The Sanchar Saathi app is the mobile version of the Department of Telecommunications citizen portal, available for Android and iOS phones. It lets you report a lost handset, check a phone's IMEI, see SIMs issued on your identity and flag fraud calls without opening a browser.
A government directive once asked phone makers to pre-install it on new handsets. That directive was withdrawn after public objection, so the app is optional. This guide sticks to practical questions: what it does, how to get the genuine copy, what permissions it requests and how to decide whether you want it.
Quick facts
Made by
Department of Telecommunications (DoT)Platforms
Android and iOSPrice
Free, no in-app paymentsMandatory?
No, it is optionalRegistration
Verifies your number by SMSSame services on web
Can it be removed
Yes, like any app you installed
What is the Sanchar Saathi app and what does it do
The first thing to know about Sanchar Saathi app features: it is a shortcut to the DoT services you would otherwise reach on the website. It does not add secret powers. The main uses of the Sanchar Saathi app are:
- Lost or stolen phone: raise a block request on CEIR, check its status and later unblock the handset.
- Handset check: scan or type an IMEI to see whether it is valid and which model it belongs to, handy before buying a used phone.
- Connections on your name: view mobile numbers linked to your identity and report ones you do not recognise.
- Fraud and spam reports: flag a suspicious call or message under Chakshu, straight from your call history or inbox.
A full description of every portal service is on our Sanchar Saathi portal page.
Sanchar Saathi app download: getting the genuine copy
- Open the official app store that came with your phone: the Android store on Android, or the App Store on iOS.
- Search for "Sanchar Saathi".
- Check that the publisher is shown as the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India.
- Look at the download count and read the permissions list before tapping install.
- Open the app, pick a language and complete number verification.
Permissions the app asks for and why
During setup the app confirms your mobile number by sending a verification SMS from your phone, which is why it asks for SMS and phone access. The store listing shows the full list along with the developer's own explanation. Typical requests and their likely purpose:
| Permission | Likely use | Can you refuse? |
|---|---|---|
| SMS | Number verification and reporting a suspicious message | Registration may fail without it |
| Phone and call log | Detecting your number and picking a call to report | Some report features will not work |
| Camera | Scanning the IMEI barcode on a box or bill | Yes, type the IMEI instead |
| Storage / files | Attaching a screenshot or document to a report | Yes, unless you attach files |
| Network access | Talking to the DoT servers | No, the app needs the internet |
On both Android and iOS you can review or withdraw permissions later in your phone settings under the app's entry. Read the privacy policy linked on the store page and on the official portal for how data is handled.
Is Sanchar Saathi app mandatory or not
It is not mandatory. A directive asking manufacturers to ship it pre-installed on new phones was issued and then withdrawn after objections about privacy and user choice. As things stand, nobody has to install it, and the services work fully through the website.
Some people search whether the app will come on every phone, or on which phones it will not come. Since the pre-install order no longer applies, there is no such list for users to worry about. If a seller, caller or message tells you that installing it is compulsory and then sends you a link, treat that as a scam.
Is the Sanchar Saathi app safe to use
The genuine app comes from a government publisher and offers the same services as the portal. Whether it suits you depends on how you weigh convenience against granting SMS and call log access. A sensible approach:
- Install only from the official store, never from a forwarded file.
- Grant the permissions you need for the feature you are using, and deny the rest.
- If you rarely need these services, skip the app and use the website when required.
- Keep the built-in phone finder of your phone account active, since the app does not show a lost phone's location.
Debate about the app has mostly been about the earlier pre-install plan, not about the optional download.
Benefits compared with the website
The app saves a few steps for people who report spam often. Choosing a call from history to report it is quicker than retyping the number and time. The camera scan avoids typing mistakes in a 15-digit IMEI. Status of an earlier block request is a tap away.
The website has its own advantages. It needs no install and no permissions, and it works from any phone or computer, including a borrowed one after your own phone is stolen. That last point matters: if your phone is gone, the app on it is gone too. Bookmark the CEIR site and read our lost mobile blocking steps so you can act from any device.
Can you delete or uninstall it
Yes. If you installed it yourself, remove it the normal way: long-press the icon and choose uninstall, or go to your phone settings, open the apps list and uninstall from there. Any block request you filed stays active on CEIR, since it is stored on the DoT side and not on your phone. Keep the 18-digit request ID somewhere safe, for example on paper, so you can check status or unblock a recovered phone later.
What the app cannot do
It cannot show the live location of a lost phone or of any person's number. Police, working with operators, handle tracing once a phone is blocked. It cannot reverse a fraudulent payment; for that, call 1930 or report it on cybercrime.gov.in at once. It does not unlock a phone or remove a screen lock. For realistic options when a phone goes missing, see tracking a lost phone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the use of Sanchar Saathi app?
It gives you the DoT mobile safety services on your phone: blocking and unblocking a lost handset, checking an IMEI, viewing SIMs on your name and reporting fraud or spam communication.
Is Sanchar Saathi mandatory to install?
No. The earlier directive to pre-install it on new phones was withdrawn, and installing it is your choice. All services are also available on the website.
Is Sanchar Saathi safe?
The official version is free and its publisher is the Department of Telecommunications. Download it only from the store built into your phone, check the publisher name and review the permissions before agreeing.
Why does the app need SMS permission?
It verifies your mobile number by sending an SMS from your phone during registration, and it lets you pick a suspicious message to report. You can withdraw the permission later in your phone settings.
Can I block my lost phone without the app?
Yes. Use the CEIR site from any browser on another phone or computer. Keep your FIR or lost report number handy, and get a replacement SIM so the OTP reaches you.
When was the Sanchar Saathi app launched?
The app came after the web portal as a way to reach the same services on mobile. Exact dates matter less than knowing it is optional and that the website offers everything the app does.