The government of India has ordered that every new smartphone sold in the country must come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed. The mandate comes from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which issued the instructions on 28 November 2025.
What the mandate says
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From now on, all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India must have Sanchar Saathi installed at the factory or before sale.
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For phones already in stores or in the supply chain, makers must push the app via a software update.
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The app must not be hidden or disabled, it needs to be visible and active when users first set up their phone.
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The compliance deadline for manufacturers is 90 days; they also must report compliance within 120 days.
What is Sanchar Saathi and why?
According to the government, Sanchar Saathi is a “citizen-centric” cybersecurity app aimed at making mobile use safer and tackling telecom fraud. Among its functions:
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Checking whether a phone’s IMEI (device identity number) is genuine or blacklisted.
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Reporting lost or stolen phones and allowing users to block them.
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Reporting suspicious calls or messages, scams, or fraudulent telecom activity.
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Helping users see all mobile connections linked to their name, aiding in detecting unauthorized SIMs or fraud.
The government says this move is meant to address growing concerns over fake or duplicate IMEIs, unverified phones, identity-based telecom frauds, and to improve device- and user-safety.
Concerns and objections
Not everyone is happy with the decision. Privacy advocates, digital-rights groups, and some industry insiders argue this could violate user privacy and amount to intrusive oversight. They warn that forced pre-installation especially with restrictions on removal undermines user choice and personal space.
Some also argue that the order lacks adequate public discussion or clear safeguards, especially around data collection and user consent.
Moreover, major global smartphone makers, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo and others now face the challenge of complying with the rule without violating their own privacy policies and global standards.
What it means for you (and phone buyers)
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If you buy a new smartphone in India (after the 90-day compliance window), it will come with Sanchar Saathi already installed, whether you like it or not.
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If you already own a phone (or buy one now), manufacturers may send a software update soon to install the app.
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The government says the app will help you check if a phone is genuine, report scams, and block lost/stolen devices which could improve safety and reduce fraud risks.
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But many people worry about privacy, data security, and the lack of a choice to remove an app made compulsory by the government.