India’s telecom ministry has directed all major smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-run cybersecurity app on every new device sold in the country, according to an order dated November 28. The move is expected to create friction with Apple, which does not allow any government or third-party apps to be placed on its devices before sale, according to a source familiar with the company’s policies.
The order requires companies such as Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app is preloaded on phones within 90 days. It also states that users should not be able to uninstall the app. For phones already in the supply chain, the app must be added through software updates.
India is one of the world’s biggest telecom markets, with more than 1.2 billion subscribers. The government says Sanchar Saathi, launched in January, has already helped track and recover more than 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone. The app allows users to verify IMEI numbers, report suspicious calls, and block stolen devices. Officials say the tool is essential to tackle “serious endangerment” to telecom cybersecurity caused by duplicate or spoofed IMEIs, which are often used in scams.
With more than 5 million downloads, the government says the app has helped block over 3.7 million lost or stolen phones and shut down more than 30 million fraudulent mobile connections. It argues that the increased use of the app will help police trace missing devices and reduce the circulation of counterfeit handsets in the black market.
However, industry insiders told media that the directive came without consultation, raising concerns among manufacturers. Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to requests for comment, and the telecom ministry has also remained silent.
