Truecaller: Caller ID & Dialer

Functionality 4/5

It’s great when you have your contacts in your phone book. You won’t lose it after switching to a new device as it’s synchronized with cloud servers. But you can’t keep all of your potential contacts in your private phonebook.

Truecaller claims it does it for you. The app has a database with millions of mobile or landline numbers included. When somebody unknown is calling you, TrueCaller app will search for matches in its cloud database and provide you the info on this number.

Well, this kind of freedom doesn’t come for free. Instead, you have to register and provide your own personal data to TrueCaller's base. If it’s not acceptable for you, you may stop here and save your time. If you don’t mind your personal data identified by people you may need to call some time later, you may create your TrueCaller ID or connect it to Google+ or Facebook. So, the info you provide is the info you get.

The app has its specific sense of humor. When it calls you to confirm the number you provide, it says you don’t have to put up the receiver unless you want to talk to a robot. Well, if you wish, you can.

After installing you can start using TrueCaller as your default dialing app. It uses the main Android caller database, so your contacts and your history are here from the beginning. Take a minute to browse your history; you’ll see that some numbers you didn’t bother to save now have names. That’s TrueCaller overriding anonymous numbers by records from its base.

TrueCaller advantages unfold in full only between those already using it. When you are busy talking or have turned your phone mute, the Truecaller app will recognize it and warn anybody trying to call you provided they use TrueCaller too.

The global database can be used for searching users (yes, like in old time messengers like ICQ). But don’t worry: it doesn’t mean that anyone can find your number and call you immediately. The request should be confirmed prior to starting a conversation. By the way, you can make your personal data private or public as well, as you wish.

The search works as well and the other way: you can search for a number to detect whether it’s registered in Truecaller’s database and get the necessary info on it.

And yes, the service can be used for detecting spam senders and for tagging them as spammers. If a user gets tagged often enough, that’s a reason for tagging him/her on TrueCaller’s side.

Design 4.5/5

The app looks great, it’s fast to make out almost anything. The history has an obvious but rare feature of coloring different types of calls with different colors.

The service is so informative that you can tap almost anything to discover a new possibility: you can google by username, divide your contacts into private users and companies, edit data, read history and search through it, block contacts or add them to the whitelist, and do much, much more. It will take days to make out, but chances are you won’t switch back to regular dialers after you taste TrueCaller.

It will be easier in your language, as the app is translated into all popular languages of the world. Well, it only concerns the app’s interface, not the personal data entered by users.

Usability 4.5/5

As we have said, the app is so rich in features that it would take days to discover them all. So bother yourself, take a minute to read the description that names all the features.

The only downside to the overall pleasure of using TrueCaller is about ads. They pop up like bubbles in still water each time you start the app. But, to tell the truth, the ads don’t interfere with your further experience.

Cross-platform use 5/5

The app is available for both Android and iOS, as well as for Windows Phone, the third in popularity, and for BlackBerry. It’s not hard to download Truecaller app even if you use Firefox OS, that stillborn child of the mobile world. Kudos to developers for trying to cover as many users as possible!

In-app purchases

The free Truecaller app is fully functional with no extra payments. Still, there are Premium accounts you can't buy once and forever. There is a monthly subscription (SaaS, yes, that’s the case) that will cost you about $0.99/month.

Premium removes ads and allows you to send up to 30 simultaneous requests to contacts that haven’t added you. Another little thing is Premium icon in your profile, a quintessence of vanity some are still ready to pay for.

We heard that some hackers have already modified the Truecaller app (download available only for Android), but SaaS model leaves these efforts aimless, and a modified Truecaller APK makes no real sense. But do you really need a Premium account? Think, and if $12/year is not that much for you, then why not? Consider it your voluntary support for such a great project you may contribute, though, still, you don’t have to.

The Bottom Line

The app that adds a database functionality to your phone book has also a whole pack of minor improvements to your phone experience. It’s worth trying. But if you suddenly decide to quit it, take a moment to remove your data as described in Help menu. Otherwise, your number will remain saved in Truecaller’s database.