The Department of Telecommunications of India recently ordered all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all devices. The aim was to prevent and identify counterfeit goods, and also help to trace lost or stolen devices. However, this move has faced a lot of criticism from both citizens and smartphone OEMs, as the app was permanent and could not be deleted from the device, posing a privacy risk.

Shortly after the announcement, Apple refused to comply with this new order. The matter quickly escalated, becoming almost a controversy in the country. India’s Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has clarified the matter through an official statement. Here are the latest updates on the Sanchar Saathi app order, verified from the Government of India and other official departments.

Sanchar Saathi App Explained

The Sanchar Saathi app serves as a security and user-protection platform for all users in India. It can be used to trace and report lost smartphones, identify counterfeit devices, check if the IMEI has been tampered with, etc. The app also lets people search the number of SIM connections issued under their name, along with direct options to lodge a complaint for unverified and unauthorised SIMs under their identity. It can also detect suspected fraud from call logs and warn the user instantly.

Although the app was launched in January 2025, it did not reach enough users in this country, with an estimated 90 crore+ smartphone users. With the motive of public safety, the Department of Communications issued an order to all smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app in all devices. The order mentions that the app should be installed with full functionalities, without any restrictions. The same should be prompted to the user while setting up the device.

Smartphone OEMs are given a period of 120 days to comply with the order, with a deadline of March 2026. Post this, all phones sold in India are required to include the Sanchar Saathi app. If any company fails to comply with the same, it will not be allowed to sell devices in the country.

However, the initial announcement mentioned that the Sanchar Saathi app cannot be uninstalled or deleted from the smartphone. This enraged citizens, as the app has access to almost all permissions such as call logs, SMS, storage, camera, microphone, speakers, etc Many users highlighted this as a privacy risk, while some alleged that the app could be used as a surveillance tool by the government.

Apple Refuses to Pre-install Sanchar Saathi

As per the Telegraph India, Apple has refused to comply with the order. The company has refused to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on its iPhones and other devices, citing it as a privacy risk. It is worth noting that Apple has never pre-installed any government apps in iPhones before, as the company follows a privacy-first approach for its users.

Apple has not issued any official statement on the same. The orders from the DoT were also issued in confidence to smartphone OEMs. Apple’s refusal comes from a closed and reputable source, but there is no official confirmation at the time of publishing this article. Similarly, other smartphone makers like Xiaomi, Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, Vivo, and others have also remained silent on this matter.

Government of India’s Latest Update on Sanchar Saathi App

Due to increasing outrage and confusion over the topic, the Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Rao, issued an official statement. He confirmed that users will have complete control over the Sanchar Saathi app, and the app can be deleted anytime. The app also needs consent from the user for activation. He also specifically mentioned that the Sanchar Saathi app is not made for surveillance.

#SancharSaathiApp is built to empower every mobile user, not monitor them. The app is fully voluntary, activates only after user consent, and can be deleted anytime.

With transparent tools, fraud protection features, and lakhs of stolen phones traced, Sanchar Saathi continues to… pic.twitter.com/pzmpCh5m04

— DoT India (@DoT_India) December 2, 2025

Official Guidelines of Sanchar Saathi App

• Sanchar Saathi app will require consent from the user for voluntary registration and activation.
• The app can be deleted and uninstalled at any moment by the user.
• Sanchar Saathi is not made for surveillance, confirms Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
• Sanchar Saathi app to be pre-installed on all smartphones in India sold after March 2026.

What Happens If You Already Have Sanchar Saathi App?

If you already have the Sanchar Saathi app installed on your phone, then you can benefit from all the cybersecurity and safety features of the app. These include active scanning for fraudulent calls, verification of your device IMEI, spam protection from calls and SMS, and more.

You can delete the app anytime from your device, even after March 2026. This applies to both Android and iOS devices. The user will continue to have complete control over the functions of the app, and this will not affect their IMEI, device genuineness, or SIM connections.

What if Apple Does Not Comply With Sanchar Saathi By March 2026?

As per the latest regulations, it will become difficult for Apple (and any other brand) to sell their devices in India without the Sanchar Saathi app. However, the deadline is still 120 days away, and we can expect Apple and the Government of India to negotiate and find a middle ground over this.

Both parties are correct in their part, where Apple wants to protect the privacy of its users, while the Government of India wants to safeguard its citizens from digital fraud. But if Apple does not comply, it is possible that the company may have to temporarily halt its sales of iPhones in India.

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