Truecaller launches AI-powered call recording, transcriptions in India for Android and iOS phones

Truecaller has introduced its artificial intelligence (AI) based call recording and transcription features in India. The feature was initially introduced in the US in June 2023, but less than a year later, the company is expanding it to more regions. Android and iOS users will be able to record incoming and outgoing calls and transcribe them using AI. It is being added as a premium feature and will only be available to paid users of the app.

In a statement, Truecaller said the feature will allow users to directly record calls within the app and eliminate the need to use third-party call recording apps. Additionally, the company has used AI to also offer a transcription feature that will provide a full transcription of recorded conversations once the conversation is over. Interestingly, the app offered call recording earlier, but had to discontinue it after Google added restrictions on apps using an API designed for call recording accessibility features.

The call recording part works differently for both iOS and Android. The iPhone operating system is more restrictive when it comes to third-party call recording, so Truecaller users will have to go to Search page and touch Record a conversation, which will prompt the app to call a recording line, which the company says is a special number provided by them. Users can then call the person they wish to record the call to and click on the option to merge the two calls. Once the call is merged, recording will begin and the user will receive a push notification. The app maker said all recorded conversations are stored locally on the device, but users can back up to iCloud.

On Android, the process is pretty easy. The Truecaller dialer includes a dedicated record button that can start and stop recording. If the user is not using the app dialer, they will see a floating record button. For both platforms, once the conversation ends, a push notification will indicate when the transcription is ready. Transcriptions are available in English and Hindi. Users can listen to recordings, rename them, delete unwanted ones or share them with other applications.

It should be noted that the Google Pixel 8 series and supported models of older generations, as well as Samsung smartphones supporting Galaxy AI, already have a built-in function to transcribe conversations in real time. However, users who do not have such a feature in their smartphone can use Truecaller at a cost. This is part of the app’s paid features and users will need to subscribe to Truecaller’s Premium plan. In India, paid tiers start at a monthly price of Rs. 75 and an annual cost of Rs. 529.