Ranking updated
Caller ID and spam call blocker apps
A caller ID app tells you who is calling before you answer, even when the number is not in your contacts, and blocks spam and scam calls. Truecaller identifies spam, fraud and robocalls and lets you search an unknown number. Getcontact shows unknown callers, blocks spam calls and cleans spam SMS. Hiya can answer unknown calls for you and warns when a caller may be using an AI voice. On Android, Phone by Google already warns about suspicious callers.
How we picked: caller ID apps from sellers shown as traders in the App Store and Google’s own phone app, with features from each app’s own description. We skipped apps of Russian origin and lookalike caller ID apps from individual sellers. Some features need a subscription.
Truecaller: spam detection and number search
Truecaller identifies spam, fraud, scam and robocalls before you answer, lets you search unknown numbers and block unwanted callers. On iPhone with iOS 18.2 and later its caller ID shows in the Phone app once you enable it under Call Blocking and Identification, and that feature needs a paid subscription. A family plan shares the protection with up to four family members.
Getcontact and Hiya: unknown callers, spam SMS and AI voices
Getcontact tells you who is calling even if the number is not saved, blocks fraud and ad calls before the phone rings, cleans spam messages and adds end-to-end encrypted chat, with alerts from its user community. Hiya adds call screening that answers an unknown call and asks why the person is calling, detects AI-generated voices and warns in real time about scam tactics like urgent payment demands.
Phone by Google: built into Android
Phone by Google is Google’s phone app. It shows warnings about suspicious callers, lets you block numbers, uses Google caller ID to show which business is calling, and on supported phones Call Screen answers unknown callers and filters out detected spam. To record an important call, see call recording apps. Choosing between the two most searched, see Truecaller vs Getcontact.
| App | Caller ID | Spam protection | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| TruecallerApp StoreGoogle Play | identifies unknown numbers, number search | flags spam, scam and robocalls, blocks callers, family plan | iOS, Android |
| GetcontactApp StoreGoogle Play | shows who is calling even if not saved | spam call blocker, spam SMS cleanup, community alerts | iOS, Android |
| HiyaApp StoreGoogle Play | caller ID and call context | call screening, AI voice detection, fraud warnings | iOS, Android |
| Phone by GoogleGoogle Play | shows the business that is calling | suspicious caller warnings, block numbers, Call Screen | Android |
Frequently asked questions
How can I find out who is calling from an unknown number?
A caller ID app like Truecaller, Getcontact or Hiya shows who is calling even if the number is not in your contacts, and Truecaller also lets you search a number.
How do I block spam calls on iPhone?
Install Truecaller, Getcontact or Hiya and turn it on in Settings under Call Blocking and Identification. Truecaller’s iPhone caller ID needs a subscription.
Does Android have caller ID built in?
Phone by Google warns about suspicious callers, shows which business is calling and lets you block numbers.