What is Sanchar Saathi, the app that government wants Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and others to preload on smartphones

The government has mandated that all smartphones sold in the country must come pre-installed with Sanchar Saathi, a cybersecurity application. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued the directive on November 28, 2025, under the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, marking the first time India has required state-backed software on all mobile devices. The move affects one of the world's largest smartphone markets, with over 1.2 billion mobile users. Sanchar Saathi, launched in January 2025, is described by DoT as a "citizen centric initiative" designed to empower mobile subscribers and strengthen their security against telecom-related cyber threats. The app is available both as a mobile application and through a web portal at www.sancharsaathi.gov.in, offering various services aimed at protecting India's 1.2 billion mobile users from fraud and device theft.According to government data, the platform has already demonstrated significant impact, helping recover over 700,000 lost phones, blocking more than 3.7 million stolen devices, and terminating 30 million fraudulent mobile connections. The DoT justifies the initiative by citing the prevalence of duplicate or spoofed IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers, which pose serious cybersecurity threats. The department also notes that India's large second-hand mobile device market has seen cases of stolen or blacklisted devices being resold, making purchasers unwitting participants in crime.The app offers several practical services for users. Through its "Chakshu" feature, citizens can report suspected fraud communications, including impersonation scams involving government officials, banks, or police, as well as unsolicited commercial communications (spam). Users can also report malicious web links received through SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other platforms.Another feature allows users to block and trace lost or stolen mobile devices using the phone's unique 15-digit IMEI code. Once blocked through the app, the device becomes unusable across all networks, even if the SIM card is changed. The app also enables users to verify how many mobile connections are registered in their name, helping them identify unauthorized SIM cards. Additionally, users can check the genuineness of their mobile handset by scanning its IMEI barcode to ensure they haven't purchased stolen or counterfeit devices.The directive has encountered resistance from major smartphone manufacturers, particularly Apple. According to Reuters, Apple does not plan to comply with the mandate to preload its smartphones with the state-owned cyber safety app and will convey its concerns to New Delhi, three sources said. While India's smartphone market is dominated by Android devices, Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in the country by mid-2025, according to Counterpoint Research. Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint, told Reuters that "Apple has historically refused such requests from governments," suggesting potential friction ahead as the 90-day compliance deadline approaches.Initially, the DoT directive reportedly stated that the pre-installed application must be "readily visible and accessible" to users during device setup and that its functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted. This sparked questions about user choice and flexibility. However, Minister Scindia quickly addressed these concerns, emphasizing that the app is not mandatory for use."If you want to delete the app, you can, it is not mandatory. For instance, if you don't want to use the app, don't register for it, it will stay dormant, and delete it if you want to," Scindia explained. He added that the government's responsibility is to make the app available to everyone, as many citizens are unaware of this tool designed to protect them from digital frauds and theft.The directive requires manufacturers to complete implementation within 90 days and submit compliance reports within 120 days. For devices already in sales channels, manufacturers are encouraged to push the app through software updates. Sanchar Saathi can be downloaded from both Google Play Store and Apple App Store for users who wish to access its services voluntarily.