The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new smartphones sold in India. The directive, issued to all manufacturers and importers, requires the app to be pre-installed, visible, and fully functional from the first device setup.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory Pre-installation: Sanchar Saathi must come pre-loaded on all new smartphones.
- Wider Rollout: Existing phones will get the app via software updates.
- 90-Day Deadline: Major brands like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi have 90 days to comply.
- Proven Track Record: The portal has already blocked over 42 lakh phones and recovered 26 lakh lost devices.
What is the Sanchar Saathi App?
Launched in May 2023, Sanchar Saathi is a government portal built to enhance mobile user safety and combat telecom fraud. Its key features include:
- Reporting and blocking lost or stolen phones and malicious links.
- Identifying all mobile numbers registered under your name.
- Verifying trusted contact details of banks and financial institutions.
- Checking handset authenticity and flagging spam messages.
- Reporting spoofed international calls without needing OTP verification.
A DoT official highlighted the app’s efficiency, stating it streamlines fraud reporting. “Right now, reporting time varies because users have to go to the website to report fraud or stolen mobile phones,” the official explained, adding that reports can be filed even without knowing the IMEI number.
Impact and Adoption So Far
The platform has delivered significant results since its launch:
- 42.14 lakh mobile phones blocked.
- 26.11 lakh lost or stolen handsets recovered.
- 288 lakh information requests handled, with 254 lakh resolved.
- 1.14 crore registrations, with over 1 crore downloads on Google Play and 9.5 lakh on Apple App Store.
Why is the Government Making it Mandatory?
The DoT’s move aims for wider adoption to protect citizens from counterfeit devices, enable quick reporting of telecom misuse, and strengthen the initiative’s overall effectiveness. To achieve this, manufacturers have also been asked to push the app via software updates to devices already in use.
Major smartphone brands including , Oppo, Vivo, , and have been given a 90-day window to implement the order. A full compliance report must be submitted within 120 days.
