The Worst Experience with Truecaller: Poor Service and Unfulfilled Promises

Introduction

Truecaller’s tagline may give the impression that it’s a foolproof solution for identifying unknown callers and blocking spam, but for many users, the experience has been far from smooth. While the app is meant to offer seamless caller identification, users have reported numerous issues that challenge its effectiveness and reliability. From poor spam-blocking features to frustrating privacy breaches, this blog will explore the key problems that have led users to label Truecaller’s service as one of the worst in the industry.

A Brief Overview of Truecaller

Launched in 2009, Truecaller gained massive popularity by offering a solution to an increasingly irritating problem: unsolicited calls. It promised to provide real-time caller identification, allowing users to block spam, scams, and telemarketing calls. Over the years, the app expanded its features to include call recording, VoIP calling, and payment services in some regions. However, the rise in user complaints suggests that Truecaller is struggling to deliver on its core promises.

---

1. Spam Blocking Failures: False Promises?

One of the most common complaints from Truecaller users is the app’s failure to effectively block spam calls. Users rely on Truecaller to filter out telemarketers, robocalls, and scam calls, but in many cases, the app simply doesn’t work as advertised.

Inconsistent Blocking of Spam Calls

Truecaller claims to have a large database of spam numbers that are regularly updated based on user reports. Despite this, many users report that they continue receiving calls from known spam numbers that Truecaller fails to identify. Even worse, the app sometimes labels legitimate calls as spam, causing users to miss important communications.

For instance, users have reported cases where the app failed to block repeated calls from telemarketers, despite the numbers being flagged as spam in the database. The inconsistency in blocking unwanted calls has led many to question whether Truecaller’s core feature—spam blocking—is reliable at all.

Unreliable Call Identification

Another major problem is Truecaller’s inability to accurately identify unknown callers. Many users have reported instances where the app fails to display the correct information about a caller, leaving them unsure whether to answer or ignore the call. This defeats the entire purpose of using a caller identification app, especially in situations where identifying the caller quickly is crucial.

---

2. Privacy Concerns: Is Your Data Safe?

One of the most alarming issues with Truecaller is the potential threat to users’ privacy. For an app that requires access to personal contact lists, call logs, and SMS history, data privacy is paramount. However, Truecaller has been at the center of multiple privacy-related controversies, causing concern among privacy-conscious users.

Data Sharing with Third Parties

Truecaller has been accused of sharing user data with third parties, including advertisers and analytics firms. While Truecaller claims that user data is anonymized before it is shared, the extent to which this data is protected remains unclear. Many users feel uncomfortable with the idea that their call logs and contacts might be accessible to third parties without their explicit consent.

This issue becomes even more troubling when considering that Truecaller has faced legal challenges in several countries over its data collection practices. Some governments have raised concerns that the app violates local privacy laws, forcing Truecaller to make changes to its operations in certain regions.

Unwanted Contacts in Database

Truecaller relies heavily on user contributions to build its database of phone numbers. However, this system has its own set of problems. Even if a user has never signed up for Truecaller, their phone number could be added to the database if one of their contacts uses the app. This means that a person’s phone number could be publicly available in Truecaller’s database without their knowledge or consent, raising serious privacy concerns.

For those who value their privacy, this lack of control over how their phone number is used and shared is a significant drawback.

---

3. Poor Customer Service: Lack of Support for Users

Another glaring issue with Truecaller is its poor customer service. When users encounter issues with the app—whether it’s failed spam blocking, incorrect caller identification, or data privacy concerns—they often turn to customer support for help. Unfortunately, many users have found that Truecaller’s customer support is unresponsive, unhelpful, or downright dismissive.

Slow Response Times

Numerous users have complained about the long response times when reaching out to Truecaller’s support team. In some cases, users report waiting weeks or even months for a resolution to their issues. Given that Truecaller is used for real-time caller identification, such delays are unacceptable.

Lack of Resolution for Reported Issues

Even when users do receive a response, many have found that their problems are not adequately resolved. Some users report receiving generic responses that don’t address their specific concerns, while others claim that their issues are simply ignored. For an app that claims to prioritize user experience, Truecaller’s lack of effective customer support is a major red flag.

---

4. Frequent App Crashes and Glitches

In addition to its functional shortcomings, Truecaller is notorious for frequent app crashes and glitches. Users often complain that the app freezes or crashes at critical moments, such as during an incoming call or when attempting to block a spam number. These technical issues not only hinder the app’s performance but also cause frustration for users who rely on Truecaller for day-to-day communication.

Battery Drain Issues

Another common complaint is the app’s high battery consumption. Many users report that Truecaller drains their phone’s battery much faster than other apps, making it inconvenient for users who need their phone’s battery to last throughout the day. For those with older phones or limited battery capacity, this can be a dealbreaker.

Incompatibility with Certain Devices

Truecaller is also known to have compatibility issues with certain devices and operating systems. Users with older smartphones often find that the app doesn’t function properly or is slow to load. While Truecaller has released updates to address some of these issues, the frequent technical glitches and performance problems continue to frustrate users.

---

5. Paid Subscription Issues: Is Premium Worth It?

Truecaller offers a premium subscription that promises additional features such as ad-free usage, advanced caller identification, and the ability to see who has viewed your profile. However, many users who have paid for the premium service feel that the extra features are not worth the cost.

Limited Value for Premium Users

Several users report that even after paying for the premium version of Truecaller, they still experience the same issues as free users. Spam calls continue to get through, and caller identification remains inaccurate. This has led many to question whether the premium subscription offers any real benefits over the free version of the app.

Billing and Refund Issues

On top of that, some users have experienced issues with billing and refunds. Users who have tried to cancel their premium subscription report that they were still charged for the service, and getting a refund from Truecaller proved to be a long and frustrating process.

---

6. Alternatives to Truecaller

Given the numerous issues with Truecaller, many users are now exploring alternatives that offer better spam-blocking, caller identification, and privacy protections. Some popular alternatives include:

• Hiya: Known for its accurate caller ID and spam-blocking features.
• CallApp: Offers caller identification, call recording, and spam blocking with a focus on user privacy.
• Should I Answer?: This app relies on a community-driven database of spam numbers and focuses on preserving user privacy.

These apps provide similar functionality to Truecaller but often come with fewer complaints about privacy breaches, poor customer service, and technical glitches.

---

Conclusion: Is Truecaller Really Worth It?

While Truecaller has established itself as one of the most popular caller identification and spam-blocking apps on the market, its numerous shortcomings suggest that it may not live up to its promises. From failing to block spam calls to raising serious privacy concerns, Truecaller’s service has left many users disappointed. Add to that its poor customer service, frequent app crashes, and billing issues, and it’s no wonder that many users are seeking alternatives.

If you’re currently using Truecaller and are experiencing any of the issues discussed in this blog, it might be time to explore other options that offer better performance and respect for your privacy.