India's telecoms ministry has issued a directive requiring all new smartphones sold in the country to come preloaded with a government-owned cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, which users will not be able to delete. The move is part of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen telecom cybersecurity but may raise concerns among Apple and privacy advocates.
According to the November 28 order, which was privately shared with smartphone manufacturers, companies have 90 days to ensure that new devices come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed. For smartphones already in the supply chain, the ministry instructed manufacturers to push the app via software updates.
The order, not publicly released, applies to major smartphone brands operating in India, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.
The government highlighted that the app is crucial for mitigating "serious endangerment" to telecom cyber security caused by duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers. Such vulnerabilities can facilitate scams, fraud, and network misuse.
Key functionalities of the Sanchar Saathi app include:
Reporting suspicious calls
Verifying IMEIs of devices
Blocking stolen mobile phones through a central registry
The app has helped recover over 700,000 lost phones since its launch in January, with 50,000 recovered in October alone. Additionally, it has terminated over 30 million fraudulent connections and blocked more than 3.7 million stolen or lost phones.
Apple, which operates iOS devices, accounts for approximately 4.5% of India’s 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025. Apple’s policies prohibit pre-installation of third-party or government apps before a device is sold.
"Apple has historically refused such requests from governments," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research. He added that Apple might negotiate a compromise, possibly allowing users to install the app voluntarily rather than making it mandatory.
Other major manufacturers, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo, primarily run Android OS, which allows for easier pre-installation of government apps. The telecom ministry’s order ensures that all smartphones, regardless of brand, adopt the Sanchar Saathi app to enhance cybersecurity measures nationwide.
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 14- to 17-digit number assigned to every mobile device. It is used to block network access for phones reported as stolen.
The Sanchar Saathi app allows users to:
Verify the authenticity of a mobile device
Block stolen or lost phones
Trace lost devices through law enforcement assistance
Prevent counterfeit devices from entering the black market
Since its launch, the app has been downloaded more than 5 million times, helping police track stolen devices and enhancing telecom network integrity.
This initiative forms a critical part of India’s broader push to secure mobile networks and digital infrastructure. By ensuring that every smartphone has a cybersecurity layer in place, the government aims to reduce fraud, improve device traceability, and protect consumers.
The app’s mandatory pre-installation underscores India’s commitment to digital safety while balancing the challenges of global smartphone policies and user privacy expectations.
While Android manufacturers may comply easily, negotiations with Apple are expected, given its strict pre-installation rules. Regardless, the directive is a significant step in strengthening India’s cybersecurity framework and protecting millions of mobile users across the country.