Determining who is calling from an unknown number has become easier today thanks to applications like Who Calls Premium. However, the official version is often limited in functionality or requires a paid subscription. Users are looking for ways to download Google Play often limited in functionality or requires a paid subscription. Users are looking for ways to download full version of APK with Russian language for freebut face the risks of viruses, spyware or fake files. In this guide, we will look at where you can really find the current version of the application, how to distinguish the original from the fake, and what alternatives exist to protect against spam calls.
It is important to understand: Who Calls Premium is a modified (hacked) version of the popular identifier numbers Who Calls: Caller ID & Block from the developer Who Calls Team. Officially, the free version has restrictions on the number of number checks per day, and premium features (for example, an expanded database of scammers or blocking by category) require payment. "Premium versions" from third-party sources are often either cut-down or contain malicious code. Next is a detailed analysis of how to minimize risks.
What is Who Calls Premium and how does it differ from the free version
The application Who Calls uses a crowdsourcing database where users mark spam numbers, scammers and annoying calls from banks or debt collectors. The free version allows you to:
- ๐ See the name or category of the caller (for example, "Fraud: Bank"), if the number is in the database.
- ๐ Block up to 10 numbers manually.
- ๐ View inbox history with notes from the community.
Additional functions are declared: Premium versions Additional functions announced:
- ๐ซ Automatic blocking all numbers from the categories "Fraudsters", "Spam", "Collectors".
- ๐ Extended database with international numbers (in the free version there are often only local ones).
- ๐ Unlimited checks numbers (in the free version there is a limit of 20-50 requests/day).
- ๐ฑ No advertising and background notifications.
However, here lies the main problem: Who Calls Team does not officially distribute APK files of the premium version outside Google Play. All โhackedโ versions that can be found on file hosting sites or torrent trackers are illegal modifications with potential risks:
- ๐ฆ Built-in viruses or spyware (for example,
Android.Trojan.SMSstealing SMS). - ๐ฑ Leakage of personal data (access to contacts, call history, geolocation).
- ๐จ Google account blocking for violating the rules (if the APK contains malicious code).
Where to look for Who Calls Premium APK: reliable and dangerous sources
If you still decide to download the modified version, it is important to choose a source with minimal risks. Below is the rating of platforms by level of trust (from relatively safe to extremely dangerous):
| Source | Risk level | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| APKMirror | โ ๏ธ Average | Checks files for viruses, there is a version history | No "premium" modifications, only original APK |
| Mobilism (forum) | โ ๏ธโ ๏ธ High | There are modified versions with patches | Requires registration, a lot of advertising |
| Telegram channels (for example, "Mod APK") | โ ๏ธโ ๏ธโ ๏ธ Very high | Fast updates, Russian-speaking admins | 90% of links lead to phishing or viruses |
| File sharing services (Zippyshare, MediaFire) | โ Critical | Sometimes there are new versions | 100% probability of file substitution virus |
Important: even on relatively safe sites like APKMirror there is no guarantee that the modified version of Who Calls Premium will work stably. Often these APKs:
- ๐ Requires disabling
Google Play Protect(which reduces the protection of the device). - ๐ฑ May not update automatically, leaving vulnerabilities.
- ๐ซ Stop working after updating the official application.
Before installing an APK from a third-party source, create a backup of your Android data via Settings โ System โ Backup. This will help restore the system if the application damages files.
Step-by-step guide: how to download and install Who Calls Premium
If you consciously take risks, follow these instructions to minimize threats. You perform all actions at your own peril and risk!
๐ฑ Enable installation from unknown sources:
Go to
Settings โ Security โ Installation from unknown sourcesand allow installation for your browser or file manager.๐ Download APK from a trusted source:
We recommend using Mobilism (check the reviews on the forum!) or trusted Telegram channels with a high rating. Avoid links like
bit.ly/...โthey often lead to phishing.๐ก๏ธ Check the file for viruses:
Download the APK to VirusTotal (https://www.virustotal.com) or use an antivirus on your device (for example, Dr.Web or Kaspersky).
๐ฒ Install the application:
Open the downloaded file and confirm the installation. If an error appears
"App not installed"uninstall the official version of Who Calls from Google Play.โ๏ธ Configure rights:
After installation, go to
Settings โ Applications โ Who Calls โ Permissionsand provide access to calls, contacts i SMS (if you need to block messages).
The downloaded APK weighs ~10-15 MB (too small/large file is a sign of fake)
The hash of the file (MD5) matches that specified on the forum
Antivirus does not find threats (checked on VirusTotal)
Only the required minimum permissions are installed -->
Warning: if, after installation, Who Calls Premium asks for access to Do not provide accessibility services! (Accessibility Service) โ don't provide it! This is a classic sign of spyware that can intercept password entries.
Who Calls Premium alternatives: legal ways to block spam
If the risks of using hacked APKs scare you away, consider legal analogues with similar functionality. Some of them even surpass Who Calls in efficiency:
| Application | Free functions | Premium functions | Premium cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truecaller | Number identification, blocking spam | Hide advertising, priority support | ~300 โฝ/month |
| GetContact | Fraudster database, verification by name | Unlimited requests, history of number changes | ~200 โฝ/month |
| SberCall (from Sberbank) | Blocking fraudsters, integration with the bank | Advanced reports by numbers | Free for Sber customers |
| Kaspersky Who Calls | Checking numbers using the Kaspersky Lab database | Automatic blocking of phishing | Included in Kaspersky Premium |
Advantages of legal alternatives:
- ๐ Security: there is no risk of infecting your phone with a virus.
- ๐ Automatic updates: the database of scammers is updated daily.
