The Department of Telecommunications has directed all original equipment manufacturers and mobile importers to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi application comes pre-installed on every new handset that will be sold in India. This requirement applies to both devices made within the country and those brought in from abroad.
The application must appear immediately when a user switches on the phone for the first time, and its core features cannot be turned off. Companies such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have been given a period of 90 days to meet this new mandate.
A senior official from the department clarified that rumors claiming the app cannot be removed from the device are completely false. The official stressed that the misinformation is being intentionally spread and has no factual basis.
Sanchar Saathi, launched in May 2023, provides several public safety services. Users can report and block lost or stolen phones, identify malicious web links, check how many mobile numbers are registered under their name, and verify trusted contact details of banks and financial institutions.
Officials believe that making the app available by default will simplify and speed up fraud reporting. At present, users often lose precious time visiting the website to file complaints or submit information about a stolen device.
When questioned about how someone would file a report if their phone was missing, the official explained that the system is advanced enough to identify a device without requiring the user to remember the IMEI number. The aim, they said, is to avoid placing any unnecessary burden on citizens.
The app will also allow people to verify whether a device is genuine, review active mobile connections under their name, and report suspicious calls or messages. Unlike the website, the mobile application will not require OTP verification on the device to function, which is expected to save crucial time in emergency situations.
The department noted that cyber fraud has caused financial losses of nearly ₹35,000 crore in the past three to four years. Officials added that they expect full cooperation from smartphone manufacturers in implementing this requirement.
