come with a price tag, are expensive, and may not be accessible in all regions. In essence, there’s no real replacement for what Truecaller offered, especially not one that’s free and simple to use.
Those on Android devices will still have full access to the feature, which could result in a smaller user base for those considering switching.
This move won’t make headlines the way new iPhones or iOS updates do, but it affects how users experience ownership over their own conversations. As more services adjust to Apple’s ecosystem rules, users may have to choose between the convenience of features and the philosophy of privacy whether they agree with it or not.
If you’ve ever recorded a call for evidence, clarity, or security, this change is more than just a footnote.
