India requires all new smartphones to have the mandatory Sanchar Saathi app, which combats fraud and tracks stolen devices.

India has mandated that all new smartphones sold in the country, including those from Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, must come preinstalled with the government-owned Sanchar Saathi app, which cannot be uninstalled. The app, launched in January, combats fraud linked to fake or duplicated IMEI numbers by enabling users to report suspicious calls, verify device identities, and block stolen phones. The directive, effective December 1, 2025, requires manufacturers to comply within 90 days and push updates to devices already in the supply chain. Government data shows the app has recovered over 700,000 lost or stolen devices and blocked more than 3.7 million compromised phones. The move reflects India’s broader efforts to strengthen digital security in its 1.2 billion-user mobile market, though industry sources have raised concerns over lack of prior consultation, and Apple may face challenges due to its internal policies against preinstalled third-party apps.