The Telecom Ministry has ordered smartphone manufacturing companies to pre-install the government cyber security app ‘Sanchar Sathi’ in every phone. This app will have to be preloaded in all new devices, which cannot be deleted.
New Delhi. The Telecom Ministry has ordered smartphone manufacturing companies to pre-install the government cyber security app ‘Sanchar Sathi’ in every phone. The government has said that this app will have to be preloaded in all new devices, which cannot be deleted. According to reports, the government has given three months i.e. 90 days time to smartphone manufacturing companies like Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi for this.
More than 7 lakh lost phones found with the help of Sanchar Sathi app
Government data has revealed that with the help of Sanchar Sathi app launched in January, more than 7 lakh lost phones have been found so far. In October 2025 alone, 50,000 phones have been recovered through this. Let us tell you that India is one of the largest smartphone markets in the world with more than 1.2 billion subscribers.
Software update will be installed in the mobile already in use.
The ministry said in its order that for the devices which are already in use, manufacturers will have to install the app in the phone through software update. The government’s objective behind this is to curb cyber fraud, fake IMEI numbers and phone theft. The government says that the Sanchar Sathi app helps in preventing cyber threats as well as helps in tracking and blocking lost or stolen phones.
When was ‘Sanchar Sathi’ app launched?
Let us tell you that Sanchar Sathi app is a government cyber security tool, which was launched on 17 January 2025. It is currently available for voluntary download on Apple and Google Play Store, but now it will be available pre-installed in new phones. According to reports, the Sanchar Sathi app has been downloaded more than 5 crore times since its launch. The app has helped block more than 37 lakh stolen or lost mobile phones, while also eliminating more than 3 crore fraudulent connections.