Sanchar Saathi App: Now Pre-Installed on New Smartphones

UPDATE:
https://infotech.sitescape.co.in/2025/12/sanchar-saathi-app-row-center-clarifies.html

Sanchar Saathi App: Now Pre-Installed on New Smartphones… 

The Central Government has issued important new instructions to mobile manufacturers. According to a report by Reuters, all new smartphones sold in India must now come with the government’s cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi pre-installed — and unlike regular apps, this one cannot be removed by users.

Why this move?

India has over 100 crore mobile users, and with the rapid rise of cyber fraud, mobile theft, and IMEI cloning, the government is tightening digital security.

Launched earlier this year, the Sanchar Saathi app helps users:

• Track and block lost or stolen phones

• Prevent IMEI spoofing

• Strengthen cybersecurity for mobile users

So far, the app has helped the government identify more than 7 lakh stolen devices.

Mandatory by default

Reports suggest that the Ministry of Telecom has directed mobile brands to make Sanchar Saathi a default, non-deletable app on all new phones. Companies have reportedly been given a 90-day deadline to comply.

For phones already in the supply chain, manufacturers may be asked to push the app through a software update, ensuring wide adoption.

But there may be pushback…

Apple is known for not allowing pre-installation of government or third-party apps on its devices, except for its own system apps. Sources say the company has previously resisted similar directives from other governments as well.

This raises questions about whether Apple — and even Google or Samsung — will oppose or negotiate the mandate. For now, none of the major companies or the government have officially commented.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dot.app.sancharsaathi