India Mandates Preinstallation of Sanchar Saathi Cybersecurity App on All New Smartphones by 2025
- Why Is India Forcing Smartphone Makers to Preinstall Sanchar Saathi?
- How Will This Impact Apple and Other Tech Giants?
- What Does Sanchar Saathi Actually Do?
- New Rules for Messaging Apps: SIM-Linking Required
- Industry Reactions and Privacy Concerns
- Historical Context: India’s Tech Regulation Battles
- What’s Next for Smartphone Users in India?
- FAQs
In a bold MOVE to combat telecom fraud, India has ordered smartphone manufacturers to preinstall the government’s Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new devices within 90 days. This directive, effective from November 28, 2025, targets major players like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, raising concerns over user privacy and market dynamics. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Is India Forcing Smartphone Makers to Preinstall Sanchar Saathi?
The Indian government’s latest mandate requires all new smartphones sold in the country to come with the Sanchar Saathi app preinstalled—and it can’t be uninstalled. The app, launched in January 2025, aims to tackle duplicate or fake IMEI numbers, which are often used in scams. According to government data, Sanchar Saathi has already blocked 3.7 million stolen phones and canceled 30 million fraudulent connections. But critics argue the move undermines user consent, echoing controversies from Russia’s similar push for preinstalled apps in 2023.
How Will This Impact Apple and Other Tech Giants?
Apple, which now manufactures over 14% of its iPhones in India, faces a dilemma. The company’s strict privacy policies prohibit preinstalling third-party apps, and it previously clashed with Indian regulators in 2017 over an anti-spam app. With Apple holding just 4.5% of India’s 735 million smartphone market, compliance could mean sacrificing its principles—or exiting a critical growth market. Android brands like Samsung and Xiaomi, which dominate India’s market, may adapt more easily but still risk backlash from privacy advocates.
What Does Sanchar Saathi Actually Do?
The app offers three key features:
- Lost Phone Tracking: Users can block stolen devices across all telecom networks via a central registry.
- Fraud Prevention: It disables fraudulent mobile connections linked to fake IMEIs.
- Recovery Tool: Since launch, it’s helped recover 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October 2025 alone.
New Rules for Messaging Apps: SIM-Linking Required
In a parallel move, India’s Department of Telecommunications now requires messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to maintain continuous SIM card verification. Sessions on web versions will expire every six hours, forcing reauthentication via QR codes. The government claims this will curb cross-border cyberfraud, but critics warn it could erode encryption benefits.
Industry Reactions and Privacy Concerns
Tech lawyer Mishi Choudhary likened the mandate to Russia’s 2023 push for preinstalled apps, calling it a “consent bypass.” Meanwhile, manufacturers have 90 days to comply—either by embedding Sanchar Saathi in new devices or pushing it via software updates. For Apple, the stakes are high: India is both a booming consumer base and a key manufacturing hub.
Historical Context: India’s Tech Regulation Battles
This isn’t India’s first clash with Big Tech. In 2017, Apple delayed implementing an anti-spam app over data-sharing concerns. The current mandate reflects India’s broader push for digital sovereignty, but at what cost to innovation and privacy? Analysts at BTCC note that similar policies in China and the EU have sparked fierce debates but ultimately reshaped markets.
What’s Next for Smartphone Users in India?
Starting March 2026, all new phones in India will come with Sanchar Saathi. For consumers, the trade-off is clear: enhanced security versus reduced control. As one Mumbai-based developer quipped, “Your phone is now a government toolkit—whether you like it or not.”
FAQs
Can I remove Sanchar Saathi from my phone?
No. The app is mandatory and cannot be uninstalled under the new rules.
Does this affect existing smartphones?
Yes. Manufacturers must push the app via updates for devices already in supply chains.
Why is Apple at risk of leaving India?
Apple’s policies forbid preinstalling third-party apps, putting it at odds with the mandate.
