What is Sanchar Saathi App? Complete Guide to India's New Mandatory Phone Security App

What is Sanchar Saathi App? Complete Guide to India's New Mandatory Phone Security App

If you've heard about the Sanchar Saathi app in the news recently, you're not alone. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made headlines by ordering all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install this government app on every new smartphone sold in India. But what exactly is Sanchar Saathi, and why is it important for you?

In this beginner-friendly guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about the Sanchar Saathi app, its features, how to use it, and answer your most common questions.

What is Sanchar Saathi?

Sanchar Saathi (meaning "Communication Companion" in Hindi) is a citizen-centric initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. It's both a mobile app and a web portal designed to protect Indian mobile users from:

  • Telecom fraud and scam calls
  • Identity theft and SIM misuse
  • Mobile phone theft
  • Counterfeit/fake mobile devices
  • International spoofed calls

The official portal is available at sancharsaathi.gov.in, and the app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Why is Sanchar Saathi in the News? (December 2025)

On November 28, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications issued new directions making it mandatory for all mobile phone manufacturers and importers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every smartphone sold in India.

Key points of the new directive:

  • All manufacturers must pre-install the app within 90 days
  • The app must be visible and accessible during first device setup
  • Functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted by manufacturers
  • Users CAN choose to delete the app if they wish

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that users are free to keep or delete the app—it's not forced surveillance. However, the directive has sparked debate about privacy and government overreach.

Key Features of Sanchar Saathi App

1. CEIR - Block Lost/Stolen Phones

The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) is one of the most useful features. If your phone is lost or stolen:

  • You can block your phone's IMEI across ALL telecom networks in India
  • The blocked phone cannot be used with any SIM card
  • If someone tries to use it, authorities can track the location
  • You can unblock the phone if you recover it

2. Chakshu - Report Fraud Communications

The Chakshu feature allows you to report:

  • Fraud calls attempting financial scams
  • Suspicious SMS messages
  • WhatsApp fraud messages
  • Impersonation attempts
  • Cybercrime-related communications

3. IMEI Verification

Before buying a used phone, you can check if:

  • The IMEI number is genuine
  • The phone has been reported stolen
  • The IMEI is duplicated or tampered with
  • The device is counterfeit

4. Check SIM Connections in Your Name

Find out how many mobile connections are registered under your Aadhaar or identity documents. This helps you:

  • Detect unauthorized SIMs issued in your name
  • Request disconnection of unwanted connections
  • Prevent identity misuse

5. Report International Spoofed Calls

Report incoming international calls that display Indian numbers (+91). These are often used by scammers to appear as local callers.

How to Use Sanchar Saathi to Block a Lost/Stolen Phone

If your phone is lost or stolen, follow these steps:

Step 1: File a Police Report

Visit your local police station and file an FIR (First Information Report). Keep a copy of the report—you'll need it.

Step 2: Get a Duplicate SIM

Contact your telecom provider (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) and get a duplicate SIM for your lost number.

Step 3: Block Your Phone on Sanchar Saathi

  1. Visit ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in or use the app
  2. Click on "Block Stolen/Lost Mobile"
  3. Fill out the request form with your IMEI number
  4. Upload your police report and ID proof
  5. Submit the request

Step 4: Wait for Confirmation

Your phone will be blocked across all networks within 24 hours. You'll receive a Request ID to track the status.

How to Find Your IMEI Number

Don't know your IMEI? Here's how to find it:

  • Dial *#06# on any phone to see the IMEI
  • Check the phone's original box
  • Look in Settings → About Phone → IMEI
  • Check your purchase invoice

How to Unblock a Recovered Phone

If you find your lost phone:

  1. Report to the police that the phone is recovered
  2. Visit the Sanchar Saathi portal
  3. Fill out the unblock request form
  4. Submit with your Request ID from the original blocking
  5. The phone will be unblocked for use

How to Check SIM Cards Registered in Your Name

  1. Visit sancharsaathi.gov.in
  2. Click on "Know Your Mobile Connections"
  3. Enter your mobile number
  4. Verify with OTP
  5. View all SIMs registered under your identity
  6. Request disconnection of unauthorized connections

