The Indian government has taken a major step to strengthen digital safety by making the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on every new smartphone sold in the country. The directive, issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), applies to all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and importers, including big names like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo.
The idea is simple: make the app easily available the moment a user turns on a new device. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Sanchar Saathi?
Launched in May 2023, Sanchar Saathi is a government platform that helps users stay safe in the digital world. The app provides several important security and verification tools that make it easier to:
1. Report Lost or Stolen Phones
If your mobile phone ever gets lost, stolen, or misused, the app lets you report and block the device instantly. This also includes blocking malicious web links.
2. Check Mobile Connections in Your Name
Many people in India don’t realise how many mobile SIMs are issued in their name. Through the app, you can quickly find out the number of active mobile connections linked to your identity.
3. Verify Trusted Bank and Financial Institution Contacts
Sanchar Saathi provides a list of verified customer care numbers of banks and financial institutions. This helps you avoid falling for fake helpline scams.
4. Report Fraud Easily
DoT officials say that the app drastically reduces the time required to report fraud. Earlier, people had to visit the website to raise a complaint. Now, it takes just a few taps on the app – no need to remember your IMEI number.
5. Check if a Phone Is Genuine
The app lets you verify whether a handset is original or counterfeit, an especially useful feature for people shopping online or buying used phones.
6. Report Spam or Suspicious Calls
Users can report spam messages, strange calls, or even international calls appearing with Indian numbers. OTP verification is not required.
How Effective Has Sanchar Saathi Been So Far?
According to official data from the Sanchar Saathi platform:
- Over 42.14 lakh mobile phones have been blocked.
- More than 26.11 lakh lost or stolen devices have been traced.
- 288 lakh+ people requested info about mobile connections linked to their names.
- Out of these, 254 lakh+ requests have already been resolved.
- The app has crossed 1.14 crore registrations, with
- 1 crore+ downloads on Google Play Store,
- 9.5 lakh+ downloads on Apple App Store.
- 1 crore+ downloads on Google Play Store,
These numbers show that the app is already widely used and trusted.
Why Is the Government Making the App Mandatory?
The DoT says the move is meant to safeguard citizens, especially at a time when online scams, phishing calls, and fake customer care numbers are on the rise.
For devices already in stock or in sales channels, manufacturers are required to push the Sanchar Saathi app via a software update.
Key reasons for this mandatory installation include:
- Preventing users from buying fake or non-genuine devices
- Making it easier to report fraud or misuse of telecom services
- Improving the overall effectiveness of the Sanchar Saathi programme
OEMs will get 90 days to fully comply, and they must submit a compliance report within 120 days.
What This Means for Smartphone Users
This move will directly benefit millions of users by giving them built-in protection from day one. Whether it’s verifying a handset, reporting fraud, or tracing a stolen phone, the Sanchar Saathi app aims to make mobile usage in India safer and more transparent.
For the government, the initiative is a big step toward a more secure digital ecosystem. For users, it means less hassle and more control over their mobile identity and device security.
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TechRadaar Opinion
The government’s decision to make the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new smartphones is, in our view, a smart and timely move. India is one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, but it’s also a growing target for digital scams, fake customer care numbers, and phone fraud. By ensuring that every device comes pre-loaded with Sanchar Saathi, the DoT is placing a strong safety shield right in the user’s hands from day one.
What we like most is that the app simplifies things that were earlier complicated—like checking how many SIM cards are issued in your name or reporting a lost phone without memorising your IMEI number. The platform already has an impressive track record of helping people trace devices and identify misuse, which shows its real-world impact.
Of course, some users may initially feel that mandatory apps reduce their choice, but the intention here is genuinely beneficial. This isn’t bloatware—it’s a security tool that every mobile user should have easy access to.
Overall, TechRadaar believes this mandate will not only improve user safety but also build more trust in India’s digital ecosystem. With rising fraud attempts across the country, having Sanchar Saathi pre-installed feels less like a rule and more like a necessary upgrade for every Indian smartphone user.
FAQs
1. What is the Sanchar Saathi app?
Sanchar Saathi is a mobile safety platform launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It helps users report lost or stolen phones, check the number of mobile connections in their name, verify handset authenticity, and report fraud or spam.
2. Why is the Sanchar Saathi app being made mandatory?
The government wants to improve digital safety and make fraud reporting easier. By pre-installing the app on all new smartphones, users get instant access to important security tools from the very first use.
3. Which smartphone brands must follow this rule?
All major OEMs—such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo—must pre-install the app on devices manufactured or imported for sale in India.
4. Do users need to remember their IMEI number for reporting?
No. The Sanchar Saathi app can automatically fetch your device details, so you don’t need to manually enter or remember the IMEI number.
5. Will I get the app on my existing smartphone?
Yes. For devices already in the market, manufacturers have been asked to push the Sanchar Saathi app through a software update.
6. Can I check how many SIM cards are issued in my name?
Yes. The app shows all mobile numbers registered under your identity, helping you spot any suspicious or unauthorised connections.
7. Is Sanchar Saathi free to use?
Yes, the app is completely free and available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
8. How effective is Sanchar Saathi so far?
According to official data, over 42 lakh phones have been blocked, more than 26 lakh stolen devices traced, and more than 1 crore users have registered on the platform.
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