When you register your number on Truecaller, the app requests various permissions to deliver its services effectively. Some of these permissions are essential for core functionality, while others enhance the experience or enable optional features. Below, we break down the key permissions Truecaller requires and explain their purpose.
Mandatory Permissions
These permissions are required for Truecaller to perform its basic functions, such as identifying callers, managing contacts, and blocking spam.
Phone Call Logs & Make and Manage Phone Calls: Truecaller requires access to your call logs and phone functionality to provide live caller ID and spam protection during incoming and outgoing calls. It also needs this to manage phone calls directly through its smart dialer.
Contacts Access: To display the names of contacts already saved in your phonebook when a call comes in. It also allows you to manage your contacts within the app
Read Phone Status and Identity: This permission is crucial for detecting events like incoming or outgoing calls. It allows Truecaller to activate caller ID and spam identification services during a call.
Full Network Access
View network and Wi-Fi connections
Receive data from the Internet
Truecaller needs this to connect with its servers, update spam lists, and retrieve caller information in real time.
Optional Permissions
These permissions enhance your experience but are not essential for Truecaller to function.
Draw Over Other Apps (Floating Caller ID Pop-up): This permission allows Truecaller to display caller ID information on top of other apps when you receive a call.
Receive/Read SMS and MMS: Required to read SMS permission to identify the sender & also to categorize the message as important, spam or fraud and to highlight important information.
Location: Location access allows Truecaller to show region-specific spam information and enables location sharing through SMS or chats.
Camera: The camera is used for various functions, such as attaching photos to messages and scanning numbers
Microphone: This permission is required for Truecaller's call recording feature (where supported) and to send audio clips in messages.
Modify or Delete USB Storage Content: This permission allows Truecaller to save profile pictures and multimedia files to your device.
Modify Your Contacts: Truecaller can add or edit contacts in your phonebook if you enable this permission.
Notification Access: This permission lets Truecaller read incoming notifications and provide information about unknown numbers in apps like WhatsApp or other messaging platforms.