There are several free apps to help you identify who a telephone number is registered to. While some are reputable and useful, others are not. You'll note, too, that while the apps may be free, there are some paid services within the apps that provide more detailed information.
In this blog post, we're looking at free apps that perform a reverse phone number lookup to help you identify who owns unknown numbers calling you. Keep reading below to learn more about these phone number lookup service options.
What Is a Reverse Phone Lookup Service?
You've been there. A call comes to your cell phone number and you don't recognize it. Many of us just don't answer calls from unknown numbers. But that doesn't mean you don't want to know who is calling you.
That's where reverse phone lookup services come in. Generally, you simply enter the phone number into the search bar and you can find the answer to "Who is this number registered to." That being said, reverse phone search services can do more than that.
Some reverse lookup services provide search results that indicate if an unknown caller is a spammer. They can help you cut down on spam calls and even allow you to block a particular number.
Many reverse phone lookup services also operate as people finders that provide everything from background checks showing criminal records to social media accounts and even location history information. The thing to remember is more detailed people search information usually requires a fee or monthly subscription.
What to Look For in a Reverse Phone Search Service
It's important to protect yourself from fake services that do not provide accurate information. The Federal Communications Commission keeps databases that some reverse lookup services are designed to access. Though they may only be permitted to access limited information, it's more reputable than other sources.
Another factor worth considering is how up-to-date the phone number owner information is through the reverse phone lookup service you're using. Sometimes it's tough to find this information but you can do a Google search or use your favorite online search engine to look for reviews from people who have used the reverse phone lookup service you're considering. It can be helpful.
Make sure the reverse phone lookups you use provide a minimum of contact details pulled from public records. Some may include other contact details like a business phone number associated with the same person, as well.
If you get a lot of harassment calls from spammers, you may want to look for an app that lets you block numbers you just searched for through the app. It's a useful tool for dealing with unwanted calls.
What Are the Best Free Apps to Identify Unknown Callers?
Now that you know there is help figuring out who that unknown phone number belongs to, let's talk about some of the best free apps. Below are our picks for reverse phone number lookup apps you can trust.
Number Tracker
Number Tracker
Number Tracker stands out as a highly efficient and user-friendly app designed to tackle the mystery behind unknown callers. Whether you're receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers or simply curious about the identity behind a missed call, Number Tracker comes to the rescue with its intuitive interface. It allows users to input a phone number swiftly, providing quick and accurate information about the caller's identity. This app doesn't stop at basic identification; it excels in distinguishing spammers, offering valuable protection against unwanted calls, and ensuring a more secure calling experience.
With its robust database and real-time lookup capabilities, Number Tracker has become a trusted companion for those seeking reliable caller identification services. Whether for personal security or simply to satisfy your curiosity, Number Tracker is a go-to app for unveiling the mysteries of unknown calls with ease and precision.
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In summary, “Number Tracker Pro” emerges as a reliable and versatile cell phone number tracker, offering discreet tracking capabilities with extensive data insights. It caters to a global audience and simplifies the tracking process by not requiring target phone installation.
However, users should consider upgrading to the premium version for an ad-free experience and access to additional features. Overall, “Number Tracker Pro” serves as an invaluable tool for those seeking effective mobile number-tracking solutions.
CocoLookup
CocoLookup is a multifaceted app that not only excels in reverse phone lookup but also stands as a comprehensive solution for people search and contact information retrieval. Beyond simply identifying unknown callers, CocoLookup empowers users to delve deeper into the lives of individuals associated with those phone numbers. Its robust database extends to email search and address lookup, allowing you to gather a wealth of information about the person behind the call or contact.
Whether you're looking to reconnect with an old friend, verify the authenticity of an email, or uncover the background of a potential business partner, CocoLookup is your all-in-one tool. It doesn't just provide a name; it often offers a comprehensive profile, including social media accounts, public records, and more, giving you a holistic understanding of the individual in question. This level of detail makes it a valuable resource for personal and professional purposes alike, enhancing your ability to make informed decisions and establish meaningful connections. CocoLookup combines the power of reverse phone lookup, email search, and address lookup into a single, user-friendly platform, making it an indispensable companion for those who seek comprehensive information at their fingertips.
Truecaller
Truecaller is an app you can download that scans your contact list and then looks for who the phone number belongs to if it's not found in your existing contacts. It has features that allow you to set your favorite callers, too.
It will identify calls as telemarketers or spammers. If you get some of these, you can immediately block the number straight from the app.
