India’s telecom ministry has quietly directed smartphone companies to preload a government-owned cybersecurity app on all new phones, and users won’t be able to remove it. The order is expected to raise concerns among Apple and privacy advocates. India has one of the biggest phone markets in the world, with more than 1.2 billion users. According to government data, the app, launched in January, has already helped track and recover over 700,000 lost phones, including about 50,000 in October alone.
Government Orders Pre-installation of Cybersecurity App
Apple, along with Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, is among the smartphone companies required to pre-install the Indian government’s Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. The app cannot be disabled by users, according to a November 28 order seen by Reuters. Companies have 90 days to comply with the directive. For phones already in the supply chain, manufacturers must push the app through software updates, the ministry said. The order was sent privately to select companies and has not been publicly released.
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Purpose of the App
The government says the app is crucial to protect India’s telecom network from cyber threats caused by duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are often used in scams or network misuse.
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The Sanchar Saathi app allows users to report suspicious calls, check IMEIs, and block stolen devices via a central registry. Since its launch, it has been downloaded over 5 million times and has helped block more than 3.7 million lost or stolen phones. Additionally, it has terminated over 30 million fraudulent connections.
Apple’s Concerns
Apple, which runs iOS on about 4.5% of India’s 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025, has previously resisted government requests to pre-install apps. Its policies prohibit installing any third-party or government apps before a phone is sold. Industry experts believe Apple may negotiate a compromise, such as giving users an option to install the app instead of forcing it. Other major brands like Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have not publicly commented on the order.
How the App helps cybersecurity
Each mobile phone has a unique 14- to 17-digit IMEI number, used to block stolen phones from networks. The Sanchar Saathi app helps users track and block stolen phones, prevents cyber threats, and keeps counterfeit devices out of the black market. The app also assists law enforcement in tracing devices involved in crimes.