Unknown calls have become part of daily life in India. Sometimes it’s a delivery update. Other times, it’s a scam waiting to happen. To tackle this, India now has two different caller identification systems. One is CNAP, a new network-level feature introduced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The other is Truecaller, an app most users already rely on. Both aim to answer the same question, who’s calling, but they work very differently. So the big question is simple. Does CNAP finally replace Truecaller, or do they serve different purposes?
What Is CNAP?
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TRAI launched CNAP to show you the caller’s registered name when they call. No app needed and no subscription fees. The name comes straight from the telecom company’s database, the same information you provided when buying your SIM card.
Right now, it works on 4G and 5G networks. Testing started in December, and it should be available everywhere by March or April 2026.
How Does It Work?
Your phone company already has your name from KYC documents. When someone calls you, the network pulls their registered name and shows it on your screen. Simple as that.
You don’t need an internet connection. You don’t need to update anything. It works because it’s built directly into the telecom network. If you don’t want people to see your name when you call them, you can turn it off using the CLIR setting.
What Is Truecaller?
Most people already know Truecaller. It has been popular in India for years, showing caller names, blocking spam, and telling you who’s calling before you pick up.
The big difference? Truecaller gets its information from users, not telecom companies. When people install the app and upload their contacts, that data feeds into Truecaller’s database. That’s how it identifies callers.
Truecaller doesn’t just show names. It also displays logos, reasons why someone might be calling, and how many people have marked a number as spam. These features go far beyond what CNAP currently offers.
The Differences Between CNAP And Truecaller
Display Name
CNAP shows the exact name registered with your telecom operator. It’s accurate based on SIM ownership, but if someone else uses the number later, you may still see the old name.
Truecaller updates faster. If a number shifts from personal to business use, users can update it. That flexibility also means the name might not match official records.
Privacy
CNAP only shows your registered name. That’s all. Your contacts stay private, and your data remains with the telecom company.
Truecaller requires access to contacts, calls, and sometimes messages to function properly. Your phone number ends up in its database, meaning other users can identify you even if you’ve never installed the app.
What They Actually Do
CNAP does one thing. It shows and verifies caller names. No spam filtering and no extra tools.
Truecaller is a full communication utility. It blocks spam, filters messages, allows call recording, and lets you search unknown numbers. According to recent reports, India receives around 202 million spam calls every month, which is where these extra features become valuable.
Pricing
CNAP is completely free. Once your telecom operator enables it, it works automatically.
Truecaller has a free version with ads and paid premium plans. Premium removes ads and adds features like invisibility mode and profile view tracking.
Which One Should You Use?
Choose CNAP if:
- You care deeply about privacy and don’t want apps accessing your data.
- You want to know who’s calling without extra setup.
- You’re okay with basic caller ID and don’t receive many spam calls.
- CNAP doesn’t drain battery or consume mobile data.
Choose Truecaller if:
- You receive frequent spam calls.
- You want to block scammers and telemarketers automatically.
- You need to know whether an unknown number is a courier, business, or fraud caller before answering.
Truecaller claims it blocks over 38 million spam calls regularly.
Conclusion
Truecaller currently dominates with over 350 million users worldwide, with India being its largest market. That massive user base is what powers its strong spam detection.
CNAP, on the other hand, has the potential to reach hundreds of millions of Indian users within its first year, according to telecom experts. Its strength lies in privacy and verified KYC-based identification, not advanced filtering.
In reality, CNAP doesn’t replace Truecaller. It complements it. CNAP is ideal for users who want a clean, privacy-first caller ID, while Truecaller remains the better choice for aggressive spam control. The choice depends on what you value more, privacy or protection.
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