Whoscall
Whoscall earned itself a spot several years ago as one of the top downloads worldwide. It has been recognized by Google as an app with excellent quality and worthwhile.
Whoscall pulls from an enormous database the creators have built over several years. The phone numbers database is constantly updated so you get the most accurate information you can.
This app also has features for identifying spammers and blocking those numbers. It's known for cutting down on unwanted phone calls and harassment calls.
Whoscall is free but you can sign up for the premium version. It doesn't cost much but you can update the number database manually with the regular version while the premium version does it automatically. Premium is also ad-free.
You can download from Google Play or Apple AppStore .
CallApp
CallApp is much like the reverse phone number lookup services we've already mentioned. However, it has some other features worth mentioning.
CallApp does the same number identification attempts and tells you if an unknown phone number is a spam or a telemarketer. It allows you to add a number to your blocked list with just one touch. But, it does far more than that.
With CallApp, you can record your phone calls to make sure you don't miss anything. Have someone you want to build a case on? CallApp can help you do that discreetly and easily. You can keep recordings of phone calls stored in the app to access at a later time.
CallApp allows you to label your contacts with photos of video identifiers when they call, as well. It has a lot of cool features that let you customize things on your phone. You'll easily identify who is calling from just a glance.
Available from the Google Play Store for Android phones.
Tellows
This app is cool because not only does it help you know who is calling, but it also has a feature that teaches you about all the latest scams that are going on in the world of telecommunication. The caller ID function alerts you to known spammers and telemarketers.
You'll have the ability to build your blacklist. When you see a number coming in that's associated with a scam or is known to perform robocalls, you can immediately add it to your blacklist where it is forever blocked from calling your phone number.
Tellows also allows you to connect with a broad community of other users so you can get up-to-date information on other contact details for numbers that are randomly calling people in your area. It's useful to hear what others have to say about calls they're getting in your area code.
Hiya
Hiya is the parent company of Mr. Number, as was mentioned above. Hiya does business on the other side of the equation, also. Hiya creates platforms and helps businesses get their voice calls and telemarketing campaigns heard by customers. They help companies get through to their target audience on the phone.
Hiya understands the telecommunications world and the struggles faced by companies trying to get through to customers with robocalling and telemarketing campaigns. So, they use that knowledge to develop apps that help customers fend off unwanted phone calls.
While it seems counterintuitive, this company uses its expertise on both sides of the spectrum to help both companies and customers. Overall, it also helps to combat spammers.
Calls Blacklist
This app is pretty basic in terms of its functionality and operation. It's good for people who simply want to know who is calling and then block them accordingly.
You can enter numbers into the search and it will show who they're registered to. You may also get information about spammers, robocalls, and telemarketers. If so, you can put whole groups on your blacklist all at once, if you'd like.
You can just as easily unblock a number when you're ready to. it's just a click of a button.
CallerSmart
You can do reverse phone lookup searches with CallerSmart to easily identify who is calling your phone number. It's just as simple as doing a search engine entry and results are instant.
Should you find it's a number registered to someone you'd like to block, you can do that with a simple click. The number is put onto your blacklist making it so that person cannot call or text message you.
CallerSmart can help you identify unwanted spam calls and known scammer numbers, as well.
Should I Pay for the Upgrade Services?
All of the apps mentioned above are free and pretty simple to use. But all of them also offer upgraded services for those who want a little more information.
There are times when you may want to know more about who is calling you. Maybe you want to vet someone you met on a dating app before you meet them in person. It could be you have old friends coming back around and you'd like to see what they've been up to for the last decade.
Whatever the case may be, you have the option to upgrade to premium services with most caller ID apps. When you do that, you get more information, such as where someone works, what their criminal record consists of, what social media accounts they have, and more.
We can't tell you whether you should pay for the premium services or not. There are situations where it's warranted. If you have a circumstance where more information is beneficial, then pay for the upgraded service. Just make sure you use a reputable service that's been reviewed and proven to be legit.
Do People Know When You're Looking Up Their Number?
None of these apps notify people when their numbers are looked up. The phone carrier won't know either. When you put a phone number in the search bar, it goes no further than that. It's between you and the app that you searched for the owner of that phone number.
The Bottom Line
We're all going to come across a time when a reverse phone lookup service or people search is warranted. Sometimes, we need to know who's calling us. Whether it be to find out more about someone we want to know or find out if it's someone we don't want to know or don't want to call us anymore, free caller ID and blocking apps are useful tools to have control over who contacts you.
Disclaimer: The above is a contributor post, the views expressed are those of the contributor and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.
