India Mandates Pre-Installed Government App on Smartphones, Echoing Russian Policy

India Joins the Pre-Installed App Trend: Sanchar Saathi Mandated for Smartphones

In a move that echoes recent directives in Russia, India is set to tighten its grip on the smartphone market by mandating the pre-installation of a crucial government application. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a directive, dated November 28, 2025, requiring all smartphone manufacturers to integrate the 'Sanchar Saathi' application onto every new device destined for the Indian market. This policy, which allows brands a 90-day grace period to comply, introduces a significant constraint: users will be prohibited from uninstalling the app. Furthermore, the government intends to extend its reach to already-sold smartphones through over-the-air software updates.

The Sanchar Saathi Initiative: Security and Control

This directive targets all major global players, including industry giants like Apple, Samsung, Oppo, vivo, and Xiaomi. The Sanchar Saathi application is not entirely new to Indian consumers; it's currently available in web and app store versions, boasting over 10 million downloads. The platform claims a user base exceeding 11 million, with states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra each having over a million registered users.

The core functionalities of Sanchar Saathi are centered around bolstering mobile security and combating fraud. Key features include the ability to block lost or stolen smartphones, verify device authenticity via IMEI numbers, and crucially, allow users to check if any SIM cards have been registered under their name without their knowledge. The government asserts that this application is an indispensable tool in the ongoing battle against cybercrime. Statistics from the DoT indicate that the system has facilitated the blocking of over 4.2 million misplaced or pilfered phones and aided in tracking more than 2.6 million devices.

Authorities emphasize the critical nature of these measures in an era of escalating threats to telecommunications cybersecurity. The prevalence of counterfeit or duplicated IMEI numbers, they argue, significantly facilitates fraudulent schemes and network abuse, underscoring the necessity of such a centralized control mechanism.

A Familiar Playbook: India and Russia's App Mandate Approach

The Indian government's proactive approach to app installation draws striking parallels with recent policies enacted in Russia. Last summer, the Russian government greenlit a list of approximately two dozen applications that would be mandatory for pre-installation on smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs starting in 2025. This curated list encompassed a broad spectrum of popular application categories, ranging from search engines and navigation tools to social networks, messaging platforms, payment solutions, office suites, antivirus software, and video streaming services. While users retain the freedom to opt for alternative applications, manufacturers are obligated to deliver devices equipped with this pre-defined software suite.

Adding to this trend, Russia further expanded its requirements in 2025, mandating the inclusion of the state-sponsored messenger 'Max' on all phones and tablets sold in the country from September 1st. Max, positioned as a competitor to established platforms like WhatsApp, has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about its potential for user surveillance.

The Road Ahead: Compliance and User Adaptation

The immediate future will reveal whether all smartphone brands will fully adhere to India's stringent requirements or if they will attempt to negotiate a compromise with the government. Should the directive be implemented in its entirety, it will necessitate significant adjustments to device firmware by manufacturers and a period of adaptation for users to integrate yet another system-level application into their digital lives. The implications for user privacy and the competitive landscape of app distribution remain subjects of keen observation.