Understanding how Truecaller shows caller name before call actually connects
Since its inception in 2009, Truecaller has been helping people with features like caller identification, spam call blocking, SMS filtering, and several others. Interestingly, the mobile app shows caller IDs before the call actually connects, which has often left many wondering how Truecaller manages to do that. Some users have also sought answers from the company. Read on to learn how the system works.
First, let's recap how caller IDs appear in advance
As many of you may have already noticed, Truecaller shows a caller ID alert saying "incoming call by" followed by the name of the caller. The notification pops up a few moments before the call connects, and the phone starts ringing for the user to answer. This has led many to wonder how exactly Truecaller knows who is going to call in advance.
Truecaller says it uses internet on caller's device
In a blog post, Truecaller earlier explained the case by saying that the "caller alert before calls connect" feature works by sending an alert to the recipient (Truecaller user) by using the mobile data/Wi-Fi of the caller (another Truecaller user). "Since data/Wi-Fi is faster than a regular cellular network, the notification reaches you first, before the actual call comes through," the company had explained.
It helps you decide what to do with incoming call
In its explanation, Truecaller added that the advance alert with caller ID eventually helps users decide what to do with a call that's about to come. Users can determine if the caller is important enough to be answered, or they can choose to put the phone on silent. So, basically, it saves you from the mess of dealing with unwanted callers.
Security still remains point of question
While the feature appears to be working well and helping several Truecaller users, and the company claims it is fully secure, its backend working remains completely unclear. We can't be completely sure about how secure it is. The company has previously been involved in a number of security-related matters, including a case where Truecaller users' data was found on sale on the dark web.
Truecaller says you can disable feature
If you are not convinced, Truecaller says that the feature—which requires notification permissions to work—can also be disabled by simply blocking the app from sending notifications via phone settings.
