The update takes full advantage of Apple’s newly introduced Live Caller ID Lookup framework in iOS 18. This system allows third-party apps like Truecaller to securely retrieve caller information without compromising privacy, using advanced encryption technology. 

The feature ensures that iPhone users can now enjoy the same caller identification abilities that Android users have had access to, ensuring users stay safe.

Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller, said, “We are excited to bring the full power of Truecaller to iPhone. We see tremendous potential and growth in our iPhone user base, and parity with Truecaller’s Android experience has been top of their wishlist. This update does that and more while preserving privacy for all calling activity.”

Truecaller’s global database, combined with its latest artificial intelligence technology, ensures that iOS users can identify and block as many unwanted calls as possible. The app also allows users to search for previously identified calls from their call history, making it easier to track down nuisance callers.

Truecaller’s premium users will enjoy all of these new features, while free users can still benefit from basic caller identification and number search for verified businesses. 

The new features are being rolled out globally, with the ability to subscribe to a Premium Family plan, allowing users to share the app’s benefits with up to four people at a reduced price.

The update results from the importance of iPhone users to Truecaller’s business. The company generates a huge portion of its revenue from iOS subscribers, with a higher conversion rate to premium plans compared to Android. 

This update will boost Truecaller’s services as improvements could leverage its growing iPhone user base.

The update is compatible with the iPhone XR and XS models and later versions, as well as the second and third generations of the iPhone SE. 

Essentially, any device that supported iOS 17 can also run iOS 18. The new software brings a range of enhancements, but some of the highly anticipated features related to Apple’s generative AI efforts, dubbed “Apple Intelligence,” are not included in this initial release.

Announced earlier this year during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), iOS 18 was expected to incorporate several AI-driven tools under the Apple Intelligence brand. 

However, these features won’t be available until a later update, iOS 18.1, which is expected to launch in beta later this year. 

When introduced, Apple Intelligence will focus on text-editing capabilities, such as rewriting, proofreading, and summarising lengthy texts. Future iterations will also bring features like automated notification summaries and a photo-cleaning tool.

Despite the absence of AI functionalities in the initial iOS 18 release, users will still find a number of noteworthy updates aimed at improving everyday interactions with their devices. 

These include new home screen customisation options, such as dark and tinted icons, as well as a more modular Control Centre. App updates have also been a key focus, with significant changes to the Photos, Voice Memos, and Notes apps. 

The Photos app has been redesigned to better highlight users’ past memories, and the Voice Memos and Notes apps now include live transcription of audio. Additionally, iOS 18 introduces a new Passwords app for managing and securing personal data.

How to Upgrade

For those eager to upgrade to iOS 18, the update is available both over-the-air through the Settings app and by connecting the device to a computer for a manual installation. 

The latter method is particularly useful for devices with limited storage, as it requires less free space to complete the update. 

Before proceeding, Apple strongly recommends backing up your device, either through iCloud or by connecting it to a computer. Encrypting the backup is advisable, as it offers added security, particularly for sensitive information like saved passwords and health data.

To begin the update, users should navigate to “General” in the Settings app and select “Software Update.” Once the update is requested, it will begin downloading as soon as it’s available. 

While waiting, users may want to explore reviews outlining the new features in iOS 18, as well as noting which features will be rolled out in future updates. For European users, it’s worth noting that some features may vary due to regional regulations.

He warns that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, Apple devices would be banned from his businesses, and visitors would have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they’ll be stored in a Faraday cage.

This, according to Elon Musk, is due to major issues surrounding privacy and security.

Apple announced that with iOS 18, Siri will utilize ChatGPT for handling complex queries. This integration allows users to ask Siri questions, and if ChatGPT can assist, it will ask for permission to share the query and provide an answer. 

Apple has assured that user data will only be shared with explicit consent and that interactions are designed to be secure. Again, user data shared with OpenAI will not be logged or stored.

Elon Musk took to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), noting his disapproval. He described the integration as an “unacceptable security violation” and threatened to ban Apple devices at Tesla, SpaceX, and other Musk-owned companies.

He suggested that OpenAI’s capabilities should remain within a dedicated app rather than being integrated at the operating system level. 

On the part of Elon Musk, this points to a deep mistrust of the integration, implying that OpenAI could potentially access personal and private data through this new system. Despite reassurances from Apple and OpenAI, Elon Musk remains unconvinced, highlighting what he sees as a fundamental privacy risk.

Apple has reiterated that user control and consent are at the core of the ChatGPT integration. According to Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, users will be asked before any information is shared with ChatGPT. 

The integration will be rolled out to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year, available on iPhone Pro 15 models and devices using M1 or newer chips. OpenAI also reiterated that requests are not stored and users’ IP addresses are obscured. 

Privacy and security in the integration of third-party AI technologies into operating systems are a big concern. However, reports point to Elon Musk’s standpoint as being influenced by his interests in his own AI ventures, such as xAI’s Grok. 

Apple’s announcement includes additional integrations, such as using ChatGPT within writing tools to generate content like bedtime stories or images, which further expands OpenAI’s reach and utility within the Apple industry.