Privacy Concerns and Controversy

The mandatory pre-installation directive has raised concerns:

Concerns Raised:

  • Privacy: Some worry about government surveillance through mandatory apps
  • Data collection: Questions about what data the app collects
  • Precedent: Concerns about forcing apps on citizens' devices

Government's Response:

  • Users can delete the app if they choose
  • The app is for citizen protection, not surveillance
  • Features are voluntary to use
  • Helps reduce telecom fraud and phone theft

Apple's Stance:

Reports indicate that Apple may not comply with the directive, citing that the company doesn't follow such mandates anywhere in the world due to privacy and security concerns for iOS.

Benefits of Using Sanchar Saathi

  • Free to use: All services are completely free
  • Pan-India coverage: Works across all telecom operators
  • 24-hour blocking: Lost phones blocked within a day
  • Identity protection: Know all SIMs in your name
  • Fraud reporting: Help authorities catch scammers
  • IMEI verification: Avoid buying stolen phones

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Sanchar Saathi app used for?

Sanchar Saathi is a government app that helps you block lost/stolen phones, report fraud calls, verify IMEI numbers, check SIM connections in your name, and report international spoofed calls. It's designed to protect Indian mobile users from telecom fraud and theft.

Is Sanchar Saathi app mandatory?

As of November 2025, phone manufacturers must pre-install the app on all new phones sold in India. However, users are free to delete the app if they don't want it. Using the app's features is completely voluntary.

Is Sanchar Saathi app safe to use?

Yes, the app is developed by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. It's an official government app available on the Google Play Store. However, like any app, you should download it only from official sources.

How do I block my lost phone using Sanchar Saathi?

File a police report, then visit ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in. Click "Block Stolen/Lost Mobile," enter your IMEI number, upload your police report and ID, and submit. Your phone will be blocked across all networks within 24 hours.

What is CEIR in Sanchar Saathi?

CEIR stands for Central Equipment Identity Register. It's a centralized database of mobile device IMEI numbers. When you block a phone through CEIR, it's blocked on all telecom networks in India, making the stolen device useless.

Can I use Sanchar Saathi without the app?

Yes! All features are available on the web portal at sancharsaathi.gov.in. You don't need to install the app if you prefer using the website.

How do I find my IMEI number?

Dial *#06# on your phone to display the IMEI number. You can also find it in Settings → About Phone → IMEI, or on the phone's original box and invoice.

Can I unblock my phone if I find it?

Yes. Report to the police that you've recovered the phone, then visit the Sanchar Saathi portal to submit an unblock request using your original Request ID.

How many SIM cards can be registered in my name?

As per Indian regulations, an individual can have up to 9 mobile connections per telecom operator. Use Sanchar Saathi to check if any unauthorized SIMs have been issued in your name.

Is Sanchar Saathi available for iPhone?

The web portal works on all devices including iPhones. However, reports suggest Apple may not pre-install the app as mandated, citing global privacy policies. iPhone users can still access all features through the website.

What is Chakshu in Sanchar Saathi?

Chakshu is the fraud reporting feature in Sanchar Saathi. It allows citizens to report suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages that attempt fraud, impersonation, or cybercrime.

Does blocking my phone help police find it?

Yes. When you block a phone and someone tries to use it, the system can generate traceability information. This helps police track the device's location and potentially recover it.

How to Download Sanchar Saathi App

For Android:

  1. Open Google Play Store
  2. Search for "Sanchar Saathi"
  3. Look for the official app by DoT (Department of Telecommunications)
  4. Click Install

For Web Access:

Visit sancharsaathi.gov.in on any browser.

Conclusion

The Sanchar Saathi app and portal offer valuable tools for protecting yourself from telecom fraud and phone theft in India. Whether you're blocking a stolen phone, checking for unauthorized SIMs, or reporting fraud calls, these services are free and accessible to all citizens.

While the mandatory pre-installation has sparked debate, the choice to use or delete the app remains with you. If you're concerned about phone theft or telecom fraud, Sanchar Saathi provides practical solutions that can genuinely help.

Official Links: