Truecaller will no longer offer call recording feature, here’s why

Pranav — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 10:51:03 +0000

Just yesterday, we reported that the Call recording feature on Android phones is about to get killed. Today, one of the most popular apps used for recording calls and for identifying call details – Truecaller – stated to News18 Tech that it will soon stop offering the call recording feature on its app.

Google for a long time has been keen on assuring privacy and Security on Android phones. Starting from Android 10, Google didn’t allow apps to record calls on Android phones.

To foil the restriction imposed by Google, apps started using the Accessibility API for call recordings. Using Accessibility API means users can simply get permission from users for recording calls regardless of them being on any Android versions. Now, however, with Google’s recent Play Store policy change, apps cannot request remote call audio recording.

That being said, apps like Truecaller, which uses Accessibility API for recording calls will not work. And thus, the company has now confirmed the same in an official statement.

“At Truecaller, we had introduced call recording for all Android smartphones based on overwhelming consumer requests. Call Recording on Truecaller was free for everyone, permission based, and required uses to enable the feature using the Google Accessibility API. However, as per the updated Google Developer Program policies, we are unable to offer call recording any longer,” said a Truecaller spokesperson.

Truecaller also stated that devices that have an in-built call recording feature can still record calls. Currently, Xiaomi, Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and Oppo offer built-in call recording features on their dialers, so users owning phones of any of these brands are spared.

A presenter of a webinar held by Google recently said the same. “If the app is the default dialer on the phone and also pre-loaded, accessibility capability is not required to get access to the incoming audio stream, and hence, will not be in violation.”

Call recording on Android phones will soon be restricted, but not entirely

Pranav — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:29:06 +0000

The Android OS, for a long time, has a feature that the competitor OS – iOS – lacks. We are talking about none other than the call recording feature. While some Android users rely on the native call recording feature, others have to depend on the third-party apps available on the Play Store. However, call recording on Android phones will soon stop, but now entirely.

Google recently updated its Play Store policy which has several changes that will come into effect from May 11. One of the significant changes that the policy brings will have a major effect on call recording applications that are available on the Play Store.

As per Google’s new Play Store policy (via), the Accessibility API cannot be requested for remote call audio recording, meaning that apps won’t be allowed to get permission for call recordings. This could mean that popular apps like TrueCaller, Automatic Call Recorder, Cube ACR, and others won’t work.

However, if your Android phone’s dialer has a call recording feature by default, then you can still record calls. Google has revealed that a pre-loaded call recording app or a feature does not require accessibility permissions, thus the native call recordings will work.

“If the app is the default dialer on the phone and also pre-loaded, accessibility capability is not required to get access to the incoming audio stream, and hence, will not be in violation,” said a presenter of a webinar held by Google.

As of now, the Google Pixel, Xiaomi , Oppo, OnePlus, and Samsung come with a default call recorder on their native dialer apps. So, if you own phones from any of these brands, you don’t need to panic.

Call recording on Android Archives - Gizmochina

Truecaller will no longer offer call recording feature, here’s why

Call recording on Android phones will soon be restricted, but not entirely