What is Sanchar Saathi: The app that government wants to come pre-installed on smartphones

Sanchar Saathi

In the recent announcement, the Indian government has directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install its Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones, aiming to boost user security and curb rising fraud cases involving mobile numbers. Sanchar Saathi, developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is already available on Google Play and the App Store, but until now users had the choice of whether to install it. With the new mandate, every new device sold in India will come with the app preloaded. The directive seeks to make key citizen-protection tools available instantly to users without requiring a manual download. If you are wondering what is this app and what feature it offers? Here's everything that you need to know.

What is Sanchar Saathi?

Sanchar Saathi is a centralised telecom security platform created to help mobile subscribers secure their devices, accounts, and connections. It integrates multiple services into a single interface. That allows users to report suspected fraud calls and messages, block lost or stolen phones across all Indian networks, check the number of mobile connections issued in their name, verify handset authenticity using IMEI, and report suspicious international calls appearing as Indian numbers.

The app’s most notable feature is Chakshu, a reporting mechanism for suspected fraud communication. It enables users to easily report scam calls, phishing SMS, and fraudulent WhatsApp messages used for impersonation, financial fraud, or cybercrime attempts.

How the app secures mobile users

One of Sanchar Saathi’s critical features is the ability to block a lost or stolen handset. When a user reports a device as stolen, the app coordinates with telecom operators to block its IMEI across all networks, preventing misuse. If someone attempts to use the blocked device, traceability data is generated for authorities.

The app also lets users view all mobile numbers issued in their name — a measure designed to curb SIM misuse. If a subscriber finds unauthorised SIMs linked to their identity, they can report and request their removal.

Another security layer ensures users can check the genuineness of their device using the IMEI checker. This helps identify counterfeit or cloned handsets.

Citizens can also report incoming international calls that display Indian numbers, a common technique used by illegal telecom routes and overseas fraud networks.

How the app registers users

Once installed, Sanchar Saathi initiates a simple verification process. A registration alert notifies the user that the app needs to send an SMS to DoT’s verification number (14522). The app then automatically sends the SMS in the background to authenticate the user and detect the active mobile numbers on the device. These verified numbers are shown inside various app features, making it easier to file reports or check SIM details.

Permissions the app requires

To deliver its security tools, the Sanchar Saathi app requests several device permissions:

Call and SMS logs — Used to auto-fill details when reporting fraud calls or messages. The logs stay on the device; only the reported entry is shared with DoT.

Make and manage calls — Allows the app to detect active mobile numbers during registration.

Send SMS — Required for the one-time registration SMS to 14522.

Photos and files — Needed to upload screenshots of suspicious communication or documents when reporting a lost device.

Camera — Used for scanning IMEI barcodes.

Why the government wants it pre-installed

The government believes Sanchar Saathi can significantly reduce telecom-related fraud, unauthorised SIM issuance, and handset misuse. As financial scams and spoofed international calls continue to rise, making the app a default part of every smartphone gives citizens immediate access to tools that detect fraud and secure devices.

By ensuring the app is already present on new smartphones, officials expect more users to actively report fraud attempts and track unauthorised SIM activity, improving overall telecom safety in the country.