- ๐ฑ Support: you can contact the helpline if you have problems.
For example, Truecaller has a database of more than 300 million numbers and is integrated with Google Messages to block SMS spam. A SberCall automatically marks numbers from which scammers often call, posing as bank employees.
If you only need spam blocking, the free functions Truecaller or GetContact are enough. Premium is only justified for business users or those who receive hundreds of calls a day.
How to recognize a fake Who Calls Premium: 5 signs of fraud
Fraudsters often disguise malware as โpremium versionsโ of popular applications. Here red flagsthat should alert you:
๐ฐ They ask for payment for โactivationโ:
This modified version does not require entering card numbers or purchasing โkeysโ. If after installation a window appears asking you to pay 99 โฝ for โunblockingโ - this is phishing.
๐ฑ Requires unnecessary permissions:
Who Calls Premium should only request access to calls, contacts and SMS. If it asks for rights to
camera,microphoneoraccessibility services-delete immediately.๐ The link leads to the left domain name:
Who Calls official website -
whocalls.app. Any other domains (for examplewhocalls-premium[.]xyz) are fake.๐ฆ APK weighs suspiciously little/a lot:
The original application weighs ~12-15 MB. A file of 2 MB or 50 MB in size is a sure sign of spoofing.
๐ Requests to update immediately after installation:
Fraudsters often embed code in APKs that displays a false โupdateโ notification. Clicking on it downloads the virus.
An example of a fraudulent scheme: you download โWho Calls Premiumโ from a torrent, install it, and a day later you start receiving an SMS asking you to confirm a payment for 500 โฝ. This is done by a Trojan Android.SmsSendthat sends messages to paid numbers.
What to do if you installed a fake application?
1. Turn off the Internet on the device (airplane mode).
2. Remove the application via Settings โ Applications.
3. Check your phone with an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes).
4. If card details have been entered, block it through the bank.
5. Reset the network settings: Settings โ System โ Reset โ Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
Russification of Who Calls Premium: how to enable the Russian language
The official version of Who Calls supports the Russian language, but in modified APKs it may be missing or work incorrectly. Here's how to solve the problem:
๐ Check the language settings in the application:
Log in. in
Who Calls โ Settings โ Languageand select Russian. If it is not in the list, go to the next step.๐ฑ Change language systems:
Sometimes the application takes the language from the Android settings. Go to
Settings โ System โ Language and input โ Languagesand move Russian to the first place.๐ง Install a patch for Russification:
On forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers sometimes they post separate translation files (
.xmlor.apk).They need to be copied to the application folder via Root Explorer (root access is required!).๐ Reinstall the APK with the Russian language:
Look for versions marked
[RU]or[Multi]in the file name. For example:WhoCalls_Premium_v5.12.3_RU.apk.
Attention: if after Russification the application starts giving an error "Unfortunately, Who Calls has stopped", this means that the translation file is not compatible with your version of the APK. Try a different build or return to the English version.
Common problems and their solutions
Even if you managed to install Who Calls Premium, failures may occur. Let's look at typical errors and how to fix them:
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Does not detect numbers | There is no access to the Internet or the database does not updated | Check your network connection and update the database manually in the settings |
| The application crashes when calling | Conflict with another caller ID (for example, Truecaller) | Delete similar applications or disable them in Settings โ Applications |
| Does not block spam | No rights granted to calls or SMS | Go to Settings โ Applications โ Who Calls โ Permissions and enable all necessary |
| Advertising appears | An incomplete modification or server advertising is installed | Try a different version of the APK or use an ad blocker (for example, AdGuard) |
If Who Calls Premium stopped working after updating Android, most likely they have changed API for working with calls. In this case:
- Roll back the application version (download an older APK).
- Disable automatic Who updates Calls in Google Play.
- Use alternatives like Truecallerthat quickly adapt to new versions of Android.
On Android 12+, many modified applications stop working due to tightened security policies. If your smartphone is updated to a new version of the OS, it is better to abandon โhackedโ APKs.
FAQ: answers to popular questions
โ Is it possible to download Who Calls Premium for free legally?
No, there is no officially free premium version. All "free" APKs outside Google Play are pirated modifications, which violates the terms of use Who Calls Team. The legal way to get premium features is to pay for a subscription in the official application.
โ Why does Who Calls Premium not block some spam numbers?
This may be due to:
- ๐ Outdated database (update the application).
- ๐ฑ Lack of permissions to block calls (check your settings).
- ๐ฆ A virus in a modified version that disables blocking.
Try to manually add a number to the blacklist in the Who Calls settings.
โ How to transfer the number database from Who Calls to another application?
Unfortunately, Who Calls does not export the contact database in a readable format. However, you can:
- Take screenshots of call history with notes.
- Manually add important numbers to the blacklist of a new application (for example, Truecaller).
- Use Titanium Backup (root required) to transfer application data.
โ Is it safe to use Who Calls Premium at work?
No! Modified APKs can:
- ๐ Transfer call history to third parties (corporate data leak).
- ๐ Intercept SMS with access codes (for example, for banking operations).
- ๐จ Violate the company's security policy (many organizations block installation of APKs from unknown sources).
For your work phone, use only official applications from Google Play.
โ Why Who Calls Premium asks for access to accessibility services?
This 100% sign of malware. Legitimate caller IDs (including official Who Calls) do not request Accessibility Service. This permission allows the application to:
- ๐ Read keyboard input (including passwords).
- ๐ฑ๏ธ Emulate clicks (for example, confirm payments).
- ๐ฑ Gain access to other applications.
If you encounter such a request - uninstall the application immediately and check your phone with an antivirus.